medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> Do I assume correctly that the "kake" is the Host? --"Kake" is in
the OED2 as a common 14-16C spelling of "cake,"
> though there is not much to suggest that cake=host in historical
> English. (1577: "His mother left bringing of wine and cakes to
> the church" is about the extent of the religious association in
> the OED.)
I'm sure 'kake' does refer to the Host; a chalice with a host above it
is exactly how the Corpus Christi would be depicted. The writer is
being deliberately dismissive of the Host by using the term; no
Catholic writer would use such a term, and that is why you have not
been able to find any.
The 1577 reference would appear to be to the Confessions of St
Augustine, in which Aug's mother, Monica, stopped bringing cakes (real
cakes) and wine to the church, after the practice, known as the
'laetitia' had been banned in Milan by St Ambrose. This disapproval of
the 'laetitia' seems to have had something to do with Augustine's
becoming bishop of Hippo. Valerius, the ancient bishop of Hippo, banned
the practice in his own city, some years after Ambrose had done so in
Milan. The folks were most reluctant to give up such an ancient and
much-loved piece of folk-religion, and it was feared that riots might
ensue. Valerius asked his presbyter, one Augustine, to preach against
it on the days leading up to Ascension Day. Things got a bit hairy, and
a deputation of practitioners came to see Augustine, but eventually he
won his point. A grateful Valerius, having consulted with Bishop
Aurelius of Carthage, appointed Augustine co-adjutor bishop of Hippo.
Aug. was at first reluctant to take the appointment, never having heard
of a co-adjutor bishop, but he was assured that such appointments were
quite normal. However, what none of the three knew was that they had
been banned by the eighth canon of the Council of Nicaea. Augustine was
mortified to find that his consecration had been irregular and decreed
that the canons of Nicaea were henceforth to be read to bishops and
presbyters at their ordination. An account of the affair can be read in
Gerald Bonner, "St Augustine of Hippo", pp. 116 ff.
Bill.
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