Beyond the Penitentials: Early Medieval Discourse on Penance
Abigail Firey
Beyond the Penitentials:Early Medieval Discourse on Penance Abigail Firey Sometimes most obvious questions are hardest ones to answer. For historians of early medieval confession and penance, one greatest puzzles has been cultural context penitentials that have dominated, as essential sources, discussions penitential traditions. While there is excellent scholarship question their institutional context—that is, whether they should be located in monastic, parochial, or sacramental settings (or overlapping evolving contexts this type)—there still much work done other, contemporary sources might help us understand more fully breadth depth culture Middle Ages. This paper explores three ideas: how other than are, fact, necessary understanding penance; how, for example, Synonyma Isidore Seville illuminate discourse; imprint a pedagogical text visible glosses manuscript (Vatican City, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Reg. lat. 849) Carolingian prose treatise penance. Since nineteenth century, frequently consulted evidence practices penance penitentials.1 These texts concise descriptions specific sins, with corresponding prescription penances, 'remedies' each those sins. Their sins includes such offences losing consecrated [End Page 1] object (which receives seven days penance) eating meat carrion four months living bread water rest year without wine meat).2 The specified tend actions events, usually areas sex, food, violence, mishandling sacraments failures conform rules monastic clerical life. Some do use scheme eight 'deadly' identified by John Cassian, organize sinful under an interior, spiritual vice, avarice, lust, hatred, anger, etc., but format sometimes led scholars claim Christianity was, its apparent concern external manifestations, primitive lacking theological depth.3 also central powerful narrative about history confession, because were considered handbooks used priests hearing confessions, precursors later 'summae confessorum'.4 chronological position between centuries Patristic period after Fourth Lateran Council (A.D. 1215) seemed coincide change many perceived from public (ceremonial, once only) private (secret, repeated) 2] penance.5 A further layer interpretation was must initiated some new impetus, new, non-Roman, Christian population. Irish 'missionaries' continental western Europe who brought these sometime sixth century.6 3] traditional now subject scrutiny, variety reasons. First, earlier see simple model ritual permitted only baptism capital adultery, idolatry, homicide.7 Similarly, both Ages confessions formulaic penances assigned priests.8 In addition, transmission received attention, raises questions. None surviving manuscripts written Ireland; all continent during eighth ninth later. Recently, Michael Elliot argued very term 'paenitentiale' occurs mid-eighth century we accustomed think 'penitentials' closely associated 4] communities exceptionally devout laity, not general Christian...
Bulletin of medieval canon law