Aiming for Peace and Responding to Crisis: Movement and the Saints in Eleventh-Century Southern French Miracle Collections by Sandy Carpenter A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of History University of Toronto © Copyright by Sandy Carpenter 2018 Aiming for Peace and Responding to Crisis: Movement and the Saints in Eleventh-Century Southern French Miracle Collections Sandy Carpenter Doctor of Philosophy Department of History University of Toronto 2018 Abstract Movement, a literal change in physical location, is often overlooked in historical studies of medieval miracle texts. Instead, scholars largely focus on the “miracle-working power” of the saints or other cultural economic, political, religious, and social details that can be gleaned from these sources. This dissertation adds to such readings of texts on saints’ miracles by using movement as a category of analysis. In the miracle texts of Saints Vivien at Figeac, Privat at Mende, and Enimie at Sainte-Enimie, all written in the eleventh century in the south of France, movements abound in a flurry of danger and excitement in reference to their relics. While the hagiographers never question the movements of relics, their discourse about movement of people shows a preference for stasis. If people must move, they should do so according to the proper protocol in support of the saints’ cults; out-of-the-ordinary movements, especially those “bad” movements made by proven criminals, are condemned and punishable by the saints. The first chapter introduces the field of research and the second chapter contextualizes seminal themes and the primary sources (reliquaries, the Peace of God, saints, and settings). After these two prefatory chapters, each of the three analytical chapters discusses different collaborations and ii directions of movement in the sources. Chapter 3 addresses the movements of relics and the populace on the road to and at Peace of God councils, portraying a sanctified version of the Peace. Chapter 4 examines movements of roving dangerous men-at-arms and retaliating saints wreaking vengeance away from the relics’ presence, showing that the anomalous movements of wicked men warranted reciprocal, similar movements on the part of vengeful saints. Chapter 5 recounts movements of all social groups drawn toward the saints’ shrines by their spiritual magnetism in hopes of experiencing transformation. Overall, the descriptions of movement included in the three miracle collections were meant to establish social norms of movement. Therefore, this dissertation concludes that movements of relics, with relics, and for relics were the most acceptable movements in these three miracle texts and that all other movements were subject to scrutiny. iii Acknowledgments This monumental achievement would not have been possible without the help of many and I would not have wanted to complete it on my own, even if I could have. There were many people who supported me through this process in both small and large ways, although none was insignificant. I am especially indebted to colleagues and friends who provided indispensible feedback on my writing with kindness, compassion, generosity, and thoughtfulness. In this regard, I must thank (in alphabetical order): Andrea, Benjamin, Joel, Kathleen, Laurie, Michael, Michelle, Paula, Polina, and Robin. This work was only possible because of your love and support. Others gave me hope and love in the darkest of times with unending hugs and special goodies to keep me going. For this, I would especially like to thank Alli and Natasha. Two unflagging friendly supporters deserve special mention. To Robin: I do not think that I could have ever made it through all these years without you. From silly reading nights of laughing our heads off to serious moments of tears and fear, you unquestionably have been there for me at a moment’s notice. Your brilliant brain helped solve all manner of problems, sometimes just validated my crabbies and frustrations, and saw the aplomb with which I could finish this great task. I am also indebted to Michelle for her unflagging support, her unending willingness to prop me up when I was down as well as her love and generosity as a listener, problem-solver, and medical consultant when the dissertation wrecked havoc on my physical self. In this dissertation and I life, I cannot survive without you. At the core of my supportive team is my fam. To Benjamin, Eleanore, and Audrey: your continual acceptance of whatever I had to grapple with, to allow me to put myself first when I really wanted to put you first instead, and your patience to wait until I could come back to you as my whole, loving person – you showed me what family should be. To my Benjamin: you are a rock, a strong, unfailing, somewhat unwilling warrior (because you are a pacifist), who persevered with such strength that I was able to complete this work. You are my champion. May we hold each other evermore in our PhD-earning arms. iv Finally, to all the felines, past and present, your cuddles and purrs fortified me and kept me smiling through the difficult spots and giggling in the fun times. Sylvy, Catula, Dimitri, Olivia, Hawkeye, and Hunnicutt, this is for you. v Table of Contents Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... vi List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1 Introduction: The Medieval World of Movement and Miracles .....................................1 1.1 Chapter Summaries ..............................................................................................................7 Chapter 2 Historical Overview: Relics and Reliquaries, the Peace of God, and Saints and Their Settings ............................................................................................................................18 Chapter Plan ..............................................................................................................................18 2.1 Saints as Objects: Relics and Image Reliquaries ...............................................................19 2.2 Time Period: The Peace of God .........................................................................................34 2.3 People and Places: The Saints and Their Regions .............................................................46 2.4 Chapter Conclusion ............................................................................................................91 Chapter 3 Relics and Miracles on the Road: Movements of Relics and People for Peace of God Councils .............................................................................................................................93 Chapter Plan ..............................................................................................................................94 3.1 The Peace of God, Movers, and Mobile Sacred Space ......................................................95 3.2 Movements for Peace of God Councils ...........................................................................106 3.2.1 Councils Attended by Vivien’s Relics .................................................................107 3.2.2 Councils attended by Privat and Enimie ..............................................................127 3.3 Chapter Conclusion ..........................................................................................................143 Chapter 4 Dangerous Rovers and Holy Vengeance: Life and Death Consequences of Criminal Movements ...............................................................................................................147 Chapter Plan ............................................................................................................................149 4.1 Dangerous Rovers and Holy Avengers ............................................................................150 4.2 Miracle Evidence .............................................................................................................161 4.3 Holy Avengers’ Reactive Movements .............................................................................177 vi 4.4 Chapter Conclusion ..........................................................................................................190 Chapter 5 Journeys to the Shrine: Pilgrimage, Penance, and Obliteration ..................................193 Chapter Introduction ...............................................................................................................193 5.1 Chapter Plan .....................................................................................................................194 5.2 Brief Overview of the Cult of the Saints and Pilgrimage in the Middle Ages ................195 5.3 Journeys to the Shrine for Transformation: Physical and Spiritual Healing ...................203 5.4 Journeys to the Shrine for Penance after Criminal Movements and Criminal Behavior .226 5.5 Negatively-Portrayed Examples of Dangerous Rovers at Privat’s Shrine.......................235 5.6 Chapter Conclusion ..........................................................................................................242 Chapter 6 Conclusion: Movement