06 Medieval vs. Modern

            In Medieval society, devotion and piety formed the pillar that daily life framed itself around. Relics were highly valuable material objects that formed the bridge between God and earthly humans. [25] It’s difficult to distinguish the importance of relics as either religious or political instruments, as they were often both, the former (religion) being used to justify the latter (political).

            In many ways, the material value of relics persists in modern society. We prize the possessions of famous figures, buying into what the UK Daily Mail calls “the cult of the celebrity.” [26] We are willing to pay $1,000 for a small scrap of wallpaper from the room Abraham Lincoln died in, $161,000 for the watch used to call JFK’s death [27], or - a little more recently - $10,000 for Prince’s rhinestone-embellished handcuffs. [28]

            Our fascination with celebrities and the objects they touch is not much different from the Medieval veneration of saints and their relics, which encourages us to consider how power and its relationship with material objects, has changed (or not changed) over the millennium.

25. Bagnoli, Martina, and Holger A. Klein. Page 137.

26. Griffiths, Sarah. <www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2572097/The-cult-celebrity-Collectors-pay-memorabilia-touched-famous-people-magical-essence.html>.

27. Voon, Claire. <mentalfloss.com/article/89293/9-macabre-auctions-celebrity-memorabilia>.

28. Kreps, Daniel. <www.rollingstone.com/music/news/princes-guitar-demo-tape-handcuffs-going-to-auction-20160312>.