Ghaerbald's First Capitulary, the Excerptiones Pseudo-Ecgberhti, and the Sources of Wulfstan's Canons of Edgar
Michael Elliot
A hitherto neglected source for the so-called Canons of Edgar, written 1006–1008 by Archbishop Wulfstan York (†1023), is First Capitulary Bishop Ghaerbald Liège (†809).1 Ghaerbald’s (hereafter Capit. I) has been edited Peter Brommer, who clearly lays out evidence distinctive tradition this text had in Anglo-Saxon England.2 Eight manuscripts witness English I: Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 265 (s. ximed–xi3/4, Worcester); London, British Library, Cotton Nero A.i (1003–1023, Worcester or York); Oxford, Bodleian Barlow 37 (SC 6464) xiiex/xiiiin, Worcester?); BL, Bodley 718 2632) x2–xex, south England; prov. Exeter, s. xi2); Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, Lat. 943 x/xi–xi1, Sherborne); BN, 10575 xmed–x/xi, Évreux, xi); Rouen, Municipale, 368 (A. 27) xiin–xi1, Cornwall; Crediton, Jumièges); and BM, 1382 (U. 109) xi1, England).3 In each these manuscripts, I shares a context with works attributed to learned Ecgberht, archbishop (735–766), namely Ecgberht’s Penitential, his Pontifical (or prologue it), certain collection canons known as Excerptiones pseudo-Ecgberhti Excerptiones).4 It perhaps due placement I, (an copy Continental penitential manuscript), between that became associated so completely name Ecgberht England.5 This paper will not, however, consider transmission Ecgberhtine Penitential Pontifical. Rather, it Excerptiones, specifically its relationship Wulfstan’s which concern here.
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