Z. Murat, "Haptic Experiences of Objects in Medieval Religious Practices: Handwarmers, Thermoception, and the Spiritual Significance of Warmth", in J. Becker, I. Kimpel, J. Narchi, B. Schneidmüller (eds), (Er-)Leben von Spiritualität. Die fünf Sinne in religiösen Gemeinschaften des Mittelalters, Regensburg, Schnell & Steiner, 2024, pp. 323-361.

While touch in the Middle Ages has been subject to extensive study, this article advances our understanding by providing a more nuanced and precisely targeted interpretation of this sensory stimulus and its implications. It contends that a generic treatment of “touch” is inadequate and underscores the importance of considering factors such as pressure, duration, specific sensation, and the socio-cultural context. Through a comparative analysis of objects and texts, the study identifies thermoception as a pivotal tactile stimulus that has been overlooked in previous research. It illustrates how liturgical hand-warmers, by virtue of their sensory agency and the sensation of warmth they elicited, not only fulfilled functional purposes but also facilitated heightened religious experiences.