Authors of the Middle Ages, Historical and Religious Writers of the Latin West by Patrick J. Geary, and: Gregory the Great by Carol Straw, and: Fredegar by Roger Collins
Thomas F. X. Noble
Reviews Patrick j. geary, gen. ed., Authors ofthe MiddleAges, HistoricalandReligious Writers Latin West. Vol. iv, No. 12, carol straw, Gregory the Great, 13, roger Collins, Fredegar. London: Variorum, 1996. Pp. 144. isbn: 0-86078-625-0. $58.95. Two slim studies presented here in a single volume are of real interest and value. They conform to stated goals series which they appear. That is, present essential facts about an author's life times, manageable account current scholatship, details transmission or publication work(s), starter bibliography. Carol Straw, well known for her Great: Perfection Imperfection (1988) does masterful job recounting times Gregory, scion ancient aristoctatic family pope from 590-604. She assesses Gregory's education intellectual interests, his spirituality, profound sense duty. 1 spotted nothing new account, but I cannot imagine better one so short space. Straw carefully sets each major writings into its place life. notes that many ofGregory's famous books began as sermons, she fails draw out any potentially interesting important implications this fact. Many readers will wish had reflected more on than political milieu. In last few pages interpretative text makes sparkling observations hint at what we might have had: how desperately wrong Harnack was dismiss 'ergismus'; what, exactly, owed monastic tradition who brokered debts; can compare Augustine. was, says, 'pragmatic realistic...the moral theologian gave answets life's problems.' Overcoming challenges required 'disposition continuous penitence.' Readers this. Sttaw's bibliogtaphy is thorough, lacking only reference Etnst Pitz's magistetial Papstreskripte imfrühen Mittelalter (1990). Everyone has heard ofGregory most medievalists read ofhis works. Roger Collins thus faced very different problem introducing ofArthuriana not But, then, no idea 'Fredegar' was. We do even know if Fredegar one, two, three (or more!) separate authors—although weak consensus forming around Gabriel Monod's century-old contention there (or, rate, person wrote first part ofTredegar's' chronicle). The eighth-century arthuriana 8.4 (1998) 162 REVIEWS163 continuations were sponsored possibly written by members Carolingian family: Pippin's nephew Childebrand down 751, Nibelung—a name conjure with!—from 751 768. Why obscure Frankish history matter?The initial portions, drawn entirely older historical compilations, rarely today little interest. What come be Book IV, with continuations, provides absolutely critical source yeats 584 642 then Although traced back before sixteenth centurywith complete confidence, 'he' virtually contemporary detailed generations after death ofTours 594. And until Einhard Vita Karoli 830, attach another Ftankish text. chronicle ofFredegar took shape gradually own recension later manuscript traditions. careful ofall historiographical wrangling concerning concise tratement If may focused directly writings, ofCollins he supplied them Merovingian would put context. THOMAS F.X. NOBLE University ofVirginia joanne FiNDON, A Woman's Words: Emer andFemale Speech Ubter Cycle. Toronto: ofToronto Press, 1997. xiii, 211. 0—8020-0865—8. $35. Ifgender, as...
Arthuriana