Medieval Mortuary Rolls: Prayers for the Dead and Travel in Medieval England

Medieval mortuary rolls, which document requests for prayers for the dead and responses from religious houses, reveal extensive travel networks in medieval England. Analysis of Durham Cathedral Priory's records shows that roll-bearers visited up to 637 houses during their journeys between the 12th and 15th centuries, providing a detailed snapshot of medieval mobility and religious practices. The study highlights the logistical scale of these pilgrimages and their significance in understanding both mortuary customs and long-distance travel in the late Middle Ages.

Rollason, L. (2011). Medieval Mortuary Rolls: Prayers for the Dead and Travel in Medieval England. Northern History, 48(2), 187–223. https://doi.org/10.1179/007817211x13061632130449