Translation and Appropriation: Greek Relics in the Latin West in the Aftermath of the Fourth Crusade
Anne E. Lester
Following the fall of Constantinople to French, Flemish and Venetian forces at conclusion Fourth Crusade, an unprecedented number relics other holy objects poured into West between 1204 c. 1240. Sent as personal diplomatic gifts, most moved in open, with letters authentication identification, not (as has often been suggested) sacred theft. This article traces work translation, carried out by clerics, chaplains, monks, laymen women, mechanisms appropriation that gave meaning these their new devotional contexts. Relics were demanding things; they needed be enshrined, venerated, described contextualized, movements accounted for included within a broader Christian narrative served anchor crusade movement apostolic past Christ's material presence West. Moreover, materiality from was important part significance shaped practices connections, bridging differences Greek Latin culture fostering conceptions facilitated acts translation centuries come.
Studies in Church History