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A Good Death
Helen Castor reveals how being remembered shaped not only the worship of the people of the Middle Ages but the very buildings and funding of the medieval Church itself.
Most of the time we try not to think about death, but the people of the Middle Ages didn't have that luxury. Death was always close at hand, for young and old, rich and poor - even before the horrors of the Black Death, which killed millions in a few short months.
However, for the people of the Middle Ages death wasn't an end but a doorway to everlasting life. The Church taught that an eternity spent in heaven or hell was much more important than this life's fleeting achievements and there was much you could do to prepare for the next life in this one.
As historian Helen Castor reveals, how to be remembered - and remembering your loved ones - shaped not only the worship of the people of the Middle Ages but the very buildings and funding of the medieval Church itself.
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The Bone Crypt
Duration: 02:13
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Helen Castor |
Series Producer | Lucy Swingler |
Director | Lucy Swingler |
Broadcasts
- Wed 23 Oct 2013 21:00
- Thu 24 Oct 2013 03:00
- Sun 27 Oct 2013 23:00
- Wed 11 Jun 2014 20:00
- Thu 12 Jun 2014 01:40
- Mon 11 May 2015 20:00
- Tue 12 May 2015 00:00
- Wed 19 Jul 2017 01:00
- Tue 28 Aug 2018 02:00