The Many Faces in Dhuoda's Mirror: The Liber Manualis and a Century of Scholarship
Armando Steven
From Septimania with LoveWhen, in the fall of 841, Bernard ordered his elder son William to relocate court Charles Bald and took other newly-born him, he left wife Dhuoda behind small town Uzes, alone, without comfort company her children. In desolation, she sat down write a book help them their future endeavors as worldly leaders and, more importantly, remind that, though separated from by distance, they could always look into pages Liber Manualis see reflection, if mirror, her.While nothing is known how sons read book, or what sort maternal image may have perceived it, it well that millennium since its creation, has provided readers spiritual inspiration, guidance recently, forum controversy. It light continuing interest following historiographical foray hopes not only familiarize newcomer recent proliferation scholarship on this important woman, but also place modern views work greater context those who gone before.That survived for over proof Liber's utility; noble families monasteries must found worthy preserving recopying. The controversial aspect arisen last century, when scholars varying agendas looked potential source support own avenues research. A century focused viewed progressively through three lenses: linguistic, informational inferential. While an early generation emphasized Dhuoda's form style, particularly regarding poetry, second regarded primarily straightforward social-historical data, third most group delved mindset probe world intended meanings hitherto unrecognized agency. tone nature historical discussion about changed seasons scholarship, yet one basic characteristics such discourse remained same: still looks grasp sense Frankish woman's life world. And yet, surveying differing perceptions hundred years, reflections seen clearly are, twist irony, scholarly forebears ourselves.While contemporary chroniclers recorded activities Duke Bernard, entirely at mercy dearth sources Dhuoda; itself remains which tells us anything her. Yet did, fortunately, include details marriage Aachen 29 June 824, birth first son, William, November 826, 22 March 841.(2) She gives occasional information magnate husband, refers several times brother-in-law Theuderic (Thierry), godfather William.(3)The was response husband's startling order 841 would be immediately consigning Bald, insurance family's loyalty Bernard's inaction Battle Fontenoy, taking newborn away well. written between 30 2 February 843, thus, level, compilation motherly advice-in-absentia sixteen-year-old time, little brother. Most agree despairing mother.(4)As title indicates, kind handbook, examined included within genre speculum, mirror princes, style finding expression Augustine's Enchiridion, flowering Carolingian Renaissance. …
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