 |
 |
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture How appropriate that the feast day of St Martin -- soldier and Gaul -- falls on Armistice Day... (known here as Veterans' Day). TGD >>> [log in to unmask] 11/10/03 06:54PM >>> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Martin of Tours (d. 397) Martin was born in what is now Szombathely, Hungary, the son of a Roman army officer. At the age of 15 he joined the imperial cavalry, and five years later converted to Christianity (legend says that this was after he gave half his cloak to a beggar and had a vision of Christ). He succeeded in obtaining his discharge and became a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers and then head of a community of monks at Liguge (which may have been the first monastery in Gaul). In 372 he became bishop of Tours (founding the monastery of Marmoutier nearby, where he escaped on occasion). Martin was an enormously charismatic and influential bishop, regularly embroiled with the other bishops of Gaul, who don't seem to have wanted a scrubby monk among their number. His tomb at Tours was a popular pilgrimage shrine for many centuries. ********************************************************************** 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