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Permitted and Prohibited Textiles in the Regula Virginum : Unweaving the Terminology
Author(s) -
Miola Maria del Fiat
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
early medieval europe
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.1
H-Index - 24
eISSN - 1468-0254
pISSN - 0963-9462
DOI - 10.1111/emed.12251
Subject(s) - terminology , cloister , philology , context (archaeology) , focus (optics) , history , sociology , philosophy , art history , linguistics , archaeology , gender studies , feminism , physics , optics
The sixth‐century monastic rule known as Caesarius's Regula Virginum has attracted much scholarly attention as the first rule written specifically for women and establishing strict enclosure. The present article seeks to examine another unique aspect of the Rule: its frequent references to textiles and use of technical, rare terminology. The author combines a close philological analysis with a consideration of the monastic context and of the material culture of weaving. This analysis not only yields a deeper understanding of the spiritual ideals of the sisters within the cloister, but also brings into focus some concrete details of their daily life.