Preaching the Word in Manuscript and Print in Late Medieval England: Essays in Honour of Susan Powell ed. by Martha W. Driver and Veronica O’Mara
Alexandra Barratt
Reviewed by: Preaching the Word in Manuscript and Print Late Medieval England: Essays Honour of Susan Powelled. by Martha W. Driver Veronica O’Mara Alexandra Barratt Driver, O’Mara, eds, Powell( Sermo, 11), Turnhout, Brepols, 2013; hardback, pp. xv, 393; 24 b/w illustrations; R.R.P. €100.00; ISBN 9782503541853. This festschrifthonours Professor Powell, well known to her fellow medievalists as an editor Middle English sermons, on occasion retirement from University Salford. It contains twelve studies three editions, all relevant Latin texts that can be regarded ‘sermons’ one sense or another. The volume opens with Derek Pearsall G. R. Owst, ‘the first founder sermon studies’ (p. 11). excavates Owst’s personal background ‘outsider’ explain his attitude towards medieval Church, belief vernacular sermons a national shaping force foreshadowing Reformation their value source for social history, uncritical sources. N. Swanson follows account fifteenth-century parish priest’s anthology containing part sermon-cycle, so-called Italian Homiliary, which surprisingly turns out date eleventh century. individual texts, however, are Carolingian circulation late England raises interesting questions about perceptions past. Anne Hudson writes two Bohemian manuscripts John Wyclif’s sermons. She demonstrates that, although far removed time place Wyclif himself, they often textually superior earlier manuscript Cambridge, Trinity College, MS B.16.2, was written England. William Marx examines Devil’s Parliamentas ‘sermo literarius’ 64) designed read but never delivered, ironic role within it Devil narrator. Margaret Connolly expositions teaching difficult subject Holy Ghost and, particular, short enumerating Seven Gifts typically found devotional anthologies. J. Thompson ‘preaching pen’ 101) Mirk’s Festialand Love’s Mirror, both circulated beyond primary audiences during fifteenth early sixteenth centuries, numerous print editions. Stephen Morrison discusses ‘scribal performance’ 116) recomposition group manuscripts, four were same scribe. remaining five ‘studies’ considerably longer than preceding. Vincent Gillespie Syon brothers ‘often aphoristic’ 142) [End Page 204]daily readings priestly life contained martilogein BL, Additional 22285: many concern preaching example. Jeremy Smith unusually sophisticated punctuation practices, probably guide silent private reading, copy made Scotland printed edition Festial. Joseph Gwara reassesses, copious black white illustrations, evidence dating Wynkyn de Worde’s output between 1501 1511. (who shares editing whole collection) contributes comprehensive study visual representations ‘preachers’ varied Christ, Geoffrey Chaucer, Jonah, Mohammed, Langland’s Dobet, interchangeable bishops, pulpits, Tudor texts. final ‘study’ is Julia Boffey, textual transmission verse By reviewing ‘a small sample material incorporating some kind’ 260), she shows such slippery had its own. ‘texts’ Oliver Pickering’s discussion re-edition, glosses, thirteenth-century South Legendary’s All Souls’ Day poem Purgatory, Oxford, Bodleian Library, Laud misc. 108. not has characteristics he argues, ‘is work more writer’ 288). Kari Rand edits extracts the...
Parergon