The Cult of St Nicholas of Myra in Norman Bari, c. 1071–c. 1111

This article explores the cult of St Nicholas in later eleventh-century Bari, focusing on its importance to the new Norman rulers in the region as well as to their subjects. While acknowledging the influence of earlier expressions of the cult in Normandy and in Byzantine southern Italy, it argues th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of ecclesiastical history 2016-07, Vol.67 (3), p.492-512
Main Author: HAYES, DAWN MARIE
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Christianity
Middle Ages
Nicholas, Saint
Politics
Religious history
Saints
Translation
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Summary:This article explores the cult of St Nicholas in later eleventh-century Bari, focusing on its importance to the new Norman rulers in the region as well as to their subjects. While acknowledging the influence of earlier expressions of the cult in Normandy and in Byzantine southern Italy, it argues that for numerous reasons Nicholas was, for Bari, an especially important – and appropriate – intercessor. During these years, which witnessed the translation of the saint from Myra, economic developments, church politics and the demands of the First Crusade merged to render Nicholas an ideal patron for the city.
ISSN:0022-0469
1469-7637
DOI:10.1017/S0022046915003371