Blasts of Vain Doctrine: Cranmer’s New Collect for St Mark’s Day.
Date
1998
Authors
Nichols, Bridget
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Southern African Society for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (SASMARS)
Abstract
A number of saints’ day collects were rewritten for the First Prayer Book of Edward VI of 1549 to replace their Sarum Rite predecessors. This was to avoid the impression, abhorrent to Reformation principles, that the saints themselves were being invoked. This article explores the process of composition of the collect for St Mark’s Day, which concludes with an admonition against ‘blasts of vain doctrine’. While the collect conforms to the typical practice of basing compositions on the readings for the day, it must be seen in the wider context of current debates on control of doctrine and teaching in the Church. The concluding discussion reflects on the fate of the collect in the Elizabethan Church and especially in modern Anglican revisions. It asks whether the arguably bland style of contemporary renderings marks a division between determination to defend right doctrine, coupled with serious political convictions and their liturgical expression. The discussion concludes by asking whether modern liturgists should now re-examine the challenges of writing liturgy in a political setting.
Description
Keywords
Medie?vistiek.
Citation
Blasts of Vain Doctrine: Cranmer’s New Collect for St Mark’s Day,1017-3455,The Southern African Society for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.