Oxford University Press - Suicide In The Middle Ages Vol 2

Explore the dark and complex history of medieval social practices in Suicide In The Middle Ages: Volume 2: The Curse on Self-Murder. Published by Oxford University Press, this work begins with a striking scene of men digging a tunnel to remove a corpse from a house to be thrown into an offal-pit. Alexander Murray investigates why the suicide of that era earned such extreme and unusual treatment. This book follows a path through the unexpected realms of medieval theology, law, mythology, and folklore. It examines the origins of the condemnation of suicide during an epoch of intense social and religious transition. For readers interested in anthropology, sociology, or the legal history of the Middle Ages, this volume provides a deep look into how society viewed and handled the end of life. It is a specialized study that moves beyond standard historical accounts to look at the cultural forces that shaped medieval thought and practice.