Darwin-L Message Log 2:140 (October 1993)

Academic Discussion on the History and Theory of the Historical Sciences

This is one message from the Archives of Darwin-L (1993–1997), a professional discussion group on the history and theory of the historical sciences.

Note: Additional publications on evolution and the historical sciences by the Darwin-L list owner are available on SSRN.

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<2:140>From GA3704@SIUCVMB.SIU.EDU  Thu Oct 28 17:03:46 1993

Date: Thu, 28 Oct 93 17:03:18 CST
From: "Margaret E. Winters" <GA3704@SIUCVMB.SIU.EDU>
To: darwin-l@ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: caveman

In the first French romances (around 1170 AD) Chretien de Troyes
one two occasions talks about his heros (Lancelot in one case and
Yvain in the other) losing their senses, throwing off their clothes
and running to live in the forest like wild men.  Their coming
back to civilization is one of the steps in their redemption in
each of these courtly poems.  What I cannot remember (I'm at home
and the books are in the office) is if they take refuge in caves
during these periods of insanity.  Anyone else know??

Oh yes, hermits also lived in caves in the various saints lives
of the dark ages and the high middle ages - a conflicting image
to some extent, but they are described as unkempt and even quite
malodorous.

             Margaret Winters
             <ga3704@siucvmb.siu.edu>

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