Saints and Sinners in Medieval England

Bible

Vulgate, translated by Jerome, requested by pope Damascus. Authorized version by the pope. NT from Greek text. OT from Biblical Hebrew, original Jewish Bible and Greek and Latin translations are also used.

Pandect

Complete Bible book. Rare, because it was too big.

Informational paradigm shift

Religious knowledge written down instead of oral. Religion was no longer local, but based on a Middle-Eastern legend. Focus shifts away from here and now.

Caedmon manuscript

Poems Genesis, Exodus, Daniel, Christ and Satan.

Third Heaven

Location of Paradise, where Biblical figures and saints reside.

Firmament

First layer of Heaven where God judges souls.

Angels

Recap humans deeds to God. Are sent with the souls of the just when they have to stand before God. Psychopomps escort newly deceased souls to the afterlife. Shine as the sun - closeness to God. Nine orders of angels. Humans created instead of the fallen tenth order.

Hell

Indo-European K’el: to cover. Instrument of divine punishment, place from which life on earth can be attacked.

Book of Revelations

Greek mythology of Hell was ingrained in the culture when it was written. Bible as a mix of cultural thought.

Heaven

Indo-European h2ék’mon: heavenly vault. Apostolic church believed in series of Heavens. Kingdom of God, state of mind.

Vision literature

Often near-death experience. Appears to die, glimpse of Heaven or Hell, returns to life, tells the dream. Dream as gateway to the afterlife.

Dialogi

Dialogue between Gregory the Great and his understudy Peter, visions.

Visio Pauli

One of the most influential vision texts, many languages. Reworking of Apocalypse of Peter. INspired by II Corinthians 12.