Normative Order and Symbolic Presence of the Antonites. Edition of their Statutes and Analysis of their Signs

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Mirko Breitenstein
• Subject Area: Medieval History
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 492440391

The Antonites are one of today's little-known religious communities, despite their once widespread and extraordinarily high cultural presence. During their work between the 11th and 18th centuries, they had more than 350 branches throughout Europe and in the Holy Land and, with their hospitals, were among the most important providers of charitable care. They formed a brotherhood at a pilgrimage site in southern France with relics of the monk father Anthony, which initially included both men and women. Under the patronage of this saint, they dedicated themselves above all to the care of those who were suffering from the so-called Holy Fire (ignis sacer). This was in many cases a disease phenomenon caused by the consumption of cereals contaminated with ergot fungi (ergotism), but also other symptomatically comparable ailments. The first hospital looked after by the Antonites proved to be so successful that others were soon transferred to them. The decisive factor here was not least the fact that the Antonites were never only active in the field of nursing, but always also in curative therapy. This unique feature distinguished them from all other hospital orders. Despite this outstanding importance not only for the history of religious communities, but also for that of institutionalised care, central basic texts of the Order have never been edited.The project aims to address this serious desideratum in two complementary areas of work. Moreover, these are the only two areas that concern the Order as a whole and in its essence: the project's primary goal is the first and open access available edition of the entire body of medieval statutes of the Order, namely those from the years 1367, 1420 and 1478. For the execution of this aspect, the funding of a position is requested. As self-imposed laws, these texts can provide information in a unique way about the hitherto almost unknown constitutional structure of the Antonites and thus shed light on the normative foundations of a community that was active and connected throughout Europe and, despite its local presence, always acted supra-regionally. This project is to be accompanied by a systematic recording and analysis of the Order's forms of media expression. This part will be carried out by the applicant, but will require an assistant for its implementation. The focus here is on pictorial media (single-leaf prints, panel paintings, wall and book paintings) and sculptures, but also sermons and liturgical texts. They will be examined as symbolising performances with which the Antonites sought to express, convey, and also legitimise their guiding principles. The complementary approach to both parts of the project will make it possible to determine the factors that made the extraordinary success of the order possible and guaranteed it over a long period of time.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants