Rosaries / Paternosters

[Sir Edward]

I found several options for a period Rosary on Etsy, as well as this other site where I asked them to customize one for me. Check it out:

http://paternosterguild.indiemade.com/product/paternoster-reserved-ed

It's a frequently overlooked detail for monastic knight impressions.

[Ian]

Just be careful, my understanding is that a crucifix on a pater noster like on a modern rosary is not that common until the later middle ages, along with the drop (the extra 5 beads on a modern rosary to which the crucifix is attached).  More commonly it would just end in a tassel. 

[SirNathanQ]

Ian is correct. For instance, my Rosary is probably non-period, if one is being super strict about things.
I actually use that Rosary though, so I don't plan on replacing it anytime soon. 

[Jessica Finley]

I love it, Ed!  I have a special place in my heart for these items. 

[Lord Dane]

Just be careful, my understanding is that a crucifix on a pater noster like on a modern rosary is not that common until the later middle ages, along with the drop (the extra 5 beads on a modern rosary to which the crucifix is attached).  More commonly it would just end in a tassel.

A 'crucifix' is more common to the later middle ages & more specific to Roman Catholics as opposed to other Christian denominations. Actual rosaries of earlier period were more common-place with a plain small wooden cross (if any) and not having any actual representation of Jesus Christ common on crucifixes. They were not very decorative to illustrate humility & humble origins but certain religious folks, Orders, or more wealthy may have had dyed beads. For example, The Order of St Francis of Assasi (original Franciscans) wore black & white beaded rosaries with simple wooden hand-carved crucifixes usually of rosewood. They were traditionally hand-made by Order members to ordain the sanctity of their vows & devotion to the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ.

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, if I end up fudging the design a little depending on the decade/century, oh well.

[Sir Brian]

Ian is correct. For instance, my Rosary is probably non-period, if one is being super strict about things.
I actually use that Rosary though, so I don't plan on replacing it anytime soon. 

I think the practical authenticity factor of you actually using your Rosary more than compensates for any historical inaccuracies!

[Ian]

A historically accurate pater noster doesn't 'not work'  . You can use it just like a modern rosary.  I wasn't bringing it up to be the historical accuracy police, I was just bringing it up so if authenticity was a concern, the requisite knowledge was available.

[Sir Brian]

It's all good Sir Ian, just a little jocularity with no slight intended! 

[Lord Dane]

Correct. What matters with a 'rosary' is that it is used for intended purpose (i.e. prayer) and not having concern for it being decorative and/or historically appealing to some time period. If you are looking to dye beads for significance, black beads were for prayers to Jesus Christ & white ones intended for the Virgin Mary. That was intentional of early friars (Franciscan order monks) and numbered in a specific sequence so they said a certain numbers of prayers to both.

Sequence was unknown because they did not mention how it was sequenced but each rosary had 40 beads total to number the 40-day cycle of 'Lent' (the holiest time in Catholicism). Thought it was interesting reading so thought I'd share. The practice is actually continued to this day.

[Sir Edward]

I wasn't bringing it up to be the historical accuracy police, I was just bringing it up so if authenticity was a concern, the requisite knowledge was available.

No worries, your message was received in the correct context.

You'll be surprised how tolerant of "cheating" I can be though.

[Sir William]

So, how do you use them?  I was raised Lutheran, zero experience with a rosary.

[Sir Edward]

A prayer is said over each bead, basically. It gives you a method to count with as you go.

[Ian]

and Pater Noster literally translates from Latin to mean Our Father, one of the most recognizable prayers in Catholicism.  Which during medieval times, was probably the only prayer said during the use of the beads.  The modern rosary incorporates a lot more prayers than just the Our Father.

Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

[Lord Dane]

So, how do you use them?  I was raised Lutheran, zero experience with a rosary.

Traditonally, rosaries are a bead-counting method of saying prayers. One bead equals one prayer until you complete a cycle. For me, one bead is "Our Father" than next is "Hail Mary"...& continues until my beads are exhausted & ends with a blessed benediction of the Holy Trinity (which is a personal prayer that comes last in a cycle) & a kiss of the crucifix is symbolic of your undying devotion to Our Lord and wish for his blessings. Such is a Roman Catholic prayer session with a rosary. It varies with each person however.