Furta sacra: thefts of relics in the central Middle Ages

Preface to the 1990 edition

Preface

Abbreviations

CHAPTER ONE. RELICS AND SAINTS IN THE CENTRAL MIDDLE AGES. Relics as symbol

Between hagiography and history

The evolution of saints' cults in the central Middle Ages

CHAPTER TWO. THE CULT OF RELICS IN CAROLINGIAN EUROPE. Relic cults to the Ninth century

The nature of relics

Carolingian reform and the cult of relics

CHAPTER THREE. THE PROFESSIONALS. The Italian trade

England

Conclusions

CHAPTER FOUR. MONASTIC THEFTS. Monastic competition

Financing construction

Rival local traditions

Evolution of religious sentiment

Lay encroachment

Conclusion

CHAPTER FIVE. URBAN THEFTS. "Translatio Sancti Marci"

"Translatio Sancti Nicolai"

"Vita Sancti Appiani"

CHAPTER SIX. JUSTIFICATIONS. Legality of relic thefts

Rationalizations

The formation of a literary tradition

Perception

Sacred history and communal pride

CHAPTER SEVEN. CONCLUSIONS.

APPENDIX A. CRITIQUE OF TEXTS. I. "Translatio Beati Vincentii"

II. "Translatio Sanctae Fidei"

III. "Translatio Sanctae Faustae"

IV. "Translatio Sancti Mariani"

APPENDIX B. HANDLIST OF RELIC THEFTS.

Notes

Bibliography

Index.