Moreover, since "such men were
pardoners first of all, rather than agents of a particular institution," (36) and sometimes acted "for several bodies, not only consecutively, but concurrently," (37) this may explain why there are similarities between the texts under discussion.
Indulgences also had significance in causing coin to circulate in the realm and with trade because some
pardoners were wandering chapmen.
Swanson's impressively extensive study seeks to dispel the myths surrounding pardoners and the indulgences (pardons) they sold.
He also considers in detail the contemporary perception of those involved; in particular, he examines the portrayal of pardoners in manuscript and primed literature--particularly that seminal depiction of a pardoner by Geoffrey Chaucer.
Evidence shows that the Church was extremely concerned about corrupt
pardoners and their abuses.
Central Banks as "
Pardoners" and as Printers of Money
For Robb, the official story of where and how Caravaggio met his end makes no sense--Porto Ercole is well north of Rome, hardly on the way from Naples --while the complicated story of what happened to the pictures he was bringing with him to Rome, supposedly as gifts for his
pardoners, suggests to Robb advance information and conspiracy.
One of the longest running strands in "Catholic" fiction consists of "
pardoners' tales," stories about the adventures and travails of Catholic priests.
Friars, bishops,
pardoners and parish priests equally came under his hammer.
resided in Europe seven years; and of another, Alexander Mavrocorrato [sic], nephew of Prince Caraya, we heard a short time since in Italy, where he was reading Greek with some friends of ours, and doubtless cultivating those mutual dispositions which end in making men conquerors and
pardoners.(48)
If it were not so
Pardoners might flourish to this day doing a roaring trade in the sale of Indulgences for the remission of penance.
2); and to confessional practices, Lollardy, parish life, friars,
pardoners, and the ecclesiastical courts (ch.
Cheap print outlining devotional exercises continued after 1536, but the material printed specifically to encourage acquisition of indulgences, especially from
pardoners, had no future.
(1) Preachers of indulgence (in England called
pardoners) incurred as much notoriety as the indulgences themselves.
Geoffrey Chaucer's '
Pardoner's Tale', in which three
