The CESCM (University of Poitiers and CNRS) will sponsor three sessions that explore topics dealing with "The Monastic Refectory and Spiritual Food" for the International Medieval Congress 2016 in Leeds (UK).The theme for the IMC Leeds 2016, "Food, Feast and Famine", presents an opportunity to explore the relationship between monastic refectories and food. At the heart of communal life, the refectory was an area where monks gathered, nourished their bodies but also strengthened their soul.

Argument

The CESCM (University of Poitiers and CNRS) will sponsor three sessions that explore topics dealing with “The Monastic Refectory and Spiritual Food” for the International Medieval Congress 2016 in Leeds (UK).

The theme for the IMC Leeds 2016, “Food, Feast and Famine,” presents an opportunity to explore the relationship between monastic refectories and food. At the heart of communal life, the refectory was an area where monks gathered, nourished their bodies but also strengthened their soul.

How did bells, silence, readings, prayers, refectory decorations such as paintings, sculpture and inscriptions, and ritual work together to sanctify the monastic meal? What were the links between the communal dining room and the church, the place of the Eucharistic celebration and the prefiguration of the Celestial banquet? How did each monastery build, decorate and conceive of its refectory in this aim? Did the relationship between communal repasts and spiritual nourishment in monastic life have echoes in the community of canons, lay society or in chivalry? Art historic, archeological, epigraphic, historic and literary approaches are welcome.

Submission guidelines

Proposals (title and abstract) are due by September, 15th

• to Martin Aurell (martin.aurell@univ-poitiers.fr),
• Pascale Brudy (pascale.brudy@univ-poitiers.fr)
• Estelle Ingrand-Varenne (estelle.ingrand.varenne@univ-poitiers.fr).

Selection

Proposals will be evaluated by CESCM's members.

Papers may be published after the IMC in the Cahiers de civilisation médiévale.

Twitter

• @EstelleIngrandV ;
• @CESCM_7302