The problems of property
Rosemary Morris|Thomas F. X. Noble|Julia M. H. Smith
The great bronze doors of the main basilica Benedictine monastery Monte Cassino still bear extraordinary witness to its early medieval landed wealth. Inscribed on thirty-six panels are names estates held or claimed by twelfth century. first four list forty-one possessions Terra S. Benedicti, core properties house, around 1105–15; most following can be associated with abbacy Oderisius II (1123–26). These claims were not exaggerated; 620 Cassinese charters contained in Register Paul Deacon (compiled 1131–33), some 300 deal mentioned doors. monks concerned parade their wealth because for them, as all other landowners, property represented only an economic, but also a social resource. Nothing that church wished achieve – prayer and performance liturgy, preaching conversion, charitable work could done without property. Ownership land defined status institutions much individuals; it was means which power both created expressed. religious acquired, maintained, protected dangerous world uses they put issues profound implications survival. So, too, degree success negotiating web human relationships centered ownership land.
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