medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Let me second this request, and add to it a desire for examples of
saints' lives that parallel myths. St. George:Perseus is a
classic example, and the story of Eustace/Placidus clearly parallels
Greek novels (though I don't know that any specific ones have been named.)
With regard to holidays, the most useful book I have found for
de-bunking neo-pagan or celto-romantic myths is Ronald Hutton's
Stations of the Sun. Dealing primarily with the British Isles,
it is not a study of pagan survivals per se, but it is possible
to look up a particular holiday and see what was going on and
whether a survival is likely. One of the interesting features
of the book is that it suggests that begging rituals (such as
Halloween practices) may be a relatively recent (i.e. early
modern) phenomenon.
Meg
Greetings all,
In light of the fascinating recent discussion of St Martin's "defile aux flambeaux" and all, this question isn't even off-topic... Does anyone know of a book or two, suitable for the average undergrad, that gives a **historically respectable** overview of the "pagan" trappings of Christian celebrations (fir trees at Christmas and jack o'lanterns at Halloween, but also the Roman survivals)?
An interested student tried finding material, but confessed herself baffled. The Internet yields no end of material on Wicca, ley-lines and related stuff, some of it quite interesting, but she is wary of trying to chart a course through that sea of material on her own.
Any suggestions?
Gratefully,
TGD
>>> [log in to unmask] 11/05/03 08:04PM >>>
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (6. November) is the feast day of:
Illtyd (d. c. 505) One of the most famous saints of Wales, he is known
mostly in legendary form (which my saints' dictionary declines to tell the
curious reader). He was a monk under St. Cadoc, and went on to found the
monastery of Llanilltyd Fawr near Cardiff, which produced many more Welsh
saints.
Melanius of Rennes (d. c. 535) The Breton Melanius was bishop of Rennes
during the period when the Franks were busily conquering Gaul. M. became a
friend of King Clovis, and according to tradition succeeded almost
completely in converting the population of the rural parts of his diocese
to Christianity---a rare feat in the sixth century.
Leonard of Noblac (6th cent.?) There is no evidence of Leonard before an
11th-century legend, which tells that he was a Frankish courtier, converted
by St. Remigius. He became a monk and later a hermit. His cult was very
popular in the Middle Ages.
Severus of Barcelona (d. 633) Severus was bishop of Barcelona at a bad
time---when very unsympathetic Arians were ruling Spain. Severus was
martyred by having nails hammered into his head.
martyrs of Antioch (d. 637) A group of ten or more, killed when Muslims
captured the city (which seems like a very moderate number to me).
Efflam (d. c. 700) Legend tells that Efflam (Inflannan) was an Irish noble
who fled his home to escape a threatened marriage. He ended up as the
abbot-founder of the monastery of Plestan in Brittany.
Demetrian (d. c. 912) A popular Cypriote saint, Demetrian became a monk
when his wife died, and in time bishop of Ketheria.
Christina Bruzo (blessed) (d. 1312) Christina was a Beguine at Cologne,
and then housekeeper for a parish priest in Stommeln. Starting at the age
of 11 Christina had a very large number of mystical experiences; a local
Dominican recorded them for her.
Leonard of Reresby (13th cent.) A popular saint with no official standing,
a Yorkshire legend tells that Leonard was a crusader, taken prisoner by the
Muslims, and then miraculously transported back to England---complete with
his chains (!), where he died immediately after arrival.
Margaret of Lorraine (blessed) (d. 1521) Margaret married the duke of
Alencon in 1488. She bore three children before her husband died in 1492.
After she had raised her children, M. founded a Poor Clare nunnery at
Argentan and entered it herself.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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