Bread in the form of a Penny
Gerald Ellard
ERNULF, Bishop of Rochester (1114-1124), in a letter that has come down to us, contrasted various aspects Eucharistie worship as he knew them the twelfth century with corresponding primitive uses. Thus writes: 'Tatet attestantibus Scripturis Sacramenta altaris, quae ieiuni modo accipimus, discipulos Domini caenatos accepisse. Patet etiam quod sumimus de mensa lapidea ac sacrata; illos sumpsisse lignea, non secundum morem Ecclesiae sacrata, aut fortasse nulla. UH panes quotidianos comederunt; nos forma nummi panem accipimus. It is proposed this article survey historical process by which what people first offered obvious form bread came and be coin, strange consequence upon altar next took wheaten such was for sacrifice. The inquiry limited strictly Western Church, since it would seem wine offerings on part had no long life East, were fact dying out not after history offering West began unfold. A few generations change coin appearance bread, once so startling, been made, men grown accustomed new style host they ceased think coins connection therewith at all. At stage we may well halt inquiry, evolution stopped dead. Ernulf lived close enough
Theological Studies