Liturgy, Sanctity and History in Tridentine Italy: Pietro Maria Campi and the Preservation of the Particular

Description

This book brings together for the first time detailed analyses of Tridentine liturgical reform, Counter-Reformation sanctity and the late Renaissance 'revolution' in historical method. It redraws traditional historical boundaries, and offers an original and challenging reappraisal of the relations between Rome and its local Italian churches during the 150 years after the closure of the Council of Trent in 1564. A fundamentally new context is also provided for the work of Cesare Baronio, 'father' of Counter-Reformation historical scholarship, and of his regional counterparts. The examination of the writings of one such local Baronio, Pietro Maria Campi of Piacenza (1569-1649), acts as a focus for this study, which also includes the fullest account yet published of Counter-Reformation canonisation procedure, as well as the first extended scholarly treatment of the collaborative achievement of Ferdinando Ughelli's Italia sacra, and that work's long-term implications for Italian national history writing. The book also includes a comprehensive survey of Italian local hagiography and ecclesiastical history writing of the period.

"...Ditchfield's attempt at revisionism can be seen as confirming the general lines of the current ortodoxy, while introducing nuance and shade into some areas once depicted in harsh tones of white and (mostly) black." Nicholas Terpstra, Canadian Journal of History "...Ditchfield has produced a learned and readbale book worthy of inclusion worthy of inclusion in this distinguished Cambridge series." William V. Hudon, The Journal of Religion "For those with a serious interest in sixteenth and sevententh century Italy, it is a vlauable contribution that illuminates a whole world of concerns too often passed over insilence...it brings to light new elements for the ongoing scholarly debate over the nature and role of historical research as practiced in early modern Europe." Gary Ianziti, American Historical Review "...Ditchfield's Liturgy--a work which constitutes a major contribution to Italian historiograpy and, for this reviewer at least, a transforming experience." Dermot Fenlon, The Catholic Historical Review "...abundantly detailed...Ditchfield has done a thorough--indeed, erudite job--of defining the scope and interests of ecclesiastical historiography and suggesting its impact on Italian historiography..." Frederick J. McGinness, Journal of Modern History