Pilgrimage to Rome in the Middle Ages: Continuity and Change: v. 13 (Studies in the History of Medieval Religion) - Hardcover

Birch, Debra J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0851156363 ISBN 13: 9780851156361

Publisher: The Boydell Press, 1998

Synopsis

The pilgrimage to Rome was undertaken by vast numbers throughout the middle ages. Drawing on a variety of sources, this book examines a number of related aspects of the pilgrimage, concentrating on the period 1099-1216. It beginswith an analysis of its origins, focusing in particular on the City's two most important martyrs, the apostles Peter and Paul. Consideration is then given to the journey itself: narrative sources are used to illustrate the inherent dangers, and an examination is made of the motives which compelled many individuals to set out on pilgrimage, despite their knowledge of the difficulties. The author goes on to look at how the pilgrims would have spent their time in Rome, comparing the demands and expectations of twelfth-century pilgrims and their earlier counterparts. The book also examines the welfare provisions made for pilgrims in Rome and argues that the provision of charitable services remained an important concern for the papacy in the twelfth century. The popularity of the pilgrimage to Rome is a central theme; Dr Birch argues that like all pilgrimage centres, it was subject to fluctuations in fashion, and reasons for a decline in its popularity relative to other centres of pilgrimage, notablyJerusalem and Compostela, are analysed. The volume concludes with a survey of the efforts made to reverse this trend, which met withsuch success that by 1300 crowds were so large that some pilgrims were crushed to death. DEBRA J. BIRCHgained her Ph.D. from Queen Mary and Westfield College at the University of London.

About this title

Review

Debra Birch's lively account of pilgrimage to Rome throughout the medieval period is well-documented and clearly presented. HISTORY TODAY [Emma Mason]Well researched, clearly written, and, quite apart from the eternal city, provides an excellent introduction to pilgrimage as a whole. CHURCH TIMES [Nicholas Orme]Provides the historian with a detailed account of the experiences of the medieval Romipetae, and the range of source material examined focuses more on the mundane than the miraculous. This practical approach is a welcome contribution to the study of medieval pilgrimate. HISTORYMakes fascinating reading, and is a valuable source of information and explanation... It illuminates the whole process of pilgrimage... A thoroughly scholarly work which at the same time bring[s] her subject to life in such a manner as to make this work important reading for those working on any aspects of medieval pilgrimage. ENGLISH STUDIES

Synopsis

Rome was one of the major pilgrim destinations in the Middle Ages. The belief that certain objects and places were a focus of holiness where pilgrims could come closer to God had a long history in Christian tradition, echoed by the view of life itself as a pilgrimage, so that the earthly journey became a substitute for getting to heaven. In the case of Rome, the pilgrimage tradition developed around Rome's two important martyrs, Christ's apostles Peter and Paul. So strong were the city's associations with these apostles that pilgrimage to Rome was often referred to as pilgrimage "to the threshold of the apostles". Presenting a picture of the world of the medieval pilgrims to Rome (the "Romipetae", or "Rome-seekers"), this book covers many aspects of their journey, and their life in the city itself.

Edition details

• Publisher: The Boydell Press
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0851156363
• ISBN 13: 9780851156361
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 249