Colleagues:
Has anyone heard of an author of a saint's life refer to himself as a
"baiulus"? The Lexicon lat. Nederlandicae defines baiulus as a "bearer"
or "carrier". In Fra Giunta's Legenda de vita et miraculus beatae
Margaritae de Cortona (Iozzelli critical ed. 1997) the hagiographer Fra
Giunta often refers to himself as Baiulus, with the implication that he
is the bearer of St Margaret of Cortona's (d. Feb 22, 1297, Franciscan
Tertiary) message or deeds. Is the biographer suggesting that he is
God's chosen messager to transmit the words and actions of Margaret? Is
this a first in the development of Latin saints' lives? It almost seems
he is making himself a sort of alter-saint, along with his subject.
I would appreciate any leads you might have.
Thanks
Thomas Renna - History
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center MI 48710
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