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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture A few things: Herbert Thurston (whom I always find informative despite the age of his scholarship) has an article on "candles" in the 1914 on-line Catholic Encyclopedia (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03246a.htm) that makes some interesting points about the history of the liturgical use of candles, and notes that, since bees were considered to be virgins, their wax was a good symbol of Christ's flesh. That would undoubtedly carry some allure for medieval people making an offering. In any event, since beeswax was, and still is, expensive, it would add weight to anyone offering of a candle or wax ex voto at a shrine. (Wax also lasts a long time--there are wax writing tablets from Roman times still quite legible--and is relatively inexpensive compared to molded metal or carved stone. This may have also made it a preferred medium for making an ex voto: malleability and durability.) Second, I've read a lot of wills from England from the 14th century onward, and even the most humble testators usually leave money to the "lights" (lumines) in their parish church, either generally "ad ecclesiam" or to a specific saint's altar. Finally, A. Roger Ekirch's already-mentioned "At Day's Close: Night in Times Past" really is a fascinating read and addresses several of the questions we have rasied here. Best, John ------------------------------------------ John Shinners Professor of Humanistic Studies Saint Mary's College Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 Phone: 574-284-4494 or 574-284-4534 Fax: 284-4855 www.saintmarys.edu/~hust "Learn everything. Afterwards you will see that nothing is superfluous." -- Hugh of St. Victor (d. 1141) ----- Original Message ----- From: Anne Willis <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:56:47 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: [M-R] Medieval lighting medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture _____ From: medieval-religion - Scholarly discussions of medieval religious culture [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of GarceauM Sent: 20 October 2009 14:09 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [M-R] Medieval lighting I work on miracle stories in Spain and offerings of candles and, particularly, of wax are extremely common. I should probably note that none of the saints I have studied in depth were canonized in the Middle Ages (though one was the Virgin). The offerings in general were highly valued and I have several regulations revolving around who gets to collect the offerings left at altars and what they can do with them; this seems to be a recurring problem in Vic, for example. Additionally, I have wondered - and Vauchez and Thompson don't really address this - about the physical malleability of the wax. As many of you know, wax offerings (and other votive offerings) were often made of the diseased/injured part either before it was healed (as in the problem was portrayed in the wax) or afterwards (a perfect arm, for example). I have seen prayers and miracle descriptions which seem to suggest that people are seeking, with the wax, to mirror what they want God and the saints to do - reshape their bodies. I wonder if, as in miracles from the 11th and early 12th century (Compostela) what we have is related to the physical actions taken by the saints to work miracles. James of Compostela in one of his miracles, for example, appears and physically sails a ship in a storm; the account includes wonderfully vivid details. Finucane in particular talks about the importance of candles measured to the sick as an offering, but, again, does not address malleability or even the physicality of wax. Has anyone seen anything similar or secondary work related to this topic? Michelle Garceau Assuming the wax used was bees wax, then that is malleable after placing in hot water for a short time. Alternatively you could use a Bain Marie, melt the wax and pour it into a mould. I presume sand moulds were an option. Wax was also used in the 'lost wax' method of casting bells. A model of the bell was moulded over a clay core and the inscription and decoration placed in the wax. A clay covering was then placed over the wax. When the outer mould was dry, the wax was melted out of the gap before the metal was poured in. This method allows a very crisp decoration on the bell, and is the method generally used in French foundries. English bell founders generally use a core and cope. See also http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/0210/Pillai-0210.html 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 ********************************************************************** 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