ANST - Rosaries

[Gina Barrett]

The Rosary as it is said today (in the same manner throughout the Catholic 
Church) was only beginning to be finalised in the late years of the 
fifteenth century, even then, it took some time to become commonplace. A 
full break-down of the traditions according to the catholic Church can be 
found at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13184b.htm
         In England, certainly during the 15th century, the Rosary was 
known as a Paternoster. It was used as an aid to remembering which prayers 
to say - the Ava Maria (Hail Mary) and the Paternoster (Our Father). Each 
bead represents one full version of the prayer - a large bead for the 
Paternoster, small bead for the Ave.
         These strings of beads could be either a string (often finished 
either end with a tassel) or a loop (finished with only one tassel). 
Paternosters consist of sections of beads, with 1 large bead between 6-12 
smaller beads. The beads are held in the hand, as the fingers move to a 
bead, the appropriate payer is said.
         There was no 'short' version as such, although, because there 
wasn't a consistent requirement for the saying of the prayers as there is 
today (fifteen decades of hail Marys with an Our father between each ten), 
people did actually say less as there was such a variety in the number of 
beads. Of course, the very pious would just start over again!
         Everyone who could afford to would carry a paternoster. The 
medieval people on the whole had a very different outlook to religion, and 
the carrying of prayer beads was commonplace. Paternosters were made of 
whatever could be afforded - all small beads would be of the same material 
and all large beads often a contrasting material (but all large beads 
matching each other). Many works of art depict paternosters made of 
materials such as amber, garnet, silver, pearls, etc.
         Paternosters were certainly carried to church, and it is thought 
that they were carried at all times, certainly by the pious. (As well as 
taking into consideration the costs of some of them, it can be supposed 
that they wouldn't be left at home often) A man would often loop a 
Paternoster over his belt, and as art shows more women using the loop of 
beads, it could be assumed that this was to enable them to carry it say, 
around their wrist.
         I hope this has been of some help.
         G. Barrett








Soper Lane
15th Century Silkwomen
www.et-tu.com/soper-lane/
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