Purgatory

Purgatory weighed heavily on the minds of many medieval Christians. Every sin committed in life would mean more time spent in Purgatory. This fear led to lucrative business for monasteries and chantries, which would receive payment in return for prayers for the dead. It was hoped that these prayers would limit the time spent in Purgatory by the deceased. Another way of earning your Get Out of Purgatory (relatively) free card was to get an indulgence. Certain acts could be considered indulgences, such as a pilgrimage to a particular shrine or buying a small relic from various collectors that were approved and appointed by the Church. People believed the indulgence could give them absolution from some of their sins. The money from these indulgences was often used in the construction of cathedrals or to support monasteries, but often the money was misspent. Below is an indulgence issued in 1439 to sisters Margery and Anna Dicks. It allowed them to choose their own confessor who could offer a full remission of sins. These documents were produced en masse, with blank spaces left for the names of whoever bought them. In this case, it states that their money is going to the defence of Christendom’s frontiers.

Source:

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