Church As Sacred Space in Middle English Literature and Culture

This book places us at the heart of medieval religious life, standing inside the church with the medieval laity in order to ask what it meant to them and why. Drawing on a wide range of theoretical and interdisciplinary approaches, it examines the interplay of vernacular literature, ritual and material culture at the centre of parish life.

List of contents

Introduction: reading sacred space in late medieval England
1 The church consecration ceremony and the construction of sacred space
2 The Book of the Foundation of St Bartholomew's Church: consecration, restoration, and translation
3 Sacred and profane: pastoral care in the parish church
4 What the church betokeneth: placing the people at the heart of sacred space
5 Epilogue
Index

About the author

Laura Varnam is Lecturer in Old and Middle English Literature at University College, Oxford

Summary

This book places us at the heart of medieval religious life, standing inside the church with the medieval laity in order to ask what it meant to them and why. Drawing on a wide range of theoretical and interdisciplinary approaches, it examines the interplay of vernacular literature, ritual and material culture at the centre of parish life. -- .

Product details

• Authors: Varnam Laura Laura, Laura Varnam
• Assisted by: Anke Bernau (Editor), David Matthews (Editor)
• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.10.2019
• EAN: 9781526143563
• ISBN: 978-1-5261-4356-3
• No. of pages: 280
• Series: Manchester Medieval Literature and Culture; Manchester Medieval Literature; Manchester Medieval Literature and Culture; Manchester Medieval Literature
• Subjects: Fiction > Poetry, drama; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > General, dictionaries; Cultural Studies, RELIGION / History, Social & cultural history, LITERARY CRITICISM / Medieval, RELIGION / Christian Church / History, Christianity, History of Religion, British & Irish history, Literary studies: classical, early & medieval, Christian Churches, denominations, groups, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / General, Social and cultural history, Church history, Literary studies: ancient, classical & medieval