Music, Liturgy, and Confraternity Devotions in Paris and Tournai, 1300–1550 by Sarah Ann Long

Sarah Ann Long's study reveals that confraternities in Paris and Tournai, during 1300–1550, played a pivotal role in the development of devotional music and liturgy, particularly in response to the plague. Her research demonstrates how these lay-led organizations, distinct from monastic or cathedral institutions, sponsored specialized liturgies for saints like Sebastian, Barbara, Catherine of Alexandria, and Nicholas—venerated for their protective powers against sickness and death. By analyzing fourteen liturgical books containing devotional music and texts, Long connects confraternities to the composition of plainchant and polyphony, highlighting the theological craftsmanship behind chant melodies and contrafacta. This groundbreaking work bridges the gap between popular piety and musical patronage in late medieval northern France.

Morrison, L. (2023). Music, Liturgy, and Confraternity Devotions in Paris and Tournai, 1300–1550 by Sarah Ann Long. Notes, 79(3), 398–401. https://doi.org/10.1353/not.2023.0010