Tracing the Tradition of Medieval Parochial Peace-Making
Marc B. Cels
I presented my paper, “Tracing the Tradition of Medieval Parochial Peace-Making,” as part a three-person session on medieval war and peace during annual meeting Canadian Society Medievalists. My paper questioned assumption earlier scholars about importance parish priest in encouraging among his parishioners. It looked at surviving instructions given to priests (manuals for confessors episcopal statutes) found few that insisted demand enmities be forgiven penance. A theological tradition connecting peace-making penance was thirteenth century diocese Salisbury, England. could connected eleventh-century German Bishop Burchard Worms, source, ninth-century Carolingian Frank, Theodulf Orleans. Nevertheless, all these sources betray an ambiguity towards Gospel injunctions make peace. This can linked influential interpretations Augustine Hippo early fifth century. At best, therefore, Christians were encouraged change their hearts enemies preparation forgiving them. Although parochial charity concord remained important ideal, nevertheless, prescriptive literature did not closely associate with peace-making. These findings contribute current revision historical thinking role clergy conflict resolution, efforts understand pre-modern pre-state Europe more broadly.