Changing Expressions of Charity In Early Modern France: Some Hypotheses for a Rural Model

Concepts of charity and of what charity implies underwent considerable change between the 13th and 17th centuries. In the earlier period the praise of poverty as the Christian ideal and the denunciation of riches as the work of the devil is evident in everyday thought and actions; the open reception of poor vagabonds at the family table, voluntary contributions by the village community to nourish and sustain its more unfortunate families as well as the distribution of a 24th of the tithe to the needy are images which stand out in late Medie-