Cross and Culture in Anglo-Norman England: Theology, Imagery, Devotion

The twelfth century in Anglo-Norman England saw a significant shift in theology, devotional practice, and iconography, particularly in the cross and crucifixion of Christ. This book explores the visual and religious culture of the period, offering new insights into its significance and the dynamic relationships between ideas and images. It provides the first extensive survey of surviving Passion imagery and explores its contexts, including intellectual, cultural, religious, and art-historical factors.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 16 July 2021
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

The twelfth century has long been recognized as a period of remarkable vibrancy and significance, witnessing profound transformations in the interconnected realms of theology, devotional practice, and iconography, particularly with regard to the cross and the crucifixion of Christ. However, the visual arts of this era have received relatively less attention, with scholarly focus primarily dwelling on its textual and intellectual heritage. This book aims to rectify this imbalance by delving into the rich and vibrant visual and religious culture of Anglo-Norman England. Through an extensive survey of surviving Passion imagery from the period, it explores the contexts in which these images were created, encompassing intellectual, cultural, religious, and art-historical dimensions. By examining these images and their contexts, the book not only enhances our understanding of the place of the cross in Anglo-Norman culture but also demonstrates how new image theories and patterns of agency shaped the life of the later medieval church.

The twelfth century marked a significant era in the history of Christianity, characterized by profound changes in theology, devotional practices, and iconography. One of the most notable aspects of this period was the heightened emphasis on the cross and the crucifixion of Christ. This emphasis can be seen in various forms of art, including paintings, sculptures, and manuscripts.

In Anglo-Norman England, the visual and religious culture of the twelfth century was extraordinarily rich and vibrant. The period saw the development of new artistic styles and techniques, as well as the emergence of new religious orders and institutions. One of the most significant contributions to the visual and religious culture of the twelfth century was the development of the Gothic style of architecture. Gothic buildings were characterized by their soaring spires, intricate carvings, and stained glass windows, which depicted biblical scenes and the lives of saints.

Another important aspect of the twelfth-century visual and religious culture was the proliferation of manuscripts. During this period, scribes and artists worked tirelessly to create illuminated manuscripts, which were often adorned with intricate illustrations and decorative borders. These manuscripts were used for religious purposes, such as prayer and meditation, as well as for educational purposes, such as teaching the Bible and other religious texts.

One of the most famous manuscripts of the twelfth century is the Book of Kells, which is housed in the Trinity College Library in Dublin. The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript that contains the four Gospels, as well as other religious texts and illustrations. The manuscript is renowned for its intricate illustrations, which include Celtic knots, geometric patterns, and elaborate borders.

In addition to manuscripts, the twelfth century also saw the development of stained glass windows. Stained glass windows were used to depict biblical scenes and the lives of saints, and they were often placed in churches and cathedrals to provide light and beauty to the interior spaces. One of the most famous stained glass windows of the twelfth century is the Rose Window in the Cathedral of Chartres, France.

The twelfth century also saw the emergence of new religious orders and institutions, such as the Cistercian Order and the Benedictine Order. These orders were founded with the goal of promoting religious life and spirituality, and they were known for their emphasis on simplicity and austerity. They were also known for their artistic contributions, particularly in the field of architecture and manuscript illumination.

In conclusion, the twelfth century was a period of remarkable vibrancy and significance in the history of Christianity. The visual and religious culture of Anglo-Norman England was extraordinarily rich and vibrant, characterized by the development of new artistic styles and techniques, the proliferation of manuscripts, and the emergence of new religious orders and institutions. The cross and the crucifixion of Christ played a central role in this culture, and it is through the study of these images and their contexts that we can better understand the place of the cross in Anglo-Norman culture and the broader context of late medieval Christianity.

Weight: 892g
Dimension: 171 x 240 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783276509