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2 results

Verbal Medicines
  • The Curative Power of Prayer and Invocation in Early English Charms
  • Leslie K. Arnovick
  • Expected online publication date:
    October 2024
    Print publication:
    07 November 2024
  • Religious texts played a central role in Early English, and this innovative book looks in particular at how medieval Christians used prayers and psalms in healing the sick. At first glance, the variety and multiplicity of utterances, prayers, exorcistic formulas, and other incantations found in a single charm may seem to be random and eclectic. However, this book shows that charms had distinct, logical linguistic characteristics, as well performative aspects that were shaped by their usage and cultural significance. Together, these qualities gave the texts a unique role in the early development of English, in particular its use in ritual and folklore. Arnovick identifies four forms of incantations and a full chapter is devoted to each form, arranged to reflect the lived experiences of medieval Christians, from their baptism in infancy, to daily prayer and attendance at Church celebrations, and to their Confession and anointing during grave illness.

  • Chapter 5 - The Multiplier Effect

  • Leslie K. Arnovick, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
  • Book:
    Verbal Medicines
    Print publication:
    07 November 2024, pp 197-218

  • Summary

    Chapter 5, “The Multiplier Effect,” analyzes the ways in which verbal medicines are combined to effect healing or restore property. The various and multiple utterances individual charms like Lacnunga xxix perform can be ascribed to a programmatic approach to remedy. Combination therapy relies on an agglutinative process whereby separate utterances complement one another. The resulting amalgamation is more than the sum of its parts, however, and may be attributed to the multiplier effect. Charms combine verbal medicines in order to pursue every means of supplication available to God’s people: prayer to God, prayer for saints to intervene with God on the supplicant’s behalf, and liturgical prayer through the healing ministry of the Church.