Lay religion and pastoral care in thirteenth century England: the evidence of a group of short confession manuals
Catherine Rider
This paper examines the extent of lay religious knowledge and observance in thirteenth century England, using a series short manuscript treatises on confession inspired by De modo confitendi Robert Grosseteste (d.1253). These works have not been much used to study religion but their lists suggested questions ask penitents tell us about authors’ views aspirations for it. The first part introduces texts. second focuses knowledge. Priests were told whether knew certain points Christian doctrine, argues that at least some assumed know more than historians often suggested. third practices authors these hoped from laypeople, distinguishing between which are done all (such as confirmation) as...
Journal of Medieval History|Europe PMC (PubMed Central)|PubMed Central|Open Research Exeter (University of Exeter)|PubMed