Legal Practice and the Written Word in the Early Middle Ages by Alice Rio
Richard Matthew Pollard
REVIEWS 282 On the other hand, Rebillard’s monograph presents a more ambivalent relationship with archaeology than his introduction indicates. In closing opening chapter, Rebillard points to frustrating circularity of examining records in conjunction written ones, and thus proclaims shift an exploration latter for remainder book. But while acknowledges, at end chapter 3, that hypothesis “should be checked archaeologically,” 2 concludes consideration archaeological evidence catacombs (56). His uneasy dance between decision exclude sources implicit recognition central role remains have subject hand could been thoroughly decisively handled. Yet, as he admits conclusion, book’s “only claim regarding is suggest new questions” (176). The Care Dead Late Antiquity challenges its readers intellectually but prose organization render it accessible enjoyable read. While scholars field early Christian already devoured debated original French version, this English translation makes important text available wider group academics well students. DANA M. POLANICHKA, History, Wheaton College Alice Rio, Legal Practice Written Word Early Middle Ages, Cambridge Studies Medieval Life Thought, 4th series (Cambridge: University Press 2009) xii + 299 pp. Formulae are model documents survive from sixth- tenth-century western Europe, found scattered across numerous manuscripts mainly Carolingian period. Nineteenth-century scholars, especially Karl Zeumer MGH, gathered these formulae into collected editions. goal editions was reconstitute original, well-ordered collections which surviving were thought descend. By comparing groups held different manuscripts, by using internal clues apparent connections charters, editors attempted reconstruct “original” formularies, give some indication when, where, whom they compiled. tidy wellordered produced monumental efforts formed basis almost all subsequent scholarship on, or using, formulae. magisterial recent book, Rio completely upends assumptions on constructed, offering new, much-improved way understanding texts, one allows valuable insight medieval literacy , legal practice, social reality, much else besides. Why should we interested all? use when charters answer questions about history? wisely opens her book (20–26) observing immensely useful, those probably constitute only small proportion used Ages. Those do deal exclusively land transactions. offer glimpse interesting don’t survive: manumissions loans, dispute settlements, etc.: pertain oftenhidden laity. point laity 283 alone would suggest. As shows last chapters can also hint complex realities, far beyond what law codes will tell us. Clearly source great potential. where access source, however, built intentions leave results deeply suspect. At most basic level, even term “formula” problem, discusses detail (43– 57). word not common Ages: occurs once Marculf’s formulary (43). Rather, call referred same noun actual documents: chartae. blurring becomes look . Actual letters (such copy Einhard’s letters) incorporated amongst formulae, clearly intended models. Though “anonymization,” replacement (place)names pronouns (e.g., ille), formula...
Comitatus-a Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies