medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Chris Laning <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>I was fascinated to discover (can't remember the source, sorry) that
the site that owns at least one of the "swaddling clothes" relics
claims that the swaddling bands are actually an old pair of hose
belonging to St. Joseph.
Aachen.
There's a very, very nice article by list member Sophie Oosterwijk, "THE
SWADDLING-CLOTHES OF CHRIST: A Medieval Relic on Display" to be found here :
http://www.medieval-life.co.uk/article/joseph.htm
she publishes a shot of Joe's socks as they appeared in 1874 :
http://www.medieval-life.co.uk/article/joseph1.jpg
and a late 14th c. ms of Joe turning his socks into swadling clothes :
http://www.medieval-life.co.uk/article/joseph4.jpg
the relic as seen in the 16h c. :
http://www.medieval-life.co.uk/article/joseph3.jpg
and in another wood cut with several Aachen relics being illustrated :
http://www.medieval-life.co.uk/article/joseph2.jpg
the text is, needless to say, well worth reading :
"The curious story of Joseph and his hose illustrates the medieval need to
explain the details of the Virgin's reported confinement far away from the
comfort of a regular nursery with midwives in attendance and everything in
readiness, thus further emphasizing Christ's humility. Instead, it is Joseph
in his role of the family provider, rather than that of a natural father, who
finds the solution for the lack of swaddling clothes by donating his own hose
to cover the newborn Christ with in the cold winter night."
best from here,
christopher
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