Religious Women in Early Carolingian Francia: A Study of Manuscript Transmission and Monastic Culture by Felice Lifshitz
Albrecht Diem
Reviewed by: Religious Women in Early Carolingian Francia: A Study of Manuscript Transmission and Monastic Culture by Felice Lifshitz Albrecht Diem Culture. By Lifshitz. [Fordham Series Medieval Studies.] (New York: Fordham University Press. 2014. Pp. xxiv, 349. $55.00. ISBN 978-0-8232-5687-7.) Lifshitz’s book poses two provocative theses: First, that early-medieval female monasticism was determined a feminist consciousness, second, this consciousness manifested itself structures autonomous textual transmission within networks communities. argues flourished especially the syneisactic monastic world established (as she terms it) Anglo-Saxon cultural province, region which monks nuns—particularly St. Boniface his male followers—shaped ecclesiastical structures. Defying (perhaps understandable) hesitations to apply modern still highly politicized concept world, convinces reader it makes sense and, indeed, is hermeneutically productive examine Christianity context feminism, albeit specifically defining feminism as propagating gender equality, claiming participation liturgical activities, rejecting patriarchal misogynist patterns thought. develops her theses around collection six manuscripts preserved Universitätsbibliothek Würzburg convincingly identifies products scriptoria Franconian communities Karlburg Kitzingen. Her approach based on premises are widely accepted medieval studies but have not yet been applied particular context. The first premise there decided absence uniformity Christian thought period. Within, sometimes stretching, borders orthodoxy exist vast variety viewpoints, even crucial theological questions such issue differences, value virginity autonomy, range [End Page 380] options for active life second transmission—the choice, selection, presentation texts—is conscious decisions plurality viewpoints. These imply indispensable move away from printed editions reconstructions presumed Urtext work with texts they appear assembled arranged themselves. applies “whole-book approach” an exemplary manner, combining entire apparatus Hilfswissenschaften (codicology, paleography, philology, so forth) both profound knowledge frameworks meticulous analyses images. Comparing versions Kitzingen urtext leads immense array evidence indicating nuns worked select, appropriate, contextualize their manner supporting manuscript examines, contains letters Paul, should, author suggests, be read along Visio Pauli, profoundly egalitarian text present community puts into perspective Paul’s attitude role women In reading special emphasis interpreting Crucifixion frontispiece expression theology. Two containing sections Augustine’s Enarrationes Psalmos Gregory Great’s Homiliae Evangelia, show how its compilers consciously chose gender-egalitarian passages evaded expressions antifemale theologies, extent almost overcome misogyny. Kitzingen’s Deus per Angelum, passiones, apostolic passions numerous shifted focus victimization one power doing so, developed own somewhat Pelagianistic theology grace work. Isidore Seville’s Synonyma—the Potius...
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