Helena of Britain in Medieval Legend

Name: Helena of Britain in Medieval Legend
Brand: D.S.Brewer
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By Antonnia Harbus

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Description

St Helena, mother of Constantine the Great and legendary finder of the True Cross, was appropriated in the middle ages as a British saint. The rise and persistence of this legend harnessed Helena's imperial and sacred status to portray her as a romance heroine, source of national pride, and a legitimising link to imperial Rome. This study is the first to examine the origins, development, political exploitation and decline of this legend, tracing its momentum and adaptive power from Anglo-Saxon England to the twentieth century. Using Latin, English, and Welsh texts, as well as church dedications and visual arts, the author examines the positive effect of the British legend on the cult of St Helena and the reasons for its wide appeal and durability in both secular and religious contexts.
Two previously unpublished 'vitae' of St Helena are included in the volume: a Middle English verse 'vita' from the 'South English Legendary', and a Latin prose 'vita' by the twelfth-century hagiographer, Jocelin of Furness. ANTONINA HARBUS is a Research Fellow in the Department of English, University of Sydney.

Product details

Number of Pages:: 224
Release Date:: 2002-07-01
Publication Date:: 2002-06-20
Publisher:: D.S.Brewer
Languages:: Original: English
ISBN10:: 0859916251
ISBN13:: 9780859916257
GPSR Manufacturer Reference:: [email protected]
Weight:: 505 g
Height:: 161 cm
Width:: 240 cm
Thickness:: 17 cm

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