Late Anglo-Saxon Prayer in Practice: Before the Books of Hours

Authors

Kate Thomas

Files

Document Type

Monograph

Description

This monograph examines the practice of Anglo-Saxon prayer outside of the communal liturgy. With a particular emphasis on its practical aspects, it considers how small groups of prayers were elaborated into complex programs for personal devotion, resulting in the forerunners of the Special Offices. With examples being taken chiefly from major eleventh-century collections of prayers, liturgy, and medical remedies, the methodologies of Anglo-Saxon compilers are examined, followed by five chapters on specialist kinds of prayer: to the Trinity and saints, for liturgical feasts and the canonical hours, to the Holy Cross, for protection and healing, and confessions. Analyzing prayer in a wide range of different situations, this book argues that Anglo-Saxon manuscripts may have included far more private offices than have so far been recognized, if we see them for what they were.

Publication Date

12-31-2019

Publisher

De Gruyter and Medieval Institute Publications

Imprint

Medieval Institute Publications

City

Berlin

ISBN

9783110661958

Keywords

Prayer, Anglo-Saxon, liturgy, medicine, lived religion

Disciplines

Liturgy and Worship | Medieval Studies

Citation for Published Book

Thomas, Kate. Late Anglo-Saxon Prayer in Practice: Before the Books of Hours. Berlin: De Gruyter and Medieval Institute Publications, 2019.