Sacral Geographies: Saints, Shrines and Territory in Medieval Ireland (Studies in the Visual Cultures of the Middle Ages)

More than merely containers for holy bodies and objects, reliquaries powerfully mediated the experience of the sacred for their medieval audiences: they presented beautiful, glorified visions of the relics inside, and allowed devotees proximity to sacred space. The forms of reliquaries - from small enameled boxes to elaborately decorated shrines in the shapes of body parts - created identities and histories around holy objects. In medieval Ireland, it was often associative rather than corporeal relics that were enshrined: bells, books, staffs, and even pieces of clothing worn by holy men and women. These objects were the paraphernalia of Irish monasticism, and were carried in liturgical ceremonies, processions, and communal rituals. As enshrined relics, they became signifiers of ecclesiastical identity and authority, and located holy space within social space. Reliquaries such as the Domnach Airgid book shrine, the Shrine of St. Culan's Bell, and St. Manchán's Shrine were portable, and their meaning was constituted in movement. The patrons of reliquaries, usually prominent secular rulers or Church leaders, employed performance, ritual, and narrative (both visual and textual) to reinforce the efficacy of relics and consequently, to authorize political relationships. The space of the holy body functioned as a foundation for the social geographies of early Ireland. More Than Merely Containers For Holy Bodies And Objects, Reliquaries Powerfully Mediated The Experience Of The Sacred For Their Medieval Audiences: They Presented Beautiful, Glorified Visions Of The Relics Inside, And Allowed Devotees Proximity To Sacred Space. The Forms Of Reliquaries - From Small Enameled Boxes To Elaborately Decorated Shrines In The Shapes Of Body Parts - Created Identities And Histories Around Holy Objects. In Medieval Ireland, It Was Often Associative Rather Than Corporeal Relics That Were Enshrined: Bells, Books, Staffs, And Even Pieces Of Clothing Worn By Holy Men And Women. These Objects Were The Paraphernalia Of Irish Monasticism, And Were Carried In Liturgical Ceremonies, Processions, And Communal Rituals. As Enshrined Relics, They Became Signifiers Of Ecclesiastical Identity And Authority, And Located Holy Space Within Social Space. Reliquaries Such As The Domnach Airgid Book Shrine, The Shrine Of St Culan's Bell, And St Manchßn's Shrine Were Portable, And Their Meaning Was Constituted In Movement. The Patrons Of Reliquaries, Usually Prominent Secular Rulers Or Church Leaders, Employed Performance, Ritual, And Narrative (both Visual And Textual) To Reinforce The Efficacy Of Relics And Consequently, To Authorize Political Relationships. The Space Of The Holy Body Functioned As A Foundation For The Social Geographies Of Early Ireland. Sacral Geographies Explores The Spatiality Of Reliquaries In Early Ireland, And The Intersections Of Devotional Loca Sancta With The Territories Of Secular Kingship, With The Hierarchies Of Medieval Monastic Enclosures, And With Modern, Institutional Spaces Of Knowledge. --book Jacket. Making Space -- Holy Ground: St Manchán's Shrine -- Remapping The Life Of Colum Cille -- The Domnach Airgid: Inside & Out -- Bell Relics And The Monastic Voice -- Crosiers, Relics, And The Performance Of Territorial Authority. Karen Eileen Overbey. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [221]-231) And Index. More than merely containers for holy bodies and objects, reliquaries powerfully mediated the experience of holy objects for their medieval audiences, creating socially charged spaces. Sacral Saints, Shrines and Territory in Medieval Ireland demonstrates how the sacred space of reliquaries intersected with the territorial spaces of secular kingship, with the hierarchical spaces of monastic enclosures, and with the devotional spaces of cultic communities. The patrons of reliquaries, usually prominent secular rulers or Church leaders, employed performance, ritual and narrative (both visual and textual) to reinforce the efficacy of relics and, consequently, to authorize political relationships. The space of the 'holy body' therefore functioned as a foundation for the social geographies of early Ireland.Sacral Geographies explores the role of reliquaries such as the Domnach Airgid book shrine, the Shrine of St Brigid's Shoe, and St Manchan's Shrine in the construction of spatial identity in early Ireland. While chapters on tomb-shaped shrines and crozier-relics appraise connections between Continental and Irish forms, and the effect of localized political agendas on material traditions, this book locates Irish spatial practices in an insular context, positing an Irish 'topographical consciousness.' List of Illustrations ix Author's Note xv Acknowledgements xvii List of Abbreviations xix Introduction: The Space of the Holy Body 1 1. Making Space 13 2. Holy Ground: St Manchán's Shrine 37 3. Remapping the Life of Colum Cille 69 4. The Domnach Airgid: Inside & Out 93 5. Bell Relics and the Monastic Voice 115 6. Crosiers, Relics, and the Performance of Territorial Authority 147 Afterword: Open Spaces 183 Notes 193 Bibliography 221 Index (missing) Colour Plates