Pilgrims and Politics: Rediscovering the Power of the Pilgrimage ed. by Antón M. Pazos
Leanne Good
Reviewed by: Pilgrims and Politics: Rediscovering the Power of Pilgrimage ed. by Antón M. Pazos Leanne Good Pilgrimage, Pazos, Compostela International Studies in History Culture (Burlington: Ashgate 2012) 211 pp. The articles this volume derive from a conference held 2008 on intersections between pilgrimage political power. Four twelve essays concentrate Iberian Peninsula. Most focus medieval period, but there are contributions covering contemporary as well. definition thus varies, although term “political” appears more narrowly defined, referring to governing monarch or state almost every instance. In first essay concerning Iberia, Ana María Carballeira Debasa surveys information that Arabic texts Islamic East West Santiago de its routes. She concludes knowledge was often secondhand incomplete, interest primarily focused military economic concerns. Carlos Baliñas Pérez reveals early history cult Saint James, which young King Alfonso III (866–910) wrested episcopal see Iria Bishop Adaulfo II. Control Galician bishopric benefited Asturian monarchy; saint’s served an ideological tool further unity expansion. [End Page 315] Paula Maria Carvalho Pinto Costa contributes study role Hospitaller Order St. John Northern Portugal. Their presence twelfth century, support pilgrims heading Compostela, preceded both their Galicia, establishment Kingdom It step “the political-ecclesiastical evolution Peninsula” (73). comendas (commanderies) Hospitallers were situated along routes leading Santiago, safety these guaranteed site. affirms subsequent increase contributed overall development From year 1000, towards western holy site increased significantly comparison traditional sites Rome Jerusalem. Innocent (1198–1216) who set about renew Rome’s primacy site, competition with Jerusalem Compostela. pilgrim traffic had declined since Carolingian era. Brenda Bolton describes strategies employed Innocent: he made efforts resolve rivalry Lateran Peter’s, awarded indulgence form remission penance for pilgrims, conferred canons Peter’s right sell badges. effort raise status granted revenues popes previously received gifts, well strike Concerns regarding personal security care those fell sick died whilst also addressed Innocent. Finally, new liturgical station established 1208, at sudarium (the cloth Jesus’s face been wiped) displayed. pope required all archbishops travel order collect pallia, Fourth Council drew together bishops across Christendom. argues attempted repair damage strife riven Church re-focusing religious center. Yvonne Friedman analyzes aspects Holy Land during Crusades. draws attention account Guibert Nogent, taxes abroad one Urban II’s motivations encouraging First Crusade. rights imposed duty Muslim Christian rulers region, took include treaties arrangements own faiths. These access shrines could be used strategic tool. For example, Saladin permitted Sepulcher, removing soldier-pilgrims fight Richard. After end...
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