History Extra podcast Strange stories of medieval saints
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Jan 16, 2025 In this enlightening discussion, Luke Daly, author of "Medieval Saints and their Sins," shares fascinating insights into the lives of medieval saints. He uncovers how attitudes toward grief were shaped by figures like Saint Augustine. Daly also explores the gendered perceptions of saints, contrasting the veneration of male and female saints and their societal implications. He dives into the unique pilgrim practices, like wax offerings to Saint William of Norwich, revealing how these stories reflect broader medieval fears and aspirations.
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Medieval Saints
- Medieval saints were holy figures who lived exemplary lives, serving as role models for others.
- Sainthood involved cult followings, miracles, and official church recognition, sometimes even without formal canonization.
Warrior Saints
- Not all saints were consistently angelic; some were warriors or secular figures.
- The Church struggled to reconcile the veneration of figures who had committed violence or other acts incongruent with traditional holiness.
Veneration of Saints
- Saints were venerated through physical shrines and also appeared in visions and dreams.
- This blend of physical and ethereal presence created a powerful ecosystem of belief and interaction with the divine.
