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Ulcers and ripped wounds : the discursive construction of leprosy as a disability or an ability in the Vitae of Alpais of Cudot (†1211) and Alice of Schaerbeek (†1250)

(2024) REVUE D HISTOIRE ECCLESIASTIQUE. 119(3-4). p.501-529
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Abstract
This article compares the vitae of Alpais of Cudot (†1211) and Alice of Schaerbeek (†1250), highlighting the ways their illnesses contributed to their sainthood. Alpais suffered from an unspecified disease with leprosy-like symptoms, whereas Alice was explicitly diagnosed as “a leper”. The differing approaches to the disease raise questions about perceptions of illness in hagiographical and religious contexts. Applying the cultural model of disability, the article explores how Alpais’ and Alice’s conditions were represented and how this impacted the construction of their sainthood. From the comparison of these vitae, it emerges that leprosy and paralysis were not univocally disabling: depending on the circumstances, they could enable a vita contemplativa, spiritual mobility and a saintly career.

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MLA
Van Sumere, Caroline. “Ulcers and Ripped Wounds : The Discursive Construction of Leprosy as a Disability or an Ability in the Vitae of Alpais of Cudot (†1211) and Alice of Schaerbeek (†1250).” REVUE D HISTOIRE ECCLESIASTIQUE, vol. 119, no. 3–4, 2024, pp. 501–29, doi:10.1484/J.RHE.5.150865.
APA
Van Sumere, C. (2024). Ulcers and ripped wounds : the discursive construction of leprosy as a disability or an ability in the Vitae of Alpais of Cudot (†1211) and Alice of Schaerbeek (†1250). REVUE D HISTOIRE ECCLESIASTIQUE, 119(3–4), 501–529. https://doi.org/10.1484/J.RHE.5.150865
Chicago author-date
Van Sumere, Caroline. 2024. “Ulcers and Ripped Wounds : The Discursive Construction of Leprosy as a Disability or an Ability in the Vitae of Alpais of Cudot (†1211) and Alice of Schaerbeek (†1250).” REVUE D HISTOIRE ECCLESIASTIQUE 119 (3–4): 501–29. https://doi.org/10.1484/J.RHE.5.150865.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Van Sumere, Caroline. 2024. “Ulcers and Ripped Wounds : The Discursive Construction of Leprosy as a Disability or an Ability in the Vitae of Alpais of Cudot (†1211) and Alice of Schaerbeek (†1250).” REVUE D HISTOIRE ECCLESIASTIQUE 119 (3–4): 501–529. doi:10.1484/J.RHE.5.150865.
Vancouver
1.
Van Sumere C. Ulcers and ripped wounds : the discursive construction of leprosy as a disability or an ability in the Vitae of Alpais of Cudot (†1211) and Alice of Schaerbeek (†1250). REVUE D HISTOIRE ECCLESIASTIQUE. 2024;119(3–4):501–29.
IEEE
[1]
C. Van Sumere, “Ulcers and ripped wounds : the discursive construction of leprosy as a disability or an ability in the Vitae of Alpais of Cudot (†1211) and Alice of Schaerbeek (†1250),” REVUE D HISTOIRE ECCLESIASTIQUE, vol. 119, no. 3–4, pp. 501–529, 2024.
@article{01HPGNVTK562B649GREPP33XK5,
  abstract     = {{This article compares the vitae of Alpais of Cudot (†1211) and Alice of Schaerbeek (†1250), highlighting the ways their illnesses contributed to their sainthood. Alpais suffered from an unspecified disease with leprosy-like symptoms, whereas Alice was explicitly diagnosed as “a leper”. The differing approaches to the disease raise questions about perceptions of illness in hagiographical and religious contexts. Applying the cultural model of disability, the article explores how Alpais’ and Alice’s conditions were represented and how this impacted the construction of their sainthood. From the comparison of these vitae, it emerges that leprosy and paralysis were not univocally disabling: depending on the circumstances, they could enable a vita contemplativa, spiritual mobility and a saintly career.}},
  author       = {{Van Sumere, Caroline}},
  issn         = {{0035-2381}},
  journal      = {{REVUE D HISTOIRE ECCLESIASTIQUE}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3-4}},
  pages        = {{501--529}},
  title        = {{Ulcers and ripped wounds : the discursive construction of leprosy as a disability or an ability in the Vitae of Alpais of Cudot (†1211) and Alice of Schaerbeek (†1250)}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1484/J.RHE.5.150865}},
  volume       = {{119}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}

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