Download PDF | Christopher Daniell - Death and Burial in Medieval England 1066-1550 -(1998).
258 Pages
PREFACE
This book developed out of the need for a general work about death and burial in England within the Middle Ages. (The Middle Ages are defined in this work as 1066–1550.) There are excellent studies on individual aspects—religious beliefs, cemeteries, literature—but they often have little correspondence with other areas of study. Death and burial are, uniquely, not only interdisciplinary, but also applicable and relevant to the entire medieval population. Whilst it is true that the best documentary records survive for the richest and most powerful; the ordinary, undocumented people are discovered in archaeological excavations.
It is through interdisciplinary study that new strands become evident, especially when archaeological discoveries are supported by explanatory historical texts. As well as a description of the processes involved, a theoretical framework is here suggested. This is based on the idea that beliefs in the afterlife are the predominant force in the rituals connected with death and burial. As beliefs change, so do the practices. This is, of course, contentious.
Even in well-documented periods, the aspects which are religiously inspired, and those which are socially important, are often difficult to disentangle. A funeral procession with torches and pallbearers may be a social statement of the deceased’s power to some; and to others a way of helping the soul through Purgatory. Similarly it can be difficult to determine the impact of different themes upon death and burial rituals, whether the teaching of the Church, urbanisation, or preChristian beliefs. The uniqueness of the Middle Ages is that for the first time historical, archaeological and literary sources are all abundant, although the ratio of importance changes during the course of the 500 years.
At the beginning of the period, in the eleventh century, most information comes from archaeological excavations, although excellent accounts of individual burials and funerals are given by some chroniclers. (William of Malmesbury has been predominantly used in this work, though Gerald of Wales and Reginald of Durham are two of many other chroniclers who could have been cited.) The chroniclers were, however, a small group of men, whereas the archaeologically excavated bodies run into thousands of men, women and children. By the end of the Middle Ages the ratio is reversed.
By the mid-thirteenth century the distinctive archaeological practices of charcoal burials and pillow stones had been abandoned, and burials were almost entirely uniform in appearance. Skeletons still give important evidence about disease, but reveal less about funerals, burial practices and beliefs. Whereas archaeology decreases in importance, historical documents detailing funerals rapidly increase. Surviving wills are the most numerous historical source for individual beliefs and practices concerning death and burial.
Tens of thousands of wills survive from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, which give the viewpoint and beliefs of individual people or communities. For the first time a largescale view of individual piety and beliefs can be analysed. For 500 years we have a combination of excellent historical, archaeological and literary evidence for the religious views of the time. This combination allows theories to be tested in a way undreamt of for earlier periods.
Three themes have not been explored in detail. First is the continental development of death and burial practices. There is excellent material from individual countries, especially France and Italy (Ariès 1974, 1987; Volvelle 1976, 1983; Banker 1988; Strocchia 1992), but examples show that local customs could be very different to English practice: cadaver tombs, very popular in the rest of Europe, were rare in England. Similarly, charcoal burials were an essentially English method of burial. The second theme is anthropology. Third is monumental brass and tomb development. These have been excellently researched and written up (Coales 1987; Colvin 1991; Binski 1996), and any assessment would have expanded the book beyond its means.
Finally, it is my great pleasure to express my gratitude to all those people who have helped in the making of this book. Thanks are due to Richard Briggs, Jef Maytom and Dominic Tweddle for their patience while work was in progress, and to the numerous readers of chapters: Don Brothwell, Clive Burgess, David Crouch, David J.F.Crouch, Vanessa Harding, Charles Kightly, Terry and Sonia O’Connor, Philip Rahtz, Ann Rycraft, Danae Tankard, Victoria Thompson and Lorna Watts. I am especially indebted to my father, David Daniell, who lovingly read and commented in detail on every chapter, and to Dorothy and Andy, my mother and brother, and Marilyn Campbell for all their constant help and support. viii Chris Daniell York Archaeological Trust
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