Emotional Monasticism: Affective Piety in the Eleventh-Century Monastery of John of FeCamp

Emotional monasticism challenges the traditional view of Christian devotion in the Middle Ages, suggesting that it originated in eleventh-century monastic contexts and was practiced by mendicants, lay people, and women.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 03 June 2019
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Emotional piety, a deeply emotional form of Christian devotion, emerged in Europe during the twelfth century, primarily practiced by mendicants, laypeople, and women. This belief has been widely accepted among medievalists for a long time. However, a new perspective called "emotional monasticism" challenges this notion. This groundbreaking study is the first to examine affective piety in an eleventh-century monastic context. By delving into the life and works of John of Fécamp, the earliest known writer of emotional prayers, the book traces the early history of affective devotion. It uncovers the early medieval monastic roots of later medieval affective piety, offering a fresh perspective on the devotional life of monks in Europe before the twelfth century. This book not only challenges the traditional understanding of medieval Christianity but also reimagines how medievalists should teach its history.

Weight: 504g
Dimension: 223 x 144 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526140203