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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture The right to consecrate churches was important to bishops. In terms of word count, perhaps a fifth of the _Romano-German Pontifical_ concerns ceremonies that could be used at church dedications. These were fancy events that probably brought together more dignitaries than any other ritual at which a bishop presided (unless he handled coronations). Bishops seem to have been able to use their right to this rite as one of the levers by which they controlled subordinates. Church buildings were big efforts that needed to be properly launched. Added altars also needed episcopal blessing. In one of his letters, Fulbert of Chartres faults a subordinate who had allowed violence to break out in his church (the implication is that he himself was involved) and accuses him of irreligiously and illegally holding services in the desecrated church without having arranged for Fulbert to reconsecrate it. John Howe ********************************************************************** 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 ********************************************************************** 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