Peritia: Volume 6-7 (1987-88)
THE RUTHWELL CRUCIFIXION POEM IN ITS ICONOGRAPHIC AND LITURGICAL
CONTEXTS
ÉAMONN Ó CARRAGÁIN
ABSTRACT: The Northumbrian vernacular crucifixion poem is integrated with
the iconographic programme on the eighth-century Ruthwell Cross. The first half
of the poem is related to the panels on the first broad side. These reflect
Roman lenten ceremonies for the catechumenate. The poem's stress on Christ's
divine will and human courage may reflect the rejection of monotheletism at the
synod of Hatfield (679). The second half of the poem is related to and completed
by the eucharistic iconography on the second broad side. It reflects the
emphasis on traditio in the catechumenate, the use of the kenotic
lection Phil. 2:5-11 on the sixth Sunday of Lent, and the Roman Good Friday
stational procession to Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. The cross is designed to be
read sunwise (OIr. dessel). The poem's incipit is reminiscent of
the prose collect for sext in the Antiphonary of Bangor.
KEYWORDS: Anglo-Saxon poetry, Antiphonary of Bangor, catechumenate, Christ,
Passion, Dream of the rood, eucharist, Good Friday, high cross,
iconography, epigraphy, kenotic christology, Lent, monotheletism, liturgy Roman,
Ruthwell cross, runes, sculpture, Northumbria
Éamonn Ó Carragáin, Department of English, University
College, Cork, Ireland
42987 words; 3 plates (at volume end)
Peritia 6-7 (1987-88) 1-71 Cork ISSN 0332-1592 EARLY MEDIEVAL TEXT AND IMAGE: THE WOUNDED AND EXALTED CHRIST
JENNIFER O'REILLY
ABSTRACT. The relationship between early medieval texts and pictorial images
in terms of their shared exegetical techniques, function and liturgical
background, provides a large and important body of material for the historian of
early monastic culture. This paper examines some aspects of the process by which
the inheritance from the patristic period of exegetical chains of key scriptural
texts prompted continuing exposition and the formulation of images as pictorial
exegesis. Focusing on the particular example of an inscribed Anglo-Saxon ivory
and related Insular works, it studies the exegetical origins and the early
iconography of the image of the wounded Christ enthroned in glory. The theme
illustrates both the use made by exegetes and artists of the scriptural practice
of rendering physical sight as an image of spiritual insight and, by extension,
ways in which the actual reading of texts and images in order to discern their
spiritual meaning, hidden from the uninitiated, was itself regarded as a model
of the christian and, especially, the monastic vocation.
KEYWORDS: history of art, medieval iconography, Anglo-Saxon art, scripture,
exegesis, liturgy, eschatology, monastic culture.
Jennifer O'Reilly, Department of Medieval History, University College Cork
27344 words; 12 plates (at volume end)
Peritia 6-7 (1987-88) 72-118 Cork ISSN 0332-1592 WILLIAM RUFUS, HENRY I, AND THE ANGLO-NORMAN CHURCH (DENIS BETHELL
MEMORIAL LECTURE V)
C. WARREN HOLLISTER
ABSTRACT. Although some recent historians are inclined to re-evalute
traditional views of William Rufus and Henry I in Rufus's favour and to Henry's
detriment, the evidence clearly shows that Henry was a considerably better
friend to the church than his predecessor. Although both quarrelled with the
church through archbishop Anselm, these quarrels were of different in nature.
While Rufus attacked the dignities of Canterbury which Anselm sought to protect,
Henry only wished to defend royal prerogative against papal incursion. Their
contrasting attitudes toward cooperation with the church is demonstrated by
Henry's participation in church councils, following the practice of William the
Conqueror, whereas Rufus permitted no councils. Rufus's most blatant abuse of
the church was his policy of despoiling vacant bishoprics and abbeys. By the end
of his reign, 60% of the wealth of the richest churches in England was
controlled by the king. Under Henry I, however, such systematic exploitation of
the church ceased.
KEYWORDS: William Rufus, Henry I, church, Canterbury, regalian rights
C. Warren Hollister, Department of History, University of California, Santa
Barbara, CA 93106
12251 words
Peritia 6-7 (1987-88) 119-40 Cork ISSN 0332-1592
ELOQUENTIAE EXUBERANTIA: WORDS AND FORMS IN ADOMNÁN'S
VITA COLUMBAE
JEAN-MICHEL PICARD
ABSTRACT. The study of the vocabulary and the morphology of the Vita
Columbae shows Adomnán's Latinity to be less glamorous than is generally
supposed. Adomnán's Latin cannot be said to be hisperic but the range of
vocabulary and the judicious choice of uncommon and archaic forms shows an
intimate knowledge of the language in all its diversity. Some inaccuracies and
vulgar features show that the writer had to work hard to produce a text which
is, on the whole, correct and stylish. The exuberance of eloquence which
characterises the Vita is explained by the apologetic nature of the
work.
KEYWORDS: Adomnán, hagiography, Greek borrowings, Hiberno-Latin,
hisperic Latin, historical linguistics, medieval Latin, morphology, rhetoric,
stylistics.
Jean-Michel Picard, Department of French, University College, Dublin 4
9608 words; 1 plate (at volume end) Peritia 6-7 (1987-88) 141-57 Cork ISSN
0332-1592 SOME ASPECTS OF SEVENTH-CENTURY HIBERNO-LATIN SYNTAX: A STATISTICAL
APPROACH
A. P. MCD. ORCHARD
ABSTRACT. This paper is an attempt to identify, on a statistical basis, the
characteristic features of Hiberno-Latin with a view to finding a method of
distinguishing it from Anglo-Latin and continental Latin. Demonstratives,
prepositions, gerunds and gerundives have been analysed, and the statistical
results are set out in extensive tables. It has been shown that clear and
measurable differences exits between Hiberno-Latin and Latin from other sources
in the early medieval period.
KEYWORDS: analysis of language, Hiberno-Latin, history of language,
linguistics, philology, medieval Latin, statistical analysis, Aldhelm, Bede,
Columba, Columbanus, Gildas, Gregory of Tours, Pseudo-Cyprian, St Patrick,
Virgilius Maro Grammaticus.
A. P. McD. Orchard, Queen's College, Cambridge CB3 9ET, England 20984 words; 14 tables.
Peritia 6-7 (1987-88) 151-201 Cork ISSN 0332-1592
BANGOR AND THE HISPERICA FAMINA
JANE STEVENSON
ABSTRACT. This article seeks to question the starting-point for discussing
the Hisperica Famina given by the contents of Jenkinson's edition. The
author examines Jenkinson's collection and concludes that the `A', `B', `C' and
`D' texts of the Famina are authentically seventh-century Hiberno-Latin,
`Adelphus adelpha' and `Rubisca' are probably tenth-century and written on the
continent, while the Lorica is seventh-century but different in style.
The author seeks to add to the genuine hisperic corpus a collect from
the Antiphonary of Bangor, pointing out its links with the `B' text of the Famina
and the De excidio Britanniae of Gildas, noting also that the Lorica
is closely paralleled by an exorcism in the Antiphonary. The author consequently
ends by concluding that Bangor is likely to be a main centre (if not the
main centre) for this stylistic development.
KEYWORDS: Medieval Latin, Hiberno-Latin, Greek, Latin style, Hisperica
Famina, Lorica, Antiphonary of Bangor, Bangor, liturgy, collects,
exorcism, Isidore, Laidcenn, Columbanus
Jane Stevenson, Pembroke College, Cambridge CB1 1RF, England
9071 words
Peritia 6-7 (1987-88) 202-16 Cork ISSN 0332-1592 THE ECHTERNACH AND MAC DURNAN GOSPELS: SOME COMMON READINGS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE
MARTIN MCNAMARA MSC
ABSTRACT. Following on an introductory section on the Mac Durnan Gospels (London, Lambeth Palace Library, MS 1370, Armagh, saec. IX), this paper presents 100 peculiar readings of the Gospels of Echternach (Paris, BN lat. 9389), which are neither Vulgate nor of the Irish (`Celtic') family, but which agree with the Mac Durnan Gospel readings and in many instances also with two twelfth-century Armagh Gospels (London, BL Harley 1802, i.e. `Mael Brigte Gospels' and London, BL Harley 1023) and, in a number of instances, with the readings of the Book of Armagh. The evidence indicates the need for a fuller study of the Echternach Gospel text and points to an Armagh dimension in Irish gospel texts.
KEYWORDS: history of religion, scripture, Vulgate, gospel, Irish gospel texts, Echternach Gospels, Mac Durnan Gospels, Armagh
Martin McNamara, Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy, Dublin 4
6289 words
Peritia 6-7 (1987-88) 217-22 Cork ISSN 0332-1592
UN EXEMPLE DE METAPHORA RECIPROCA DANS LE DE EXCIDIO
BRITANNIAE: GILDAS ET LE `DONAT CHRÉTIEN'
FRANÇOIS KERLOUÉGAN
ABSTRACT. Au chapitre 16 de De excidio, Gildas emploie une metaphora
reciproca (`alis remorum'). L'exemple de Virgile, `remigium alarum', est
revelé par Isidore, Julien de Tolède et Isidore Junior, tous
auteurs postérieurs à Gildas. Mais Isidore Junior ne fait que
recopier un traité de la fin du Ve siècle, que Gildas a pu connaître.
KEYWORDS: Gildas, De excidio Britanniae, metaphora reciproca,
Donat, Isidore, Isidore Junior, Julien de Tolède, `Donat chrétien',
grammaires latines du haut moyen âge.
François Kerlouégan, Université de Franche-Comté,
Faculté des Lettres, 30 rue Mégevand, F-25030 Besançon
2075 words
Peritia 6-7 (1987-88) 223-26 Cork ISSN 0332-1592
THE `LOST' IRISH 84-YEAR EASTER TABLE REDISCOVERED
DANIEL MC CARTHY and DÁIBHÍ Ó CRÓINÍN
ABSTRACT. The Paschal controversy in the British Isles centred on the use of
an 84-year Easter table, which was abandoned by Iona only in AD 716. Previous
discussions of the Irish table have been hampered by the fact that no manuscript
copy was known. This paper announces the discovery of such a manuscript (Padua,
Biblioteca Antoniana, MS I. 27) and offers, for the first time, an authentic
Irish Easter table for AD 438-521.
KEYWORDS. Anatolius, annals, British Easter, Columbanus, computus,
chronology, Easter, Gildas, Irish 84-year Easter table, Irish Paschal forgeries,
latercus, Munich Computus
Daniel Mc Carthy, Department of Computer Science, Trinity College, Dublin 2
Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, School of History,
University College, Galway
7129 words; 4 tables
Peritia 6-7 (1987-88) 227-42 Cork ISSN 0332-1592
HOLES AND FLAWS IN MEDIEVAL IRISH MANUSCRIPTS
KATHLEEN RYAN
ABSTRACT. Holes and other defects are common in the vellum used in the
production of Irish medieval manuscripts. Skin structure, the preparation and
kinds of parchment, disease, parasitology and environment has been looked at to
account for these faults. They have been attributed, wrongly, to the warble-fly
(Hypoderma spp) and appear to be due rather to processing error,
possible bacterial and viral disease, and defective nurture. Costs of parchment,
the size of herds needed to meet the demand, and the ages and sizes of beasts
used have been examined. Five major MSS (6th-16th centuries) have been
examined.
KEYWORDS: vellum, parchment, animal skins, skin structure, manuscript
production, herd vital statistics, animal pathology, palaeopathology, Irish
medieval manuscripts, Cathach, Lebor na hUidre, Leabhar Breac, Leabhar Mór
Leacáin, Book of Fermoy.
Kathleen Ryan, MASCA, The University Museum, University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
9475 words; 6 figures; 1 table; 6 plates (at volume
end)
Peritia 6-7 (1987-88) 243-64 Cork ISSN 0332-1592
STYLES USED IN TWELFTH CENTURY IRISH FIGURE SCULPTURE
SUZANNE MCNAB
ABSTRACT. Twelfth-century Irish figure sculpture has stylistic approaches
that distinguish it from Romanesque found abroad. The dominant traits,
classified in this paper, are traced to earlier Irish art: the twelfth-century
artists re-used earlier styles with little change or innovated within the same
stylistic ambit. This strong tradition continued for at least 400 years. Certain
foreign influences were imported (through circulating MSS and metal-work
objects) but Irish material that exhibits them is very scarce. In
twelfth-century Ireland, for the most part, there was a transformation of
traditional concerns into new hybrids. These conclusions must affect future
assessments of figurative art and of the flow of influences in the Insular
period.
KEYWORDS: art history, sculpture, figurative art, gospel books, high
crosses, Irish art, Insular art, medieval art, manuscript illumination, cultural
history.
Suzanne McNab, National College of Art and Design, 100 Thomas St, Dublin 8
15445 words; 5 figures; 15 plates (at volume end)
Peritia 6-7 (1987-88) 265-97 Cork ISSN 0332-1592
SAINT MARTIN OF BRAGA AND GERMANIC LANGUAGES: AN ADDENDUM TO RECENT
RESEARCH
ALBERTO FERREIRO
ABSTRACT. Supplementary to recent research, this paper considers the
possible role of Germanic in the mission of St Martin of Braga to the Sueves in
a broad socio-linguistic context. By the sixth century, the Suevic aristocracy,
like the Visigothic one, conducted its important business and its cultural life
in Latin. Evidently, Martin's contacts with kings Miro (570-83) and Theodomir
(559-70) were through Latin. Suevic became the domestic language of the lower
classes. If Suevic was a factor in christianisation, the burden of proof lies on
those who think so. Interpreters were used in the case of third languages.
KEYWORDS: Spain (early medieval), Sueves, Galicia, Martin of Braga, Germanic
Suevic, christianisation, latinisation, historical linguistics,
socio-linguistics, bilingualism, cultural history.
Alberto Ferreiro, Seattle Pacific University, Department of History,
Seattle, WA 98119
5114 words
Peritia 6-7 (1987-88) 298-306 Cork ISSN 0332-1592
THE ARMAGH REGISTERS: AN UNDER-EXPLORED SOURCE FOR LATE MEDIEVAL
IRELAND
ART COSGROVE
ABSTRACT. The Armagh register constitute the largest and most important
single source of original material still surviving in Ireland for its medieval
past. They have not been fully exploited by historians partly because only one
of them, that of archbishop May, has been published in full. Including among the
registers are records of proceedings in the ecclesiastical court and this
evidence, especially the depositions of witnesses in matrimonial and defamation
cases, demonstrate in a colourful and dramatic way the value of the material not
just for ecclesiastical historians but for scholars interested in any aspect of
life in late medieval Ireland. It is hoped that a demonstration of the richness
of these sources will encourage further publication of them.
KEYWORDS: Armagh, archbishop's court, bastardry, canon law, court
ecclesiastical, defamation, depositions, Drogheda, law, medieval church, Irish medieval church, Irish law, medieval institutions, marriage law, registers
Art Cosgrove, Department of Medieval History, University College, Dublin 4
7648 words Peritia 6-7 (1987-88) 307-320 Cork ISSN 0332-1592
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