The Rationale Divinorum Officiorum of William Durand of Mende
Subtitle: A New Translation of the Prologue and Book One (Records of Western Civilization Series)
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Published: November 2, 2007
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 168
ISBN-13: 9780231141802
Subjects: Christianity; History of religion; Church History; Religious Buildings Architecture; Architecture; Religion - Church History; Christianity - General; Philosophy; Religion / Christianity; Christian Church - History; Religious Buildings; Subjects & Themes - Religious; Christian art and symbolism; Church architecture; Symbolism in architecture
Description: The Rationale Divinorum Officiorum is arguably the most important medieval treatise on the symbolism of church architecture and rituals of worship. Written by the French bishop William Durand of Mende (1230-1296), the treatise is ranked with the Bible as one of the most frequently copied and disseminated texts in all of medieval Christianity. It served as an encyclopedic compendium and textbook for liturgists and remains an indispensable guide for understanding the significance of medieval ecclesiastical art and worship ceremonies. This book marks the first English translation of the prologue and book one of the Rationale in almost two centuries. Timothy M. Thibodeau begins with a brief biography of William Durand and a discussion of the importance of the work during its time. Thibodeau compares previous translations of the Rationale in the medieval period and afterward. Then he presents his translation of the prologue and book one. The prologue discusses the principles of allegorical interpretation of the liturgy, while book one features detailed descriptions of the various parts of the church and its ecclesiastical ornaments. It also features extensive commentary on cemeteries, various rites of consecration and dedication, and a discussion of the sacraments.