Miracles and pilgrims: Popular beliefs in medieval England

The records of 'miracles' in the Middle Ages are among the most valuable and unexploited documents of medieval popular Christianity. Now available for the first time in paperback, Ronald Finucane's highly praised historical detective-work, based on over 3000 posthumous miracles (the wonders attributed to saints after their deaths), pieces together a fascinating account of the extent to which the world of pilgrims, miracles and faith-healing exerted its hold over the medieval imagination. Miracle-working at saints' shrines usually concerned curative healing. The book is rich in stories of crippled limbs crackling as they straightened during a miracle, 'possessed' people on the rampage, the screams and groans preceding the moment when blind people could see again. Above all, Ronald Finucane makes important new connections between the medical knowledge of the Middle Ages and the incidence of miracles; for the conditions of medieval life unquestionably reinforced the popular beliefs in wonder-working saints. The events at the curative shrines provide a rare glimpse of the behavior of medieval people at centres of popular religion and an indication of what sorts of people were involved, and why and how they made their journeys.

Miracles and Pilgrims: Popular Beliefs in Medieval England

History

Finucane, Ronald C.

Ancient Civilizations

PALGRAVE~MACMILLAN

In The Rescue of the Innocents, Richard Finucane looks at the influence of miracles on the lives of children during the Middle Ages. Finucane explores rampant reports of "miraculous" happenings, delving into the experiences of six hundred children who were rescued, cured, or resuscitated--it was thought--by the holy dead. He analyzes the impact that these wonders had on the families of the children, comparing the differences between experiences of families in the north and the south of Europe. The reactions of mothers in particular, in comparison to fathers and other kin, are studied for their distinctive quality. In addition, Finucane breaks with the traditions of Medieval historians and concentrates on only one type of source: hagiographical records. In so doing, he produces a wealth of fascinating material, sharing with readers the experiences of grief, joy, and belief among Medieval families.

The Rescue of the Innocents: Endangered Children in Medieval Miracles

Discusses the medieval Crusades from the perspective of the ordinary soldiers and examines the interactions between Christians and Moslems during the Crusades

Soldiers of the Faith: Crusaders and Moslems at War

Europe

St Martins Pr

In Miracles and Pilgrims, Ronald C. Finucane analyzes more than 3,000 posthumous accounts of miracles. He pieces together the world of pilgrims, miracles and faith-healing, and demonstrates its hold over the medieval imagination.

A fresh and engrossing look at the Crusades captures the everyday experience of those who actually took part in the campaign. Drawing on a variety of sources, Ronald C. Finucane, a distinguished professor of history, asks what inspired the recruits who marched across Europe to fight the "infidel," as well as those they fought against. What did it feel like to be a crusader? How did the long marches, bad food, and lack of medicine affect the average armed pilgrim? What image of the enemy did each side carry into battle? What role did women play, and how did the forces act on and off the field? It's a study that still resonates strongly in our world today.

Soldiers of the faith: Crusaders and Moslems at war

J.M.Dent.

Pope John Paul II famously canonized more saints than all his predecessors combined. Several of these candidates were controversial. To this day there remain holy men and women "on the books" of the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints whose canonization would provoke considerable debate. This was no less true during the period covered in this pioneering study by renowned medieval historian Ronald C. Finucane. This work, which forms an important bridge between medieval and Counter-Reformation sanctity and canonization, provides a richly contextualized analysis of the ways in which the last five candidates for sainthood before the Reformation came to be canonized. Finucane uncovers the complex interplay of factors that lay behind the success of such campaigns; success that could never be taken for granted, even when the candidate's holy credentials appeared uncontroversial and his backers politically powerful.  Written by a master of the historical craft whose studies on miracles and popular religion for the high Middle Ages have long been an important point of reference for students, this work presents brilliantly reconstructed case studies of the last five successful canonization petitions of the Middle Ages: Bonaventure, Leopold of Austria, Francis of Paola, Antoninus of Florence, and Benno of Meissen.ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Ronald Finucane died at the height of his critical powers in 2009, shortly after he submitted this work for publication. Distinguished professor of history at Oakland University, he was the author of four books including Miracles and Pilgrims: Popular Beliefs in Medieval England and Soldiers of the Faith: Crusaders and Moslems at War, both History Book Club selections. This book was brought to publication by Simon Ditchfield, reader in history at the University of York. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK: "In this meticulously researched and carefully structured study, Finucane establishes his work as a critical touchstone for future studies of canonization procedures and their revision in the early modern period."--David Collins, S.J., associate professor of history, Georgetown University"On the surface, the book is a meticulous, detailed but fairly traditional discussion of the processes, or politics, if you will, of saint-making. However, Finucane's use of a case study approach allows him to find important commonalities among successful canonization cases without losing the inevitable complexity involved in the pursuit of each one . . . There is a great deal to learn from this book." --American Historical Review

Contested Canonizations: The Last Medieval Saints, 1482-1523

Americas

The Catholic University of America Press

Appearances of the Dead: Cultural History of Ghosts

Religion & Spirituality

Occult & Paranormal

London : Junction Books

Rowman and Littlefield

Throughout history, people have reported seeing "ghosts." But the Victorian ghost is in many respects a very different phenomenon from a ghost in Classical Greece, or in medieval Europe. In Appearances of the Dead, R.C. Finucane surveys reports of ghosts from ancient Greece, the early Christian era, The Reformation, The Victorian age, through the twentieth century. He asks such questions as :How have the physical aspects claimed for ghosts varied from age to age? What differences are there in the functions and intentions ascribed to ghosts? How have the changes in the more general beliefs , in religion and science, in particular, influenced the perception of ghosts?

Appearances of the Dead: A Cultural History of Ghosts

New Age & Spirituality

Prometheus+books

A fresh and engrossing look at the Crusades captures the everyday experience of those who actually took part in the campaign. Drawing on a variety of sources, Ronald C. Finucane, a distinguished professor of history, asks what inspired the recruits who marched across Europe to fight the "infidel," as well as those they fought against. What did it feel like to be a crusader? How did the long marches, bad food, and lack of medicine affect the average armed pilgrim? What image of the enemy did each side carry into battle? What role did women play, and how did the forces act on and off the field? It's a study that still resonates strongly in our world today.

Soldiers of the Faith: Crusaders and Muslims at War

Orion Publishing Group

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Finucane, Ronald C.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Finucane, Ronald C.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Finucane, Ronald C.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Miracles and Pilgrims: Popular Beliefs in Medieval England

The Rescue of the Innocents: Endangered Children in Medieval Miracles

Soldiers of the Faith: Crusaders and Moslems at War

Miracles and Pilgrims: Popular Beliefs in Medieval England

Soldiers of the faith: Crusaders and Moslems at war

Contested Canonizations: The Last Medieval Saints, 1482-1523

Appearances of the Dead: Cultural History of Ghosts

Miracles and pilgrims: Popular beliefs in medieval England

Appearances of the Dead: A Cultural History of Ghosts

Soldiers of the Faith: Crusaders and Muslims at War