Purgatory and Piety in Brittany 1480-1720

Description

First published 2012 by Ashgate Publishing. The concept of Purgatory was a central tenet of late-medieval and early-modern Catholicism, and proved a key dividing line between Catholics and Protestants. However, as this book makes clear, ideas about purgatory were often ill-defined and fluid, and altered over time in response to particular needs or pressures. Drawing upon printed pamphlets, tracts, advice manuals, diocesan statutes and other literary material, the study traces the evolution of writing and teaching about Purgatory and the fate of the soul between 1480 and 1720. By examining the subject across this extended period it is argued that belief in Purgatory continued to be important, although its role in the scheme of salvation changed over time, and was not a simply a story of inevitable decline. Grounded in a case study of the southern and western regions of the 'ancien régime' province of Brittany, the book charts the nature and evolution of 'private' intercessory institutions, chantries, obits and private chapel foundation, and 'public' forms, parish provision, confraternities, indulgences and veneration of saints. In so doing it underlines how the huge popularity of post-mortem intercession underwent a serious and rapid decline between the 1550s and late 1580s, only to witness a tremendous resurgence in popularity after 1600, with traditional practices far outstripping the levels of usage of the early sixteenth century. Offering a fascinating insight into popular devotional practices, the book opens new vistas onto the impact of Catholic revival and Counter Reform on beliefs about the fate of the soul after death. List of Figures List of Tables List of Abbreviations Acknowledgements Series Editor’s Preface 1. Introduction: Intercession for the Dead in Early Modern Brittany 2. Setting the Scene: The Catholic Church and Religious Life in Early Modern Brittany 3. Purgatory and the Counter Reformation in France 1480–1720 4. Strategies for Eternity 5. The Individual Alone Before God? Motives of Donors and the Functions of Perpetual Masses 6. Collective Intercession and Mutual Assistance before Eternity 7. The Prayers of Priests: Chaplains and Intercession for the Dead 8. Conclusions Bibliography of Cited Works Index