In Our Time Medieval Pilgrimage
Feb 18, 2021
Join historians Miri Rubin, Kathryn Rudy, and Anthony Bale as they uncover the fascinating world of medieval pilgrimage. Discover the major destinations like Jerusalem and Santiago de Compostela, and how guidebooks helped those who couldn’t travel. Delve into the stark realities faced by pilgrims, from financial exploitation to illness. Learn about the allure of pilgrimage badges as symbols of faith and the surprising mix of piety and parody in these spiritual journeys. Explore how these practices laid the groundwork for modern spiritual quests.
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Origins of Christian Pilgrimage
- Christian pilgrimage is rooted in the belief that God became human and lived a life on Earth.
- This resulted in physical locations associated with Christ's life and teachings becoming sacred for his followers.
Immersive Pilgrimage
- Pilgrims sought immersive experiences to connect with Jesus.
- At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a stone basin's rumbling was said to be the sound of souls in purgatory.
Growth of Pilgrimage
- The First Crusade significantly boosted pilgrimage in the 11th century, as Crusaders were granted indulgences.
- The 12th century saw the rise of major pilgrimage sites like Walsingham and Canterbury, fueled by the growing popularity of purgatory and saint veneration.