medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
A quick thought from a bystander... How much would a well-trained and
experienced priest need book at all ? Surely only for the less frequently
used portions of the liturgy. I would have thought that a priest would know
all the Offices and the Canon of the Mass by heart ? Some would also know
the entire psalter. May would also know the Propers. In a badly lit tent
under pre-battle conditions, would there be enough light to see a book ? In
many ways this was a para-literate society. What he would need would be his
stole - the symbol of his ordination - and a portable altar which could be
as small as a Kindle. The rest could be improvised from the resources about
him.
There are present day tales of prison camps where priests have celebrated
with next to nothing. You do not need vessels and vestments and so on for a
valid celebration, surely?
Am I visualising like a novelist, not like an historian?
Brenda M. Cook
Independent Scholar
-----Original Message-----
From: M. C. Gaposchkin
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2014 12:44 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [M-R] liturgical instruments on the move?
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Hello you smart people,
I'm hoping some of you can help me think this through. The question is: what
would a priest/military cleric needed to have bring with him on crusade to
be able to fulfill their function. The sources speak of mass (usually in
tents) frequently. And they talk about people confessing and taking
communion with some frequency. White stoles are often evoked. (Are stoles
particularly relevant?) Two non-eye witness sources talk about altars
(alteria). I dont' have a single mention of books. Lots of mentions of
litanies, psalms, and prayers.
OK. So, what would have accompanied the crusading clergy east in 1099, 1147,
1189, and so forth? I presume at minimum they would need portable altars,
with relics (yes?) What else? Apparently some of their vestments? But what
else? chalice? could one make hosts on the spot? Presumably at least a
missal, but maybe no other books? Tell me tell me.
cecilia (who is in Maine with her family and without her books, trying to
write and revise)
Sent from my iPad
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