<i>Handbook for William: A Carolingian Woman's Counsel for Her Son, by Dhuoda</i> (review)
John Moorhead
Reviews 213 Handbookfor William: A Carolingian Woman's Counselfor Her Son, by Dhuoda translated with an introduction Carol Neel, Washington, Catholic University of America Press, 1999; paper; pp. xxviii, 163; R.R.P. US$14.95. Among the vast body literature thrown up Renaissance, few texts have charm this book advice written a mother to her son in confused political situation which followed death Louis Pious 840. Separated from husband and children, poured mother's love into book: 'My son, m yfirstborns o n — you will other teachers present works fuller richer usefulness, but not anyone like me, your mother, whose heart burns on behalf'. Texts w e are u c period, as those members laity; having been laywoman, Dhuoda's Handbook is outstanding interest various ways. these way text lets us see literary culture educated ninth century had at disposal. She knew Bible well, was also able draw patristic material. intellectual world more explicitly Christian than that Einhard, nearly contemporary member laity, impressive none less. William inhabited same texts: 'Read Synonyms', she peremptorily instructs him one point. W learn relationships among aristocracy. Whereas encouraged show reverence his father, only loyalty seems be due lord, Charles Bald, family connections overwhelmingly thought being one's father rather mother. Like many people period h wrote about society, found values expressed Old Testament relevant New, and, writers just time Francia, figure Job particularly compelling. Intriguingly, some material based Gregory Great's Moralia Job, work far longer complex it sought elucidate, although oddly enough suggests read pope's Pastoral Care for information Job. confronted good deal post-Carolingian aristocracy; comes surprise leam founder great monastery Cluny may grandson Dhuoda. 214 But y readers, chiefly i t allows unmediated access words . The voice emerges engaging, both modest confident, Neel draws special attention tension between self-deprecation boldness educative purpose. brings out, without adjudicating between, different approaches opened feminist scholarship: example, can taken distinctive female piety, or does reveal flattening gender distinctions? has done fine job. paperback reprint published hard covers years ago, addition new end, where exceptionally helpful Afterword engages surprisingly large volume recent ways facilitates reading text. rendered clear English, introduction, pitched roughly undergraduate level, eases path. notes make available much accumulated Pierre Riche publication critical edition, generally helpful, I sure whether believe suggestion letters term 'tD+Mt', abbreviate Latin 'dis manibus', stand 'into hands God'; perhaps mistakenly thought...
Parergon