De Ore Domini: Preacher and Word in the Middle Ages ed. by Thomas L. Amos, Eugene A. Green, Beverly Mayne Kienzle
Patrick J Horner
REVIEWS THOMAS 1. AMOS, EUGENE A. GREEN, and BEVERLY MAYNE KIENZLE, eds. De Ore Domini: Preacher Word in the Middle Ages. Studies Medieval Culture, vol. 27. Kalamazoo, Mich.: Institute Publications, 1989. Pp. xiv, 269. $15.95 paper. This collection of essays testifies to burgeoning scholarly interest medieval preaching sustained large measure by International Con­ gresses on at Western Michigan University Medi­ eval Sermon Newsletter Symposia. These essays, many which first appeared as papers under those auspices, have been gathered into what editors call "chapters history preaching." Mindful diverse, times specialized, content appended brief headnotes each their preface provided some useful commentary current state ofmedieval sermon studies. Even more is introductory essay ("Medieval Preaching"), John W O'Malley, S.J., who presents a historical tour d'horizon from its roots patristic exegesis Scripture through influence universities mendicants High Ages rediscovery classical rhetoric late fifteenth century. For nonspecialist readers he also explains such terms paraphrastic homily, thematic sermon, artes praedicandi, appear other essays. Above all, properly underscores premise studies, namely, that sermons are be studied products influences cultural milieu. The ("Enoch, Lent, Ascension ofChrist") stands apart others, having added posthumous tribute Eugene Green. In it Green offers an answer puzzling inclusion patriarch Enoch one Anglo-Saxon homilist JElfric'sLenten sermons. While subject will ofgreatest Anglo-Saxonists, Green's integration biblical exegesis, monastic litur­ gical practice, iconography serves model multidisciplinary approach study. three dealing with early Ages, during Carolingian age, all suggest important function had catechetical mission Christianity. Lawrence T. Martin ("The Two Worlds Bede's Homilies: Biblical 159 STUDIES IN THE AGE OF CHAUCER Event Listener's Experience") cites examples conscious effort relate his typological contemporary needs ofhis audience. ("�lfric Catechist") enumer­ ates various topics dominate �lfric's Septuagesima Lent. And most provocative group ("Preaching World"), Thomas L. Amos argues documentary sources that, despite absence ofactual texts, vernacular semons were "means ofeducating populace correct religious beliefand practice." Several examining sug­ gest relationship between broader developments. Phyllis B. Roberts ("Archbishop Stephen Langton His Preaching Becket 1220") shows how this famous product ofthe ofParis took occasions ofceremonies honoring hismartyred predecessor defend ecclesiastical rights against encroachment ofsecular political authority. Beverly Mayne Kienzle discusses ofLangton's, Cistercian Helinand ofFroidmont ("Maternal Imagery Sermons ofHelinand ofFroidmont"), whose use ofemotive, feminine imagery self-conscious attention art make him transitional figure earlier homilists scholastic mendicant counterparts. impact modes thought theory practice evident ofSimon Tugwell, O.P ("Humbert Romans's Material for Preachers"), Mark D. Johnston Rethorica nova Ramon Llull: An Ars Praedicandi Devotional Literature"). Tugwell's comparison theoretical instructions Humbert offered fellow Dominican preachers treatise eruditione praedicatorum actual illustrates difficulty facing time: adapt new aids, topical books distinctiones, based scriptural themes. examines another adaptation, arguing Llull's abstruse Re­ thorica nova, while nominally ars actually idiosyn­ cratic...
Studies in the Age of Chaucer