Sewing as authority in the Middle Ages

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

This essay considers medieval sewing in light of Austin’s speech-act theory. Analysing manuscripts, relics, indulgences, and even a bishop’s mitre, the article argues that stitching was a way to enact, or intensify, the ritual purpose of objects, whether that was ceremonial, devotional, or authoritative. Whereas a speech act functions by its utterance, stitches act by forming visible and often ceremonious attachments between materials in order to aggrandise, embellish, assert and layer authority, or swathe an object in textiles as if it were a relic.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationZMK Zeitschrift für Medien - und Kulturforschung 6/1/2015
Subtitle of host publicationTextil
EditorsLorenz Engell, Bernhard Siegert
Place of PublicationHamburg
PublisherFelix Meiner Verlag GmbH
Pages117-131
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-7873-2819-2
ISBN (Print)978-3-7873-2794-2
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jan 2015

Publication series

NameZeitschrift für Medien - und Kulturforschung (ZMK)
PublisherFelix Meiner Verlag GmbH
ISSN (Print)1869-1366

Keywords

  • Medieval manuscripts
  • Parchment
  • Cultural techniques

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