Death in Fifteenth-Century Castile: Ideologies of the Elites (Monografías A, 205)

The theory of the three estates made clear distinctions between the functions of the two estates which comprised the elite of medieval society: the oradores (ecclesiastics) and the defensores (warriors or nobility). They had different lifestyles, clothing and ways of thinking about life. With regard to death, the responses dictated by Christian theology conflicted with the demands of the defensor ideology, based on the defence of individual honour, the pursuit of fama and the display of earthly power. This book charts the progress of the dying from their preparations for death, through their 'good' or 'bad' deaths, to their burials and otherworldly fates and also analyses the responses of the bereaved. Through the use of pre-fifteenth-century texts it is possible to demonstrate that the conflict between the orador and defensor ideologies did not begin in the fifteenth century, but rather had a much older origin, and it is suggested that the conflict continued after 1500. Textual sources include the Siete partidas, wills, chronicles, religious works such as the Arte de bien morir and literary works such as C?rcel de Amor and Celestina. The Theory Of The Three Estates Made Clear Distinctions Between The Functions Of The Two Estates Which Comprised The Elite Of Medieval Society: The Oradores (ecclesiastics) And The Defensores (warriors Or Nobility). They Had Different Lifestyles, Clothing And Ways Of Thinking About Life. With Regard To Death, The Responses Dictated By Christian Theology Conflicted With The Demands Of The Defensor Ideology, Based On The Defence Of Individual Honour, The Pursuit Of Fama, And The Display Of Earthly Power. This Book Charts The Progress Of The Dying From Their Preparations For Death, Through Their 'good' Or 'bad' Deaths, To Their Burials And Other-worldly Fates, And Also Analyses The Responses Of The Bereaved. Through The Use Of Pre-fifteenth-century Texts It Is Possible To Demonstrate That The Conflict Between The Orador And Defensor Ideologies Did Not Originate In The Fifteenth Century, But Rather Had A Much Older Origin, And It Is Suggested That The Conflict Continued After 1500. Textual Sources Include The Siete Partidas, Wills, Chronicles, Religious Works Such As The Arte De Bien Morir, And Literary Works Such As Carcel De Amor And Celestina.--jacket. I. Introduction -- Ii. Types Of Death -- Introduction -- The Oradores: Christianity And The Good Death -- The Defensores: Good Death In Battle -- Bad Deaths -- Sudden Deaths As A Result Of An Outside Agency -- Deaths Imposed By The Judicial System -- Self-inflicted Deaths -- Conclusion -- Iii. The Afterlife -- The Oradores And The Afterlife -- God And The Devil -- Heaven, Hell And Purgatory -- The Defensores And The Vida De La Fama -- Conclusion -- Iv. The Bereaved -- Introduction -- The Oradores: Ritual And Remembrance -- Defensores And The Mingling Of Secular And Sacred In Funeral Customs -- Consolation And The Oradores' Opposition To Excessive Grief -- Fortaleza, Grief And The Defensores -- Grief And Gender -- Grief And Social Status -- Conclusion -- V. Conclusion -- Introduction -- Oradores -- Defensores -- Conflict And Co-existence. Laura Vivanco. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Differences in attitudes to death and dying in two distinct social classes, the ecclesiastics and the nobility.The theory of the three estates made clear distinctions between the functions of the two estates which comprised the elite of medieval society: the oradores (ecclesiastics) and the defensores (warriors or nobility).They had different lifestyles, clothing and ways of thinking about life. With regard to death, the responses dictated by Christian theology conflicted with the demands of the defensor ideology, based on the defence of individual honour, the pursuit of fama and the display of earthly power. This book charts the progress of the dying from their preparations for death, through their'good'or'bad'deaths, to their burials and otherworldly fates and also analyses the responses of the bereaved. Through the use of pre-fifteenth-century texts it is possible to demonstrate that the conflict between the orador and defensor ideologies did not begin in the fifteenth century, but rather had a much older origin, and it is suggested that the conflict continued after 1500. Textual sources include the Siete partidas, wills, chronicles, religious works such as the Arte de bien morir and literary works such as Cárcel de Amor and Celestina. The theory of the three estates made clear distinctions between the functions of the two estates which comprised the elite of medieval society: the oradores (ecclesiastics) and the defensores (warriors or nobility).They had different lifestyles, clothing and ways of thinking about life. With regard to death, the responses dictated by Christian theology conflicted with the demands of the defensor ideology, based on the defence of individual honour, the pursuit of fama and the display of earthly power. This book charts the progress of the dying from their preparations for death, through their 'good' or 'bad' deaths, to their burials and otherworldly fates and also analyses the responses of the bereaved. Through the use of pre-fifteenth-century texts it is possible to demonstrate that the conflict between the orador and defensor ideologies did not begin in the fifteenth century, but rather had a much older origin, and it is suggested that the conflict continued after 1500. Textual sources include the Siete partidas, wills, chronicles, religious works such as the Arte de bien morir and literary works such as Cárcel de Amor and Celestina. The theory of the three estates made clear distinctions between the functions of the two estates which comprised the elite of medieval society: the oradores (ecclesiastics) and the defensores (warriors or nobility).They had different lifestyles, clothing and ways of thinking about life. With regard to death, the responses dictated by Christian theology conflicted with the demands of the defensor ideology, based on the defence of individual honour, the pursuit of fama and the display of earthly power. This book charts the progress of the dying from their preparations for death, through their 'good' or 'bad' deaths, to their burials and otherworldly fates and also analyses the responses of the bereaved. Through the use of pre-fifteenth-century texts it is possible to demonstrate that the conflict between the orador and defensor ideologies did not begin in the fifteenth century, but rather had a much older origin, and it is suggested that the conflict continued after 1500. Textual sources include the Siete partidas , wills, chronicles, religious works such as the Arte de bien morir and literary works such as Cárcel de Amor and Celestina . DEATH IN FIFTEENTH-CENTURY CASTILE: IDEOLOGIES OF THE ELITES......Page 4 CONTENTS......Page 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 8 1 INTRODUCTION......Page 10 2 TYPES OF DEATH......Page 36 3 THE AFTERLIFE......Page 108 4 THE BEREAVED......Page 145 5 CONCLUSION......Page 187 APPENDIX......Page 194 Abbreviations......Page 198 Primary texts......Page 199 Secondary Texts......Page 203 INDEX......Page 214