Innovation and Tradition in the Writings of The Venerable Bede ed. by Scott DeGregorio
Thomas O'Donnell
REVIEWS 289 man himself, especially when read alongside other solid and exhaustive biographies of Marlowe, such as the volumes by Kuriyama Riggs. NEEMA PARVINI, English, Royal Holloway, University London Innovation Tradition in Writings The Venerable Bede, ed. Scott DeGregorio, Medieval European Studies 7 (Morgantown, WV: West Viriginia Press 2006) xii +287 pp. essays largely grew out paper sessions at International Congress, they lay stress on what book’s excellent editor DeGregorio calls most important new trends Bedan scholarship: prominence Bede’s enormous exegetical output for students Bede; rising number inquiries which treat work a whole draw attention to numerous points contact between his spiritual , scientific, historical works; growing skepticism selfpresentation humble monk who did not dare elaborate or contest Church Fathers. collection thus heavily emphasizes expense works Bede is more famous. first two volume, Roger Ray’s “Who Did Think He Was?” Alan Thacker’s “Bede Ordering Understanding,” together make an entry point kind approaches championed DeGregorio. Thacker provides compelling overview life from perspective development scholar, engaging discussion many departures tradition show that we cannot take protest he was merely “following footsteps fathers” (patrum uestigia sequens)2 face value. arguments both articles ought be seen forming background papers follow. Nevertheless, it bears saying speculations about how might have felt intellectual pre-eminence “in heart” do invite much confidence (14). likewise guilty speculation wonders whether Hieronymian vitriol unleashed against detractors because had royal blood (40) “thought himself Augustine age” (63). authors been better served if, rather than ask now unanswerable question “what think himself,” concentrated conventionally self-deprecating authorial persona some contexts relates outstanding self-confidence others. To cite need captatio benevolentiae, Ray does (17), obvious starting point, but just beginning understanding textual self-projection. Perhaps these essays’ greatest shared strength way demonstrate great reappraisal monkish humility. In collection’s final paper, Joyce Hill details ways Carolingians, quickly accepted doctor, used work. “Carolingian Perspectives Authority Bede” makes fitting end book, only focuses exclusively posthumous reputation, also its broad view achievement comple2 This phrase leitmotif uniting this essays. Appearances Latin phrases own are exhaustively cited Ray, 11 n. 2. 290 ments perspectives opening argues interest Carolingians partly rested fact viewed him compiler like themselves, picture otherwise rejected exegesis presented volume. Several writings focus one works. “Footsteps His Own: Commentary Ezra-Nehemiah” stands among integrates innovations (here, complete commentary books Ezra Nehemiah along allegorical lines) with commitment church reform Northumbrian (most famously display Epistola ad Ecgberhtum Historia Ecclesiastica). essay clearest example...
Comitatus-a Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies