<i>The Architectural Setting of the Cult of Saints in the Early Christian West c. 300-c.1200</i> (review)
Carole M. Cusack
168 Reviews now housed in the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum Cologne. This clustering of families around image Virgin and Child with St Anne is extremely unusual, I, for one, would like to know more about this its context. The shape book is, part, dictated by fact it first systematic survey material be published any language since 1925. One strange element absence named scholars main chapters. Corley refers general trends scholarly thought but does not indicate text w h o these figures are. makes difficult sometimes identify whether arguments made are new or if author drawing on others. It until she discusses literature Epilogue that becomes clearer. While mean less cluttered names, given interest arguing issues attribution have been appropriate whose scholarship was using, also where her n case. a very solid piece writing, which will undoubtedly use many students Northern art. accessible Englishspeaking wealth enrich our discussion offifteenth-centuryart particular. Judith Collard Art History Theory University ofOtago Crook, John, Architectural Setting Cult Saints Early Ch West c. 300-c. 1200 (Oxford Historical Monographs), Oxford, Clarendon Press, 2000, cloth; pp. xxv, 308; 111 b/w illustrations; R.R.P. £50.00; ISBN 01982070948. interesting work commences an examination various medieval attitudes veneration relics saints, noting scepticism expressed 'improbable relics' (p. 9) genuine value accorded historically probable relics. Crook's principal way Christian ecclesiastical architecture developed sites ofburial display Graves saints early became foci religious devotion, from mid-second century cult Saint Polycarp Smyrna connected saint's grave church altar. By late third custom celebrating Eucharist 'over bones martyrs' 13) established. 169 Even ifthe saint were disinterred, site attained status ofa contact relic, retaining traces sanctity former inhabitant. From translation body fragmentation short step, although popes still resisting sixth century. Political reasons may lain behind (the city R m e possessed intact saints), most important side-effect growth market preliminary remarks, Crook progresses chapters explore physical setting relic cults specified historical periods. He briefly considers Roman churches then dissects evidence provided Gregory Tours Merovingian Gaul, involves analysis term crypta, can 'independent hypogea' as well 'purpose-built burial chambers integrated churches' 49), characteristic being presence vault. Despite Gregory's lack architectural detail, he provides enough information basic design, small chamber limited access, usually one door, unsuitable large numbers ofpilgrims. notes Gaul subterranean passed out ofuse, bodies displayed church. altar once again focal point, placed both under within it. Some tomb structures (for example, Wandregilsus at Fontanelle; Otmar Saint-Gall). next chapter deals developments Carolingian renaissance locates those changes context Rome. ring-crypt...
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