Religious Women in Early Carolingian Francia: A Study of Manuscript Transmission & Monastic Culture by Felice Lifshitz
E. Ann Matter
Reviewed by: Religious Women in Early Carolingian Francia: A Study of Manuscript Transmission & Monastic Culture by Felice Lifshitz E. Ann Matter KEY WORDS manuscript studies, Carolingian, France, Francia, Monasticism, textual transmission, religion, women, nun Lifshitz. Culture. New York: Fordham University Press, 2014. Xxii + 349 pp. $55.00. ISBN 978-0-8232-5687-7. While studying a group related early medieval manuscripts Würzburg, began to notice subtle ways which their scribes had redacted the texts they contained. These manuscripts, copies patristic and theological treatises, were associated with Bishop Boniface Mainz his associate, Abbess Leoba Tauberbischofsheim, thus movement Anglo-Saxon missionaries on Continent eighth century. Through close scrutiny, was able trace these several women’s communities pre-Carolingian Rhineland, make series deductions about social intellectual context that form core this bold deeply learned book. In first three chapters, identifies Rhineland political economic stature copy such as these. She gives an overview monastic ideal syneisactism (men women living chastely egalitarian communities) Main Tauber valleys, showing houses Karl-burg, Zellingen, Ochsenfurt (which predated foundation See Würzburg 741), well notable later foundations Kitzingen, independent cultural centers own schools scriptoria, participated networks trade, embassies, gift exchange Trier area equal those famous local men’s Echternach (pp. 17–20). draws two important conclusions from her thorough [End Page 361] review relevant literary archeological data: corner Francia already fully Christianized before arrival monastery Tauberbischofsheim Leoba, there remarkable degree gender equality Rhineland. may even have ruled both house Fulda (later home Hrabanus Maurus) double community (p. 5). This study interconnections is significant contribution scholarship, but adds surprising turn at end chapter 3 next four she readings anomalies drew attention manuscripts. shows Augustine’s Commentary Gradual Psalms Gregory Great’s Homilies Gospels copied Karlburg omitted sections “utilized figures weakness or subordination, expressing some virulently misogynistic ideas” 40). For example, commentary Psalm 133, ends characterization Eve dangerous temptress, (Würzburg, Universitätsbibliothek [UB], M.p.th.f.17) because “there no motivation for permit spiritual classic culminate offensive imagery, so eliminated it” Here, contrasts approach female northern French Notre-Dame-des-Chelles, founded Merovingian queen Bathild seventh century, where only offending lines, rather than complete text, The takeaway point certainly Middle Ages independently denigrated self-conscious way characterizes feminist. Besides analysis Augustine, Gregory, Isidore Seville, 4 also striking reading figural exegesis full-page crucifixion miniature Pauline epistles Kitzingen (UB M.p.th.f.69, fol. 7r). Although newer foundation, came replace prominence the...
Manuscript studies