Coins in Churches: Archaeology, Money and Religious Devotion in Medieval Northern Europe

This book explores the formative period of Church reform in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages, focusing on the development of money economy. It utilizes 100,000 single finds of coins from 650 Scandinavian churches to discuss the concepts of ritual, liturgy, and devotional uses of money, monetary space, and spiritual economy within the framework of Christendom, the medieval church, and church architecture.

Format: Hardback
Length: 454 pages
Publication date: 27 July 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the transformative era of Church reform in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages, a period that laid the foundation for the emergence of a money economy right at its doorstep. Church archaeology emerges as a powerful tool in uncovering evidence of the intricate patterns of monetary usage that intertwined with liturgy, church architecture, and devotional culture throughout centuries. Spanning Alpine European regions, with a special focus on Gotland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland, this volume presents a groundbreaking exploration into the intersection of religion and money, appealing to an international audience.

Based on a comprehensive analysis of 100,000 single coin finds from the 11th to 18th centuries originating from 650 Scandinavian churches, the volume offers a profound and detailed examination of the concepts of ritual, liturgy, and the spiritual economy within the framework of Christendom, the medieval church, and church architecture. Authored by esteemed international scholars, Coins in Churches emerges as a invaluable resource for readers seeking to delve into the rich tapestry of history, money, the economy, and church architecture in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages.

Weight: 1212g
Dimension: 179 x 253 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367557065