Rewriting Saints and Ancestors: Memory and Forgetting in France, 500–1200. By Constance B. Bouchard (Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2015) 384 pp. $79.95
Edward M. Schoolman
The issue of memory and its construction application in the Middle Ages has developed last thirty years into a truly interdisciplinary subfield, incorporating elements from study literature, history, art, religion, liturgy. Bouchard’s contribution rests on power texts, including charters, cartularies (collected transcriptions original documents), polyptyques (lists territorial possessions), historical narratives, hagiographic vitae as tools for creation modification means to affect contemporary notions identity. area focus is broad chronology. Bouchard considers how those living sixth through twelfth centuries what today France made sense of, re-contextualized, events past, they copied, interpreted, modified, or even ignored documents relating foundations monastic, ecclesiastical, political institutions.Like process that describes, book organized chronologically “backwards,” beginning with written century. It describes ways which copying charters (frequently donations rights offered institutions by kings popes, many already old) single volume helped preserve community wanted remember offer proof status. examination why were composed used reveals contained therein neither randomly selected nor intended be representative entire archive, but carefully deployed serve institution’s communal internal memory, mirroring incorporation documentary texts narrative histories same period.Bouchard gives similar treatment other types “memory creation,” them vastly different kinds subjects, intentions: production, memorial integration, rejection forged charters; narratives Carolingian dynasty (with respect their predecessor, genealogy, especially relationship Frankish churches monasteries); memories pre-Carolingian aristocracy monasticism; created century provide would lend legitimacy saints relics. sources this subject matter are revealed more than just records narratives; vehicles propagation particular kind past reinforces challenges status authors compliers belonged.In dealing shows how—for authors, copyists, involved—the composition, collection, rewriting (both literary documentary) much about recording exchanges it influencing social perceptions present forming past. What clear examples Ages, every type text, regardless format stated intention, was adaptable these purposes.In style, organization, explanation technical terms, Rewriting Saints Ancestors proves itself accessible larger audience medievalists. offers unique perspective who sought make assembled navigated reconstruct it.
Journal of Interdisciplinary History