Moral texts and lay audiences
Rachel Stone
Any discussion of early medieval moral instruction must grapple with the question whether lay noblemen actually read or heard advice given. Were Carolingian moralists simply casting their work into a void? This issue has been approached from several different angles. Rosamond McKitterick and Janet Nelson have argued for relatively widespread literacy in period. Thomas Noble assembled evidence nobles receiving messages both orally writing. Many studies individual texts provide information on audience circulation. chapter offers synthesis this research, giving an overview wide range that might inculcate norms noblemen.
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