The Early Renaissance
Patricia Ranft
In the magisterial work, Thought and Letters in Western Europe A.D. 500 to 900, historian M. L. W. Laistner reviews intellectual contributions made during that period according following categories: classical grammatica, history biography, hagiography, geography, dogmatic theology, scriptural exegesis, pastoral political ideas, philosophy, Latin vernacular poetry, prose.1 Laistner’s topics are indeed comprehensive, but contemporary student picking up book for first time would immediately be struck by an absence previous generations ignored: There no women narrative. Besides one fleeting reference epilogue Hrotsvitha of Gandersheim’s dramas, absent from history. Three scholars considered this silence warranted, but, thanks recent advances medieval studies, current generation now knows is undeserved. Almost every category examines contains at least important work a woman. Gandersheim wrote two historical epics import, The Deeds Otto Founding Monastery; she was prolific hagiographer with eight vitae her credit, was, course, accomplished poet dramatist. renowned Queen Radegund autobiographical poem, Thuringian War, era singularly void autobiographies, while little known Baudonivia, nun s monastery, vita queen surely rivals more famous Venantius Fortunatus. Hugeberc, eighth-century abbess, created new approach geographical writing, travelogue, Dhuoda, ninth-century Carolingian lay woman, sophisticated educational manual son which includes lessons grammar, numerology.
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