Holographs and their Copies: the Writing and the Transmission of Historical Writing in the Twelfth Century, the Case of Leiden, University Library, MS BPL 20
This paper examines the practice of chronicle writing in the twelfth century, challenging the notion of the holographic manuscript. It challenges the established notion of holographs by exploring how these manuscripts, although ostensibly collections of factual historical information, were influence...
Guardado en:
| Publicado en: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/variants, |
|---|---|
| Autor principal: | |
| Formato: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Lenguaje: | Anglais |
| Publicado: |
Variants
2024
|
| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Sumario: | This paper examines the practice of chronicle writing in the twelfth century, challenging the notion of the holographic manuscript. It challenges the established notion of holographs by exploring how these manuscripts, although ostensibly collections of factual historical information, were influenced by multi-layered institutional and political agendas. This phenomenon was particularly prominent in the Anglo-Norman territories, where chronicles were instrumental in appropriating history and forging identities. Through the case study of Leiden, University Library, MS BPL 20 — an alleged authorial copy of Robert of Torigni’s Gesta Normannorum Ducum — the article explores whether holograph manuscripts held more authority than their copies. By analyzing the manuscript’s codicological details, provenance, and the collaborative efforts in its production, this article highlights the intricate relationship between historical writing, authorial authority, and the evolving nature of medieval historiography. The findings raise pertinent questions about the status and authenticity of holographs and their role in the transmission of historical narratives. |
|---|