Holy Bones, Holy Dust: How Relics Shaped the History of Medieval Europe
Who Would Like This Book:
If you've ever wondered why people trekked for miles to see bones in gold boxes, this book is for you! Charles Freeman blends rigorous research with wit, painting a lively picture of how relics shaped medieval society, not just spiritually but culturally, politically, and economically. The book offers fascinating insights - not only about Christian relics but about the universal human need for tangible connections to the sacred. Medieval history buffs, theology enthusiasts, or anyone curious about the oddities of belief will find this detailed and engaging.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers find the sheer number of historical figures and events a bit dizzying to keep track of, especially if you’re new to medieval studies. The author’s sly humor and occasional sarcasm, while delightful to many, can rub a few the wrong way. If you’re looking for a light read or a tightly focused theological treatise, this comprehensive, cross-disciplinary approach (with plenty of historical asides) might not be your cup of tea.
About:
Holy Bones, Holy Dust: How Relics Shaped the History of Medieval Europe by Charles Freeman delves into the significance of saints and relics in shaping the identity of medieval Europe. Freeman explores the role of relics in forming group identities and national identities, drawing parallels between the pagan past and Christian practices. The book traces the history of relics from Late Antiquity to the end of the Middle Ages, highlighting their political, social, and religious importance. Freeman's writing style is described as engaging, well-researched, and informative, offering a fresh perspective on a complex and often misunderstood era.
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From The Publisher:
A richly textured history spanning a thousand years of holy relics across Europe
Relics were everywhere in medieval society. Saintly morsels such as bones, hair, teeth, blood, milk, and clothes, and items like the Crown of Thorns, coveted by Louis IX of France, were thought to bring the believer closer to the saint, who might intercede with God on his or her behalf. In the first comprehensive history in English of the rise of relic cults, Charles Freeman takes readers on a vivid, fast-paced journey from Constantinople to the northern Isles of Scotland over the course of a millennium.
In Holy Bones, Holy Dust, Freeman illustrates that the pervasiveness and variety of relics answered very specific needs of ordinary people across a darkened Europe under threat of political upheavals, disease, and hellfire. But relics were not only venerated-they were traded, collected, lost, stolen, duplicated, and destroyed. They were bargaining chips, good business and good propaganda, politically appropriated across Europe, and even used to wield military power. Freeman examines an expansive array of relics, showing how the mania for these objects deepens our understanding of the medieval world and why these relics continue to capture our imagination.
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About the Author:
Charles Freeman is a specialist on the ancient world and its legacy. He is the author of numerous books, including the bestseller The Closing of the Western Mind.
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