medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Dear medieval-religion colleagues,
We very briefly had the pleasure of having Anne Schutte as a member of the list. She has left us, asking if I could send this to you on her behalf.
I propose that we reply to her queries here, and that I shall pass along the answers to Prof. Schutte.
Many thanks and all good wishes, George
* * * * * * *
Forwarded message:
First: I am not and never have been either a Catholic or an anti-Catholic,
nor do I get off on masochism and sadism. Now, my weird question. Does anyone
know how devout people in the Middle Ages and early modern period procured
instruments of bodily mortification: cilices, disciplines, hair-shirts? Could they get
them in shops? Or did they have to special-order them from artisans
(blacksmiths, rope-makers, tailors)? Conceivably, a experienced amateur seamstress with
access to scratchy fabric could stitch up her own hair-shirt, and someone
with extraordinarily strong hands could knot up a passable discipline. But fabricating
a cilice would have required professional skill in metal fabrication.
For a hair-raising look at such instruments, go to www.cilice.co.uk.
This firm claims to sell its products only to collectors - but I bet they have a flourishing
user market in various quarters.
Please reply offline to Anne Schutte: [log in to unmask]
--
Anne Jacobson Schutte
(Professor of History, emerita,
University of Virginia)
**********************************************************************
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
|