Piety and charity in late medieval Florence

Description:

This book examines the relationship between religion and society in late medieval Florence through the vehicle of the religious confraternity, one of the most ubiquitous and popular forms of lay association throughout Europe. Based on a wealth of new documentation, it provides a fascinating account of the development of the major fraternities of the city in relation to other types of communal and ecclesiastical institutions. The first part discusses in detail the devotional activities for living members, including the singing of lauds, self-flagellation, processions, and dramatic presentations, as well as funerals and commemorative services for the dead. Secondly, Dr Henderson provides one of the most detailed analyses of poor relief in late medieval Europe, all against the background of the changing social, demographic, and economic regimes of medieval Florence. Taken together the two themes of this book, piety and charity, provide new evidence concerning the complex relationship between the secular and the sacred in both private and public life.

subjects: History,  Church history,  Confraternities,  Social history,  Church and state,  Church work with the poor,  Histoire,  Confréries,  Social Work,  Histoire religieuse,  Oficina Regional de Desarrollo del Norte,  Fürsorge,  Religion,  Liefdadigheid,  Clergy,  Pastorale des pauvres,  Vroomheid,  Oeuvres de bienfaisance,  Bruderschaft,  Broederschappen,  Charities,  Église catholique,  Église et État,  Frömmigkeit,  Florence (italy), history,  Church and state, italy,  Italy, church history,  Church work with the poor--history,  Church work with the poor--italy--florence--history,  Church and state--history,  Church and state--italy--florence--history,  Confraternities--history,  Confraternities--italy--florence--history,  Social history--medieval, 500-1500,  Bx1548.f55 h46 1997,  267/.1824551/0902

Places: Italy,  Florence,  Florence (Italy)

Times: Medieval, 500-1500,  476-1400