Spiritual Reading, Theological Conversation, and Alms for the Poor in Royal Banquets, 12th-13th Centuries

Martin Aurell (1)

1 CESCM [Poitiers] - Centre d'études supérieures de civilisation médiévale [UMR 7302]

At the heart of communal life, the refectory was an area where monks gathered, nourished their bodies but also strengthened their soul. How did bells, silence, readings, prayers, refectory decorations such as paintings, sculpture and inscriptions, and ritual work together to sanctify the monastic meal? What were the links between the communal dining room and the church, the place of the Eucharistic celebration and the prefiguration of the Celestial banquet? How did each monastery build, decorate and conceive of its refectory in this aim? Did the relationship between communal repasts and spiritual nourishment in monastic life have echoes in the community of canons, lay society or in chivalry?

Mots clés: theology; 12th-13th Centuries; Middle Ages; religious life; lay piety

Domaines: Histoire; Religions

Martin Aurell. Spiritual Reading, Theological Conversation, and Alms for the Poor in Royal Banquets, 12th-13th Centuries. International medieval Congress, Jul 2016, Leeds, United Kingdom. ⟨halshs-02430335⟩