Publications
Language, Formulae, and Carolingian Reforms: The Case of the Alemannic Charters from St Gall
Carolingian reforms significantly impacted literacy and script development in early medieval Alemannia, as evidenced by the linguistic analysis of over 800 Alemannic charters from St Gall. The study reveals that while 'Merovingian' Latin features in these documents often stemmed from common formulae rather than vernacular influence, certain charters showed clear signs of vernacular interference, particularly early Romance or Germanic idioms. This suggests a nuanced relationship between written Latin and spoken languages during this period. The research also highlights the scarcity of actual vernacular words in the charters, providing insights into the spread of literacy and script evolution. By distinguishing between monastic and non-monastic scribes, the study offers a detailed picture of institutional versus local literacy practices.
The Abbey of St. Gall
The Abbey of St. Gall, founded in the seventh century on Lake Constance's shores, stands as a pivotal cultural institution during the Carolingian period (9th–10th centuries). Its library housed remarkable manuscripts, including fourth- or fifth-century texts and Irish books, alongside significant Middle High German works. The monastery's scholarly contributions, such as its music school and notable writers like Notker and Ekkehard, highlight its role in preserving and advancing knowledge during this era. However, the dispersal of St. Gall's books over time poses challenges to reconstructing its full intellectual legacy.
A Fragment of Colossians with Hiberno-Latin Glosses in St. Gall, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 1395
A fragment of the Epistle of Colossians, housed in St. Gall's Stiftsbibliothek (Cod. Sang. 1395), reveals significant insights into ninth-century Hiberno-Latin biblical exegesis and scribal practices. The manuscript, written in Irish minuscule, contains marginal glosses that trace back to Pelagius' Expositiones xiii epistularum Pauli, offering a rare glimpse into the transmission of this work. Some glosses remain unidentified, suggesting potential originality to the fragment. Paleographic analysis further supports the fragment's early provenance at the Abbey of St. Gall, providing evidence for shifts in exegetical and scribal practices during this period.
Communication at the Abbey of St. Gall
Monastic culture at the Abbey of St. Gall, traditionally viewed as highly literate, relied on a diverse and sophisticated range of communicative practices that went beyond written media. This volume challenges the perception that oral communication was secondary to literacy in medieval monastic settings, demonstrating instead that monks and nuns frequently used spoken word as a vital complement to other forms of communication for exchanging information. The research compiles five thematic chapters that explore the contexts in which oral communication played a crucial role, revealing its complexity and significance in monastic practices during the central Middle Ages.
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