Dear All
I am presently trying to turn a conference paper on literacy, orality and
heresy into an article - and find myself in search of footnotes and
contexts. I wonder if I might ask the list whether anyone is aware of any
secondary work addressing the theme of 'anticlericalism' and literacy or
textuality? I had perhaps better gloss those rather problematic terms:
what I am wondering is whether anyone has found and/or analysed any
occasions when anti-church or anti-clerical or anti-religious sentiments
have been expressed in terms of the church/clergy having access to (and
drawing authority from) written texts/literacy to which the laity are
denied access or authority. Ie (and I'm making this bit up): "you bloody
priests just spout incomprehensible Latin".
This is not intended as an enquiry aiming itself at arguments over
translation of the bible into the vernacular, or Reformation arguments
over one's relationship to the liturgy; my focus is thirteenth and
early-fourteenth century, and what I am hoping for is some existing
secondary discussion... But obviously any responses would be appreciated!
Listmembers are usually keen to benefit as a group from individual's
generosity, so please reply ON-list.
cheers
john arnold
School of History
University of East Anglia
Norwich NR4 7TJ
01603 592796
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