Eternal Light and Earthly Concerns: Belief and the Shaping of Medieval Society by Paul Fouracre
John H. Arnold
Reviewed by: Eternal Light and Earthly Concerns: Belief the Shaping of Medieval Society by Paul Fouracre John H. Arnold Keywords Middle Ages, lighting, devotional lights, altar, oil, medieval economics, socio-economic structure, social transformation paul fouracre. Society. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2021. Pp. iv + 247. Some most interesting topics in recent historiography are those which have been hiding plain sight. Such is focus Fouracre's brilliant fascinating—if sometimes frustrating—new book. The topic question lighting provided to Western churches, not so much practical that might or used, but lights were set upon altars. Here "eternal light" "belief" title: requirement a light should be kept "perpetually" alight every Christian church (something firmly established, theory at least, under Carolingians, possibly going back sixthcentury councils Iberian Peninsula). primary book on early central Ages—Fouracre distinguished medievalist—and "lights" discussion period mostly oil-burning lamps. "earthly concerns" thus processes supplying churches with oil. (Mostly oil: wax was also present predominant fuel for until later Ages.) what has previously taken granted brought dazzlingly into view: amounts oil needed keep flame continually considerable. Thus, it massive, ongoing material need, as demonstrates, this need inextricably intertwined wider economic processes: changing fortunes trade North Africa and, progressed, exercise various kinds lordly exaction generate steady flow income directed toward "lights." In certain areas Europe, provide produced specific class unfree people whose surplus labor particularly task, including who surrendered themselves servitude church, said "given lights" (this German-speaking lands ninth century). constant (and wax) always one important factor within socioeconomic mix. At other points sees [End Page 146] particular models land tenure, monasteries "precarial" grants (in could reclaimed date), providing institutions rent, often specifically upkeep provision lighting. rise confraternities means furnished. whilst arguing caused change, he dramatically demonstrating how very powerful way seeing shifts structure across Ages. This provides an opportunity comment historiographical arguments about change period, astute reading documentary sources la longue durée alertness geographical variety. One unexpected benefits concise critique several longstanding arguments, perhaps importantly allegedly abrupt "feudal revolution" predominantly francophone scholars (Georges Duby, Pierre Bonnassie) identified occurring eleventh century associated local lordship imposition peasantry. line more anglophone scholarship, attends longer term continuities, regional variations, variations nature surviving documentation can tell us. byproduct useful sketch of, intermittently skeptical commentary upon, large-scale found European However, I mentioned "frustration" evoked Regarding lights...
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