Family, Community and Cult on the Eve of the Gregorian Reform
R. I. Moore
One of the most obvious novelties eleventh century is appearance crowd on stage public events. It would not claim to rival its counterparts in Antiquity or Renaissance permanence presence scale activity, still less vividness with which it can be portrayed, wonders analysis that performed upon by historians. Some them, indeed, might hesitate distinguish categorically between populus attacked clergy Milan 1056 formed an army for Peter Hermit and surrounded tomb a Merovingian saint attended court Carolingian lord. But indulge hesitation point silence grant semantics priority over common sense. impossible contemplate events century, observe turbulence Florence 1060s Flemish Rhineland cities 1070s, hear Gregory VII appealing people boycott their priests spurn bishops, Sigebert Gembloux lamenting ‘sudden unrest among populace, new treacheries servants against masters masters’ mistrust servants', Marbod Rennes protesting denounce errors before was ‘not preach but undermine’, without conceding only fear social upheaval had been generated, some manner founded reality, course changed, changed significantly occasion, availability force popular indignation those who knew how raise it. And quite clearly ‘knowing it’ was, greater part religious matter, at least sense language stirred passions mob language: cry brought out crowds were unchaste, simoniacal corrupt, whole generation more became effective shout commune, Jews, towards holy places.
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