The Holy Blood
The Holy Blood
$127.00
USDThe first extended study of relics of the Holy Blood: portions of the blood of Christ's passion preserved supposedly from the time of the Crucifixion and displayed as objects of wonder and veneration in the churches of medieval Europe. Inspired by the discovery of new evidence relating to the relic deposited by King Henry III at Westminster in 1247, the study proceeds from the particular political and spiritual motives that inspired this gift to a wider consideration of blood relics, their distribution across western Europe, their place in Christian devotion, and the controversies to which they gave rise among theologians. In the process the author advances a new thesis on the role of the sacred in Plantagenet court life as well as exploring various intriguing byways of medieval religion.
- The first full-length study of the fascinating subject of relics of Christ's blood, a topic in a similar league to that of the Templars, the Holy Grail, Arthurian legend, etc.
- Offers important new evidence for the study of medieval religion and Plantagenet court life
- Draws from an extraordinary range of sources and themes, from the politics of the Plantagenet court to theologies of the incarnation of Christ
Reviews & endorsements
"...a compelling and quite fascinating book which has been an intellectual joy to read." Canadian Journal of History
"...a significant contribution to both religious and intellectual history." Michelle Mirandon, UCLA
"Vincent has done detailed scholarship on a topic neglected in anglophone literature and has raised, quite eloquently, questions about the complicated politics of cult and body without succumbing to the extravagant rhetoric such issues have sometimes garnered." American Historical Review
"Vincent's study of Aquinas, John Hus, and many other writers make for a lively analysis. His book is better for the fine footnotes and best for his willingness to understand his subjects on their own terms instead of, as many moderns do, as benighted superstitious naives. This fine book is heartily recommended to all academic libraries." Catholic Library World
"Nicholas Vincent...has with The Holy Blood created a fascinating study of the Westminster Blood Relic...There is much here for students of relics and high medieval popular devotion to think about, as well as for those seeking more complete explanations of Henry III." History
"Nicholas Vincent's new book is a thorough and illuminating study of the reception of this new relic in England, and of the historical and theological tradition of blood relics from which it derives." Albion
"This book is a model of scholarship and erudition." Journal of Church and State
"Nicholas Vincent's book, which abounds in new pieces of evidence and intelligent questions, illustrates the heuristic opportunities offered by monographs when they are conducted with erudition and imagination." Speculum
"The Holy Blood is in all significant regards an outstanding piece of work. It deserves the highest respect, and is recommended to all interested readers without reservation." Religion and the Arts
Product details
January 2002Hardback
9780521571289
270 pages
229 × 152 × 19 mm
0.57kg
23 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The ceremony of 1247
- 3. The patriarch's letters
- 4. The Holy Blood
- 5. The scholastic debate
- 6. Two commentaries: John Hus and William Sudbury
- 7. The rivals: Hailes, Ashridge, Glastonbury
- 8. The indulgences and the reliquary
- Epilogue
- Appendices
- Bibliography
- Index.
