on a more serious note, Alan the Printmaker at faire does have in his collection of things you can buy a replica of the real Indulgence document from around that time.
It used to be very hard to get one, in that for the recipient they had to suffer through some kind of penance (usually on a pilgrimage) where though the document was free, the route was packed with salesman selling many of the same kinds of religious trinkets like holy mirrors and rosary that surround the Vatican in shops and stands even to this day.
In addition, they were rare to grant because they were all written out by hand.
Well, the printing press changed all that, of course, and turned them into something cheap to make, and something to make money from.
Martin Luther wasn't too thrilled with this...
Which is why I see it as a concern for going backwards. they aren't selling them now, but it didn't take much to do it 500 years ago.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Get out of Purgatory Cards Exist
Date: 2009-02-10 04:03 pm (UTC)It used to be very hard to get one, in that for the recipient they had to suffer through some kind of penance (usually on a pilgrimage) where though the document was free, the route was packed with salesman selling many of the same kinds of religious trinkets like holy mirrors and rosary that surround the Vatican in shops and stands even to this day.
In addition, they were rare to grant because they were all written out by hand.
Well, the printing press changed all that, of course, and turned them into something cheap to make, and something to make money from.
Martin Luther wasn't too thrilled with this...
Which is why I see it as a concern for going backwards. they aren't selling them now, but it didn't take much to do it 500 years ago.