'Integritas' in Rudolph of Fulda's <i>Vita Leobae Abbatissae</i>
Pauline Head
'Integritas' in Rudolph of Fulda's Vita Leobae Abbatissae No coherent picture can be painted the expectations and limitations placed upon Anglo-Saxon religious women active during eighth century. Historians subject vary their interpretations fragmentary evidence gleaned from diverse sources coloured by particular ideologies: some recent readings depict a golden age women's education, autonomy, leadership, whereas others present an image tarnished manipulation subordination. One reason for such discrepancies lies inevitable complexities themselves. N o historical 'period' is as stable scholarship would like it to be, early Anglo- Saxon culture certainly characterized diversity change. Any contemporary writer—Bede, Aldhelm, Boniface—must understood speaking position carved out relation other possible perspectives his sources. 'Rudolph Abbatissae, Carolingian Latin text (written ca 836-838) telling story abbess missionary (who lived 700-780) exemplifies heterogeneity narratives. In face cultural its own logical narrative disruptions, intrigues through pursuit 'integritas'. This paper concerned with strategies which constructs apparent wholeness represents 'integritas' virginity gender. A comparison several statements descriptive activity Church illustrates agreement that nuns abbesses had certain degree but also reveals great differences opinion regarding measure independence authority. Christine Fell writes optimistically: i . first enthusiasm Christianity w e not only see men m n engaging equals challenge new religion way life, specifically asked take full controlling part. could have been on so powerful role unless they were used P R E G O ns 13.1, July 1995 34 P. Head handling power, at this stage cramping range responsibility.1 She believes Norman Conquest was responsible decline status generally, Church. Anne L. Klinck, hand, locates beginning regression significantly earlier: there much closer resemblance between situation obtaining late England post-Conquest than period. Thus describe time when enjoyed lost result changes introduced misleading.2 Other scholars concur dating, expressing view tenthcentury Benedictine Reform, bringing English monastic practices into conformity more 'orthodox' continental ones, severely limited AngloSaxon within Church.3 Stephanie Hollis, however, describes restrictions two hundred years earlier still—during conversion period, we come accept offered opportunities many women, power abbesses: I think might accurate speak gradual erosion particularly least century 4 The century, light Hollis' rereading, becomes contradiction, rather certainty. Her texts four sources—Theodore, Bede, Aldhem, Boniface—contribute creation multi-faceted Theodore's Penitential, probably compiled mid including canons ascribed Theodore (Archbishop Canterbury, 6691 Fell, Cecily Clark, Elizabeth Williams, Women Anglo-Sax Impact 1066, Oxford, 1986 (first published Bloomineton IN, 1984), p. 13. 'Anglo-Saxon Law', Journal Medieval History 8...
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