
Call for papers IMC Leeds 2026
RECOGNISING SAINTS invites proposals of papers for the session Denying and undermining sainthood in the Middle Ages at the International Medieval Congress Leeds (6-9 July 2026), deadline 15 September
RECOGNISING SAINTS invites proposals of papers for the session Denying and undermining sainthood in the Middle Ages at the International Medieval Congress Leeds (6-9 July 2026), deadline 15 September
Ever since Christianity began recognising sainthood, there has also been a parallel phenomenon of its denial. The uncovering of a false martyr’s tomb by St. Martin, and the Dominican inquisitor’s campaign against the cult of Guinefort, the holy greyhound, are among the most well-known examples of such interventions.
The session will discuss the phenomenon of denying and undermining sainthood in Latin Christianity throughout the Middle Ages, its various manifestations and aspects. Potential themes may include, but are not limited to:
– undermining sainthood and refusal to recognise a cult by official church authorities
– questioning sainthood as part of the canonisation process
– refusal to worship approved saints and lack of worship of figures eligible for sainthood
– undermining and diminishing the sanctity of holy patrons by competing ecclesiastical institutions,
social groups, political communities, etc.
– questioning sainthood as an element of religious conflicts and a part of heterodox groups’ doctrine
and teaching
– questioning the authenticity of relics and sceptical discourse towards the cult of relics
– destroying images of saints and artistic expressions of denying sainthood
To propose a paper
Please submit a paper title and abstract (max 200 words) with your name, email address and academic affiliation to Grzegorz Pac (gl.pac@uw.edu.pl) by 15 September 2025