The social context of the Middle English miracles of the Virgin

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to highlight the social details inherent within the Middle English miracles of the Virgin so as to better understand both their contemporary popularity and their original function. It is my contention that they are essentially community-based narratives, intended for communal reception. I link them with the wider movement of affective piety, but argue that they were designed to appeal not only to individuals - as with other forms of vernacular devotional writing - but to groups of individuals, and specifically lay audiences. To this end, I look to the miracle tales for the evidence they contain regarding lay society at this time, and then draw parallels between this social evidence and the particular needs and demands of the aforesaid lay audience. I begin the thesis by giving a broad overview of medieval society from the year 1099 to the later fifteenth century, pausing to consider the various developments that contributed to the growing visibility of the laity within medieval popular culture. I then consider the literary history of Marian miracle tales, in particular, and conclude this introductory section of the thesis by analysing "The Prioress's Tale." as the so-called highest achievement of the genre. From here, I divide my chapters according to dominant social themes within the miracle tales proper: chapter three focuses on the relationship between medieval women and the Virgin Mary; chapter four looks at the more general, worldly role played by the Virgin in the tales, especially in regard to medicine and healing; and chapter five discusses the spiritual needs of the laity that were provided for by the Virgin in these tales. In conclusion, I discuss certain modern approaches to medieval scholarship and attempt to reconcile these with the medieval understanding of the miracle tales.