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IMC 2021: Sessions

Session 1821: Using Medieval Imagery in Religious and Political Discourse

Thursday 8 July 2021, 16.30-18.00

Organiser:Maria Tranter, Departement Geschichte, Universität Basel
Moderator/Chair:Madita Knöpfle, Seminar für Nordistik, Universität Basel
Paper 1821-aSeeing the Medieval Imagination in the Works of John Henry Newman and Alfred Lord Tennyson
(Language: English)
Hope Doherty, Department of English Studies Durham University
Index terms: Medievalism and Antiquarianism, Theology
Paper 1821-b'Our Fenian Dead': Medievalist Memorialisations of Irish Republican Deaths, 1916-2005
(Language: English)
Francesca Petrizzo, School of History, University of Leeds
Index terms: Medievalism and Antiquarianism, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 1821-cCrafting a Golden Age: A Celtic-Revival Shrine for the Irish Free State
(Language: English)
Rowanne Dean, Department of Art History, University of Chicago
Index terms: Art History - Decorative Arts, Medievalism and Antiquarianism, Politics and Diplomacy
Abstract

From the writers on theology of 19th-century Anglo-Catholicism to the 20th-century Irish Republicans, those operating in religiously charged political discussion were influenced by medieval ideas and used medievalists' tropes to further their cause. This panel will explore the use of medieval imagery and concepts in moments of political and religious tension: Hope Doherty will show how medieval devotional literature influenced the writings of Victorian Tractarianists, Francesca Petrizzo will discuss medievalist language and iconography in Irish Republican self-presentation and Rowanne Dean will present a fascinating example of a modern interpretation of a medieval reliquary for political use.