An edition (with commentary, a full glossary and an introduction on the language and the literary interest of the text) of the middle English version of Aelred of Rievaulx’s de Institutiona Inclusarum in the Vernon MS

Abstract

This edition of the Middle English translation of St. Aelred of Rievaulx's de Institutione Inclusarum contained in MS. Vernon comprises: (a) An introduction, which deals with: i) The manuscript; this section contains a description in general terms of MS. Vernon and in greater detail of the preliminary quire, and discusses the reasons for this text's "being chosen as a "preface" to the MS and some speculations as to the place of origin of the MS. ii) The general background to the life and works of Aelred of Rievaulx, and in particular the writing and later currency of the de Institutione Inclusarum. iii) The doctrinal and philosophical content of the text, including a description of the structure of the treatise, a brief survey of its content and treatment, and an examination of some points of similarity between Aeired's work and the Ancrene Riwle. iv) Some speculations as to the identity of the translator, and a discussion of the technical merits and demerits of his work, and of his style. v) An investigation of the language of the text, dealing in turn with phonology, accidence and vocabulary, which tends to indicate that the translation may have existed in South 'Eastern, East Midland and Northern versions before being written down in the form in which we have it, with a West Midland overlay. vi) The editorial procedure adopted in the preparation of the text. (b) The text, which is accompanied by C. H. Talbot's authoritative edition of Aeired's Latin. (c) A commentary, in which Biblical references are explained, various phonological, grammatical and lexical points of interest are discussed, account is given of textual emendations, and various matters arising out of the content of the treatise are commented' on in more detail than in the Introduction. (d) An appendix, which lists those instances in which C. Horstmann's 1884" edition of the text is at variance with the MS.(e) A glossary (together with a list of proper names), which, while not being an Index Verborum, does attempt to list and explain all the forms and senses of all the words occurring in the text.