Godparents and Kinship in Early Medieval Europe (Princeton Legacy Library, 5310)

The book description for the previously published "Godparents and Kinship in Early Medieval Europe" is not yet available. Between A.D. 200 and 1000, sponsorship at baptism evolved from a simple liturgical act into a mechanism for the creation of enduring relationships regarded as especially holy forms of kinship. Combining anthropological, historical, theological, and literary approaches, Joseph Lynch presents a comprehensive analysis of the origins and development in Western society of this "spiritual" kinship. Because of its solemnity and adaptability, such kinship gradually took its place alongside blood and marital ties as a fundamental part of medieval society, continuing to expand in high and late medieval Europe and to flourish even in modern times, particularly in Latin America. Professor Lynch traces the liturgical practices and theological beliefs undergirding sponsorship and examines its social purposes, including sacralization of personal firendships, creation of client/patron reltionships, extension of marital taboos, provision of protectors for the young, fostering of trust among adults, and dissemination of religious instruction. In the process he offers a rich array of insights into the Church's role in the passage of Western society from antiquity to the Middle Ages. Joseph H. Lynch is Professor of History and former Director of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Ohio State University. He is author of Simoniacal Entry into Religious Life form 1000 to 1260: A Social, Economic and Legal Study (Ohio State). Originally published in 1986. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905. Between A.D. 200 and 1000, sponsorship at baptism evolved from a simple liturgical act into a mechanism for the creation of enduring relationships regarded as especially holy forms of kinship. Combining anthropological, historical, theological, and literary approaches, Joseph Lynch presents a comprehensive analysis of the origins and development in Western society of this "spiritual" kinship. Because of its solemnity and adaptability, such kinship gradually took its place alongside blood and marital ties as a fundamental part of medieval society, continuing to expand in high and late medieval Europe and to flourish even in modern times, particularly in Latin America. Professor Lynch traces the liturgical practices and theological beliefs undergirding sponsorship and examines its social purposes, including sacralization of personal friendships, creation of client/patron relationships, extension of marital taboos, provision of protectors for the young, fostering of trust among adults, and dissemination of religious instruction. In the process he offers a rich array of insights into the Church's role in the passage of Western society from antiquity to the Middle Ages. Joseph H. Lynch is Professor of History and former Director of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Ohio State University. He is author of Simoniacal Entry into Religious Life form 1000 to 1260: A Social, Economic and Legal Study (Ohio State).Originally published in 1986.The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905 Frontmatter ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (page ix) ABBREVIATIONS (page xi) INTRODUCTION (page 3) PART ONE THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF SPIRITUAL KINSHIP 1. HISTORIOGRAPHY TO THE 1880S (page 13) 2. HISTORIOGRAPHY SINCE THE 1880S: THE FOUR TRADITIONS (page 32) PART TWO BAPTISMAL SPONSORSHIP IN THE ANCIENT CHURCH, CA. 170 TO CA. 500 3. THE SPONSORSHIP OF ADULTS (page 83) 4. THE SPONSORSHIP OF INFANTS (page 117) PART THREE THE EMERGENCE OF SPIRITUAL KINSHIP IN THE WEST, CA. 500 TO CA. 750 5. CAESARIUS OF ARLES (page 143) 6. THE SPIRITUAL FAMILY IN FRANKISH SOCIETY (page 163) 7. THE PROLIFERATION OF SPIRITUAL KINSMEN (page 205) 8. SPIRITUAL KINSMEN AND SEXUAL TABOOS (page 219) 9. THE CULTURAL ROOTS OF THE BAN ON SEXUAL CONTACT BETWEEN SPIRITUAL KINSMEN (page 258) PART FOUR THE CAROLINGIAN SYNTHESIS 10. THE GODPARENT AND THE BAPTISMAL LITURGY (page 285) 11. THE GODPARENT AND RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION (page 305) 12. SPIRITUAL KINSHIP IN WESTERN SOCIETY (page 333) BIBLIOGRAPHY (page 340) INDEX (page 371) The Historiography Of Spiritual Kinship -- Historiography To The 1880s -- Historiography Since The 1880s : The Four Traditions -- Baptismal Sponsorship In The Ancient Church, Ca. 170 To Ca. 500 -- The Sponsorship Of Adults -- The Sponsorship Of Infants -- The Emergence Of Spiritual Kinship In The West, Ca. 500 To Ca. 750 -- Caesarius Of Arles -- The Spiritual Family In Frankish Society -- The Proliferation Of Spiritual Kinsmen -- Spiritual Kinsmen And Sexual Taboos -- The Cultural Roots Of The Ban On Sexual Contact Between Spiritual Kinsmen -- The Carolingian Synthesis -- The Godparent And The Baptismal Liturgy -- The Godparent And Religious Instruction -- Spiritual Kinship In Western Society. Joseph H. Lynch. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. [340]-369.