medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Deae Werner,
All senses of "ferculum" have the same derivation: whether a bier or a tray, a "ferculum" is still initially an object used to carry things (I'm not sure what the force of the diminutive is but suspect that it signals convenience or ease in handling rather than literal small(ish) size).
That said, you raise a very valid point about inclement weather. Although a cloth covering might have been sufficient protection, you are surely right about the presence of serfs to receive the donation. Their presence would safeguard the donation against theft and it would also provide a means of conveniently returning the biers, if these were indeed used, to their owner's servants (one of the reasons I had been suspicious about the actual use of biers was the problem of their return).
Best again,
John Dillon
On Sun, 19 Jan 2003 16:00:42 +0100
Werner Robl <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
>Dear John,
>
>I didn't find any hints for the fercula in Paris BEFORE 11th c., but your
>explanation - ferculum in a metaphoric, traditional, figurative sense -
>sounds much reasonable, even if we don't exactly know, what such a ferculum
>really was. My idea about "bier with handles" came from the original stem
>(fer-culum, from ferre = to bear, carry) and the necessity that the outdoor
>fercula perhaps must have been suddenly saved, by the serfs, from rain and
>storm.
>
>Every further hint or bibliographical reference would be much appreciated.
>
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