<i>The Silent Masters: Latin Literature and its Censors in the High Middle Ages</i> (review)
Constant J. Mews
190 Reviews even when the surviving versions are in Latin. This is probably excessive. The illiterate were used to aural information; Latin versions, presumably required by church bureaucracy, would almost certainly have rested on prior oral or vernacular versions. In discussing community, she should surely paid some attention other secular activities within local area which also givenriseto written narratives such as courts baron and leet, ordinary manorial meetings determine how royal taxes be allocated collected. All of these contributed complex creation a sense identity. Even they do not survive, their invisible effect noted. Looking at parish religion terms community identity cannot ignore aspects that community. Sybil M. Jack Department ofHistory University ofSydney Godman, Peter, Silent Masters: Literature its Censors H Middle Ages, Princeton, Princeton Press, 2000; cloth; pp. xxi, 372; R.R.P. US$59.90; ISBN 0691009775. To feast recent books twelfth-century literary scholastic cult must now added Peter Godman's study range authors, provocatively entitled Masters. Godman already well known prolific authority two periods 'renaissance' letters: Carolingian epoch High Renaissance. years, has become much more interested process censorship means curbing wild excess than conventional humanistic letters. this volume, presents authors whose disagreements mutual recriminations helped bring about formalised Church. Masters reads collection essays individual writers book with single argument culture. Chapter One, 'The Silencer Silenced', uses Venerable's image Abelard devoted silence Cluny after his condemnation for heresy 1141 way introducing broader theme co-existence an education elite verbal profusion widespread desire kept check. leads him reflect second chapter, 191 'Unbuttoned dwarves', riotous exuberance less well-known from late eleventh century, particular Froumund Tegemsee, Ruodlieb Anselm Besate, all writing time there none institutional controls had encounter. A third 'Teaching Fire Sword', comes back Abelard, figure w h o both delighted antagonising authority, but who little compunction labelling fellow teachers heretics themselves. Perhaps mostfrustratingpart analysis ofAbelard he never engages substance either logic theology. centre given rhetorical pyrotechnics generated Abelard's clash Bernard, m sees masters kind. By talking theology per se, rather ofboth establish own magisterium teaching rightly underscores important c n concern. B y engaging theological arguments teacher, does really explain conflict so heated, suggesting it resulted particularly articulate aggressive individuals. fourth 'Smoldering Firebrands', follows up fascination polemic religious controversy looking debate surrounding Gilbert Poitiers. It opens assertion illustrates unfortunate tendency dogmatic pronouncement sake effect: 'Among Bavarian bores ofthe twelfth few insistent, Gerhoch Reichersberg.' There no understanding here dimensions was engaged, role Augustinian canon. central point G d makes the...
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