Fathers and Godfathers

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The book delves into the evolution of spiritual kinship and godparenthood in medieval Europe, highlighting baptism as a significant second birth within a spiritual family distinct from biological ties. It examines the period from 1450 to 1650, focusing on how the Catholic Church adapted these concepts amid reform and societal challenges. The text reveals the enduring social significance of these relationships in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, illustrating their complex use that sometimes diverged from original religious intentions, leading to unforeseen social ramifications.