Consorting with Saints: Prayer for the Dead in Early Medieval France by Megan McLaughlin
H. E. J. Cowdrey
254 BOOK REVIEWS Consorting with Saints: Prayer for the Dead in Early Medieval France. By Megan McLaughlin. (Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press. 1994. Pp. xii, 306. $32.50.) "early medieval" Dr. McLaughlin understands period between mid-eighth century and ca 1 100. The thesis of her book is that, during it, prayer dead followed a distinctive pattern which differed from what came before after reflected current social, economic, cultural structures. 750, people were no longer participating directly most rituals but sought to be associated clerical, especially monastic, devotions on behalf die faithful departed. consequence was an age ecclesiological symbolism; prime manifestation collective service spiritual communities undertook dead. After 1100, this rapidly changed. became dissociated context it had been performed and, line wiüi commercial emphasis later medieval society, more commodity . If theologically sophisticated, also numerical even mechanical. McLaughlin's monograph has solid merits. She offers conspectus, much needed by Anglophone readers, recent historical study commemoration Such promoted second half nineteenth Delisle France Monumentists Germany until, 1890, Adalbert Ebner published his still useful survey commemorative practices up Carolingian times. Relative neglect until World War II, major revival, means only Münster-Freiburg school. In first two chapters, discusses funerary ceremonies that death individual, then collectively continuing individuals. core book, its strongest part, constituted further chapters laity liturgical communities, noting different treatment humiles potentes. A long final chapter ideology ofprayer less successful because couched generalities. principal contention early primarily "associative," is, their symbolism exhibited complex relationships bound intercessors divine. surprisingly little say about biblical citations references suggest individual preoccupations. Perhaps often attested Christ's mysterious saying mammon ofiniquity (Luke 16:8), used how tables might turned upon corrupt world diverting goods endow win part prayers good works monks. Abbot Odilo Cluny's statute AU Souls Day ends thought everyone God's household should offer according lest he share fate slothful servant who hid 255 talent napkin. just balance social difficult strike. However, probably significant confraternity older black-monk monastery does not seem have established any such solidarity amongst confratres as would mark Third Orders mendicants. H. E. J. Cowdrey St. Edmund Hall, Oxford Church Western Europefrom Tenth Twelfth Century. Gerd Teilenbach. Translated Timothy Reuter. [Cambridge Textbooks.] (New Cambridge 1993. xix, 403. S79.95 cloth, S22.95 paperback.) This outstanding translation book; originally German Die westliche Kirche vom 10. bis frühen 12. Jahrhundert (Göttingen, 1988). English readers will grateful Professor Reuter updated expanded bibliography accordance practice well. Tellenbach's masterful history tenth- critical eleventh-century deals both institution body eight chapters·. "Western Christendom environment tenth eleventh centuries " (1), "The church and...
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