Welcome to the last episode of season two! Thank you everyone for their continued support. Today we chat to one of the foremost experts on the Penitentials, Dr Elaine Pereira Farrell, who explains how these prescriptive documents list various sins and the corresponding recommended penances (e.g. fasting, prayers, fines). We learn how the Penitential texts are valuable sources to the historian as they were used by priests engaged in pastoral work and as such can be reflective of societal behaviours, attitudes, and beliefs.

Further resources:

https://penitentials.com/

Elaine Pereira Farrell, 'Penance and Punishment in Early Medieval Ireland' Peritia (2021) 32, 57–78

Rob Meens, Penance in Medieval Europe, 600–1200 (Cambridge University Press, 2014).

Regular episodes every two weeks (on a Friday)

Email: [email protected]

Producer: Tiago Veloso Silva

Supported by Maynooth University, especially the International Centre for Irish Cultural Heritage, the Dept of Early Irish, the Dept of Music, the Dept of History, & Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland.

Views expressed are the speakers' own.

Logo design: Matheus de Paula Costa

Music: Lexin_Music