<i>The Virgin of Chartres: Making History through Liturgy and the Arts</i> (review)
James Grier
Reviewed by: The Virgin of Chartres: Making History through Liturgy and the Arts James Grier Arts. By Margot E. Fassler. (New Haven: Yale University Press. 2010. Pp. xiii, 612. $55.00. ISBN 978-0-300-11088-3.) magnificent cathedral Chartres, dedicated to Virgin, needs no introduction most medievalists. Those who have made pilgrimage Chartres cannot fail feel awe at sight edifice its domination wheatfields on Beauce plateau, towering western façade, soaring interior—a place mystery, peace, grace. Some that mystery [End Page 98] extends large portions cathedral’s medieval history because unfortunate destruction, in Allied bombing May 26, 1944, many holdings city’s Bibliothèque municipale. Photographic records inventories some manuscripts survive, but much irretrievably perished. Fassler attempts penetrate her analysis ways which clerics shaped their celebration liturgy design space took place. begins by situating cathedral, principal relic—the tunic said been worn Mary during birth Jesus— social political central Middle Ages. Viking raids; struggles for power among Carolingians successors; finally emergence comital family Thibaudians, linked maritally twelfth century with royal houses both England France, all take turns stage Chartres. Throughout, intercessory relic, together church housed it, play roles drama. Within this context, then, author shows how came be celebrated retold history, biblical life Jesus, city itself. focus book occupies third fourth sections, where recounts rebuilding century, detailing contributions successive bishops lay patrons (conveniently summarized tabular form appendix H, pp. 450–53). She provides a critical architecture decoration, showing physical setting interacted liturgical ceremonies around it reshape reinterpret they, decorative programs, mutually presented. photographic illustrations included admirably supplement discussion. As kind running counterbalance intensive analysis, presents, like series vignettes throughout book, texts prominent chants liturgy, scrutinizing internal meaning role practices complemented an anthology important sung there (appendix D, 387–419). Another useful (A, 369–75) lists musical books. This represents synthesis enormous amount material from arts constituent music. reader emerges clearer idea tumultuous period, especially way preserved reshaped re-enactment liturgy. 99] Western Ontario Copyright © 2012 Catholic America Press
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