New penitential territories: the tenth and eleventh centuries
Rob Meens
In the Carolingian Church penance had become a regular feature of life clergy and laity. As consequence many penitential books were composed to assist priests in their task hearing confession. Such manuals been copied large quantities available small collections country churches. After this blossoming literature, which was characterized by production new texts, distributing these texts copying them discussing models functions, tenth eleventh centuries form contrast. northern Frankish regions, centre discussions during era, we no longer see thriving texts. This decrease fits with more general decline manuscripts that has observed for period. can partly be explained extensive preceding seems have met demands. Given fact parchment are durable products, copies probably remained use following centuries. A well-stocked parish bookshelf did not need instant renewal. The conservative nature tenth- eleventh-century liturgical developments create as is shown, instance, earlier handbooks continued reproduced. penitentials attributed Bede Egbert, example, at least eighteen times
Cambridge University Press eBooks