medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (21. November) is the feast day of:
The Presentation of Mary in the Temple. Originally a commemoration of the
dedication of the church of S. Maria Nova in Jerusalem in the year 543, by
the 8th century the eastern church had adopted this day to celebrate the
Virgin Mary being turned over to the Temple at a young age (from the
Infancy of Mary in the apocrypha? or something like that?) The feast was
known in the west from the eleventh century, and was made a universal feast
in 1472.
Nicholas Giustiniani (blessed) (d. after 1180) Nicholas was a noble
Venetian. He became a Benedictine, but after all his brothers were killed
in battle at Constantinople the doge got a papal dispensation for N. to
marry and produce heirs for his family. He did so, fathering 6 sons and 3
daughters. In his old age he returned to the monastery.
Albert of Louvain (d. 1192) A rather interesting Germanic Thomas Becket
look-alike. Albert was the son of Duke Godfrey III of Brabant and Margaret
of Limburg, born in 1166. He was raised for high Church office, and at the
age of 12 became a canon of Liege. A. went on to be archdeacon, the
provost of Liege, and at the age of 25 (in 1191) the clergy of the city
elected him bishop. Unfortunately, Emperor Henry VI wanted the job for his
wife's uncle, and applied pressure. Albert fled to Rome to appeal, dressed
as a servant to get by belligerant imperial troops, and the pope duly
confirmed him as bishop of Liege. So A. returned, only to find his
opponent installed in office. At papal order, A. was consecrated bishop
anyway, and was murdered 10 weeks later by 3 German knights.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
[log in to unmask]
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
|