Medieval Faith

> I think that, no matter the religion or sect of a religion, there
are those who have been imbued with the tenets of those religions or
sects who are uncomfortable with them.<
>Hence too Richard's marginal note regarding his late son: "whom God
pardon". It
was a conventional phrase, but carries with it the uncertainty
medievals felt regarding their passage to the afterlife. It is, of
course, possible that Edward might have died so suddenly that he did
not receive absolution first.<
> but the exact count of years off Purgatory stated in
black and white in the prayer books. If you asked you would be told
it was only to give you an idea. Well, how long do you get in
Purgatory? Oh, hundreds, thousands of years. How does anyone know?
Ummm. . . <

That would make an interesting research project. :>)

<All more thoughts about understanding those inscrutable medievals.<

Perhaps one clue is in understanding their faith. The belief in Purgatory
would have explained some things, as I understand it. Baptism admitted one to
the community of faith and removed the hindrance of original sin all were
born with since the fall of Adam and Eve. Parents would have felt a parental
obligation to bring their offspring to the faith and back to God.
Purgatory was the place to address unfinished things, to achieve the
level of holiness all Christians were to strive for on earth. Prayers for the dead
would help them through this process. It was a duty and gift of the living to
deceased family and friends, which Richard apparently expressed in the above
notation for his son and in his establishment of chantries for family and
companions in battle.
Faith is, of course, a personal quest.

Virginia