Dear list members
I am currently engaged in research that is far removed from my ordinary field
of endeavor and i am hoping someone out there can help me. I am involved in
a seminar on "Childhood from Late Antiquity to the Early Modern Period".
Within this vast subject I have come to focus on the role of children in
ritual murder accusations against Jews in the Middle Ages. While there is a
great deal of primary material on such accusations (i.e. "The Life of William
of Norwich" etc.) and some excellent secondary material, notably by Gavin
Langmuir and R. Po-chia Hsia, these center on the larger issues of
anti-semitism and the development of a diologue of hatred. I need to find
imformation that may illuminate some of the history and psychology of the use
of children as sacrifice. What I am looking for (finally - the point) is
sources pertaining to (1) child martyrs, (2) accusations of ritual torture
and murder of children leveled agains the early Chrisitians, and (3) any
information on how medieval Jews viewed childhood and their children. Any
information or suggestions will be gratefully accepted.
Thank you in advance for any help anyone can give me.
Diane Auslander
|