The clergy taught that manumission of
slaves was good for the soul of the dead, so it became frequent in
wills. The clergy were to abstain from red meat and wine and were
to be celibate. But there were periods of laxity. Punishment was
by the cane or scourge.
The Archbishop of Canterbury began anointing new kings at the time
of coronation to emphasize that the king was ruler by the grace of
God. As God's minister, the king could only do right. From 973,
the new king swore to protect the Christian church, to prevent
inequities to all subjects, and to render good justice, which
became a standard oath.
There was a celestial hierarchy, with heavenly hosts in specific
places. God intervened in daily life, especially if worshipped.
Saints such as Bede and Hilda performed miracles, especially ones
of curing. Their spirits could be contacted through their relics,
which rested at the altars of churches. When someone was said to
have the devil in him, people took it quite literally. A real Jack
Frost nipped noses and fingers and made the ground too hard to
work. Little people, elves, trolls, and fairies inhabited the
fears and imaginings of people. The forest was the mysterious home
of spirits. People prayed to God to help them in their troubles
and from the work of the devil. Since natural causes of events
were unknown, people attributed events to wills like their own.
Illness was thought to be caused by demons.
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