Encountering St Margaret of Antioch in parochial and personal contexts in late Medieval England: devotional artefacts, memorialization and the construction of familial and communal identity
This thesis comprises a series of six case studies that form an exploration of lay
devotion to St Margaret of Antioch over the period c.1250-c.1530. In a
departure from previous approaches, the thesis examines reasons for
Margaret’s enduring popularity through a discussion foregrounding the great
range of surviving artefacts associated with her cult. The medieval perception
of Margaret as protector of women in childbirth has been widely discussed and
the saint’s formidable dragon-slaying powers likewise. Whilst these aspects of
Margaret’s cult are relevant and examined again in this study, it is argued that
the evidence of wall paintings, stained glass and manuscripts presented here
establishes a clear connection between Margaret and the sacrament of
baptism. Distinctively, this study further argues that such an association is
reinforced by representations of St Nicholas alongside those of Margaret.
Moreover, textual versions of Margaret’s Life also support this sacramental
association. Parts One and Two of this thesis examine visual narrative cycles of
Margaret’s passion in the communal context of parish churches to consider
issues of their intended messages and patronage, as well as how devotees
might have interacted with them. Part Three focuses on two books of hours
that demonstrate a more intimate context for the veneration of Margaret by
known individuals. The manuscripts offer opportunities to discuss what
Margaret could have represented for these individuals and how they might
have expressed their devotion. Finally, it is argued that far from being simply a
Holy Helper, through her sacramental association Margaret occupied a
fundamental position at the heart of orthodox Christian belief and practice.
Although sought out in moments of personal significance, symbolically, and
perhaps most significantly, Margaret also represented a bulwark against the
influence of other faiths and heterodoxy
