Anticipating Sin in Medieval Society: Childhood, Sexuality, and Violence in the Early Penitentials, by Erin V. Abraham
Atria A. Larson
This slender volume by Erin V. Abraham is a welcome addition to studies of early medieval penitentials and demonstrates historically responsible mature interpretation this enigmatic often misunderstood genre. If the three elements in subtitle—childhood, sexuality violence—seem like random selection, they are not. They constitute matters treated, sometimes at great length with detail, as areas potentially involving laity having greatest social implications. These also have much say about perceptions gender age groups. ‘Childhood’ category least expected group, aptly handles more limited less detailed material on topic. Throughout book, she challenges some common misconceptions literature kind information it really gives historian. The book divided into six chapters, an introduction conclusion. author’s main sources for her study consist nine composed between mid-sixth late eighth centuries, all prior Carolingian reforms: Finnian Columbanus, Ambrosian penitential, penitential Cummean, Bigotian Theodore Egbert, Old Irish penitential. first seven Latin; last vernacular, Abraham’s ability work Anglo-Saxon sets apart from that many scholars field. She notes different reveal certain distinctive concerns contexts; nevertheless, draws out similarities their purpose approach, which identifies ‘to promote didactic, subjective discipline support Church’s ideals, conflict existing institutions, members communities’ (pp. 16–17).
The English Historical Review