The ‘Sunday Letter’ and the ‘Sunday Lists’
Clare A. Lees
The so-called ‘Sunday Letter’ (otherwise entitled the ‘Heavenly Letter’, Carta Dominica or ‘Lettre du Christ tombée ciel’) is extant in Latin and many vernacular languages has already attracted a considerable explicatory literature. As well known, purports to be letter from himself, written variously his own blood, with golden rod by an angel. It falls on one of principal shrines Christendom (frequently Rome, Jerusalem Bethlehem) passes into hands clergy. urges strict enforcement observance Sunday, accompanied dire threats for those who fail comply. Lists’ (also known as ‘Benedictions Sunday’ dignatio Diei dominici ), sometimes lengthy, are inserted within some examples ‘Letter’. These enumerate notable scriptural events which occurred, said have order strengthen reasons veneration day. Recent publication individual, isolated, early Hiberno-Latin manuscripts suggested that survey available new material reconsideration relationship between would useful.
Anglo-Saxon England