Pilgrimages in the Medieval Europe

Year 2023, Issue: 49, 507 - 540, 30.04.2023

Özlem Genç

https://doi.org/10.28949/bilimname.1224907

Abstract

Going on pilgrimage in medieval Europe is an act of worship that every faithful Christian wants to fulfill. Since there are no reliable records, the true extent of the pilgrimage in this period is not known, but when we look at the records, history books, wills and institutions established on the pilgrimage routes, it is understood that the number is high. In some years, this number is higher than normal. For example, in the first jubilee year of 1300, the number of pilgrims visiting Rome rose from about 200,000 to over two million. This year is thought to be the year with the most pilgrimages during the Middle Ages, as the first jubilee was declared and the forgiveness of sins was promised for the first time.
People living in medieval Europe believed that sickness and bad luck were caused by sin, and the only remedy was repentance. Visiting the local tombs is often enough to meet the needs of the pilgrims. Although it is not known exactly why they visited these places, it is possible to find relevant information in the books about the miracles of the saints. The wish of most of them is forgiveness of sins. On the other hand, pilgrimage is not the only way of forgiveness of sins. A person on his deathbed can choose a priest with the permission of the pope to have his sins forgiven. Contributing to the construction of roads and bridges, giving alms to hospitals and the poor, and praying for the dead are also ways to obtain forgiveness.
Especially since the 12th century, people take a self-motivating oath before going on pilgrimage. It is important whether the oath is spoken or written in the presence of witnesses. Failure to take the oath of pilgrimage to Rome, Jerusalem, or Compostela requires a personal appeal to the pope for pardon or commutation. The papal records contain responses to such appeals. People first wrote why they took the oath and then why they could not fulfill it. Age, illness, repeated pregnancies, working in the king's service are among the reasons for not being able to go.
There is also a phenomenon called proxy pilgrimage in Medieval Europe. Among the rich, those who were sick gave money, especially to those from the religious class, to go on pilgrimage on their behalf and have their sins forgiven. It is possible to see women as well as men among those chosen for this type of pilgrimage. It is a type of pilgrimage that is usually made on a will. The testators wanted honest priests to make this pilgrimage, and they set aside money for it.
In Medieval Europe, the church took it upon itself to provide support such as caring for sick pilgrims, burial of those who died during the pilgrimage, and helping poor pilgrims. Hospitals and monasteries sponsored by the church meet the needs of the pilgrims. The donations made by the pilgrims at the pilgrimage centers are returned to them as a service, free accommodation and meals are provided, and these can also be in addition to the income of the clergy.
Hospitals were plentiful in the late Middle Ages but pilgrims did not benefit much from them, they are for the needy and the sick, the pilgrim was able to go to the hospital if he was needy or sick, but if not, he was only allowed to stay here for one night. Those with money are expected to use the inns. In special periods such as the Jubilee years, special accommodation places were built along the roads leading to Rome.
As Western society developed, the status of pilgrims improved. Legally, the parties to the case have the right to stop the case if they have taken a long-distance pilgrimage or have taken an oath at the time of the lawsuit. The church protects the property of those who go on pilgrimage, and their debts are postponed. Over time, they were allowed to appoint a deputy to run their business in their absence. They are exempt from business taxes.
It is possible to get some information about the clothes of the period pilgrims from the pictures. Judging by the pictures, the pilgrims wear comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, wide-brimmed hats, and carry a beverage bottle and a shoulder bag.

Keywords

History of Religions, pilgrimage, to be pilgrim

Orta Çağ Avrupası`nda Hac Seyahatleri

Abstract

Orta Çağ Avrupası`nda hacı olmak her inançlı Hıristiyan için çok önemlidir. Kıtada çok sayıda hac mekânı olması insanların böyle bir dinî görevi yerine getirmelerini kolaylaştırmıştır. Hac ziyaretinin temel amacı günahların bağışlanmasıdır ancak hastalığa şifa bulmak, çocuk istemek, yerine gelen dilek için teşekkür etmek gibi pek çok amaç da söz konusudur. Güvenilir kayıtlar olmadığından hacıların sayısı tam olarak bilinmemektedir. Çağ boyunca kontrol altında yaşayan kadınlar da hac ziyaretleri yapmışlar ancak daha çok evlerine yakın yerlere gitmişlerdir. Uzaklara gideceklerse genelde kocaları onlara eşlik etmiştir. Rahibelerin hacca gittiklerine dair kanıt yoktur. Bu dönemde hac, tehlikeli ve masraflı bir iştir. Başkasının yerine hacca gitmek de söz konusudur. Hac seyahatlerinin süresi gidilen mekânın uzaklığına göre değişmekle birlikte genellikle uzundur çünkü ulaşım bugünkü kadar gelişmiş değildir. Ayrıca 1346-1353 arasında yaşanan büyük veba salgını ve 1337-1453 arasındaki Yüzyıl Savaşları gibi pek çok bölgeyi etkileyen olaylar hac seyahatlerinin sekteye uğramasına neden olmuştur. Yine de din adamları ve özellikle papalar insanları hacca gitmeye teşvik etmiştir. Bu teşvikin bir amacı insanların günahlarının bağışlanması iken bir diğer amacı da ruhban sınıfın hac seyahatlerinden büyük gelir elde etmesidir. Bu gelir öyle büyüktür ki zaman zaman dinî ve dünyevi liderleri karşı karşıya getirmiştir. Orta Çağ`da kıtanın en önemli üç hac merkezi Roma, Santiego de Compostela ve Canterbury`dir.

Keywords

Dinler Tarihi, hac, hacı olmak

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