An Afterword on Medieval Studies, Or the Future of Abelard and

16 Pages·2011·1.59 MB·English

An Afterword on Medieval Studies, Or the
Fuure of Abelard and Heloise

Jom Vax Brrr

Gow GRANTED IT TO ME 10 serve the grearst pecmle af
Fraice? $> realh the will of Jean de Moun, fuee consinustor of ie
Romance of te Kose. Abival KR, presenting one of his wurks ©
eg Ploy te Fez, Jean exphaiaes tat be had served the great of
ie Land by providing vernacalar aasheions of Vegetius. the sar
ds of toler, ails Sparc brie, Buedais Coveeaation,
tral He Tie cad teers of Pierre Abelard coud Eloi is Wofe!
‘Shat Jean de Mean ookett bacleupon ashis ies work modes
ign well cake of as aia i foe an aftr snr va Mevtieval Stade
ies A meievalist nod sun ash. armen ocr Things, whe he
pahiligy of France iu dhe Ter thisteennts ctewury pause chs
Combination of imegenative Side, miltary sine, fanssic era
‘loyue,spirioal counse}, philoso, and lowers An essiyist om Me

jeval Suadics in turn wOUlt an where hese sks works er sufed
irvthe mecezn aeasenty ate and whether they e46" cies the
Fame: eoutse oF sudky bach an eats pechaps Me mune isterescng.
One, wall ot hearer here—ur Laer wil he left 10 this isa
ination of teadkrs, Us e859 will tae a5 ts Pu of departure tut
fe of the tansiaeel works, For while ie ater foun had alrealy
Cuecalted wicely in Yat, toe leery of Abelard and Lieloisg re
anne cA a8 sch han vats doterenine, ubknown befire Jean ae
Seun erarsated chem artund 125.

He worked from 4 Lala seamiscripl 008 Jot, judges come
rable tn epality aid gener io (0 others cupeed in Jean's ett.
the earliest extant aienesies the Temers, One (A) came ite the
Thana of Purnoch aeonne 1337, ho made a nuinher cf rexual 90:

an
we Jibs Van Figen
orrions: auotber (I) helengest to dhe cbapler al Neer: Thame in
ores and 9s aod in 18S? tthe chanecllOE of he universine? Teo
more can be dated wy the generation alr 1300 ier ive: genera
tions 5f argc Suetching fo 150 year, other Words, Lis r=
spondeore suddenly came into voene among Lat iotellecnls,
ana rac vogue pets, ata ty fite mere Latin muauscripts
are cxicerces of acvabier Gaurieen, one ordered ups by Coleccia
Slntati she bupranist ancellor of Florence Jean de Meun's ver
‘seul version. by congas, survived in a single pour cap nae
appremimatcly a vectury aller kis original ceanstadon,

so what sa medievalist iy rauke of hese lake manuscepls, de
Incsdivanl interest Jene's work -may represent nique vernacular
lestimamy 19 wider enthusiasm for a recently ecemoced wth, a
ding a new and more genetal reveptiveness ko the rhetocke af
lee lene or Jean ry have iste at recewery by rere
2 aun manuscript fvn the Paraclate:* of Ie aight himself bare
aubured ue atin enrersposdence, Scholars Tavs reached! 00
agpeenent” In the larger perspective of meuieral studies, how
forex, one tbitng seers cortaia: in Parls, about 129), facinstinn
‘ith the lives loves, and leter® of Ahelard and Heloise, acer car
Her only i glanciry seferences 0 ehow ain, fst ean, nel was
ever apn wholly to abate Tr scime tgel Seuve, ater resce
vals ate uke lens 1 this work of reinsctbing, aeslang, ane
inwerpreting

or cikrmption aad discontinuity are as rmich 3 pont of the
sory us conrinnity and whecatuce. This holds true tor the Rasselee
ste, the presumed sqosce or repertory of any ammhorric wart
spondence. Only rp poncrallons afer ean de Mes, ae Ih te
{aglish brcughe dlesmetlon, pessibly Feveling the elotsce ia PE
{ube reference is wags) and hyping Une hose fir tet, Moee
than acenuary ler, on 2 Nay 18, the abbens ul she Pareles ad
the bodies of Abolurd ara! Heloloe iralated freon thie orginal
burial ste nr Ahelurds rar fa place ale He Petievste.
ced alurmade che river Ardhusson on eonvent propery near ake
slat) tents on hie seo de haar eo

Discontinuiey Hulelsas well na agcess to copies of these lees
‘The fest edion appeared Fal 154 years afer Gutenberg Th 16
Frangois d amboise, «lawyer anc royal couaselen, ited ch: Hist

Ag afrerpand on Mesliessal Siu. ww

ceaition of Sbelard and Heloise’: Opens: Onuia, inspired wo do. 50
be ewling 4 manurerspc copy of ther leters: Heloise receteed ak
rest equal hilly at tbo orks nage (a lerence only in pe size
Or filoisue crags eis jn iuse paracletensis abbas). Bul
arshoise appareorty Haute, or Bs vem, 10 ecb oF the core:
Epondlenee al de Pararlete, Uiguph he mex yiven and he ils it
his edition copies of AbeLargs Haurgical and phlnsophical works
‘The edition prompaly lmided on the Index, even Ucouyl eas
Taken eare tr print ic medieval cencures of Abkao'sthonyght a
the degltning” One generation before this eatiun and damboise’s
seupien tor evervtg she Paraelews had oa abelacd and Heloise,
the convent ise hel eet Occup by 2 Prowsiant abbess dunt
the sears of religion, she, was rumored. had sci wid seu
Frain all nt Abeiaed s 4s,

Tt ws hag to Cenmuries dae cogvent was ruled by ahhesses
nyu the Ta Hecdddacanla faa the Ress of thew patronized
Siambcine. Ae was not their saci acclaica, however, bot a poem
‘ten f1 English hy Alexander Pope, a eanuucy afer the ust edt
tion (131), tht allacted acs’ acentusw ike leer, nid aside sen
tEmeotat depinions uf Heloise all he cage

Soom a6 sy ers eemling T unclowe,

“That well awa rive asceons all any 6s.
‘Ol uaene for wer sad! or cver esa!

Sl preted in signs, soll usber'd worn eae
Tremble ti. shore’er tay own J find,

Sor cline nislormne follows close hehind.
Tine aller ine nay gushing, cyes verflow,

Heed Ugh 2 sD vanets of woe

“when ar the cope of cach sa, sourowtng sta,
Tangy restores chat vengeance soarchld as,
‘Then cmcience slecps. und Hewing Nature ree,
All ng Ince sta oRcurded springs «0 ule.

Proving Gewions afl essaiat cemore,
And stir witha ie cv'ry seurce of hive.

Thier dee, sow thee, gaze o'r al ly bem
And coutd thy phantonn glue my clasp 20008,
ae fas Yan Brgors

Saden yoo ronan, you beck fim th skies:
Clouds duerpease, waves rear, Aad witals arse
Tlie, start up. the samc sed prospect fi,
‘And swake wall ie gpl el hin

Com Alef fr what Dit dow wo dread
Ihe tere Yer rag ot Gr te dod
dure suns choked eligi kayo ve
Ey'n thou art culd—yer Plaisa aves?
rv the follow century; somatic images of sbelird ata else
2 represened in svulplune snl pting, mn poe ak, rer
kre hem a soa pesenie in arn ad bowrgeas
shar. Afr the Revsion Lic damanling of coger ant huh
‘ese inte removal fir Poe ain cemetery ns
‘achaive.* Whe wah of abelard and Heloese, as tbe inartyrs of ro
sat ove, peal in he mince comers. Alot ali
“otelinshi age eters, yen Ue leas repose a teas
‘nied eclttons. onahanocs, and versie eter abc serenty
tee yea, the eit of te ols popular, tn hs a 1852
these apeina, inv ewe rma devoted fo hirary corpo
dence, tie few seolay amie cpesteaig, ie anhentity cf
these sac Kes An r le wecdng One mde ears
scholar ad otoececatrusins Rat ener eat susceed
ang yeneraton, Fcrming te sceislon i ls Lt generator foe
new ein em lm progees) for anned disput era
thea, ae for ks seones oF ove madi lation 9
sige and eevee
“Te tr cf Abela am Lense and che covespoouig
sas es and recom Gee Ue pt enmirse ad
‘Seber fe pce tha cou beta out he ay he
mea unr Inthe se oF Abelard eal mourners
Berea of Clava, ies sable his poited apa nar
wee eps BA rs ad he ny he
etry opal ress) rea cones ter the walled Med
fe Devoe andthe Ohsereane 9 ata of cexypropition
“bv. wl be lew the rca of Decnand os Cain
Ob Seventeenticeetury Tappan ty neteenhicernary
‘ver fhe eas or non hy reer cenry secular
aman, dvi to dhe renga -ng undecket by Jea

An After ord om Medieway somews.
eclerey i our own shy which plats sipsiticant 2ole in de
Howering ef monastic stidies. #anerns of rernwery and fran
Iioton have lanky mansiested dkemseves diferent ot the cae
Gr vertar! aod Abelud beasing elifering avennies and pur
ses at oe i The prescrvinye and approertating, Heal ferences
Th ie aeval mienals heing preset vod or appropri

also disclosed.

Mocievalists have generally of ito rneevallson (ss
ihe pamerit of tramanisrie, shes Eumlng images of the sce
Ages while Mesliewa Seles Tes gone alter tha cn. sthcts suche
‘Soscractions rst. but mediewdlists must be teminded fs ene w
time of their inedLecnut debt te coedicealive, whar dues arc at
roping (0 recall 9 epeesent nr eBconsirucl i 1 50. cesly OF
Tabby separated feo dt Gramewoe, which is 0 su. om their
fronnchung purposes |") oc their chosen means ¢hew">
Topulae even sulgay, forms of metieealisn ap olen occasion
Fou srlvtary seas, either to clarity ow disahuse, and the sco?
bey anterpretatrins fon yearaten may well persist, In
ldrexoated Linctied foems, a6 the peulse images oF the neat Th
fe not 39 cy 1 sepante Out nid describe 19 senue ideal vay, UO
lnuerect by past cr presen peeposes, the presunpciee orignal
eaten ska "FoF suet studios

Mieval Staies!™ ix said 49 pe owecdisciplina’y, x rele
tiene word Inthe ediseators-wacalary, 29 Roberta Frank hes tng
Ais discipline an-acuiced body of learning eich, is name
Soggents shapes ibe mind, The sisciplines, as edetoes ose the
‘Nord in university Jargon tod represent Finellctnal cosennonss
rite dividing up of hunstn bnosledge aod expression, With dhe
prnfeastonalizasion of higher caacation aver dhe pase cenery Hose
Pnventions hive artguzed Insinusonal forns and foverests as de
femmens the disrpliong inexeot in these diespllacs enmes
pally ro lilt when bo iifesearly dbiplined seinlors discuss

the mue maker, What oo, saya person disciplined in story ts
hhnighnGh or pessiaaive ov hepa may well eave the ofl se @
peman disciplined in ohilosopty: largely anmkond or uncom
Placed. Whar one sees. sma erser disciplined in art hishory. 5 ie
Visible of has 1 peminasive cffect upon somenne GME wise
UTciptined, And ten ne entats the place of auotber, literary
Cetes suakig Gut 2 piilosopyike conceptual apparatos, chase
406 Johor Vian Engen

disciplined in the sphere: encroached upon, say philosophers, cin
prov quick Ws cismiss he ollens us ate ue ni lear tease,
“iv hreak ent of ar anced diese isciplioary nuind-sets, i enbiet
swords eeyuiees 2 dificult aed! risky undertaking, bout inellectu-
ally and italia

“Aon view of tbe listory of ecucalion may well disclose near
constare molion between disciplining. ake shaplag ofthe lad ani
Use affective, arvaed vettaia ends. and ibe disciphnc, understood
1s the selena oc beak of kaostedge whlch fs To be soarcyed
wah the emphasis tending towed onc or the other in eiRering cras
dual cireamsiances. xcept for afew remarkahle igure like Dilehey
Ce Seeber or Durkhoum a che pur ofthe oxrary, Mumanéses,
econ sad for the max pan, hee wae cloquent abet the ends
fl tele dlsciptining ane largely presoppoved 3s sel-evicent the ob
jnctot thelr discipline: tes shape: ikeraer sensitive peuple, Zoran
‘pore or thonghttia ities, Futura sre Ube yl, philesaphers
Trout shought, muxiculogiss treat music, Kyyls texeers eat
Ugecnmar o composicicm or literature wriaet ft Wie Lagi
[goage, and on, Hac of ove ceciqasized "diseiplioes” years ts
farve cur or daim for well, even "oaroe,” oooe particular el oF
Pan oper een or gp 8 WD pn
sis cla expertise.

Mat us vwtuat does 9 mxedieeais ly clus? What abject dees he
ur le name and 1g hacen? Medioval Sucics eas aot soniecived
sails origins 458 discipline a” a deparemee. arose asa challenge
(a existing ¢« newly forming inelleetoal conventions. an arma
"ise way 0 hal rogeth bealies of knemedge becoming patel
OF co pursue ramers hcing negleces, Theugh hiivdual churns
fone nf Mectevtd Seveligs cerca tal puricularsebyestcralens
sind, the: prota tial intentionally dhl nad specify ay 9
spent of human experience and expression across Ge and spate,
Jas did echer disciplines, The Gina bulletin for Nolge Dau Med
fel Inedrore declared its jctent in 194? a "wo aeyaire exaea ine
rmoriet shen, and accuraee kvervledge of, Seiaeval Life Uesuyht
aid hie ulledny every taethou and device known 9 modes
scholarship” dialed genetical. then, Meera sures 4
ally —the study of any aud all peoples, societies, ongungss. cul
lures, avd asteri arias found on one continent
during dhe course of onc Uuoussad years (500-1500, a8 an ideal

An Afterword on Medieval Studies @

conception oF us aninusfly embodticd af the Kalanazoo Congeess
Ieciewal Stadies lakes io all aspeces uf humaa Uipughe and expe:
Fienon and expression, Ihally cveryibing. af the student of past
Ralamuzso priyrais Knows. fram henley (0 scat

“The-act of segnrening off thor thonisand Years, more was
‘oe inspired by the percepion of sume internal dynamic. or mani=
fest fur Las born rather of aosalgsa and contempt, nostalgia
‘om he part of Bropcan huaniss au seiormers foram earlier and
butter dine, Antiqae or Farly Christan, aad an accompany cot
ternpt Jor shat separa thers Exon that lost age: The ecscaal ds
ihe, ut i came fies, eyactenting off 35 "mnie all ue gears
that divided hunsanise- and reformers froma presumed better ime,
‘shat cuiled those: Middle Ages was nor some csential soczenal
haraceristle—though several wore soon ascribed 10 it -but
fader the percepsion that ney hac invervened ur dis upted. Ane
fet ceversal of ie interplay of nostalgia unl comeunpr cae Tater,
‘specially followings the French Revoliem, and i nspred anorber
enerarion f© repudiate teaecr, indhwicialzavion, democracy, oc
Secularization in ordas lo sook again all that had been Ins, a> an
image of what lad heen lust Foc these people dhe temporal divier
‘nas cxplicilly assumed ro hare encrvsypased an age possessing the-
Frarie unity—a time AP, sweial mde, couesy. closeness ten
iii, simpler ‘asman relrions—bile they desi 1 ein,
spirit or fa deed,

‘he spatial lvoe wes largely finescot. for while the nate
formers moked hack mainly Romac, fons, anal erwsalets (als
al Lines, ay the Africa Augusune, thew presuppawed 25 t
Theat of their ences the Tans in which thy lived. Te spat
aundarses represcivted asl living. cuca eealy, a produce Un
ft af those Mikile es, fou that cafoaral anic dey bud my par
ticular and tow general umes, They increusiygle subsinuted. th
‘clissetzing "Rarone” far ine widespread but— 10 the good Tati
iat embarresiny "edmistéanieas” Chriseadoms, 2 complet ren
common in meadieval sonsces ood commons sal an the alneterarh
‘enniry, rere essensal ro te: peeples, cultures, aod lanes of
fade Chrisianity, eflecuvely overlooking ur cepucdating the Few
Within andl de Muslnas ov nna-Chriains beyond is horders Ube

"Rurapa’” of ancient dex! moval ctuggaphy took af is hound:
vies the Meslexcancan atl the: ivers of Russia Bae caographens
408 fobn Ware Brsges
and humanists cnekonst shar gevraphical space wally wih de
foul tarce of “cbr,” and Sauerly wits ovenues vf sc
fevvitic technology Ur sige Iullling oF pulideal expansiun the
"sw much wager tere found occaskimally 4a ancient sources,
Inceitaly ton es mewbing frum an esplict or implied contrast,
svi the “Tse” Oder terins, “yutbic™ wn parucula, occasionally
cansformed a vllural seat bo a spatial reality a 40 “dhe goule
ori
tn zucent yeas te diciders Inve mcrensingly hoon dssaved,
dare Amsiquily (250-240) has aequired an epachal lie: otis cm,
neither medieval. née antique but sith feanures reminiscent of what
came before and shat came alter, Rousiasance and Reformation
Tae ees drat bck into the Mlle Ages. oF the tare Mlle Ages
Torwatd inv the early mtodera, Students of he lon sews cue ine
terpused new diedees (1004200 R00) andl x rew ram (Old Fu
rope), aqquing thar scial and economic relations i puruicular
elaine medicval fesmures inva che cineteenth centr: Students of
case beh high act Tomy, hove pretred to enuphusize cose
‘eus appeoprlatlons aad eeappropriations, with pemsistiog saterns
fr praispasiians rather than she: sharp bees vues wens
Tike "rraissinee,” “reformation” or Penlighteneuent.” All tis
jrfion hr great ater eo toieval peuples ovat S60 of
ing on the ewsp basse the “wicieal” dnd dhe "modern" mea
ing. their oom og), protected by the authority of “raceon” and
‘carried forsard by te fosce of “innowatlon” or "estore
here & Uiew eo uewust oF solteeicent term For thi thou
sandisear segment of Europcan history ancl calrure, forthe ubjact
Of tie medieralst’s dscipline, since cach term eames Yuden itt
aneaatag Imphcw in the dividers or imposea by euhural ayprope
faions includeg ope oven. Abelard, e96, repudiated ees
tniversals,hongh he held thatthe matter (Fx) wus prt 2 co
eplof I Gineleetusi expressed by the voice to sons (08). For
the modeen scholar, dificakes persist ar using agp werd whee
ast enimal asertones may be perceived, for het, a9 exclude
Islam or the Jewish: peoples froma meieva stuiies ur iniéeed the
astern Chrivian peoples aod culleres, Yet angus letens aac.
from investigaing peoples and cullutes, a grave fempladon at
timas, wll nt resolve the difficulty, dea. again tllowring AbeirC
both the yorts und the concepts presuppose social paras ané

1 Afermord on Medicval Sradies a0

cultura nies necessary to render indlvidal teas ftom the
Sdigval pet ioteligible, paterns nbxch, thou widely vareing, re

train dicinguishable rm these of anvicuity and modern Fustpe:

‘Tho "Middle Ages” sce in che phe and waliont sng Hhennaue
atbutions, aay prove, however arcfcial in oti, the raust capt

Slows eer fg the abject uf oue stad But is that not simply ee
fh to oe star?

‘The point sn stealing an allenceanpassiag defen is 60 ©
posits eeaningkss xeneral corm hut an object of study fat ef ma
fens poteaally products at meauing One volume ented Me
eres! Sudios han divided ts Saajec-emate inno Y87 bibbogespliral
subtiells, cach in deel copacious Ceanan Yaw” or “sacal his
tory). The rae ewauinalisr would be required to lit exci ofthe
punsibve tems fie inclusion; here a ductarical yeture rust sufi:
Sediews! Stadies must equip scholars to raelt and waite abou Te
‘oul Dante, aoxl Char but also about welings not £0299)
2 hucrare se. text. hous Claistendem but alsa abet a Middle
‘ges ot lined 1 Latin Christians; about lings and Unt and peas
fais bur alas about 4 range of events and social eclations sith n>
itecr cnoneuuons tothe tamlccn state or paiaments; about
‘suselm zea Aagutnas and CckBiag but ap abut thinkers Wet we
enunted aneipatory of raudern thovoghts; about Simca Thoo oF the
Mystical Lamb bur aso about irromerable obyerts nog idolized tn
emonlern rauscu or ecuceum lke sings. The objet. of Medi
Studies ie then a8 fange anda phurabaie as the writin alae
of the Middle Ages tieiascizes—and 99 conceived i allo. ever
fencoutaps, meatievalists 9 liseapL I 1 combine patteras thar rsp
chewhere have Igudened ino disciphnes or de autnieuts

“This mary sound #99 plaliuiinons or selCevidene, uses se
ing model apply # to cases they lnc. Since about 1290 Tu
opens and disc cultial hei have knowin about and hae wiser
atone meanings 1, the Ahetard and Heloise of de leer, bare
all ihe fist ener txt mn nausea “cutsslacocy Hamer] 10 3
friend" agetber seh Heloise’s “deprecaury” Leoly beth hewn
fal cages) and the double cxchange dat followed. Medieval
Sailics must conrimuy a make ample room an its waching and
seauty for dese fre six laters. Ba dere 6a well the complied
leer ufsjmaual auidanee, a viral cele for none, which has gained
more careful acento in the cba of the last generation tal

i

=

Set

Sea

aD
0 Jim Nan Bryer

‘yas fhe rans es mesa French, thou ew eluded i
Montrin's idehy used scandal eaiion” 3 19599, bere is Melos
the ahh, said we her deus wo be "outstandiage i lees and cele
lon" (prima adtarioe dacramenats et religioree carisiina)! and
ogqal rs her Peter in sensi, grat auton, sand agellecul ll
andl withou equa it ler kevisledye of Sexipuure” (a suo Bera
er sensu, mor dus. rie, Soripnaras omiseswocerat absgia pare),
‘howe wurk establisiey tue uatmlons, paayer-life. ond properies
of the Furuckete ea be papdatly reconstructed fom levers, rules
and cermlies That prayer ie elicued (rem Abelard 129 silage
brigioal lyzniy for the Baracleto, soveesl of thems waaslared to
Creel hy the hue aieteenth century These ws Abelard cho emp

sician, of whee at least one melody has surelced Inc, Uheee 1
‘Sbelaeé the hanulist, 10 Heloise, natahlg, Abelard explained 1 hes
refaory letler that he S25 noc an race and that she weld tne
ike shetenteal ele plain Thor is a8 abla Temer presappse,
ieloize ae master st Faria loners, who coll cite ancient frit
to express medcra cinarinn ‘Thert reranins throughou Abelard
the arrogane master whose: presuraeal sctlepcxen has guerre
oR histories! reconstruetions nl the early waversisy "Adve sae
tiwe there is ahelard the Benedictine rank, wba exigeated Ube
soltrightroasness cf the cations eqular wid Ue White Munk i

coed contemporary rconle: to ancieut philosuphers, aul used at
Chung There is Abelard ibe scriptural exrgete, provoked (0 sone
of his ua iteguliy inex preauions oot by stents in Laon ad
Pass Ulmous scenes Ib Ce cortespondece) but by "problems
poted by Helos.” Heloise, rhe statent of rege, seam ha

‘compiled the forge eo “problems” ard “solurlons in ehese extant
nem. complete with ¢ ehctorically snphisesned profiwry Tener de

lating tt she andthe sires were tollewing his exhoraions io
tempting c understand Scripture. Twas fr them, 100, that he i

terprered che opening Gases, pouwiling io effet refleciens
feosmograntig?” Thera Able Bie Cristian eho seltatr ciety
ralsed in “sollceuy” ara in a “enoversaive” Ure question of Lis
Fath stance clangside that ul ow aid a" philsopler’ rabies

iroqlian natural plilosoghy" Were is Abefard dhe eldest sty
swrote he fit meeval Lat Joule eles a8 such, choc for
Ds sik she Sure "ney waned” oui sepsis), MEAL UO
the itricacies of lewe: hut—among olter dhiags— the nate of

An attermord on Medial Srudies an

penne, an sue aised ith eespedt oF Helse bis poont
heer son avtrolabe, tere -s Abelird Cie biker whose anvestgae
tions int Ue uatuce ef woes and this were. Je now sccm, the
product of lus Cot eriginal refection. aot of neces ro rane Ais
foretiun souroes “here 8 Ahelaed the theologian, Hhose artempes to
fethink the cesta engenry of ee Clits faith, m construe the
“Trinity nv terans f concep en froas gesh philosophical zeadiay
(Ghe Holy Split tikurest te Phas would soot, ane ston}, ewe
dage Une v2 and eoaclemnation: oF Whose why hid never beard
Conceive such thoughts aa fll eommpellor ta prover de revetced:
language 2? Ane there is due huewat comple: who seule nearly al
thei extant works a castrated aster and mork, as willing student
that less ehan willing nun, Te Forms of addressee oer leters
ietciguiogly mirrored he couurasting personae oF the coxresputs
hence, se acres hi as "efaved wo muawy but uwat beloced
Come” (aitecae mulls sed dilectésemee neds} and he ber as “dea in
the work! but unt dear in Chrise! surr uisossa, #9 arcu
(qhcrdane cara, ete in Chrézo eariséma):® All Ghose ciering
innages of Ahelard and Heloise, all dre sources aod deciplines re
sypirest to rettnsa ut abern—rhar is the Middle Ages cncistoncad be
Mo teal Studies

TNe-siogde dgciplane in the reader untversy woul aca
snodate all Ut 35 ecquired ty approach shel hse a8
Terterwiuets, mach loot 2s poet, philosophers, leuryits, and el
icin, aod therein reruins Lie Founktorsal sification for pens:
ing Meckoval studies, whetber 45 9 degreegramiye progean 3
cuticle arranygerret, a gathering of like-minded people, oF 3
personal scinkrly teal us sich orig irae dye only fa
pact upon the rage af sources, a onr means of access t0 them.
Tnctorsecvene mediveasts hare ended 3 eanpbastae (and ta wach
this casey vill retara) Toy depend as well upon our purpases
some conscious, some arising unconscious [eu cola or social
givens is exsertal, but nar enough, w say al we tenet un
eesanid Abelard ane Heloise in ie Culuess ef their ow world
Fr cnlloguily pr, war Find bas aac to dg wh shar, ara
especialy why, we are secking. Devnke aoged tellingty ear opie
inns aboot Ue auchcaricy cf the lewees nested importands upun
“Sthether schuas lnagined such a love afi toch a uembled, even,
umneprentaut Helos, a8 prosible in dhe Middle Ages—er radier

ran
ae Tobm Van Brgen
sms: all a8 some ehorarictan's naughty exer
bate levies crane fnesey

All scholarship, we: hase: been told repeatedly inthe: as years,
i driven as mach by the “wy asthe “what” questions she is
Dining tntene ws mur the Wiciplinary coment. Here aK, Abe
Inia and Hecoise offer sich loscation. A century aug scholars
singht and found in Heloise the cleanin of ree Tove” in
Atelare the charpi of "ree sinking” ahalecentury agen Chem
both "Clistim bumsexiat” of ir tbele urdered levers roulul
movernent from physica love ty spiritual wire” la ut owt yet
tration be Goll as seen io Abelard "Ube fit prufesson" Dro i
elise "wixnae water", Look iu lier eller an ely Useologry
cf ove aid onasiage, Nichols i Heine dhe Gast weet 19 atu
tla an anuicopetogy thac edited sensual percepuon by wa of
ie body and 38 ot

Tay well be that io those arcas of the academic enrerprise
whieh we Americons eal) “oreckes! The “ety” qnosuans play an
‘ven ftger vols la ging shape to eae “what hare ro sehjocr
ater Is by deflniteon caparious ane amorphous, wh na long era
ddan of sc roms aF ser questa see paths of pedagogy she par-
poses shat srimnate stucly will nesishly serve even more 10
sereenure the marrals and mates studice. 1p our day accord
‘questions animated by minis concern, be ffir i dea? ety
‘ith Judaism and Isa, by svqpalsies wid tke people” by cur
ing about sunChriviae religious practices, by Lsvioatioet wilt
Trerevenreutic sues vs linguistic iueraetions have den as auch as
nest sources or new disciplinary approaches To enkeige ovr SeHsC
of te “what” of the Mille gos

"The declwvos goal of Mevlicwl Seles was aig ongins 0 par
sue a dishuerceted or “seinntite” approach m Rnrepe's rmodiceal
past Soch declaraions were fand arc) sincerely male and 19 a de
Be GUY prctioed. Some smutenss of aesscholas: philosophy
and theology hold, for istance, thatthe ndoing OF shear “mech
focms came in parr Frm the carefal hirieal lying Bace of thee
sctclasie heginnings, even a the piles ara ae eres eho
Drepared cltions opened the wy For wholly opposing apprcaches
cee sacs. Metin the snake meet shila vere ave ls
puled zener pu: poses, sefully lisdnguishe as persons, ic
al weenie

Ap Afterword on Medhoval Stuclies a

Personal porpases 0 25 varleus af ke ane, Wo eMNMUL ESL

suede as imerprorers, though we muy sre for conan veflec:
fiver ironic civeraee, Okan scmives dr net discower or IMEE STE
themichin. Some scholars eerckone: hare ran np a mote cones
sonal mode, saying upfront whar they are secking and why: Saty
eres ago Gurl Hocker coined the slogan “every man his awe kas
torian’” ard we meght similarly cnesurage everyane te: BeceMe
their ewe rnievals, efecto sortruct tear oven Meldhe ARES
Lut for af the reuliy of these lersonal purposes, an their etre
‘pues var necinnieuctions, our Lsaeing, writing, and infelostaal
scuaige ass presuppuse coramon migecidh, commen langage,
oman ysestoass even commnn conclusions, For the perwonal
Questions often muenge, Wy greater ur lewer skegrees, inva pic
yoestivs: audiences reyaire aud expect that dey will For a gen
craton or 660 medievaliss. together with dhe studerns and rea
res were anrerestea,pevhaps dlspraporuneately in the sell ait,
pastienlarty ag rhinkieg or qwesting spirn, aos arcxecstuy 4a the
selfs hod especially engondarest bods for many ses ia Wie sell
28 bowed 2p in political aad social collostvaies, nate wiereactaply
ie rhe sel rateyial age ne many yeas Inthe scl a gi
foression in sgurce cr tages ec Lnger percefeed realues, BOM
ore tw the self as verbal sigetier oF iage-raker ceeaeg, Fell
lies for many yours eo the elt as asonbaad inks a campechensre
talline, wr more the sel. maiipating in competing or er
Inpping cultures.

This way of pallicg i takey he orientation ofthe sel, inc
vidual of colleceve, as ibe poiat of degaatane. as Heap che fram
mg interprewre steuctares wwe being 10 bear upon our medieval
arena’ Anaiher approach presupposes a public meuieval culture
‘with which incivial medievabs secome engages. Ln die ecalm
oF polities, postions wore argued by sey of medieval precedetly,
achuged god. or had, wel! Into rhe nigewents century, jst the
French Revolarion = regmdiation ot “tendaisas” aad dhe Eula Re
form ills revision cf covery privileges, wl the search fot, 6,
representatives goveenmene nr conscinitional proeederts O¢ ait
ert legal stato: inthe Mise Ages eontinaing into our day. he
zeal of religion, dbx: nto che: 3960s members et the Catholic
ciareh, and mow outside i, sav in her Tat llmrgy, Gregori,
Guang deveional zt, religicus orders io their varie. sable, coven,
an Jobst Mart Engen
lx, Thomistic thenknys, Arisioteliaa pllosuph, aad devetional
preter Hsiey exteusiun uf ae anodieva act Jn she sean oc
hee, puny early Ieentiedcenuiry edkcators sm ie the mon
memes of ne Eunapean past dve faundacions of «high cae thoy
‘vere concerned 4 p58 on, whether in the Rell ne national terse
furs or plilopbieat ceflectoa, oc artiste monumens, ne unieer-
sities, or werlieval Late Ikeraiize, the avowed purpese far the
aunaing uf Cie Medieval Azafemay at America To engage ia mei-
val studies was one ay of understending, parviiparing a, even
inPluencing, that pubbe calrore

in Non America, haseeeer, Proxstane, snlighuered, and ce
‘dauionary fenders seed seciens doubt early ost abou: dhe “cule
tore” vo be Foune isi mocieval Rurope. A century ay Henry Adanas
and ilies) rethoughe those deubes and embraced awe visious uf
medieval culurg; Rts of Puropean funayanis—wouitally. LO)
‘he vaniage poy of Acnnss lass strengthened the sense of con
neclon, snd in 1949 Curtius believed he save ig Aunet\can mecicoa
las a conssknis effort reqppropriaee at cute. Thee in 195
yan White in rarn rushouglt Leury Adams acct rewrote mediceal
cians 0 approvimate American dyaaensm.2 But, Fa al the
poles to lista or uo rexyynualte. i remains eve thac Amer -
‘ans cll meatal culture hes oaly ae several removess: remeeed
Im time, us i uly for extern Rurcpeans: removes spate.
present 4» os only ln Bonkes or museums; tll faer exmuved, Ir
‘our fatal of evlioenl oes are noe European, vent souericans
‘vith Linilialo¢ cultural rants in Europe sprang Meenelves mostly
fran aming geasants, the unfree ar dispusseased, suse Telling lit
de personal ake in the: wld Curopeat vader‘ stag af tha eo
froval wis rei rskesl why ee had let my grander, landless Uo
the Tuten vilhige of Ketmpernieusestad, his only ambition and de
sre to mere the land, eeplied br usqaely that he had no Fan: a be
lef, newe 1 is naive land aed, Bac what sch Rurnpean in
rmlgianes earvied co America as uo ess veal: fanguage 2
social chaviors unl executions eultucal commitments,
Telit. The hein. Wiese immigrarts we newer been ale cl
fide whather dey should spitefully keep their diseanen:, swoieling
thar okl corrupdan, of sete (0 Furope with pentop intensity, c=
laine or making space for al shar wine onc: denied chem, The
study oF the European Micklle Agcs remains for Americans coe

ar Aferwurd unt Meu Studies a

‘uning dialecue benween connection and distuneaon, he Lug of
‘tal and cultral emuces ull afluearia among ws inde slicer
cof seavethung Locally and yer aeccepubty other

The sense of distance has le advantages. Call tthe ousider’s
cx tbe pessan's pesspectlve We can zalse ay question, pase sae
subject mater, wthour ecgaat for parry ot clighous alinuon, fu
regional or daca loyalties, Ror 4201 nereOEKs Ct MEH pa
range Foe some Amerie, it rns, he Fropear Midas Ages
have Rmtionest most as hes Hapry Sales, the tory hor apr
ably) other Others have exercised benign naglecr cv sharp cel
fiqne or focused pan rhar whieh Fel! carside the Ole Once the
posants. the marginalized, the Jews, che disiderts, the Heratics—
evident, for instar, inthe work uf Heney Clharles Lea Rar the
sue: for nur eneraiont—gven anygng ermcyraplie parerns,
‘eecper einbeasing of daly Americas sveid wd culeural pat
terms, and acess Wy a eariety of cukures apouie he wld
vwheder mediewat Europe bas cull ube compelfiog yuality 7 con
eaedness, of suncliiag worl studsiox aad quareeling abou,
‘beter indeed thas ay notesoets (unetion tn pub. allan.
is metely one possible “crn,” one possibte Npure ofthe diseandy
‘alhec” among mane from stuch Americans conldchoose Lesoalr
ing, medievslrs c30 ally gunman up aiumerans arguments oa,
the negative sade. Wtf is worth nstng al he work that res wot
fa conicion of something worth revalling or eepecscnting der
cently: Feminist schlars tracing hace into the Middle ages the: dens
nus ficeal hy omen wo eheit sia Toles and selfarxlerstancing,
stuufenes nf Tesi istry racing back ine Clie the: so
and tufuural position uf dat peuple, scbulars of sexuality tracing
buck igo dee Biddle Ages mtceal expectations and surprise jx
silts; saddens of philosopky acing loyical and metaphyseal
Gouedations bac iolo s ceweiven hitury of medieval phish
sid sud caine

‘Whoever inedievalisis may undesstand to be tbeit yersorsal
and public purpcoes and however those muy fluence their sense
‘of what the Middle Ages encompass. helt work ws eaevied Out i the
‘world of the aendany. Their resreseotatios af the Middle Azes
must imerseet and shape those of students, 85 lare wentie
‘ceutuzy Ametians, scons 199 af0 aleroatcle fascinated sue pa
‘off y the Baropcan Middle Ages. The reasoas are call stated pev-
6. Jobn Van Byers

ple reared iv mass demeceacies have inde taste oF understanding
for exunarchical o¢ iordly Instron: a maweralisic aug Gus Dee
prevecupations of religions age harly inetlgibhe: an “upeated™
Church nds xs oectioval pase mosdy erabacratsing; populae col-
fue finds te aritices of noble cours or the elit cukure of Lan
lerics incomprehensible. Or saudenis ray be dra precse 10
Dea Lith was conilguced 9 decently, and by ober equally plo
rile ausaioas, including 4 sours w ualerszad Cie sources of
Tbew own ewer and ies dure the worlds "Euvopeanizatien,
dn ether caee the nacher i left with a dealletge. 0 eendler move:
ineligible whar secs az Gist a wholly ether orld poplar hy
Sdially other peuple, or en render are complex wha fas een tor
sonuoitably and superficially appropriate, But tis is only ta sta:
for Mechel Snusien te tasks pecan 10 good pockaore

“Ts enor appriqcie quesdons may be Thos: PM hy CE
selves as professionals have ®e eRaggerateL oor Gwe scruples
about what we are ding as movticealiss andl oy, und in effect
fried them upon our aucences? Pent clngers soc a er ex
treme, I the frmuative sage in the mek of Rurapean culture upd
sexe is stele only as tee distor past, and for is wn sale, De
Terry has ap posses of csciplininy, Hale or ce ormuaive 1uexn
sng fr the peesenn day stvient or reer Wut Ee European pase
fs rendered only thrangh the traming lenof present questions.
kbp i largely an ackdiemal tool ur weapon in contemporary
cullaal 0+ sorial digues, de Heariiye foves arveh on mace of es
fsciglinary erocent, necoming Uuerels itoaiealy, cqxal dispens-
able or wrclewer. To joni aur etesprise ia the world of higher
Peron, ce aymroach 0 the éaldale Ages misc proce i ere
Sion, must make ds way ducal 9 kend of magreized tefl,
pith ches past “hv ils we ight" 96 one imaginary poke and dhe
Present in ics one ight a8 the ouhes

Ax pression mehovalists ast acer not only quessinos
of canting and parse but also qpestions of wechnique (the
haw"). of the expertise appropri to their inuBeviual labors
This ei will conchide OF sing something abu Hye ananks
fiona it seetDs to Ane profesional medieits, Una Oot all
necessarily in the sane scholac

There is, Fist, cxperriss inthe enareials remains 16 ue Cron
inetieval eutanes and socictes. Virusally all thse nuterals weec

An aformord cn Medieval stuuies a7

hhund-made, from the codices coptaining writen wks (meant:
scripts tn the visoal mages. fom the bullies eo the fared
fells, Medievakis, criented eaety on teward pkey, here virnt
ally runsformed their subject hy teousg ever greater aterrion on
the material rranamitters af mediccal eullural sand social life: ee
mupuscrpts themselves ir eoionlogs ter sev in paleyraphy,
documents iv diplomaties, material remalns to agcasley. ea in
sphragulogy esi in numismatics, images in catalan kon
‘cpraphie indices, and so on through an esoc lange lit. Out oF this
12s 6 the auinds of same. nofinns of the medievalist x8 high=
powered! tecaieian, x person whose ela wo seni nests une an
quired exvertse ie handling materials as cane Wo anid pete
5 qusatutn plas,

Medieval forego acquiring such sil ar thelr pent at the
risk inded af ging any foumdatinn for their inverpretve ended
‘ons This is not ca socifce the intellewt techni, oF mearng 1
method. For meet medleaiss it reravins clear thir ehe: maerils,
Inowziver finan In hema, area the end, neither fot oun
students nor for eve rcadess hat Use Cudation ben ohe busking.
Justa impor, caret aention 20 medieval ani ones
de acr oF ererpretarion more cca, aot less takes i pally
plain that ordered phovigraphs ar prince elias ena cacticalle
fixeshorcen comtestual realities ant possiblities. "This hokla true
fox megor aud of-edieed nerary monuments lke Boose oe the
Ganierbnay Yates ait des for the ners een by chesicen, dhe
Tits kept by stewards and rerchunts, che imayes Gaheicated (ae
murches, dhe |perteies ween for cals walls. Behl ly pecalue
fins eo far abseacted fan Ue muteral cealties have regulity
create "ames "oc “ubits” OF "Faoxuayes” or “eulueal yoren0U
cor “social gremps" that never existed uy uch, Othe ctor hand, 0
viele emtively te tbe paniculag, us make ax mare edtons as there
lane mamsrript, OF (0 MaKe No euius! at all—ste; weapon a
uur age—is na ess on act of interpretation, allt x desparing,
cone." Renevving merlicval ey'eres and sacetis aor comple
sTyou preter “proflematizing’ ats Wrerary works oe ania cong
satiems—has arisen in shor. 45 mucts Hoe ec caret amenrlon,
(0 the exuerals as from ‘ancr-ay qucsions

Expertise in mestiewal materials must compuine ure wm 4
pious sectinent, 4 rhetorcal flourish, quick glace al a mane

ALS

TENE!

Sa

g
a8 Jobin Stan: Enger:

serine image. or chastor"in che origina” betorc publishing. Teenant
Tehota of practice: acing our the’ scripts of mare dhan one manu-
setp, readlng visually she extra ines cf eure ame Foal
lmage,eeconsr cing mor: ham one: mauscrip rom lonse quires
fof lems co brn des, cbuxning among several varanls W ce
uct ates. Only at har point does the medieval cumie Bice 10
Tage withthe aasnre: ofthe medieval ruaeci iu whl. he Or she
clams eaporcise. This requires that medievalise sre oppUrtUDIles
te learn. emeniling to die ecuivlent of apprenieslins hs chase
oor or less marmal seirap. Wi rurabs $50 Ue the professton mst
fontiae 49 muke space for daie whose Mes work consist. 0
developing, txching, or applying suet skills. Most medievalits
fa atain, with offre and pracive, al least ation level cf sil:
those whe achieve, or are glad with, euly genial expcrlse 1o-ain
fom. Monerwer, fess utecvalists will aval wavklple sch compe-
termaes—a reality brow: bee parnfully when 4 etd or triened
ass ahout sean obec fa a mingebm ae book ad we kaos an
tmuch a Die curators ex editors have explained my ws

‘A the tisk uf overstaling the point, and mak.ng rhs easy tcc
Jog the yenenal ham an be ested again on Abela and Heloise
Sor all Ue wension paid to their fener und love Lie, seins re
sear un the mannsetiptgransrmssion har heen unelertaken «nl
fa the Laer goneratin. Ir vos remy yeu ig 1972, that JOht,
Beason "iss asked pointlly wi, # dey were aulbentic, Abelsed
age. Helin’ loners fad cemuined tmdden Lor 160 yeas 1tew
TEN-12917 Where had Use Schein pieces gone ince Survie
And oho made of diem ae uedcred coveospomstonce?” Ts not He:
lovee, in ie Bunuclete, the aigst likely keeper and toe gost Hesle
‘eaioral batal—quite lhe oppeeite of arguments generation 2
feun pried teat that Abelaré had composed hers, av even Flee
tons doin Une correspondences a celia’ neasy? But str
Purpose, private ot public, eroulel he zeae in thes rhetorical ex
nye! Wea signs of odiong-—ot her edicing—rernain? Shwwklic
be emueused o> hes edlting o€ cao Fort questinns ane answer.
fy seriptural inexpecrcieny'? oF which we face sal: 3 eckical
edition?

"The questions are no less basic lxoul Abelard’: produetion,
Lis plilceaphical and drentogisal wor's have survives ost at
‘ane to Four manuscripes: Wy? Da they reprevene the fagerents of

An Afterword on Medics Smulies aus

a restless machen wo never properly wrote ont his teaching?
Scraps cupied va eur I studerus ir diferent tres and places?
The inevitable alternath of heresy ebarges? Or the lack of 4 reli
lous order interested enough to preser ye and wansmit his works?
The works of Hernard of Cairvaun and Ukigh uf St Vier ere
ume down to us in the bunudreds uf wamuscriss Should we con
elucle dia Abetae influence aud personage ute been wholly 2
aygerated by moun imerpieers reading only priuied editions
fad his own acrogant accoube?™ 1s le snticadt thal Abelard

‘apology fhe public ence oF bas Fah has come dusso en the
snost eaples (HI. wh his poem to bes son Astzolabe, las dalle
fang ceposiory of ic ef Nop: authorities, and one version ef his the
‘ogy all seed far soeaad (12 cart) Does this wansmissien te us
our abla his nes and his irtIgonce. or about ise avensnes of
rransmission, ake an aspect of mediceal cure? Caetano
Inve materials in shor, offers nc way ne el cereal ra end
fnelt e necessarily forms the hiss, hesrever or hae OTS
seuutims medesstisa may chexse ithe Future to makes of oar
und Heloise.

‘The sect enark cf mestivalint i amentiveress 99 hanguage
Incr fru earlier philclowically oriemed sana, chat een
sustained by necessity, Whatever enadievalsts wei to sey. ches
‘ust deat with materials wen ia languages tha ae wot ewer,
‘whether medieval Latin, Greek, Nebiew, ambic, or Uke wteieval
veroaculats ‘This 4 nor peculiar wo the leary scholar the ecu:
rome historian doaling 13 Financial soco#ds, the aKt seca
avsging patronage. rhe eunsicologist reac. Ives, she plus
her ineerprecing thong in ks original formolaion al enust deat
‘wish mcidioval lingrayes simply nace their werk Ad since Ded
eval socitios und culrares were ar once international and hs
modern stadies appear in all the Riropean langages

This, too, has regained degree! of specialization thar may
make the mevlievalistIbok more lize a technician than a Scania Alt
the Fearne h-aine claionaries ane @essardes earn inchs
Detsable schuzip, which may appear to be manne: crabling than

verpretive nid unlit, American institetions i pantenlar mag
Aruygle Ur fully excensive enterprives which hast: 3 apparcne
beara yp Cie national tunzuaye. The Mediewal Academy of
seer evry was unde arecisely to protec learning in che