medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
> *Arnulf / Arnoul of Metz* (d. 640) was a high official in the
> Austrasian court who resigned to live a religious life. His wife
> became a nun and he tried to became a hermit with his friend St.
> Romaric (the founder of the first community at what became Remiremont
> in the Vosges) but according to his contemporary Vita was instead made
> bishop of Metz against his will. Ultimately he was able to resign from
> office and undertake his long-desired eremitical life. He died at the
> future Remiremont and was translated to Metz, /non sine miraculis/.
> Through his son Ansegisel and the latter's wife St. Begga he became a
> progenitor of the Pippinids, as their son was Pepin of Heristal, Mayor
> of the Palace. Among other tasks, Arnulf is now the patron of beer
> brewers.
>
> The story is told of him that as he was crossing a bridge over the
> Moselle, he looked down into the rushing stream, and drawing a gold
> ring from his finger, cast it in, saying, "I shall not believe that my
> sins have been pardoned till I see this ring again." Years later, when
> he was a priest, a fisherman brought him a large fish – and inside it
> was his ring.
>
This story is interesting from the perspective of medieval pilgrim
badges, most of which have been found in rivers. It would appear that
pilgrims were in the habit of throwing their badges into a river after
they returned home from a pilgrimage. I have never read any explanation
for this quasi-ritual. One can easily imagine, though, some kind of
thaumaturgical invocation was involved, even if most people never got a
large fish back!
Cheers,
Jim
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
|