Overview

Relics and Writing in Late Medieval England uncovers a wide-ranging medieval discourse that had an expansive influence on English literary traditions. Drawing from Latin and vernacular hagiography, miracle stories, relic lists, and architectural history, this study demonstrates that, as the shrines of England's major saints underwent dramatic changes from c. 1100 to c. 1538, relic discourse became important not only in constructing the meaning of objects that were often hidden, but also for canonical authors like Chaucer and Malory in exploring the function of metaphor and of dissembling language. Robyn Malo argues that relic discourse was employed in order to critique mainstream religious practice, explore the consequences of rhetorical dissimulation, and consider the effect on the socially disadvantaged of lavish expenditure on shrines. The work thus uses the literary study of relics to address issues of clerical and lay cultures, orthodoxy and heterodoxy, and writing and reform.

Full Product Details

Author:   Robyn Malo
Publisher:   University of Toronto Press
Imprint:   University of Toronto Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.90cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.460kg
ISBN:  

9781442628496

ISBN 10:   1442628499
Pages:   308
Publication Date:   21 October 2014
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Temporarily unavailable  
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Table of Contents

Introduction Part I – Relic Discourse and the Cult of Saints Chapter 1 – Representing Relics Chapter 2 – The Commonplaces of Relic Discourse Part II – The Trouble with Relic Discourse Chapter 3 – English Grail Legends and the Holy Blood Chapter 4 – Relic Discourse in The Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale and Troilus and Criseyde Chapter 5 – Wycliffite Texts and the Problem of Enshrinement  Coda – The Cultural Work of Relic Discourse Notes Bibliography

Reviews

Relics and Writing in Late Medieval England constitutes an impressive contribution to our understanding of relics and relic discourse, and offers an important reminder of the reciprocal and interconnected relationship among discourse, text, and materiality in medieval culture. -- Barbara Zimbalist 'Fascinating study...This book constitutes an impressive contribution to our understanding of relics and relic discourse, and offers an important reminder of the reciprocal and interconnected relationship among discourse, text, and materiality in medieval culture.' -- Barbara Zimbalist

Relics and Writing in Late Medieval England constitutes an impressive contribution to our understanding of relics and relic discourse, and offers an important reminder of the reciprocal and interconnected relationship among discourse, text, and materiality in medieval culture. -- Barbara Zimbalist

'Fascinating study...This book constitutes an impressive contribution to our understanding of relics and relic discourse, and offers an important reminder of the reciprocal and interconnected relationship among discourse, text, and materiality in medieval culture.' -- Barbara Zimbalist

Author Information

Robyn Malo is an asociate professor in the Department of English at Purdue University.

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