medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
I have two questions on which some list members may be able to help.
First, do any of you have experience of working with lists of
miracles that specify in any detail what took place when someone
reported a miracle at a saint's shrine -- were they asked questions,
and if so what? who recorded the miracles and how? I'm not looking
for general info, of which I have plenty, but for very specific
detailed accounts that will help me think about exactly how the
Cantilupe miracles on which I'm working were proved and recorded.
On a related theme, when these were put into a typological list,
there were two distinct categories for contractis and claudis, the
crippled and the lame. But the difference between them is hard to
fathom. Both could include upper and lower limbs, though there are
more specific references to hands among the contractis. Both could
last for long periods of time; both could lead to substantial
mobility problems, though this is emphasized more in the case of the
contracti . Some people are said to be both claudus and contractus.
I'm wondering whether the distinction in the minds of those who
reported and/or recorded the miracles was between people with visible
twisting and deformity of limbs and those who without such visible
signs. Does anyone have experience of sources that make this kind of
distinction and of the thinking behind them?
Apologies for this long note...
Sue
--
Susan Ridyard
Professor of History
Director, Sewanee Medieval Colloquium
The University of the South
735 University Ave
Sewanee, TN 37383
tel. (931) 598 1531
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