RI Medieval Circle Lecture • Jakub Kozák and Lucie Doležalová (Charles University, Prague), “‘Pour me some beer’ Towards a Typology of Medieval Colophons and Scribal Additions”

Sponsor:

Medieval Studies

Location:

Jakub Kozák and Lucie Doležalová of Charles University, Prague present, “‘Pour me some beer’ Towards a Typology of Medieval Colophons and Scribal Additions”

The space at the end of medieval manuscripts has only been explored partially: emphasis has been placed on colophons, which often help to date the manuscripts. Yet, this liminal space is occupied by a great variety of other texts including playful verses, riddles or nonsensical jokes, frequently in more than one language. Scribes often complain about being exhausted, asking for drinks, food, women, or some other reward. Scholars have mostly presented these texts as concrete curiosities and frequently interpreted them as reflecting the scribes’ genuine emotions.

Nevertheless, research shows that most of these phrases that first seem unique are, in fact, variants of established formulas. This lecture presents our collaborative project, in which we approach this vast (and mostly completely overlooked) material systematically, design a database of scribal additions (so far the largest of its kind), and create a new typology. We are surveying the tendencies, patterns and changing fashion of the formulas, pointing to their importance not only for understanding medieval manuscript culture but also for a better grasp of medieval language experiments, humor and everyday life.

To be followed by a reception.

More information: https://events.brown.edu/medieval/event/291153-ri-medieval-circle-lectu…