Reading the Bible in the Middle Ages ed. by Jinty Nelson and Damien Kempf
Franklin T. Harkins
Reviewed by: Reading the Bible in Middle Agesed. by Jinty Nelson and Damien Kempf Franklin T. Harkins Ages. Edited Kempf. [ Studies Early Medieval History.] (London: Bloomsbury Academic. 2015. Pp. viii, 284. $42.95 hardcover; $35.96 paperback. ISBN 978-1-350-03628-4.) This collection of essays originated a day-conference at University Liverpool 2011 entitled, "Bibles: Scriptures from to Modern," which, as editors note their introduction, "[s]peakers conveyed [End Page 573]impressions on reading/hearing particular times places" (p. 1). More specifically, eight contributors—who hail England, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, United States—treat wide range themes related scriptural reading throughout western Christendom sixth through twelfth centuries. From Gerda Heydemann's consideration Cassiodorus reader Psalms Nelson's study lay readers Carolingian era, Henry Parkes's essay biblical readings for night office eleventh-century Germany Claire Weeda's treatment how aided construction political power twelfth-century France this volume will be interest medievalists, scholars students alike. warn outset, however, concerning what may perceived lack thematic unity among essays: "Light-touch have steered course between excessive concern coherence, that might cabined confined plentiful original insights occurred serendipitously, fundamentally unified agenda approach" 2). Though some worry could more internally coherent, quality gathered here is generally good; indeed, whole they are well-conceived, clearly written, informative, interesting. For example, "Sibyls, Tanners Leper Kings: Taking Notes about Twelfth-Century England," Julie Barrau opens fascinating window onto one anonymous English student schools century read, heard, glossed account Israel's history. These glosses, which come down us Cambridge Corpus Christi College MS 288 (hereafter: CCCC 288), give witness student's strict adherence literal interpretations, his wide-ranging reading, and, times, idiosyncratic patterns thought. Concerning latter, glossator writes, instance, "Plato went Egypt, translated books Moses Egyptian language into Greek carried them [home] with him" 123). Although we cannot know certainty such gloss came be, conjectures basic idea can traced Ambrose, who, commenting Psalm 118, maintained Egypt Plato had heard "the prophecies law Moses" somehow made use "dialogue virtue" (pp. 123-24). observes an over-simplification, even garbling, Ambrose found not necessarily attributed (solely) who wrote these notes; rather, it (also) consequence "an enthusiastic, authoritative but unorthodox teacher" school delivered Old Testament lectures listened 144). Among volume's many strengths, weakness fail engage recent scholarship topic under consideration. In "Twelfth-Century Notions Canon Bible," Cornelia Linde considers understandings canon Hugh St. Victor Robert Melun. She seems particularly interested Hugh's teaching Fathers ( patres) constitute third ordoof New Testament, following Gospels Apostles 11–13). concludes noting her highlights "several 574]remarkable facets late medieval perceptions first most important being was yet closed, still open, beyond century" 17). Some readers—particularly those less familiar greater fluidity elasticity...
Catholic Historical Review