Polluting the sacred : : violence, faith, and the 'civilizing' of parishioners in late medieval England / / by Daniel E. Thiery.

• Superior document: Later medieval Europe, v. 3
• Author: Thiery, Daniel.
• Year of Publication: 2009
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Later medieval Europe ; v. 3.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (208 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

The influence of Christianity on 'the history of violence' is often exemplified by famous instances of interfaith conflict, like 'The Crusades'. However, as religions develop, they usually marginalize violence against fellow believers long before they ever, if at all, question violence against 'others'. Through an investigation of spiritual and legal sources, this book details how Christian teachings about charity, sin and purity problematized late medieval parishioners' use of violence, and how parishioners actually tried to reconcile these teachings with cultural norms that often honored violent conduct. By illuminating the impact of lessons concerning the sinfulness of violence and piety of self-restraint, this book provides a fresh perspective on the important role of religion in the 'civilizing process' of European history.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Materials / D.E. Thiery -- Introduction Religion And The ‘Civilizing Process’ / D.E. Thiery -- Introduction To Part I / D.E. Thiery -- Chapter One. The Contra: Recognizing A Role For Violence / D.E. Thiery -- Chapter Two. Sacred Space And Ritual: Creating An Expectancy Of Restraint / D.E. Thiery -- Chapter Three. The Eucharist And The Clergy: Fostering Charity Incarnate / D.E. Thiery -- Chapter Four. Sermons, Confessions And Private Meditation: Learning That Vengeance Disturbs The Divine / D.E. Thiery -- Conclusion To Part I: Do Think Twice, It’s Not Alright / D.E. Thiery -- Introduction To Part II / D.E. Thiery -- Chapter Five. Sacred Space And Ritual: Finding Variation Yet Common Expectation / D.E. Thiery -- Chapter Six. The Eucharist: Demanding A Dreadful Peace / D.E. Thiery -- Chapter Seven. The Clergy: Swinging Both Plowshares And Swords / D.E. Thiery -- Conclusion To Part II:The Reality Of ‘Civility’ Spurred by Religion / D.E. Thiery -- Conclusion Finding Religion In Restraint / D.E. Thiery -- Manuscript Sources / D.E. Thiery -- Primary Sources / D.E. Thiery -- Secondary Sources / D.E. Thiery -- Index / D.E. Thiery.