 |
 |
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture >> >> A portable altar? Temporary altars, and nave altars? There are plenty >> of places in churches where we can be confident that there were altars, >> but no trace of a piscina can now be found. I agree that some sort of >> arrangement must have been made, but we cannot be certain what was >> actually done. > > Surely a bowl and a jug/pitcher of water on a table beside the altar > would answer the need. It is the drain that is the main problem - and was obviously seen as essential, as so much effort went into providing a permanent piscina. John Briggs Yes, but was the used water considered sacred in any way? Piscinas drain into the ground. Surely the water from a bowl could be carefully poured into the churchyard? I suppose I am approaching this problem in an entirely practical/housewifely way. A fixed washbasin with a drain is far more convenient than a bowl that has to be carried away and emptied, but the latter is not to be despised if needed. If the nave altar in our church is where I think it would have been, no way could there have been a piscina, unless the Priest was willing to walk to a side chapel to wash his hands. Anne ********************************************************************** 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