IMC 2011: Sessions
Session 1211: The Social Function of Wealth, and the Problem with Wealthy Nuns, Monks, and Priests
Wednesday 13 July 2011, 14.15-15.45
| Sponsor: | Taiwan Association of Classical, Medieval & Renaissance Studies |
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| Organiser: | Denise Wang, Center for Medieval Studies, National Chung Cheng University |
| Moderator/Chair: | Anne M. Scott, Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, University of Western Australia |
| Paper 1211-a | The Implication of Gold in Heroic Society (Language: English) Index terms: Economics - General, Language and Literature - Old English |
| Paper 1211-b | The Poor Plowman versus Wealthy Monks and Priests (Language: English) Index terms: Biblical Studies, Language and Literature - Middle English, Lay Piety, Sermons and Preaching |
| Paper 1211-c | Admonitions in Favor of Poverty in Douce 365, L'Abbaye du saint esprit (Language: English) Index terms: Lay Piety, Monasticism, Religious Life, Women's Studies |
| Abstract | In the Middle Ages, there were many reasons why nuns, monks, and priests were criticized for their wealth. Their wealth might be accumulated illegitimately, and the time they spent on gaining the wealth might have been spent on earning spiritual riches. What further complicated the issue was, on the one hand, the ideal literary image of a poor, simple, but charitable and truth-loving Christian, and on the other, the long-lasting ideal kingly figure embodying generosity and the prosperity of the nation. In this session, we will explore how the social function of wealth coexisted with the ideal of a poor simple Christian life, and examine medieval people's ambivalence toward wealth. |