A lunchtime seminar by Professor Ronald Hutton from the University of Bristol. This event is organised by The Baron Thyssen Centre for the Study of Ancient Material Religion at The Open University.

Abstract:

Historians of medieval and early modern Europe have long agreed that there was no actual 'surviving' paganism for long after the conversion of a particular region to Christianity. They are less consensual with regard to whether it is appropriate to speak of 'pagan survivals', meaning elements of pagan culture preserved in Christian societies. This paper is designed to reconfigure the debate by pointing to some major figures which represent the supernatural feminine in the periods concerned, and which all seem to have developed during the Middle Ages or after. They cannot therefore be described simply as 'pagan survivals' and yet there is nothing Christian about them. The enquiry therefore asks whether a new terminology is needed.

This is a free event but spaces are limited, so please book your place via EventBrite.

For more information about the event and organiser, please visit The Baron Thyssen Centre for the Study of Ancient Material Religion website.