Five medieval anxieties

Addressing your worst fears, a cleric and the Devil conversing candidly, Paris, BnF, Latin 11534 f.26v (12th century, France)

In addition to being a period of ignorance, superstition, illiteracy and unchallenged authority, the Middle Ages have a reputation of being a time of silly certainties, cozy resignation, cognitive autopiloting and simple-mindednes…