Death and dying in the Middle Ages

By Barbara I. Gusick

Book Description

This comprehensive exploration invites readers to journey into the medieval understanding of life's final passage, revealing how our ancestors approached mortality with profound spiritual wisdom. Through eighteen scholarly contributions, this collection unveils the intricate tapestry of beliefs, practices, and artistic expressions that surrounded death in Western medieval societies.

The book examines how medieval communities organized themselves around the reality of death, from medical knowledge to communal support systems. It delves into the rich religious traditions and popular customs that provided comfort and meaning during times of loss. Readers will discover how literature and art of the period reflected deep philosophical and theological convictions about what lies beyond earthly existence.

For those seeking to understand humanity's eternal questions about mortality, this work offers valuable insights into how faith, community, and creativity helped medieval people navigate grief and find purpose in the face of death. The collection bridges multiple disciplines including cultural history, religion, folklore, psychology, literature, and art, making it accessible to both academic readers and anyone curious about how different cultures have approached life's greatest mystery.

This scholarly yet engaging volume provides a window into medieval spiritual practices and beliefs that continue to influence how we understand death and dying today.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~14 hours)

📄 Length: 515 pages

What You'll Discover

✓ Explore History and criticism
✓ Explore Civilisation médiévale
✓ Explore Christianisme
✓ Understand death from spiritual perspective
✓ Explore Art médiéval
✓ Explore Social history, medieval, 500-1500
✓ Explore Dood
✓ Explore Social history

Topics Covered

History and criticism Civilisation médiévale Christianisme Death in literature Art médiéval Social history, medieval, 500-1500 Dood Social history Medieval Death in art Aspect religieux Medieval Civilization History of doctrines Middeleeuwen Civilization, medieval Mort Death, religious aspects Mort dans la littérature Religion Tod Histoire Medieval Literature Mort dans l'art Religious aspects York plays Histoire et critique Kunst Histoire des doctrines Sociology Death, social aspects Dodenbezorging Death Social aspects Aspect social Sterben Kultur Literature, medieval, history and criticism Thanatologie Christianity Medieval Art Histoire sociale Attitude to Death Littérature médiévale History