Ritual and interpretation: the early medieval case
Philippe Buc
In dealing with early medieval ‘rituals’ (whatever this category may mean), historians have to take into account that they were written about, staged, and participated in by members of a culture was steeped interpretation, especially the exegetical dialectic between letter spirit. The consequences for narrative techniques, therefore our approach sources depicting are plural. narratives can heighten or de-emphasize ‘ritualness’ an event, as well hide conflict (or consensus) within ritual regardless what actually happened. Rituals texts, therefore, should seldom be taken at face value. Such techniques suggest often enough textual rendition even imagination) solemnity had more political impact than its performance.
Early Medieval Europe