IMC 2019: Sessions
Session 820: Maternal Materialities: Objects and Practices in Medieval Childbirth, II
Tuesday 2 July 2019, 16.30-18.00
Organiser: | Costanza Gislon Dopfel, Department of Modern Languages / Department of Art History, Saint Mary's College of California |
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Moderator/Chair: | Adrian Wilson, School of Philosophy, Religion & History of Science, University of Leeds |
Paper 820-a | Emergency Baptism in Medieval and Early Modern Spain: Interfaces between Religious and Obstetrical Care (Language: English) Index terms: Medicine, Religious Life, Social History, Women's Studies |
Paper 820-b | The Use of Saints' Clothing in High Medieval Childbirth (Language: English) Index terms: Hagiography, Religious Life, Social History, Women's Studies |
Paper 820-c | Giving Birth in Byzantine Illuminated Books (Language: English) Index terms: Art History - General, Byzantine Studies, Religious Life, Women's Studies |
Abstract | Although the process surrounding medieval childbirth has always been secretive, lack of written testimonials does not preclude the possibility of reconstructing this elusive space: drawing on the evidence of fashion, diet, rites and customs, the two sessions seek to give tangible form to the experience of childbirth through the analysis of physical objects and practices. The second session discusses the role of individuals and material items within ritualistic practices such as emergency baptism, the use of Saints' clothing as propitiatory relics during childbirth, and the erasure of birth images in Byzantine illuminated texts. |