The Easter Ban in the Merovingian Kingdoms: Ideal and Reality
Abstract In mid-sixth-century Gaul, two episcopal councils issued canons, in 538 and 581/3, respectively, attempting to prohibit interaction between Jews and Christians between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. The canons suggested that Jews, through their obstinate impiety, posed a threat to their...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
2021
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| In: |
Medieval encounters
Year: 2021, Volume: 27, Issue: 3, Pages: 241-265 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Frankish Empire
/ History 486-687
/ Easter season
/ Christian
/ Jews
/ Interpersonal communication
/ Prohibition
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| IxTheo Classification: | BH Judaism CC Christianity and Non-Christian religion; Inter-religious relations KAD Church history 500-900; early Middle Ages SB Catholic Church law |
| Further subjects: | B
Merovingian Gaul
B Canon Law B Councils B Synods B Easter Passover |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Abstract In mid-sixth-century Gaul, two episcopal councils issued canons, in 538 and 581/3, respectively, attempting to prohibit interaction between Jews and Christians between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. The canons suggested that Jews, through their obstinate impiety, posed a threat to their Christian neighbors, particularly during that festal season associated with proselytization. While there is not corroborating evidence that the Merovingian-era Easter ban ever was put into effect, it should be understood not simply as an expression of Christian triumphalism, but rather as a sincere effort by the Gallo-Frankish bishops to protect their flocks from the “unbelieving Jews.” In an unintended consequence, the ban assigned far greater power and influence to Gallic Jews than they actually enjoyed. |
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| ISSN: | 1570-0674 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Medieval encounters
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/15700674-12340104 |