Textual Transmission and Authorship in Carolingian Europe: Primo Paganus, Baptism, and Alcuin of York
Owen M. Phelan
Primo paganus, a commentary on the rites of baptism, is most copied and cited treatise baptism during ninth century. With careful attention both to internal evidence manuscript transmission, this article makes case that Alcuin York, principle architect Carolingian Renewal, did not just transmit important commentary, but composed it. The attribution text yields two insights into Renewal. First, paganus provides striking example how vigorous copying editing texts may obscure authorship. Second, identifying as source reveals centralized carefully managed approach key component ecclesiastical reform in
Revue Bénédictine