The Making and Unmaking of a Saint: Hagiography and Memory in the Cult of Gerald of Aurillac by Mathew Kuefler
Michael Stewart
Reviewed by: The Making and Unmaking of a Saint: Hagiography Memory in the Cult Gerald Aurillac by Mathew Kuefler Michael Edward Stewart Kuefler, Mathew, (Middle Ages), Philadelphia, University Pennsylvania Press, 2014; cloth; pp. 320; 34 b/w illustrations; R.R.P. US$79.95; ISBN 9780812245523. In his new monograph, describes rise fall medieval saint. What on surface may seem to be an exploration rather insignificant saint is something more substantive. While focusing one few laymen become Middle Ages, study takes variety issues regarding, not only value hagiographies as historical sources, but also importance understanding what has ‘been lost’. As reminds reader, ‘What been forgotten history often meaningful remembered’ (p. 117). book opens taking entrenched scholarly view that sees Gerald’s original vita work author, second abbot monastery Cluny, Odo (878–942). Kuefler’s closer inspection [End Page 187] evidence exposes this attribution ‘a house cards’ 14). Instead, suggests composed much less detailed account known Vita brevior, while main body life, prolixior, attributes forger saints’ lives, Adamar (c. 989–1034). Why, might non-specialist ask, does need know exact authorship? Because, explains Chapters 2 3, modern historians have mined life for information about ninth- early tenth-century Southern France during time when Carolingians were losing their grip power. If, claims, reworked Odo’s sometime 1020s, then majority biography reflects viewpoints man writing century later than previously assumed. This dating, however, undermine these texts’ sources. proposes vita, particular Adamar’s focus violence, provides insights into eleventh-century struggle among ‘local landowners warlords’, men who increasingly competing ‘with each other greater wealth status’ ways primary victims violence – churchmen peasants dealt with disorder. believes some impetus behind Pax Dei (Peace God movement) blossomed era can detected remaking life. Chapter discusses difficulties faced presenting layman section shows lives far just banal accounts well-trodden hagiographical traits, individually crafted characterisations exposing unique values individual authors, context which they composed. half offers diachronic investigation legacy from eleventh present. how why certain saints like St Martin Tours gained notoriety eternal vibrancy, others gradually fell oblivion. notion are fluid living objects represents crucial concept final chapters. makes sensible point generation represented largely fit own needs beliefs. Therefore, nineteenth-century literary visual depictions tell actual and/or characterisation earliest depictions. changing requirements local communities surrounding homelands help explain survival obscure Gerald, provide explanation saint’s gradual obscurity until fragment found remains. Though take patience digest, successfully taken Walter Pohl’s challenge, Introduction, postmodernist scholars to...
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