Episcopal emotions: tears in the life of the medieval bishop.

This article explores the significance of weeping in the lives of late medieval English bishops ( c.1100− c.1400). It considers the lachrymose devotions of saintly bishops alongside tears of grief, friendship and self-pity, and asks how such displays of emotion were understood by contemporary onlookers. It is argued that a bishop's tears were key to perceptions of his masculinity, sexuality and physical body, which in turn had significant implications for his reputation both as a prelate and as a potential saint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]