The concept of Purgatory was a central tenet of late-medieval and early-modern Catholicism, and proved a key dividing line between Catholics and Protestants. However, as this book makes clear, ideas about purgatory were often ill-defined and fluid, and altered over time in response to particular needs or pressures. Drawing upon printed pamphlets, tracts, advice manuals, diocesan statutes and other literary material, the study traces the evolution of writing and teaching about Purgatory and the fate of the soul between 1480 and 1720. By examining the subject across this extended period it is argued that belief in Purgatory continued to be important, although its role in the scheme of salvation changed over time, and was not a simply a story of inevitable decline. Grounded in a case study of the southern and western regions of the ancien régime province of Brittany, the book charts the nature and evolution of 'private' intercessory institutions, chantries, obits and private chapel foundation, and 'public' forms, parish provision, confraternities, indulgences and veneration of saints. In so doing it underlines how the huge popularity of post-mortem intercession underwent a serious and rapid decline between the 1550s and late 1580s, only to witness a tremendous resurgence in popularity after 1600, with traditional practices far outstripping the levels of usage of the early sixteenth century. Offering a fascinating insight into popular devotional practices, the book opens new vistas onto the impact of Catholic revival and Counter Reform on beliefs about the fate of the soul after death.
Drawing upon printed pamphlets, tracts, advice manuals, diocesan statutes and other literary material, the study traces the evolution of writing and teaching about Purgatory and the fate of the soul between 1480 and 1720. By examining the subject across this extended period it is argued that belief in Purgatory continued to be important, although its role in the scheme of salvation changed over time, and was not simply a story of inevitable decline. Offering a fascinating insight into popular devotional practices, the book opens new vistas onto the impact of Catholic revival and Counter Reform on beliefs about the fate of the soul after death.
'... a balanced and thoughtful study that will interest a wide range of early-modern historians.' Catholic Historical Review 'In this significant work in the history of early modern Catholicism, Elizabeth Tingle argues for the continued importance of the doctrine of purgatory beyond the medieval period and through the end of the seventeenth century... The book makes several important contributions to the historiography of Catholic belief and practice, and demonstrates the way that the laity responded to changing ideas about the doctrines surrounding the community of the dead.' Renaissance Quarterly 'Solidly grounded in extensive archival research and carefully reasoned argument, Tingle makes an important, nuanced contribution to the history of early modern religious culture that offers important revisionary challenges to the current historiography from which scholars and advanced students will certainly profit.' Sixteenth Century Journal 'Tingle shows that death was a growing business in seventeenth-century Brittany, and more than that, it remained an astonishingly creative force within the devotional culture of the Church.' H-France '...this well-researched and lucidly written book is wide-ranging and of interest not just to historians: the material discussed is crucial for our understanding of medieval piety and also of the ways in which tomb monuments functioned in this period and beyond.' Church Monument
