Overview
Middle English devotional compilations – consisting of a series of texts or extracts of texts that have intentionally been put together to constitute new and unified devotional texts – have often been approached as complex collections of source texts that need to be linked with their originals. This book argues that the study of compilations should move beyond the disentanglement of their sources. It approaches compiling as a literary activity and an active way of shaping the medieval text, with the aim to nuance scholarly discussion about compiling by putting greater emphasis on the literary instead of the technical aspects of compiling activity. In addition to describing the additions, omissions and other types of adaptations that compilers made to their source texts, Middle English Devotional Compilations highlights the nature and function of compiling activity in late medieval England, and examines three major but understudied Middle English devotional compilations in depth: The Pore Caitif, The Tretyse of Love and A Talkyng of the Love of God.
Full Product Details
Author: Diana Denissen
Publisher: University of Wales Press
Imprint: University of Wales Press
ISBN: 9781786834768
ISBN 10: 1786834766
Pages: 208
Publication Date: 15 November 2019
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Temporarily unavailable
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Reviews
""This is a welcome and timely study of compilation, a widespread and highly influential medieval mode of writing that has been overshadowed by modern notions of authorship and originality. Denissen writes with sensitivity and understanding, and brings a holistic approach to these unjustly neglected Middle English devotional texts and their manuscripts.""--Margaret Connolly, University of St Andrews ""A promising scholar's brilliant study of three texts in their various shapes of transmission. Rich in detail and in fruitful conversation with earlier work on The Pore Caitif, The Tretyse of Love and A Talkyng of the Love of God, this book will revive interest in these fascinating devotional texts.""--Marleen Cré, University of Saint Louis
This is a welcome and timely study of compilation, a widespread and highly influential medieval mode of writing that has been overshadowed by modern notions of authorship and originality. Denissen writes with sensitivity and understanding, and brings a holistic approach to these unjustly neglected Middle English devotional texts and their manuscripts. --Margaret Connolly, University of St Andrews A promising scholar's brilliant study of three texts in their various shapes of transmission. Rich in detail and in fruitful conversation with earlier work on The Pore Caitif, The Tretyse of Love and A Talkyng of the Love of God, this book will revive interest in these fascinating devotional texts. --Marleen Cre, University of Saint Louis
Author Information
The book is primarily written for an international academic audience (researchers and postgraduate students), interested in late medieval literature, religious studies and manuscript studies. Middle English Devotional Compilations offers these readers a new perspective on late medieval compiling activity.
