The Boys of the Archangel Raphael : A Youth Confraternity in Florence, 1411-1785

A study of a religious organization for youths (aged 13-14) founded in Florence in1411 that is firmly grounded on archival and contemporary documents, and covers a variety of fields of interest. Confraternities and their contribution to the fabric of society have become invisible history for us today. Although their activities began in the Renaissance and continued until the end of the Enlightenment, confraternities have not yet found a place in the standard histories of the period, or even in the histories of religion or of the Church. With The Boys of the Archangel Raphael, Konrad Eisenbichler brings to light the daily life and history of one such organization from its founding in 1411 to its final suppression in 1785. While focusing on the Compagnia dell'Arcangelo Raffaello, the first confraternity to be established in Florence, the author also discusses other, similar organizations. By constantly comparing developments across several confraternities, the book provides us with insight into the entire phenomenon of premodern lay religious associations for youths. The study is firmly grounded on archival and contemporary documents, and covers a variety of fields of interest: social history, church history, the history of childhood, and the history of art, literature, and music. The Boys of the Archangel Raphael will be the authoritative work on youth confraternities for years to come. Winner of the Howard R. Marraro Prize of the American Catholic Historical Association

Confraternities and their contribution to the fabric of society have become invisible history for us today. Although their activities began in the Renaissance and continued until the end of the Enlightenment, confraternities have not yet found a place in the standard histories of the period, or even in the histories of religion or of the Church.

With The Boys of the Archangel Raphael, Konrad Eisenbichler brings to light the daily life and history of one such organization from its founding in 1411 to its final suppression in 1785. While focusing on the Compagnia dell'Arcangelo Raffaello, the first confraternity to be established in Florence, the author also discusses other, similar organizations. By constantly comparing developments across several confraternities, the book provides us with insight into the entire phenomenon of premodern lay religious associations for youths.

The study is firmly grounded on archival and contemporary documents, and covers a variety of fields of interest: social history, church history, the history of childhood, and the history of art, literature, and music. The Boys of the Archangel Raphael will be the authoritative work on youth confraternities for years to come.

Contents 7 Acknowledgments 9 Abbreviations 11 Introduction: Boys in Hoods 15 1. A City of Confraternities 24 2. The Founding of the Arcangelo Raffaello and the Development of Youth Confraternities in Florence 35 3. At the Ospedale della Scala (1430S-1530) 46 4. Prelates, Princes, and Priors 53 5. The Move to Santa Maria Novella 68 6. Rebirth 84 7. The Confraternity and the Post-Tridentine Church 96 8. Statutes and Administrative Structures 108 9. Membership 123 10. The Teaching of Christian Doctrine 140 11. Religious Rituals 150 12. Confraternity Feasts and Devotions 162 13. Processions 179 14. Sermons at the Arcangelo Raffaello 192 15. Fun and Games 203 16. Theatre in the Confraternity 210 17. Theatre in the Seventeenth Century 230 18. Music in the Confraternity 247 19. Art in the Confraternity 269 20. The Obsequies for Grand Duke Cosimo II 282 21. The Final Years 304 Epilogue 319 Appendices 325 Notes 357 Bibliography of Manuscript Sources Cited 433 Bibliography of Published Works Cited 439 Index 463 "Confraternities and their contribution to the fabric of society have become invisible history for us today. Although their activities began in the Renaissance and continued until the end of the Enlightenment, confraternities have not yet found a place in the standard histories of the period, or even in the histories of religion or of the Church." "With The Boys of the Archangel Raphael, Konrad Eisenbichler brings to light the daily life and history of one such organization from its founding in 1411 to its final suppression in 1785. While focusing on the Compagnia dell'Arcangelo Raffaello, the first confraternity to be established in Florence, the author also discusses other, similar organizations. By constantly comparing developments across several confraternities, the book provides us with insight into the entire phenomenon of premodern lay religious associations for youths."--Résumé de l'éditeur "Confraternities and their contribution to the fabric of society have become invisible history for us today. Although their activities began in the Renaissance and continued until the end of the Enlightenment, confraternities have not yet found a place in the standard histories of the period, or even in the histories of religion or of the Church.". "With The Boys of the Archangel Raphael, Konrad Eisenbichler brings to light the daily life and history of one such organization from its founding in 1411 to its final suppression in 1785. While focusing on the Compagnia dell'Arcangelo Raffaello, the first confraternity to be established in Florence, the author also discusses other, similar organizations. By constantly comparing developments across several confraternities, the book provides us with insight into the entire phenomenon of premodern lay religious associations for youths."--BOOK JACKET.