Rewriting Saints and Ancestors: Memory and Forgetting in France, 500–1200. Constance Brittain Bouchard. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2015. Pp. viii+362.
Daisy Delogu
Previous articleNext article FreeBook ReviewRewriting Saints and Ancestors: Memory Forgetting in France, 500–1200. Constance Brittain Bouchard. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2015. Pp. viii+362.Daisy DeloguDaisy DeloguUniversity Chicago Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUSFull Text Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmailQR Code SectionsMoreConstance Bouchard’s study historical writing from late antiquity the so-called high Middle Ages reminds us that forgetting, or selectively remembering, or, as she terms it, “creatively re-remember[ing]” (213) past is how one fashions a legible useful present. Accordingly, focuses not only on what remembered but also added, suppressed, transformed, collapsed, otherwise reconceptualized passage events we are able reconstruct them today, those represented cartularies, chronicles, vitae, “Gesta” constitute her primary sources. Medieval writers sought construct fix was comprehensible them; locate precedents their habits thought action, especially cases where current practice actually departed practice; even, when necessary, forge documents “that should have existed” (3). attention forgeries illuminates an important aspect methodology. Far constituting worthless even misleading sources, help understand social, economic, cultural, political conditions moment creation, since they demonstrate precisely perceived be necessary effective given situation. Bouchard concentrates sources can tell about medievals used fashion identity present, rather than engaging search “truth.”Bouchard’s proceeds, unusually, reverse chronological order. In way, strips aura inevitability makes strange narratives (too often unexamined) govern our understanding medieval culture (e.g., conviction manorialism ninth century constituted foundation seigneurial system Ages, Merovingian era characterized disorganized imperfect Christianity, tidy division history into Merovingian, Carolingian, Capetian eras).Bouchard’s book divided twelve chapters. The first three focus ecclesiastical secular codices reproduced charters collected over time, well cartulary texts combined narrative connective tissue with copies documents. Cartularies did simply preserve transmit earlier documents; “new way organizing thinking about” (10). By selecting, ordering, introducing codex, creating collective memory helped define monastery (or other issuing body) shows, instance, had its origins informed documentary consequently shaped itself it produced using these sources.Chapters 4 5 discuss authors dealt deficiencies either no longer failed furnish evidence required Polyptyques, inventories monastic holdings, provide example former. Much vocabulary employed practices described ninth-century polyptyques were use centuries later. Attending textual reconfiguration convenient forgetting) obliges reconsider processes which rural economy became twelfth. Forgeries highlight different relationship past, creative reworking. created specific objectives mind thus window onto anxieties aims, tensions rivalries, period.In chapters 6, 7, 8 explores historians Carolingian justify deposition last king legitimize new dynasty confecting broadcasting image Carolingians, carefully distinguished Merovingians, successors Rome proper Christian leaders. As explains, lineage needed explained at all” (106). selective genealogies demonstrated Carolingians male-line before advent Charlemagne. Despite champions Christianity project, suggest “protection” afforded church fact effort appropriate wealth power.In final set chapters, interprets striking lack period transition between dynasties considerable social economic upheaval characterize time. She then turns era. With respect monasticism, example, shows patterns governance relationships sacred fixed sixth seventh projected backward eras, themselves presented post facto times order privilege, rich local missionary-martyr saints relics.Overall, deftly demonstrates continued relevance plasticity who available vibrant, comprehensible, explanatory, legitimizing. affirms conclusion “modern definitions accuracy irrelevant” (231), yet I wonder attached ourselves accuracy. Are similarly engaged own acts creatively re-remembering forgetting will explain present? sum, has provided scholars original thought-provoking reconsideration known addition, invited adopt attitude toward reading fruitfully understood connection attitudes, beliefs, concerns governed production, become conscious uses continue make lives. DetailsFiguresReferencesCited Modern Philology Volume 113, Number 3February 2016 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/683308 For permission reuse, please contact [email protected]PDF download Crossref reports citing article.
Modern Philology