Of the Making of Books: Medieval Manuscripts, Their Scribes and Readers. Essays Presented to M. B. Parkes ed. by P. R. Robinson and Rivkah Zim
Andrew Taylor
REVIEWS with both genders (p. 142) in a discussion that ranges across the 1380 document released Chaucer from accusation of rape; legal rheto­ ric rape fourteenth-century England; "Adam Scriveyn"; Legend ofPhilomela The ofGood Women; and Wife ofBath's Tale. Rep­ resentations women Chaucer"s poetry, this chapter asserts, were deeply influenced by poet's accusation. These summaries selected chapters should suggest how why book may merit attention nonspecialists medieval­ ists. Portions can furnish an aid to first-time teachers (non­ specialist or medievalist) many texts it considers are regularly used undergraduate classroom. I came away my reading new ideas about might juxtapose different ways those teach frequently, incorporate into teaching medieval I've never taught before. Other parts provide challenging arguments scholars will want interrogate. To note just one example, think on Corpus Christi plays urges link between cycle drama Eucharist too strenuously; however much implications eucharistic symbolism resonate drama, theological festive dimensions not uniformly relevant auspices structures English plays. On whole, though, Minding Body Potkay Evitt have assembled impressive group essays whose thematic focus gender body provides very usable guide fundamental issues at stake wide range important texts. THERESA COLETTI University Maryland P. R. ROBINSON RIVKAH ZIM, eds. Ofthe Making ofBooks: Medieval Manuscripts, Their Scribes Readers. Essays Presented M. B. Parkes. Aldershot, UK.: Scalar Press, 1997. Pp. xiii, 324. $68.95. It is tribute influence Malcolm Parkes festschrift, gathered mark his retirement, serve almost as interim re­ port British manuscript studies. With exception two fine es­ says history idea authorship A. J. Minnis David Ganz, each contribution based meticulous examination care379 STUDIES IN THE AGE OF CHAUCER fully sample ofmanuscripts. describe state ofthe discipline, including its isolation (for good ill) more hectic pace ofliterary criticism suspicion ofeasy generalization. Outsid­ ers admire elegance clarity demonstrations sheer labor behind them, while wishing some cases broader historical work had been explored. Some round out has ongoing for time. I. Doyle returns old friend, troublesome Carthusian Stephen Dodesham, offer most recent list works he copied, twenty-three twenty-four volumes. Helmut Gneuss examines BL MS Catron Tiberius A.3, mid-eleventh-century collection ninety­ items, them associated Benedictine reform move­ ment, earliest copy full Marian office England. reviews all evidence establishes widely accepted provenance, Christ Church, Canterbury, near certainty. Jeane Kro­ chalis adds five manuscripts Neil Ker's belonged Kirkstall Abbey. set hypotheses need be tested years come. great increase number patristic England late eleventh century often attributed efforts Norman reformers anxious expand holdings libraries they considered backwards. Teresa Webber argues view part misconception, misleading comparisons Carolingian collections. She shows seek further than Normandy their exemplars traces outline Continental connection, noting, copies ofAu­ gustine's Confessions appear Flemish exemplars. In yield remarkably accounts human lives. Richard Beadle Geoffrey...
Studies in the Age of Chaucer