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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Following the discussion about lay piety - one of the big changes in religion was the church's desire for a separation of clergy and lay people, and hence the insistence on the Gregorian Reforms (Morris has a good piece on this in Papal Monarchy). This had many ramifications (priestly celibacy etc) and led to Becket's murder ... To shift the debate somewhat. As is well known there is a phenomenon in late Anglo-Saxon churches of a door high up (often 20-30ft high) set into the west tower so that someone can look down on the nave and the chancel. The thought is that there was a balcony out into the church. I had always thought this was for the priest, but a colleague mentioned that he thought it was for the owner/patron of the church to be separated from the congregation. It is well attested that Charlemangne had such a high vantage point (though looking through an arch, not a door and a balcony) but for this to happen in many small churches seems odd, especially as I have in my mind more of a communal act of worship, rather than the late Medieval ideas of the separation of the rich and powerful. Any thoughts? Chris Daniell ********************************************************************** 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