"According to this Carolingian hagiographical account, a man named Baudenus, returning from Autun, was seized by a fit of madness after attempting to steal a flask of holy oil used by Aredius. In order to rid himself of the evil spirit that possessed him, he was required to travel to the tomb of Saint Martial in Limoges."
"This same Baudenus, troubled by an evil spirit and no longer master of his senses, lengthened his stride before all present and attempted to flee. In the space of one hour, he ran swiftly on foot almost twelve miles; his body exhausted and half-dead, he collapsed to the ground."
Evidence of running in the Middle Ages is scarce, with historians largely neglecting the topic. Notable instances include punishments in southern France and accounts from hagiographies. One such account describes Baudenus, who, in a fit of madness, ran nearly twelve Roman miles in an hour to reach the tomb of Saint Martial. This rare reference highlights the limited documentation of athletic performance during medieval times, suggesting a need for further exploration of physical activities in historical contexts.
Read at Medievalists.net
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