Weaving and Interweaving: The Textual Traditions of Two of Ælfric's Supplementary Homilies
Joyce Hill
AElfric's recurrent claim to be working within a defined tradition of interpretation is one the distinctive characteristics his corpus exegetical homilies. Within homilies themselves references are major patristic authorities: Augustine, Gregory, and Jerome, with Gregory being most commonly cited as basis for Alfric's exegesis, Augustine second, Jerome poor third. In addition, Alfric frequently names Bede, less often than but far more evidently regarding authority on par Church Fathers themselves, although Bede humbly himself merely someone who was following in their footsteps, bringing together brief extracts from works adding notes own clarify sense interpretation. His reliance earlier signalled directly Commentary Luke subsequent Mark by marginal letters denoting whose words he using at given point. Yet, despite Bede's well-defined position transmitter authority, weaver interweaver texts, regarded Carolingians Doctor Church, practice accorded status that associated him rather Carolingian transmitters same techniques were fact no different own. Alfric, treating an equal thus firmly Carolingians, texts underpinned many areas intellectual achievement Benedictine Reform England. Indeed, immediate sources homilies: homiliary Paul Deacon, which large part anthology lection-based authors identified rubrics; Smaragdus, consists mainly individually composed chain or catena passages drawn authorities identity throughout letters, mode Commentaries Mark; Haymo Auxerre, steeped method composition individual, constantly echoing words, phrases ideas Fathers, freer form anthology- compilatio homily-by-homily catenae Smaragdus.