Stephen of Ripon’s Vita S. Wilfridi: Genre, Political Theory and Historical Representation in the Early Middle Ages
Edwin Bidwell Wilson
This article argues that the battle narratives in Stephen of Ripon’s Vita S. Wilfridi (VSW) intervene and illuminate connected histories genre, political theory, historical representation early Middle Ages. As I demonstrate, are ubiquitous medieval “histories,” but only tend to occur saints’ lives context miracle sto- ries. Moreover, manner representing both genres preserves a distinction be- tween religious spheres action. However, VSW con- tain no miracles; instead, they argue Wilfrid’s sanctity as bishop was transferred King Ecgfrith Northumbria actors on stage history. To carry out this argument, intersperses his with discourses ideal kingship biblical typology. The model he thus deploys, theory closely coordinated royal ecclesiastical power underpins it, reflect missionary ideology would later be enacted Bede’s Historia ecclesiastica from Carolingian period. Stephen’s novel use narrative suggests boundary between vitae historiae permeable productive; it enabled him others construct sacralised sphere narrative.
The Journal of medieval Latin