An Early Manuscript Witness of the Homiliaries of Angers and St. Père de Chartres in Bamberg, Staatsbibliothek, MS Msc.Bibl.30a

Abstract

This article introduces the five bifolia of Bamberg, Staatsbibliothek, MS Msc.Bibl.30a, identifying them as the earliest known manuscript witness combining text from the Homiliaries of Angers and St. Père de Chartres, two Carolingian preaching cycles of unknown origin, written in simple Latin. It provides a thorough study of the materiality of the fragments and their provenance as part of a medieval binding, a partial reconstruction of the original collection from which the fragments were taken, a short linguistic commentary, textual evaluation, and diplomatic transcription of the surviving homilies. The evidence presented here offers new information on the origin, composition, and performance of pastoral addresses to the laity in Carolingian Europe. The article also offers novel perspectives on the transmission of these pastoral addresses and encourages the future critical edition of the Homiliary of Angers.