WOMEN & RELIGION IN THE MIDDLE AGES
I.
INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN & RELIGION IN THE MIDDLE AGES
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
TENUOUS HOLD PEOPLE HAD ON LIFE
2.
TENDED TO MAKE THEM EXTREMELY CONSCIOUS OF AFTERLIFE
3.
WHEN NATURAL DISASTERS, DISEASES & WARS STRUCK
4.
MOST PEOPLE BELIEVED ONLY WAY
5.
6.
TO ALLEVIATE THEIR SUFFERING
a.
EITHER TO APPEASE OR APPEAL TO GOD
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS & RITUALS PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE ALL
LEVELS SOCIETY
II.
REASONS WHY WOMEN INVOLVED IN CHURCH
A.
PIETY
B.
POVERTY
C.
POWER
D.
PERHAPS MENTAL ILLNESS?
III.
VARIOUS ROLES FOR WOMEN IN LATE MEDIEVAL RELIGION
A.
SAINTS
1.
EXCEPTIONALLY HOLY INDIVIDUALS WHO DISPLAYED
MIRACULOUS SIGNS OF GOD'S FAVOR
2.
ONCE MARTYRED THEIR RELICS BECAME POWERFUL
3.
ALL TRUE RELICS BELIEVED TO POSSESS SUPERNATURAL POWERS
a.
CURE DISEASE, WOUNDS, BIRTH DEFECTS
4.
EARLY CHRISTIAN CENTURIES & EARLY MIDDLE AGES
a.
MANY WOMEN CANONIZED
5.
TOWARD END OF M.A. FEMALE CANDIDATES FOR SAINTHOOD
STEADILY INCREASED
6.
13TH C SAW REMARKABLE UPSURGE IN FEMALE PIETY
7.
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN SAINTS NEARLY DOUBLING PREVIOUS
CENTURY
8.
BY 15TH C SOME 28% OF DESIGNATED SAINTS FEMALE
9.
13TH C. ITALY PARTICULARLY KNOWN FOR ITS FEMALE SAINTS
10.
ST ELIZABETH OF PORTUGAL
a.
BORN 1271
b.
MARRIED DINIZ, KING OF PORTUGAL AT 12
c.
SHE SUPPORTED MANY CHARITIES
d.
1 OF HER PET PROJECTS SHE FOUNDED AGRICULTURAL
COLLEGE TO PREPARE YOUNG GIRLS FOR MARRIAGE TO
FARMERS
e.
EVEN PROVIDED GRADUATES WITH THEIR OWN FARMS
f.
PERHAPS BECAUSE HER HUSBAND CONTINUALLY
UNFAITHFUL
g.
SHE INCREASINGLY GENEROUS IN HER CHARITIES &
OBSESSIVE ABOUT FASTING
h.
HE DID NOT APPROVE ESPECIALLY HER ALMSGIVING
i.
HE ONCE ACCUSED HER OF THROWING HIS MONEY AWAY
j.
BUT WHEN HE FORCED OPEN HER HAND THE SILVER HAD
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
MIRACULOUSLY TURNED TO ROSES
(1)
TYPICAL SIGN OF SANCTITY
ST BRIDGET OF SWEDEN 1302-1373
a.
PROPHETIC VISIONS
b.
SO SENSITIVE TO CORRUPTION SHE COULD SMELL SULPHUR
WHEN IN PRESENCE OF NOTABLE SINNERS
CATHERINE OF SIENNA 1347-80
a.
TEXT NOTES
b.
REFUSED TO MARRY BECAUSE SHE HAD VOWED TO WED
ONLY CHRIST
c.
3 YRS ALONE IN CELL TO CONQUER ALL EARTHLY DESIRES &
NEEDS
d.
THEN RE-ENTERED WORLD TO
(1)
CARE FOR SICK & POOR
(2)
TEACH OTHERS ABOUT HER BELIEFS
(3)
ATTRACT DISCIPLES
e.
HER POPULARITY ALLOWED HER TO BECOME POLITICAL
FORCE
f.
DICTATED HER VISIONS TO HER SCRIBES
(1)
DIVINE DIALOGUES
g.
SHE DIED AT 32
(1)
PROBABLY DUE TO STARVING HERSELF
WHY MEDIEVAL RELIGIOUS WOMEN OFTEN FASTED
a.
WAY TO GAIN POWER
b.
WAY TO GIVE MEANING TO LIFE
c.
INTENSE DESIRE TO IMITATE CHRIST
d.
CATHERINE BELIEVED HER SUFFERING ENABLED HER TO
ACHIEVE PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL UNION WITH CHRIST
(1)
WHILE BUYING HEAVENLY BLESSINGS FOR HER
FELLOW HUMANS
(2)
HER FOOD - WAFERS & WATERED WINE
e.
CATHERINE'S ABILITY TO SURVIVE WITHOUT NORMAL
NOURISHMENT
(1)
PERCEIVED AS INDICATION OF MARKED FAVOR FROM
GOD
MARRIED WOMEN NOT BARRED FROM SAINTHOOD
a.
EVEN THOUGH CONSIDERED INFERIOR TO VIRGINS
b.
MARGARET
(1)
QUEEN OF SCOTLAND
(2)
BORN C 1045
(3)
DAU OF EXILED PRINCE EDWARD OF ENGLAND &
AGATHA OF HUNGARY
(4)
AFTER FATHER DIED THEY MOVED TO ENGLAND &
SCOTLAND
(5)
WHERE SHE MARRIED KING MALCOLM III
(6)
WHILE HE FOUGHT TO UNITED SCOTLAND
(7)
MARGARET WORKED TO BRING CULTURE, ED &
CHRISTIANITY TO POPULACE
(8)
SHE BUILT UP LIBRARY OF RELIGIOUS WORKS, AIDED
POOR & HELPED REFORM SCOTTISH CHURCH
NUMEROUS OTHER WOMENS STORES COULD BE ADDED
2
3
BUT SHOW COMMON ELEMENTS ABOUT FEMININE SANCTITY
a.
EACH FELT INTENSE SPIRITUAL CALLING
b.
PERFORMED MIRACLES
c.
ASSISTED ORTHODOX CHURCH IN SOME WAY
d.
MOST ALL MEMBERS OF HIGHEST CLASSES
PILGRIMS
1.
PILGRIMAGES OFFERED ONE OF FEW ACCEPTABLE EXCUSES TO
TRAVEL FOR WOMEN
a.
BUT WOMAN'S FREEDOM TO TRAVEL MORE LIMITED THAN
MENS
b.
OF CHAUCER'S CANTERBURY TALES
(1)
OF 29 PILGRIMS ONLY 3 WOMEN
c.
IN REALITY AT LEAST 2/3RDS ENGLISH & FRENCH PILGRIMS
MEN
d.
UNTIL 14TH C NEARLY 86% OF FEMALE PILGRIMS FROM
LOWER CLASSES
e.
WOMEN FROM BOOTHS LOCATED NEAR SHRINES SOLD ITEMS
(1)
BADGES
(a)
MEDIEVAL VERSION OF BUMPER STICKERS
(2)
SOME EVEN BECAME QUITE WEALTHY
MARGERY KEMPE
1.
TEXT NOTES
a.
1 OF MOST NOTED PILGRIMS
(1)
1 AUTHOR CALLED HER "WANDERING EVANGELIST"
b.
SHE SPENT MOST OF 20 YRS TRAVELING
(1)
FROM HOLY LAND TO NORWAY
c.
AS WIFE & MOTHER OF 14 CHILDREN
d.
SHE BEGAN TO HAVE VISIONS
e.
SHE BECAME CONVINCED THAT CHRIST WANTED HER TO LIVE
IN CELIBACY & DEVOTE REMAINDER OF HER LIFE TO PURSUIT
OF HOLINESS
f.
AS SHE TRAVELLED SHE NOT ONLY WORSHIPED AT SACRED
SHRINES
g.
BUT MET WITH CHURCHMEN & THEOLOGIANS
h.
OFTEN DETAILING HER VISIONS & EXPERIENCES WITH THEM
i.
SEEKING TO ASSUAGE HER CONSTANT FEAR OF DIABOLICAL
DELUSIONS
j.
HER TRAVELS REQUIRED SEPARATING FORM HER HUSBAND
k.
SHE CONVINCED SHE COULD NOT MAINTAIN PERFECTLY
HOLY MARRIAGE TO CHRIST IF SHE CONTINUED TO HAVE
SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH HER HUSBAND
l.
MARGERY STRUCK BARGAIN WITH HER HUSBAND
m.
CONVINCED HIM TO JOIN HER AND THEY "MUTUALLY
ENTERED A PACT OF CHASTITY BISHOP"
n.
ALTHOUGH SHE REGARDED AS MENTALLY UNBALANCED &
FANATIC IN HER OWN DAY & SINCE
o.
HER LOVE FOR CHRIST MADE DEEP IMPRESSION ON MANY
p.
SHE LEFT RECORD OF HER SPIRITUAL & GEOGRAPHICAL
JOURNEYS IN HER AUTOBIOGRAPHY
(1)
THE BOOK OF MARGERY KEMPE
16.
B.
C.
IV.
4
MYSTICS
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
WHILE HUMILITY, DEEDS OF CHARITY & KEEPING VIGILS NB TO
MEDIEVAL SPIRITUALITY
2.
CHARISMATIC ELEMENT THAT GAINED MOST PUBLICITY
3.
IN GERMANY WHERE SUCH PHENOMENA MOST IN EVIDENCE
4.
HERE FEMALE MONASTICISM FREQUENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH
FERVENT MYSTICISM
5.
& VISIONARY EXPERIENCES
6.
QUITE UNLIKE MONASTICISM OF ENGLAND & FRANCE
7.
BY MAKING THEIR VISIONS KNOWN
8.
THEY INSPIRED OTHER WOMEN TO EMBRACE RELIGIOUS LIFE
9.
MANY OF THESE WOMEN
a.
CALLED BRIDAL MYSTICS
b.
RELATED SEXUALLY GRATIFYING VISIONS OF GOD
c.
BELIEF THAT TO BE A WOMAN IS TO BE A WIFE
(1)
SO FIRMLY EMBEDDED IN MEDIEVAL MIND
(2)
THAT RELIGIOUS WOMEN TENDED TO EXPRESS THEIR
MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES IN TERMS OF MARRIAGE &
SEXUAL UNION WITH JESUS
10.
EG - BEATRICE OF NAZARETH D. 1268
a.
IT SEEMS...THE VEINS ARE BURSTING...THE BONES
SOFTENING...THE THROAT PARCHING...THE BODY IN ITS
EVERY PART FEELS THIS INWARD HEAT, AND THIS IS THE
FEVER OF LOVE.
B.
HILDEGARD OF BINGEN
1.
1098-1179
2.
YOUR TEXT HAS IN HER THE LEARNED WOMEN OF MIDDLE AGES
SECTION
3.
1 OF MOST POWERFUL ABBESSES &
4.
WELL KNOWN VISIONARIES OF ENTIRE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
5.
SHE RULED BENEDICTINE CONVENT OF DISEBODENBERG, ON RHINE
6.
SHE CORRESPONDED WITH
a.
2 EMPERORS
b.
4 POPES
c.
MANY OTHER HIGH CHURCH OFFICIALS
7.
REGARDED AS MOST PROMINENT WOMAN IN CHURCH OF HER DAY
8.
SHE CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN DIRECTED BY DIVINE LIGHT
9.
FROM INFANCY MY SOUL HAS ALWAYS BEHELD THIS LIGHT...THE
BRIGHTNESS WHICH I SEE IS NOT LIMITED BY SPACE AND IS MORE
BRILLIANT THAN THE LUMINOUS AIR AROUND THE SUN
10.
UNLIKE OTHER VISIONARIES SHE CLAIMED SHE NEVER FELL INTO
TRANCES
11.
THE VISIONS WHICH I SAW I DID NOT PERCEIVE IN DREAMS OR
SLEEPING NOR IN DELIRIUM NOR WITH THE CORPOREAL EARS AND
EYES OF THE OUTER MAN; BUT WATCHFUL AND INTENT IN MIND I
RECEIVED THEM ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD
12.
LIKE OTHER CHURCHWOMEN HILDEGARD PLEADED FOR REFORM
WITHIN CHURCH
a.
CORRUPTION & IMMORALITY OF CLERGY
b.
SHE ADMONISHED HER AUDIENCES TO LOOK TO SCRIPTURES
C.
5
AS THEIR AUTHORITY & TO CHRIST
c.
NOT THE PRIESTS FOR SALVATION
d.
SHE PLEADED WITH SINNERS TO REPENT
e.
LEST THEY SUFFER AGONY THAT WAS SO VIVIDLY DEPICTED
IN HER VISIONS
f.
I SAW A WELL DEEP AND BROAD, FULL OF BOILING PITCH AND
SULPHUR, AND AROUND IT WERE WASPS AND
SCORPIONS....NEAR A POND OF CLEAR WATER I SAW A GREAT
FIRE. IN THIS SOME SOULS WERE BURNED AND OTHERS WERE
GIRDLED WITH SNAKES....AND I SAW A GREAT FIRE, BLACK,
RED, AND WHITE, AND IN IT HORRIBLE FIERY VIPERS SPITTING
FLAME; AND THERE THE VIPERS TORTURED THE SOULS OF
THOSE WHO HAD BEEN SLAVES OF THE SUN OF
UNCHARITABLENESS....AND I SAW A THICKEST DARKNESS, IN
WHICH THE SOULS OF THE DISOBEDIENT LAY ON A FIERY
PAVEMENT AND WERE BITTEN BY SHARP-TOOTHED WORMS.
13.
SHE COMMANDED BY GOD TO WRITE HER VISIONS
a.
SCIVIAS (SCITO VIAS DOMINI - KNOW THE WAYS OF THE LORD
b.
BELONGED TO MEDIEVAL GENRE THAT COMBINED SCIENCE,
THEOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY IN DESCRIPTION OF UNIVERSE,
HUMAN BODY & EARTH & HEAVENS
c.
IT DEALT WITH NATURE, HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY, MORAL
WORLD, COSMOS, SOUL ALL WOMEN IN TO ONE WHOLE
14.
AS TEXT NOTES SHE WROTE NUMEROUS MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS
a.
WORDS & MUSIC
b.
SOME ARE STILL USED IN CATHOLIC LITURGY
OTHER MYSTICS
1.
JULIAN OF NORWICH 1342-1413
a.
ENGLISH MYSTIC
b.
LITTLE KNOWN OF HER LIFE
c.
EXCEPT SHE SPENT MANY YEARS OUTSIDE WALLS OF ST.
JULIAN'S CHURCH
d.
FROM 1373 ON SHE CLAIMED TO HAVE RECEIVED SERIES OF
REVELATIONS WHILE IN STATE OF ECSTASY
e.
THE REVELATIONS OF DIVINE LOVE
(1)
DESCRIBES THESE VISIONS
2.
FROM CONVENT AT HEFLA GERMAN MYSTICISM OF 13TH C MOST
PRONOUNCED
3.
MYSTICAL CHARACTER OF THIS COMMUNITY DEVELOPED UNDER
40-YEAR LEADERSHIP OF GERTRUDE OF HACKEBORN
4.
PREPONDERANCE OF MYSTICAL WRITING CAME FROM 3 OTHER
WOMEN
a.
GERTRUDE OF HEFLA (GERTRUDE THE GREAT)
b.
MECHTILD OF HACKEBORN
c.
MECHTILD OF MAGDEBURG
5.
THESE WOMEN PROVIDED INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT PRACTICES
CHRIST WISHED PERFORMED
6.
& ABOUT STATE OF SOULS IN AFTERLIFE
7.
THEY WERE CONVINCED THAT CHRIST HIMSELF GUARANTEED
EFFICACY OF THEIR PRAYERS
a.
PARTICULARLY FOR REMOVING SOULS FROM PURGATORY
8.
D.
V.
CONTENT OF VISIONS VARIED BUT WERE COMMON
CHARACTERISTICS
a.
THEMES FREQUENTLY PESSIMISTIC
(1)
PARTICULARLY THE THEMES OF DYING SON &
DAMNING FATHER
(2)
SOMETIMES VISION PROVIDED JUSTIFICATION FOR
SPECIFIC ACTIVITY OR BELIEF
(a)
RIGHT TO PREACH
(3)
SOME OF VISIONARIES EVEN RECEIVED STIGMATA
(a)
NAIL SCARS ON HANDS &FEET
(b)
WHILE NOT VISIBLE TO OTHERS
WHY THESE VISIONS & REVELATIONS BY WOMEN?
1.
WERE WOMEN MORE EMOTIONAL
2.
THUS MORE PRONE TO MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES?
3.
THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HOTLY DEBATED BY HISTORIANS &
BEHAVIORISTS ALIKE
4.
CAROLINE BYNUM
a.
HOLY FEAST AND HOLY FAST: THE RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE
OF FOOD TO MEDIEVAL WOMEN
b.
CHURCH HISTORIAN
c.
PRESIDENT ELECT OF AHA
d.
ARGUES AGAINST SOME KIND OF INHERENT FEMALE
EMOTIONALISM
e.
IF WOMEN MORE EMOTIONAL, IMAGINATIVE, RELIGIOUS OR
HYSTERICAL THAN MEN WHY DID IT TAKE CENTURIES FOR
THIS TO EMERGE?
f.
SHE SUGGESTS THAT VISIONARY EXPERIENCES WOMEN HAD
FREQUENTLY TRANSPORTED THEM INTO PRIESTLY ROLES
THEY DENIED IN REAL LIFE
g.
IT GAVE THEM DIRECT AUTHORIZATION TO ACT AS
MEDIATORS TO OTHERS
h.
SO WHETHER CONSCIOUSLY OR SUBCONSCIOUSLY SEEKING
TO OVERCOME THEIR INFERIOR POSITION IN THE CHURCH
5.
MANY NUNS GAINED WIDE ACCLAIM FOR THEIR VISIONS &
REVELATIONS
6.
OTHERS MET WITH RIDICULE AND THREATS FROM CHURCH
AUTHORITIES
7.
EVEN HILDEGARD, DESPITE HER FAME & POPULARITY
8.
DENOUNCED BY SOME OF HER CONTEMPORARIES AS DEMONPOSSESSED
6
MONASTIC ORDERS FOR WOMEN
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
SINCE MOST RESPECTED THINKERS CAME FROM MONASTIC ORDERS
a.
MONASTIC IDEALS OF ASCETICISM & CHASTITY DOMINATED
PHILOSOPHIES ABOUT SANCTITY
b.
THUS VIRGINITY AS IN PAST
(1)
HIGHLY REVERED
2.
WORK FOR NUNS DIFFERENT THAN FOR MONKS
3.
NUNS USUALLY EMBROIDERED, COPIED OR ILLUMINATED MSS
4.
SOME FEMALE HOUSES ALSO DID LAUNDRY & OTHER
B.
C.
D.
7
HOUSEKEEPING CHORES FOR NEIGHBORING PRIESTS OR MONKS
5.
IN POOR NUNNERIES WOMEN DID THEIR OWN HOUSEWORK
6.
BUT IN WEALTHY CONVENTS THEY HIRED OUT ALL HOUSEHOLD
TASKS
7.
CONVENTS ALSO POPULAR AMONG NOBILITY AS HAVENS FOR
a.
WIDOWS
b.
ORPHANS
c.
ILLEGITIMATE DAUGHTERS
d.
GIRLS WITH BIRTH DEFECTS
e.
POLITICAL PRISONERS
f.
RELIGIOUS CALLING UNNECESSARY FOR ANY OF THESE
WOMEN
g.
ENCLOSING WEALTHY GIRLS WITHIN CONVENTS ALSO
PREVENTED THEM FROM CLAIMING GREAT ESTATES & HUGE
DOWRIES
h.
KATHERINE BEAUCHAMP FORCED TO BECOME NUN AT
SHOULDHAM IN 1367 TO STOP HER FROM CLAIMING
INHERITANCE RIGHTS TO VAST BEAUCHAMP ESTATES
8.
CHILDHOOD OBLATION GIRLS TOO ALTHOUGH MORE BOYS
9.
MATILDA OF FLANDERS & WM THE CONQUEROR CELEBRATED
DEDICATION OF HOLY TRINITY AT CAEN CHURCH
a.
GIFTS PLUS THEIR YOUNG DAUGHTER CECILA
b.
STORY OF THEIR TOO CLOSE KINSHIP
WHAT DID CONVENTS OFFER WOMEN?
1.
ABILITY TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN LIFESTYLES
2.
GAIN POWER & FAME IN WORLD
3.
MORE ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL & INTELLECTUAL OPPORTUNITIES
4.
OUTLET FOR THEIR CREATIVE TALENTS
5.
WORK UP TO ABBESSES
6.
BENEDICTINES
7.
CLUNIACS
8.
CISTERCIANS
9.
PREMONSTRATENSIANS
10.
MENDICANTS
11.
BEGUINES
MENDICANT ORDERS
1.
POOR CLARES
2.
THESE MONASTIC COMMUNITIES USUALLY LOCATED IN TOWNS
WHERE RESIDENTS MIXED FREELY WITH TOWNSPEOPLE
a.
PERFORMING SACRIFICIAL DEEDS OF ALL KINDS
b.
OFTEN OF HUMBLE ORIGINS
3.
EG - MARGARET OF CORTONA
a.
BORN OF PEASANT FAMILY AROUND 1247
b.
POOR CLARE
c.
PROTECTOR OF POOR, SICK
d.
TOOK SPECIAL CARE OF PREGNANT WOMEN
(1)
FOUNDING HOSPITALS
(2)
HOUSES OF REFUGE
ABBESSES
1.
EARLY MA ABBESSES WHOSE FAMILIES OWNED & OPERATED THEIR
CONVENTS COULD ACQUIRE GREAT DEAL AUTHORITY
8
WOMEN SAT ON COUNCILS
PARTICIPATE DIN SYNODS & NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES OF
CHURCH
2.
SOME ENGLISH ABBESSES OF LARGE & NB HOUSES ON PAR WITH
GREATEST SPIRITUAL & TEMPORAL LORDS OF REALM
3.
IN SOME CASES OWED OBEDIENCE ONLY TO POPE
4.
FEW GERMAN ABBESSES HAD SAME RIGHTS AS BARONS
a.
HELD PROPERTY DIRECTLY FROM KING
b.
THEY COULD ALSO GO OR SENT REPRESENTATIVE TO
IMPERIAL DIET
5.
1 SAXON ABBESS EVEN ALLOWED TO MINT COINS STRUCK WITH
HER OWN LIKENESS
6.
LATE MIDDLE AGES ABBESSES INFLUENTIAL ROLE AS MEDIATORS
IN POLITICAL OR MILITARY CRISES
ANCHORESS
1.
COULD LIVE PERMANENTLY ENCLOSED SOLITARY LIFE OF
CONSTANT DEVOTION
2.
ANCHORESSES PARTICULARLY PROMINENT IN ENGLAND
3.
NEVER AS MANY NUNNERIES IN ENGLAND AS SO MANY HAD BEEN
OBLITERATED BY VIKINGS
4.
SOME ANCHORESSES LIVED ALONE IN CELLS ATTACHED TO
RELIGIOUS FOUNDATIONS, WALLS OR OTHER BUILDINGS
5.
COMMUNICATED WITH OTHERS THROUGH WINDOWS HUNG WITH
HEAVY BLACK CLOTHS
CANONESSES
1.
HIGHBORN WOMEN WHO LIVED UNDER MONASTIC RULE TOO
2.
BUT WITH FEWER RESTRICTIONS
3.
RESIDENTS IN THESE ESTABLISHMENTS OFTEN
a.
ALLOWED TO RETAIN THEIR PERSONAL GOODS
b.
KEEP MAIDS
c.
SOMETIMES RETURN TO LAY SOCIETY
4.
MANY OF THESE COMMUNITIES ONLY ABBESS PLEDGED TO LIVE IN
PERPETUAL CELIBACY
5.
SINCE CANONESSES USUALLY WEALTHY & HIGHBORN
6.
THEIR RELIGIOUS HOUSES OFTEN QUITE PRESTIGIOUS
7.
EG. ESSEN ON THE RHUR
a.
ESSEN OWNED MORE THAN 1000 ESTATES
b.
PRODUCED ELABORATE MSS
(1)
LIKE FAMOUS GOSPEL BOOK OF ESSEN
8.
BY 13TH C MANY SUCH HOUSES HAD DECLINED
9.
IN PART BECAUSE MOST CANONESSES TOO WEALTHY, POWERFUL &
INDEPENDENT FOR MALE ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITIES TO
CONDONE
DOUBLE MONASTERIES
1.
STILL PREVAILED BUT ON WANE FROM EARLY MA
2.
1099 ROBERT D'ARBRISSEL FOUNDED DOUBLE MONASTERY OF
FONTEVRAULT
3.
3000 PERSONS IN ORDER FIRST HALF 12TH C.
JOAN OF ARC
1.
PEASANT GIRL FROM FRANCE
2.
FROM YOUNG AGE HEARD VOICES OF SAINTS MICHAEL, MARGARET
a.
b.
E.
F.
G.
H.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
9
& CATHERINE
DRESSING AS MAN SHE GOT TO DAUPHIN CHARLES & HE APPOINTED
HER TO HELP FRENCH FIGHT ENGLISH
a.
EVENT CALLED 100 YEARS WAR
b.
JOAN IS IN WANING YEARS OF WAR WHEN ENGLISH ARE
WINNING
c.
JOAN LEADS FRENCH AGAINST ENGLISH WHO HOLD CITY OF
ORLEANS
AFTER WINNING, SHE THEN GOES ON TO OTHER BATTLES
GETS WOUNDED & THEN IS CAPTURED & TURNED OVER TO CHURCH
AUTHORITIES & STANDS TRIAL
JOAN'S UNORTHODOX BEHAVIOR
HER SUCCESS IN OPPOSING ENGLISH
FOR ENGLISH JOAN PERCEIVED AS AGENT OF DEVIL NOT GOD
WITH HER CAPTURE ENGLISH BELIEVED GOD HAD FAVORED THEM
NOW THEY MUST DISCREDIT JOAN AND SUPERNATURAL POWER SHE
SEEMED TO HOLD
JOAN'S VOICES, SOURCE OF HER EXTRAORDINARY AUTHORITY
GAVE ENGLISH MEANS TO DISCREDIT HER
SHE CLAIMED VOICES CAME FROM GOD
SO HER ENEMIES COULD ALLOW CHURCH TO EXAMINE HER
EVERY RULE OF ECCLESIASTICAL PROCEDURE STRETCHED OR
IGNORED TO WEAKEN JOAN
SHE DID NOT HAVE FEMALE COMPANIONS AS RULE
BUT 5 ENGLISH SOLDIERS
FOR 5 MONTHS SHE QUESTIONED ONCE TO TWICE DAILY
SHE HAD NO COUNSEL
NUMBER OF QUESTIONERS VARIED FROM FEW TO 48
CHURCHMEN EXAMINED HER ON MORE THAN 60 CHARGES
THEY HOPED TO PROVE HER A WITCH, HERETIC WHO HAD MADE
UNHOLY PACT WITH DEVIL
a.
THEY COULD NOT
NOTHING SHE SAID GAVE EVIDENCE OF SUCH AN ALLIANCE
BUT TO HOSTILE LEARNED CHURCHMEN SHE APPEARED YOUNG
ILLITERATE PEASANT WOMAN
WHO HAD DRESSED & FOUGHT LIKE A MAN
WHILE INSISTING SHE HAD RECEIVED DIVINE REVELATION
BURDEN OF PROOF LAY WITH HER
HER REFUSAL TO WEAR FEMALE CLOTHING THROUGHOUT HER
IMPRISONMENT BECAME SYMBOLIC OF HER ATTITUDE & BEHAVIOR
THROUGHOUT SHE TRUSTED TO VOICES
FINALLY SHE MADE HER MARK ON SHORTENED LIST OF CHARGES
CONFESSING HER MOST GRIEVOUS SIN
a.
SO HER SENTENCE - LIFE IMPRISONMENT
b.
SOME HOW SHE THEN GOT HOLD OF MEN'S CLOTHING AGAIN
c.
SHE DECLARED HERSELF UNREPENTANT RELAPSED HERETIC
d.
ONLY PUNISHMENT IN 1430 WAS EXCOMMUNICATION &
DEATH
e.
FOR JOAN THIS ACTION MEANT RECLAIMING HER FAITH &
HER SPECIAL POWER
f.
WE THINK SHE MUST HAVE ASSUMED THAT IMPRISONMENT
I.
10
WOULD MEAN RISK OF RAPE AT HANDS OF SOLDIERS
g.
RAPE MEANT LOSS OF HER VIRGINITY
h.
WITHOUT HER VIRGINITY JOAN'S RELIGION TOLD HER SHE
WOULD LOSE HER SPECIAL TIE TO GOD
i.
MAID WOULD BECOME A FALLEN WOMAN, IMPRISONED FOR
LIFE WITHOUT HOPE OF HEAVEN
j.
& VOICES WERE ANGRY AT HER FOR PUTTING ON WOMEN'S
CLOTHING & CLAIMING SHE HAD LIED ABOUT HER
REVELATIONS
k.
AT ROUEN IN FRANCE BURNED AT STAKE
WOMEN IN HERETICAL SECTS
1.
12TH & 13TH C SOUTHERN FRANCE & NORTHERN ITALY MAJOR
REGIONS OF HERETICAL SECTS
2.
BY END OF MA HERESY HAD SPREAD TO OTHER COUNTRIES
3.
& NUMBER OF SECTS HAD GREATLY INCREASED
4.
PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE JOINED HERETICAL SECTS
5.
MEDIEVAL AUTHORS ATTRIBUTED FEMININE MEMBERSHIP TO
GULLIBILITY
6.
BUT MANY ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, RELIGIOUS & EMOTIONAL FACTORS
WHY BOTH SEXES PARTICIPATED
7.
MOST CULTS ATTRACTED MORE MAN THAN FEMALE ADHERENTS
8.
REFORMIST & HERETICAL MOVEMENTS SOMETIMES APPEARED TO
OFFER WOMEN MORE
a.
SUPPORT,
b.
SELF-ESTEEM,
c.
FREEDOM
d.
& POWER THAN DID ORTHODOX CATHOLICISM
9.
WALDENSIANS READING OF EPISTLE TO TITUS (2:1-5)
a.
WOMEN COULD BE TEACHERS & PREACHES
b.
THIS PASSAGE DECLARES THAT "AGED WOMEN SHOULD BE
TEACHERS OF GOOD THINGS" AND EXHORTS THEM TO TEACH
YOUNG WOMEN
c.
CATHOLIC CLERICS INTERPRETED ONLY MOTHERS SHOULD
BE ALLOWED TO CORRECT THEIR CHILDREN
d.
& FORBADE WOMEN TO TEACH OR PREACH
10.
CATHAR SECT
a.
TEXT COVERS
b.
PERFECT & CREDENTES
c.
MANY CREDENTES - ORDINARY BELIEVERS - RECEIVED
CONSOLAMENTUM (BAPTISM) ONLY ON THEIR DEATHBEDS
d.
SO THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TIME TO RELAPSE INTO SIN
e.
PERFECT LED EXTREMELY ASCETIC LIFE OF
(1)
POVERTY
(2)
CHASTITY
(3)
PUNISHMENT OF BODY
(4)
PRAYER
(5)
ABSTAINED FROM MILK, MEAT
(6)
& OTHER BY-PRODUCTS OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY
(7)
SINCE VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO PROCREATION
f.
REPRODUCTION ULTIMATE SIN
(1)
AS IT CONDEMNED ADDITIONAL SOULS TO
J.
K.
11
IMPRISONMENT IN EARTH, EARTHBOUND BODIES
11.
FEMALE AS WELL AS MALE PERFECT BECAME ITINERANT
PREACHERS
12.
OTHER FEMALES, ESPECIALLY NOBLEWOMEN FINANCIAL
SUPPORTERS
13.
ALBIGENSIAN CRUSADE
a.
LATE 13TH C.
b.
WIPE OUT CATHARS OR WALDENSIANS HERETICS
LOLLLARDISM IN ENGLAND
1.
BASED ON TEACHINGS OF JOHN WYCLIFFE
a.
OXFORD MASTER & PRIEST
2.
HE GAINED ACCEPTANCE THROUGH HIS ROYAL PROTECTORS
a.
JOAN OF KENT, PRINCESS OF WALES
b.
HER POWERFUL BROTHER-IN-LAW JOHN OF GAUNT, DUKE OF
LANCASTER
3.
1370'S WYCLIFFE SPOKE OUT AGAINST
a.
HYPOCRITICAL & WORLDLY CLERICS WHO LIVED IN LUXURY
b.
INDULGENCES
c.
DENIED PAPAL LEADERSHIP
d.
DOCTRINE OF TRANSUBSTANTIATION
e.
CLERICAL ROLE IN REMISSION OF SIN
f.
WANTED VERNACULAR BIBLE FOR ALL
g.
POPULARITY OF LOLLARDY ROSE & FELL WITH
ANTICLERICALISM OF DAY
h.
SENTIMENT ALWAYS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN ROME
DEMANDED MORE MONEY FROM PARISHIONERS
i.
IN LONDON MORE POPULAR WITH ARTISANS THAN MORE
PROSPEROUS MERCHANTS
j.
BUT SOME WOMEN MERCHANTS
4.
WOMEN IN LOLLARDISM COULD ACT AS PRIESTS
5.
MANY OF WYCLIFFE'S FEMALE SUPPORTERS
a.
ARRESTED
b.
QUESTIONED
c.
IMPRISONED
6.
ONE OF THESE 80 YEAR OLD WIDOW NAMED JOAN BOUGHTON
a.
BURNED AT STAKE IN 1495
b.
BUT EXCEPTIONAL PUNISHMENT AS ONLY FEW PEOPLE
EXECUTED FOR HERESY IN PRE 16TH C. ENGLAND
CONCLUSIONS
1.
BY LATE 15TH C ORTHODOX CLERGY GROWING DESPERATE IN ITS
EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER POPULACE
a.
ESPECIALLY WOMEN
b.
IN FACE OF INCREASING NUMBER OF HERESIES
2.
NUNS DISCOURAGED FROM READING ABOUT DOCTRINAL
QUESTIONS
3.
CHURCH OFFICIALS BELIEVED BOOKS WRITTEN IN VERNACULAR
a.
COULD LEAD EDUCATED INTO HERETICAL THINKING
b.
IN SAME WAY SONS SUNG IN VERNACULAR IMPRESSED
COMMON PEOPLE
4.
FOR MUCH OF LAITY & ALL WOMEN
5.
IGNORANCE PRESUMED TO BE SAFEST, SUREST PATH TO PARADISE