Boyle, Jennifer (2013) Aspects of Christianization in the Ecclesiastical Province of Trier from 570-630: a Modes Theory Analysis
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Boyle, Jennifer (2013) Aspects of Christianization in the ecclesiastical province of Trier from 570-630: a modes theory analysis. PhD thesis. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/4342/ Copyright and moral rights for this thesis are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the Author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the Author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Glasgow Theses Service http://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] Aspects of Christianization in the Ecclesiastical Province of Trier from 570 – 630: A Modes Theory Analysis By Jennifer Boyle A Thesis Presented to the University of Glasgow, School of Humanities, College of Arts, in Fulfilment of the thesis requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History. University of Glasgow April 2012 © Jennifer Boyle 2012 Abstract This thesis examines Christianization in the ecclesiastical province of Trier from 570-630, using both traditional and more recent theoretical approaches. It begins by examining the paradigms and limitations of current approaches both to the Merovingian Church and to the concepts of ‘paganism’ and ‘Christianization’. It then introduces the cognitive science of religion focusing in particular on Harvey Whitehouse’s postulation of ‘doctrinal’ and ‘imagistic’ ‘modes of religiosity’ as a theoretical tool. The subsequent section deals with the cult of saints and the figure of the bishop both in general and in the province, using Whitehouse’s approach as a means of opening these up and allowing parallels to be drawn between the cult of saints and funerary feasting. At the same time, his theory is challenged by the variation within these activities in terms of participants and frequency of occurrence.The complex nature of Merovingian monasticism also presents a degree of challenge to Whitehouse’s perception of medieval monasticism as monolithic. Nevertheless, the application of ideas regarding the imagistic mode to recluses opened up new avenues of discussion. A focus on the ecclesiastical province of Trier suggests that the advent of Columbanian monasticism did not produce an instant surge in the number of rural monasteries in the north-east. Examination of church councils offered a double opportunity for the application of modes theory, both to the contents of the councils and to the institution of the councils themselves. A closer examination of councils in the context of place allows for consideration of regional variation. Modes theory is once again challenged: while councils may appear at first to be a supremely doctrinal phenomenon (involving policing and uniformity), they also involve negotiation, ingenuity and reflection. The paucity of sources for the north east tests the regional approach taken here: but it also encourages questions to be asked regarding the spread of manuscripts and ideas. Modes theory reveals the motivations behind apparently prosaic sermon collections as sophisticated, aiming at the policing of the clergy and laity and ensuring the stability of ‘correct’ doctrine.The section on the Synod of Auxerre dealing with standards amongst the clergy and parish care raises questions regarding the possibility of shared beliefs. An examination of the Life of Goar reveals that although its contents might seem appealing in elucidating more details of parish care, the context of the source called its reliability into question. Finally, an analysis of burial rites via three cemeteries in the province of Trier tested the limits of modes theory, and other cognitive approaches were recruited to examine the impact of the concept of liminality on burial practice. Presentation of geographical and archaeological evidence is discussed it is suggested that more extensive database work would enable comparative regional study, allowing for a closer examination of belief, burial and Christianization. This study concludes that the use of modes theory, together with other insights drawn from the cognitive science of religion, offers an alternative and illuminating approach to Christianization. It suggests that future research should regard this as a valid methodological tool for the analysis of medieval religion. It also suggests that a regional focus would benefit future studies of the Merovingian period. Acknowledgements Particular thanks must go to my supervisor, Dr Marilyn Dunn, for introducing me to new ideas, and for her support and patience throughout. I would also like to thank my examiners, Dr Andrew Roach and Professor Judith George, for the care with which they read the text, and their insights and observations. Lastly, I would like to offer thanks to my parents, John and Patricia Boyle, and my brother John, for their unstinting support throughout. Glossary of terms Amygdala Set of neurons in the medial temporal lobe of the brain which plays a central role in the processing of emotion. Hippocampus Structures on the ventricle of the brain, postulated to be the centre of memory, emotion and the nervous system. Hypothalamus Region of the brain which regulates autonomic activities and some metabolic processes. Limbic system The collective term for the structures in the brain which deal with motivation, emotion, and emotional interactions with memory. Olfactory bulb Structure in the brain which detects odour and sends it to the olfactory cortex. Olfactory cortex The system in the brain which detects stimuli and encodes it as neurons. It is also involved in processing this stimuli centrally. GIS Geographical information systems. A system of storing, manipulating and presenting geographical data MySQL Open source database software commonly used in web applications. Semantic Web A common framework that allows for the sharing of date across the World Wide Web. URI Uniform resource identifier. A string of characters which identify a name. This system then enables various representations of the name to interact with each other across networks (usually, the World Wide Web). Web 2.0 A term used to describe an iteration of the World Wide Web which is largely focused on the sharing of information and collaboration between users. List of Abbreviations AA SS Acta Sanctorum AA Auctores Antiquissimi BAR British Archaeological Reports BHL Bollandia Hagiographica Latina CCCM Corpus Christianorum Continuatio Medievalis CCSL Corpus Christianorum Series Latina CG Concilia Galliae DLH Decem Libri Historiarum GC Liber in Gloria Confessorum GM Liber in Gloria Martyrum MGH Monumenta Gesta Historica SS Scriptores SRG Scriptores Rerum Germanicarum SRM Scriptores Rerum Merovingicarum VP Vitae Patrum 1 Contents Map of the Ecclesiastical Province of Trier ................................................... 5 Introduction.......................................................................................... 6 Chapter 1. Theory................................................................................... 9 Introduction ....................................................................................... 9 Historiography .................................................................................... 9 Cognitive Science of Religion .................................................................. 16 Modes Theory.................................................................................. 16 Conclusions ....................................................................................... 18 Chapter 2. Terminology .......................................................................... 19 Pagan.............................................................................................. 19 Christianization .................................................................................. 25 Chapter 3. The Ecclesiastical Province of Trier............................................... 28 Individual Cities.................................................................................. 30 The Countryside ................................................................................. 32 Chapter 4. Current Approaches ................................................................. 35 General Studies of the Merovingian Period .................................................. 35 J.M Wallace-Hadrill........................................................................... 35 Peter Brown ................................................................................... 36 Edward James ................................................................................. 36 Ian Wood ....................................................................................... 37 Clare Stancliffe................................................................................ 38 Yitzhak Hen .................................................................................... 38 Bonnie Effros .................................................................................. 39 Patrick Geary .................................................................................. 41 Studies Specific to North-East Gaul........................................................... 42 Guy Halsall..................................................................................... 42 Nancy Gauthier...............................................................................