I am writing a PhD dissertation on the York plays, and have arrived the
question of York's apparent desire to identify itself with the heavenly
city. I am aware of Martin Steven's discussion of this matter, and of the
problems in that essay. I have looked at Kantorowicz's essay, "The
'King's Advent,'" and his book on the _Laudes Regiae_. I have also read
Gordon Kipling's treatment of this issue in his essay on the civic triumph
of Richard II.
I am wondering if there are any studies that focus on this "tradition" of
medieval cities attempting to identify themselves as cities of God.
Miikka Roukanen and others argue that Augustine's theology is clear on the
point that there can be no external form of the heavenly city on earth; it
exists only in collective faith. Medieval civic politics will not be
ruled by theology, of course; but there is contradiction, nevertheless,
and, therefore, I suspect, an interesting history to be analyzed.
Does anyone know of any studies that have looked at this history? I have
my own ideas about York, but there are, I feel, complexities that
Kantorowicz et al have not addressed
Thanks in advance,
Charles Costello
Graduate Centre for Study of Drama
University of Toronto
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