VIRTUAL IAS Book Launch: The Bianchi of 1399 in Central Italy: Making Devotion Local

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In the summer and autumn of 1399, the populace of northern and central Italy was moved by a threat of plague to don white clothes and participate in religious devotions: the Bianchi processions. Participants went from town to town, singing, fasting and barefoot, spreading their message of peace and penitence. This book takes a comparative, regional approach to the Bianchi, challenging traditional presentations of the movement as a homogeneous whole. Consequently, it reveals new and intricate details about how the Bianchi processions were realised at a local level.

With a focus on central Italy, this book explores the Bianchi at Lucca and Pistoia. It considers the origin narratives for the movement, as well as the way that momentum was maintained for the processions. Regulations are examined, with a particular focus on singing and self-flagellation, demonstrating a nuanced approach to this ascetic practice. The issue of Civic Religion is tackled in relation to this popular religious revival, suggesting that even though the processions moved, communal support was crucial for the successful spread of the Bianchi throughout this region. Towns provided for their own inhabitants as well as those arriving from nearby locations, offering practical support in the form of food and leadership. While the Bianchi left no long-lasting mark on the Italian peninsula as a whole, small pockets of their legacy can be seen at a local level. In Tuscany, there are numerous Bianchi crucifixes and confraternities, whereas in Umbria, a series of frescoes commemorate the movement. Ultimately, this book offers a window into how medieval people coped with an outbreak of epidemic disease by seeking individual and communal salvation through penitential processions.

Join us for a presentation from the author, Dr Alex Lee, followed by a panel discussion with Professor Martial Staub and Dr William Purkis chaired by Dr Catherine Keen. There will then be a chance for the audience to ask questions.

Order a copy of The Bianchi of 1399 in Central Italy: Making Devotion Local here: https://brill.com/view/title/58226

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