The book analyzes the history of godparenthood over the very long term (5th century a.C.- today) in the light of a new interpretation of a key historical process: the reform introduced by the Council of Trent. Limiting to two the maximum number of godparents, the Council caused an undesired "verticalization" of godparenthood, which transformed it into an instrument of social clientele or patronage. This had very relevant consequences for the way in which ties of spiritual kinship influenced economic interaction, and also introduced a further element of differentiation between Catholic and Protestant Europe.
Fathers and godfathers. Spiritual kinship in early modern italy
ALFANI, GUIDO
2009
Abstract
The book analyzes the history of godparenthood over the very long term (5th century a.C.- today) in the light of a new interpretation of a key historical process: the reform introduced by the Council of Trent. Limiting to two the maximum number of godparents, the Council caused an undesired "verticalization" of godparenthood, which transformed it into an instrument of social clientele or patronage. This had very relevant consequences for the way in which ties of spiritual kinship influenced economic interaction, and also introduced a further element of differentiation between Catholic and Protestant Europe.
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