medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Might not this expression, altar of the poor, perhaps be an anticlerical
misunderstanding of sorts. Monastic churches (except Cistercian ones) commonly
had parishes attached to them, with the parish occupying, say, an aisle of the nave
(the arrangements varied), while the high altar was usually reserved for the
monastic community. In a case like this, one can imagine the noble family of a
founder or important benefactor having access to the high altar (their tombs were
frequently located in the monastic choir), while the "poor" parishioners, would use
an altar in the nave. Something similar may also have pertained to cathedrals, but I
am not so sure how cathedrals worked in relation to parishes.
Cheers,
Jim Bugslag
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