The story of an English saint's cult : an analysis of the influence of St Ăthelthryth of Ely, c.670-c.1540
This thesis charts the history of the cult of St Ăthelthryth of Ely, arguing that its longevity and geographical extent were determined by the malleability of her character, as narrated within the hagiographical texts of her life, and the continued promotion of her shrine by parties interested in utilising her saintly power to achieve their goals. Arranged chronologically and divided into five distinct periods, the thesis demonstrates that this symbiotic relationship was key in maintaining and elongating the life of the cult. Employing digital humanities tools to analyse textual, archaeological, material, cartographic, and documentary sources covering the cult's eight-hundred-year history, the study charts its development firstly within East Anglia, and subsequently across the whole country, and internationally. Several spheres of the saint's influence are defined, revealing a number of potential short- and long-distance pilgrimage routes focussed on locations with links to Ăthelthryth's shrine. This study's longitudinal approach also highlights a more general shift in the co-ordination of venerative practice away from the ecclesiastical centres and towards the parishes and the laity in the fifteenth century
Styler, Ian David
DA Great Britain
The story of an English saint's cult : an analysis of the influence of St Ăthelthryth of Ely, c.670-c.1540. This thesis charts the history of the cult of St Ăthelthryth of Ely, arguing that its longevity and geographical extent were determined by the malleability of her character, as narrated within the hagiographical texts of her life, and the continued promotion of her shrine by parties interested in utilising her saintly power to achieve their goals. Arranged chronologically and divided into five distinct periods, the thesis demonstrates that this symbiotic relationship was key in maintaining and elongating the life of the cult. Employing digital humanities tools to analyse textual, archaeological, material, cartographic, and documentary sources covering the cult's eight-hundred-year history, the study charts its development firstly within East Anglia, and subsequently across the whole country, and internationally. Several spheres of the saint's influence are defined, revealing a number of potential short- and long-distance pilgrimage routes focussed on locations with links to Ăthelthryth's shrine. This study's longitudinal approach also highlights a more general shift in the co-ordination of venerative practice away from the ecclesiastical centres and towards the parishes and the laity in the fifteenth century
story english saint cult analysis influence chart history cult argue longevity geographical extent determine character narrate within hagiographical texts life continue promotion shrine party interested utilise power achieve_goal chronologically divide_five distinct period demonstrate symbiotic relationship key maintain elongate life cult employing digital humanity tool analyse textual_archaeological material cartographic documentary_source cover cult hundred_year history study chart_development firstly within east_anglia subsequently across whole country internationally several sphere saint influence define reveal_number potential short long_distance pilgrimage route focus location link shrine study longitudinal also_highlight general shift co_ordination practice away ecclesiastical centre towards parish