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Miracles and Pilgrims: Popular Beliefs in Medieval England
Miracles and Pilgrims Popular Beliefs in Medieval England Author:Ronald C. Finucane The records of "miracles" in the Middle Ages are among the most unexploited documents of medieval popular Christianity. This book, based on over 3000 posthumous miracles (the wonders attributed to saints after their deaths), pieces together an account of the extent to which the world of pilgrims, miracles, and faith-healing exerted its hold over... more » the medieval imagination. The book contains descriptions of the curative healing that took place at saints' shrines, and it makes connections between the medical knowledge of the Middle Ages and the incidence of miracles; for the conditions of medieval life reinforced the popular beliefs in wonder-working saints. The events at the curative shrines provide a glimpse of the behaviour of medieval people at centres of popular religion and an indication of what sorts of people were involved, and why and how they made their journeys.« less