Glossing the Psalms : The Emergence of the Written Vernaculars in Western Europe From the Seventh to the Twelfth Centuries

This study proposes a new view of glossing as a universal phenomenon. Starting from the Psalter, a centrepiece of devotion and education in early medieval Europe, it combines historical sociolinguistics, comparative philology, manuscript studies and cultural history in order to assess and compare the interface of Latin with Old Irish, Old English, Old Frisian, Old Saxon and Old High German within the context of its multilingual and textual culture. The close study of thirteen glossed manuscripts, such as the Anglo-Saxon __Vespasian Psalter__ and the Old Irish __Milan Glosses__, reveals when and why scribes switched from Latin into the vernacular, how the vernacular was used in studying Latin, how glosses interact with construe marks and punctuation, and how such manuscripts were intended to be read in a period covering the seventh to the twelfth centuries and in an area stretching from Ireland to Central Europe. The book is an essential textbook for specialists in the growing field of glossing, and also reaches out to scholars of early medieval liturgy, education, palaeography and Christian literature. * First comparative study of early medieval glossing * Comprehensive survey chapters on glossing and the Psalms in the Middle Ages * Palaeographical and linguistic studies of 13 manuscripts in several Celtic and Germanic languages This Study Proposes A New View Of Glossing As A Universal Phenomenon. Starting From The Psalter, One Of The Most Studied Latin Texts Of The Middle Ages, It Combines Historical Sociolinguistics, Comparative Philology, Manuscript Studies And Cultural History In Order To Assess The Interface Of Latin And Several European Vernaculars In A Period Covering The Seventh To The Twelfth Centuries And In An Area Stretching From Ireland To Central Europe. Introduction And Scope -- Glosses And Glossing -- The Psalms -- Two Psalters With Text Glossing: The Southampton And St Caimín Psalters -- Two Glossed Commentaries: The Milan And Vatican Commentaries -- Introduction To Interlinear Versions -- The Old Alemannic Psalter Fragments -- The Vespasian Psalter -- The 'lublin/wittenberg Fragments -- The Regius Psalter -- The Paderborn Fragment -- The Lambeth Psalter -- The Old Frisian Psalter Fragment -- Interlinear Versions: Conclusion -- Glossaries -- Glossing The Psalms: Comparisons And Conclusions -- Appendix: Functions And Types Of Glosses. Alderik H. Blom. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 297-322) And Index. Acknowledgements Table of Contents List of Abbreviations Part I Chapter 1: Introduction and Scope Chapter 2: Glosses and Glossing Chapter 3: The Psalms Chapter 4: Two Psalters with Text Glossing: The Southampton and St Caimín Psalters Chapter 5: Two Glossed Commentaries: The Milan and Vatican Commentaries Part II Chapter 6: Introduction to Interlinear Versions Chapter 7: The Old Alemannic Psalter Fragments Chapter 8: The Vespasian Psalter Chapter 9: The ‘Lublin/Wittenberg’ Fragments Chapter 10: The Regius Psalter Chapter 11: The Paderborn Fragment Chapter 12: The Lambeth Psalter Chapter 13: The Old Frisian Psalter Fragment Chapter 14: Interlinear Versions: Conclusion Part III Chapter 15: Glossaries Chapter 16: Glossing the Psalms: Comparisons and Conclusions Appendix: Functions and Types of Glosses Bibliography Manuscript Index Subject Index