From ancient Greek offerings to medieval Christian commemorations, the ritual foods of southern Italy reveal a remarkable relationship between the remembrance of the dead, the agricultural calendar and the renewal of life.
Tag: souls
Byland Abbey Ghosts
This year, no guising and souling. Most children will be kept at home. So how to keep the poor sweet things occupied? Try telling them medieval ghost stories!
Ghost Stories from Byland Abbey
The Byland Abbey Ghost stories from c. 1400 offer us precious glimpses of local life in Yorkshire in and around one of the great abbeys.
Living with the Dead
In the Middle Ages Polish priests and theologians fought to eradicate old and traditional ways of cohabiting with the dead. It does not seem af if they have succeeded yet.
The Ransom of the Soul
In his latest book, Peter Brown explores the transition of the Christian ideas of afterlife from AD 250 - 650.
Sweets for Souls
Here are the recipes for cakes of all sorts, which seem to have been part of the early celebrations of All Saints and All Souls
Saints and Souls
Between 1024 and 1033 the monks at Cluny began commemorating the dead souls on the day after All Saints
Souling
Medieval traditions like the distribution of soul cakes at the root of Halloween...