:<i>Balaam’s Ass: Vernacular Theology before the English Reformation</i>
Jennifer A. Lorden
Previous articleNext article FreeBook ReviewBalaam’s Ass: Vernacular Theology before the English Reformation, volume 1, Frameworks, Arguments, to 1250. Nicholas Watson. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2022. Pp. xxiv+588.Jennifer A. LordenJennifer LordenWilliam & Mary Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUSFull Text Add favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreIf I had one quibble with Balaam’s Ass, it would be that volume’s subject is much bigger than its already capacious title suggests. But part book’s point. 1250, first Watson’s magisterial three-volume project on vernacular theological writing. As establishes, explain theology 1250 not just texts might fall within category but nothing less trajectory literary history in England and also Christian history’s relationship broadly, as well complicated study these things. For reason, we find ourselves chapters Reformation Counter-Reformation, beyond scholarship medievalists twentieth century. Watson explains how medieval theology, England’s three major vernaculars, must better studied understood, why such important work done now.Volume 1 Ass lays out an ambitious plan projected establishes central tenets project’s argument—that boundaries periodization, Latin vernacular, sacred secular, break down consideration mass evidence provide a fuller account history. Beginning historical survey interpretations uses biblical exemplum gives book title, general introduction shows how, hands various writers riffing tale, titular ass could valorized or put down, held up symbol Christianity against unbelief, laity ecclesiastical authority, reverse. The varying speak fact similarly does occupy single position, simply represent either language church laity, reform tradition, regardless who writing given time. Moreover, vernaculars considered here (Old English, Middle French) all relate differently Latinate do so over main premises: first, continuity rather rupture (16); second, both religious (18); third, development (21). reversal represented story thus speaks role new history.Part volume, “Before After Reformation: Church History, National Scholarly History,” consists five chapters. “The Diglossic Contract,” traces argue only specific moments conflict stifle although narrative doing becomes essential post-Reformation polemic. Chapter 2, “Anglican Historiography,” demonstrates lasting influence rhetoric scholarly imagination Ages from Foxe’s Actes Monuments, Protestant “the Church’s hostility Gospel” (50). This compelling reveals scholars into nineteenth century, even if uninterested reproduce church. Another distortion effects third chapter, “Romantic Philology,” which Romantic nationalism deprioritized older literature while searching secular pagan instead. discipline studies, borne classical studies philology concert, valued linguistic interest national historic interest, mostly ignoring overtly devotional material. crucial chapter England, literature, disciplinary creation modern scholars. Catholic were their own histories alongside nationalist Anglican ones: 4, “Catholic Apologetics,” tension ambiguity around after formation studies. Finally, fifth “Medieval Studies Modernism,” follows phenomena previous twenty-first centuries consider fraught These deftly show understanding assumptions still confront.Part Medieval Idea Vernacular: Models, Terms, Concepts,” procedures remainder series. 6, “Christian Teaching across Longue Durée,” points dangers letting Wycliffite controversy dominate conversations broader importance history, 7, “Theology Community,” definitions terms “vernacula” “theologia,” making case historically situated, very broad definition thinking about divine contexts. means, then, bulk understood story—very little rightly without considering has been shaped theology. In eighth Clerical Construct,” explores clerical controversies defined distinct Latin. contexts where was Romance distinguished largely having systematized remain colloquial speech. systematized, nonetheless necessary instructing faithful fullness doctrine. dilemma vernacular’s continuing necessity underlies 9, “Institutional Stance Social Address.” Given receive instruction clergy they understand, many anticipate audiences, speakers take different stances toward audiences: figure at times spokesperson community, speaker private prayer. A “patronal model” allows writer commissioned text “inform social superiors” seek actions (163). Having established complex varied roles can play centuries, 10, Archive,” imagines hypothetical counterpart Migne’s Patrologia Latina, exploring number volumes dedicated Old French, what consist of. Doing occasion else need texts—Latin works meant delivered translated other vernaculars—as problems defining “text” is, tendency any exist numerous versions, adapted partly substantially each copy, including original authors, questions texts’ differing rates survival follow come.Following exposition parameters approach two parts, 3, “English Early Ages: Language Politics Monastic Reform,” begins. Taking pre-Conquest follow, 11, “Old Long Twelfth Century,” begins end early period, arguing neither nostalgia resistance, ongoing reflection pastoral care undertaken monks. Chapters 12 13 Benedictine Canon” tenth-century Benedictines particularly Æthelwold Wulfstan Cantor reimagined past reformed present, using teaching establishing societal political level. Moving eleventh Ælfric York imagine body homilies, offer tools consistent teachers them. Wulfstan’s Institutes Polity brings royal governance realm well. 14, Monastery, Minster, Court,” shows, aspect suppression overwriting institutions reforms houses unrecoverable. establish known Benedictines’ predecessors, extent reformers broke actually continued sources Blickling Vercelli Alfredian court drew supplanted. While program rhetorically positions translation self-evident good, contrast asserts strict limits should appropriate make available English. later efforts result Contradictions English,” explored 15. unified community stratification disunity through associating unlearned, nevertheless contradicts use themselves. contradiction, may adapting Carolingian speech though, practice, supposedly “unlearned” (including elite lay) audiences reading translations have read “learned” made frequent materials English.Part “From English: Continuity, Adaptation, Secularization,” continues era 16, Narrowing Written became authoritative touchstone written languages trilingual post-Conquest remained present source medium teaching. chaper 17, Transformation Insular Proverbs Alfred Layamon’s Brut reflect ways reckon rapidly changing French become international currency. 18–20 New Pastoralia.” these, “Secular Priests Religious Canons,” argues sophistication innovation authority increasingly restricted realm, Vices Virtues Ormulum canons work. next, “Diocesan Preaching Books,” landscape focusing Lambeth Homilies Trinity Homilies. homilies interactions monastic traditions forms deployed non-monastic curates responsibility direct Lateran IV. 20, “Anchoresses City,” takes Ancrene Wisse related texts. Proceeding overturning hypothesis group composed copied Wigmore Abbey, considers implications connections Hereford Worcester, complex, multilayered, urban environments draw upon to.In coda looks forward next will turn shift puts it, prose between late period runs, most part, insular French” (369). concludes copious notes bibliography, appendix offering handy reference periods works, people, events discussed volume.As cannot told Scholars benefit capaciousness learning clarity insight cuts confidently place, language. makes clear his focus specifically disrupts tradition nation-based imperialist ideologies Since necessarily spends time laying groundwork yet done, readers eager continue forthcoming volumes. DetailsFiguresReferencesCited Modern Philology Volume 120, Number 4May 2023 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/723263 Views: 222Total views site HistoryPublished online November 21, 2022 permission reuse, please contact [email protected]PDF download Crossref reports no citing article.
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