tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204628968145671962.post905907233602283138..comments2023-10-08T06:20:49.328-07:00Comments on Encounters with Medieval Manuscripts, Spring 2015: The Trinity ApocalypseCarrie Beneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693857186807966259noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204628968145671962.post-1979291811284075222015-04-10T08:56:39.128-07:002015-04-10T08:56:39.128-07:00I think it's interesting that you compare the ...I think it's interesting that you compare the apocalyptic passages of the Bible to a science fiction novel, because I always wondered to what extent the average lay person truly put stake in the idea that the Second Coming would be soon. The amount of time that must have been put into the creation of the book itself rather suggests that the overwhelming majority of people were focused on temporal things rather than the end of the world. The Apocalypse is certainly captivating, the idea of the proximity of the end may have been a useful tool for getting people to focus on faith -- much as it is today -- but it seems to me an odd thing to choose to dwell on to such an extent in one's private religious life.VBDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04960466195878193670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204628968145671962.post-30849070450036673822015-04-10T08:41:29.938-07:002015-04-10T08:41:29.938-07:00It’s always interesting to hear about the beliefs ...It’s always interesting to hear about the beliefs or behaviorisms from the medieval period that seem similar to certain groups today. Many people are just as quick to claim apocalypse today, with talk of climate change, old prophecies and natural disasters. The Christian outlook on apocalypse is also huge, and even many non-radical believers often talk about the impending “end of the world.” Studies and observations of the book of Revelations too are huge, a lot of the evidence that these Christian circles focus on stemming from the book; seeing this much attention paid to the book in the medieval courts isn’t much of a stretch. For the manuscript to be so expensively created - even using lapis lazuli in the intricate illuminations – might seem to be a bit overindulgent if it wasn’t for the massive amounts of money and time people (both in our century and previous ones) are known for spending when it comes to apocalypse-based materials and the like. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204628968145671962.post-45144981537859279542015-04-09T19:59:03.257-07:002015-04-09T19:59:03.257-07:00I think that even today, there is still a fascinat...I think that even today, there is still a fascination with The End. I remember hearing about the Y2K, the Mayan prophecy that the world would end on December 21, 2012 (death and destruction by time-zone), and that one day that one televangelist SWORE the Rapture would happen. It makes sense that the people of medieval Europe would have an even greater fascination with the Apocalypse, due to the far-reaching influence of the Church and the larger population of believers. The Trinity Apocalypse is in superb condition; the illuminated pictures are vibrantly rendered and the depictions are richly detailed. This particular manuscript is one of the earliest, highly decorated texts in a series of books discussing the book of Revelations made during the thirteenth century. The emphasis on paradise and the wonders of the Second coming of Christ is a refreshing approach to the end of the world, as opposed to the emphasis on the horror and sufferings that will beleaguer those that remain during the final days. Brittany Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01937669693057795869noreply@blogger.com