of
in
Compiled by J. Frank Henderson
June 1999
This bibliography was prepared to accompany studies that I and other scholars are carrying out on feminine versions of the Rule of Benedict from the medieval and early modern periods. These texts use feminine and gender neutral grammatical forms instead of or in addition to masculine forms. Collectively, we are studying such versions in Latin, English, German and French. I have tried to include a rather complete listing of manuscripts, early printed books, editions, bibliographies and scholarly studies having to do with these feminine version, though purely linguistic studies are not included.
Latin
Riojana Version
Manuscript:
Madrid, Biblioteca de la Real Academia de la Historia, MS Aemilianensis 62. [10th c.]
Edition:
Antonio Linage Conde, Una Regla Monastica Riojana Feminina del Siglo X: El 'Libellus a Regula Sancti Benedicti Subtractus'. Salamanca: Universidad de Salamanca, 1972
Contains excerpts from Smaragdus, "Commentario [Expositio] in Regulam Sancti Benedicti," Patrologia Latina 102:689-976
Studies:
Charles Juilian Bishko, "Salvus of Albelda and Frontier Monasticism in Tenth-Century Navarre," Speculum 23 (1948) 559-590
Antonio Linage Conde, "La difusion de la Regula Benedicti en la Peninsula Iberica," Regulae Benedicti Studia Annuarium Internationale 1, 297-325, 1972
Winteney Latin Version
Manuscript:
London, British Library, MS. Cotton Claudius D.iii, ff 52a-138a [1200-1225]
[The manuscript contains both this Latin version and the Winteney Middle English Version (see below) with alternating Latin and Middle English chapters.]
Editions:
Arnold Schroer, ed., Die Winteney-Version der Regula S. Benedicti: Lateinisch und Englisch mit Einleitung, Amerkungen, Glossar und einem Facsimile. Halle: Max Niemeyer, 1888
Reprint: Tubingen: Max Niemeyer Verlag, 1978, with appendix by Mechthild Gretsch.
Studies:
Helmut Genuss, "Die Benediktinerregel in England und ihre altenglische Ubersetzung," in Die angelsachsischen Prosabearbeitungen der Benediktinerregel, ed. A. Schroer, 2nd edn. Darmstadt: Wissenschafliche Buchgessellschaft, 1964, Appendix, 263-284; reprinted in Helmut Gneuss, Language and History in Early England. Variorum Collected Studies Series 559. Variorum: Ashgate Publishing House, 1996, VIII
Mechthild Gretsch, Die Regula Sancti Benedicti in England und ihre altenglische Ubersetzung. Munchen: Wilhelm Fink, 1973
Mechthild Gretsch, "Aethelwold's translation of the Regula Sancti Benedicti and its Latin exemplar," Anglo-Saxon England 3 (1974) 125-151
Mechthild Gretsch, "Die Winteney-Version der Regula Sancti Benedicti: Eine fruhmittelenglische Bearbeitung der altenglischen Prosubersetzung der Benediktinerregel," Anglia 96 (1978) 310-348
Frank Henderson, "Feminizing the Rule of Benedict in Medieval England," Magistra 1 (Summer 1995) 9-38
Saintes Version
Manuscript:
New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Marston MS 25 [12th c.]
Studies:
Hugh Feiss, "Care for the Text: Glossed Rule of Benedict for Notre Dame des Saintes," American Benedictine Review 43 (March 1992) 47-56
Hugh Feiss, "The Chapter Book of the Nuns of Saintes," Yale University Library Gazette, 67 (October 1992) 13-20
Hugh Feiss, "The Benedictines of Saintes 1047-1792: Consecrated to Christ, Nuns of the Church Community," American Benedictine Review 45 (September 1994) 269-303
Hugh Feiss, "A Poet Abbess from Notre-Dame de Saintes," Magistra 1 (Summer 1995) 39-54
English
[Aethelwold's Old English Version for Nuns]
[Aethelwold, bishop of Winchester, translated the Rule of Benedict from Latin into Old English ca. 960-970. He prepared a masculine version; it is not certain if he also prepared a feminine version. Very soon, however, both feminine and masculine versions were in circulation (together with the Latin exemplar). The initial feminine text is not extant, but the Winteney Middle English version is derived from it.]
Winteney Middle English Version
Manuscript:
London, British Library, MS. Cotton Claudius D.iii, ff 52a-138a [1200-25]
Editions:
Arnold Schroer, ed., Die Winteney-Version der Regula S. Benedicti: Lateinisch und Englisch mit Einleitung, Amerkungen, Glossar und einem Facsimile. Halle: Max Niemeyer 1888
Reprint: Tubingen: Max Niemeyer Verlag, 1978, with appendix by Mechthild Gretsch.
Bibliographies:
Ernst A. Kock, ed., Three Middle-English Versions of the Rule of St. Benet and Two Contempoary Rituals for the Ordination of Nuns. Early English Text Society, Original Series 120, 1902
Reprints: Millwood NY: Kraus Reprint Co., 1972, 1975
John Edwin Wells, A Manual of the Writings in Middle English 1050-1400. New Haven: Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1916, 1926, 365-6, 820
A. Burke Severs, A Manual of the Writings in Middle English 1050-1500. Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1970, 654
Studies:
Mechthild Gretsch, Die Regula Sancti Benedicti in England und ihre altenglische Ubersetzung. Munchen: Wilhelm Fink, 1973
Mechthild Gretsch, "Aethelwold's translation of the Regula Sancti Benedicti and its Latin exemplar," Anglo-Saxon England 3 (1974) 125-151
Mechthild Gretsch, "Die Winteney-Version der Regula Sancti Benedicti: Eine fruhmittelenglische Bearbeitung der altenglischen Prosaubersetzung der Benediktinerregel," Anglia 96 (1978) 310-348
Mechthild Gretsch, "Anhang zum Nachdruck" in Die Winteney-Version der Regula S. Benedicti. Nachdruck... Tubingen: Max Niemeyer Verlag 1978, pp 180-191
Mechthild Gretsch, "The Benedictine Rule in Old English: A Document of Bishop Aethelwold's Reform Politics," in Michael Korhammer, ed., Words, Texts and Manuscripts: Studies in Anglo-Saxon Culture Presented to Helmut Gneuss on the Occasion of his Sixty-Fifth Birthday. Woodbridge: D.S. Brewer, 1992, 131-158
Frank Henderson, "Feminizing the Rule of Benedict in Medieval England," Magistra 1 (Summer 1995) 9-38
Northern Prose Version
Manuscript:
London, British Library, MS. Lansdowne 378, ff 1b-42b [early 15 c.]
Editions:
Ernst A. Koch, ed., Three Middle-English Versions of the Rule of St. Benet and Two Contemporary Rituals for the Ordination of Nuns. Early English Text Society, Original Series 120, 1902.
Reprints: Millwood, NY: Kraus Reprint Co., 1972, 1975
Bibliographies:
John Edwin Wells, A Manual of the Writings in Middle English 1050-1400. New Haven: Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1916, 1926, 365-820
A. Burke Severs, A Manual of the Writings in Middle English 1050-1500. Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1970, 655
Studies:
Frank Henderson, "Feminizing the Rule of Benedict in Medieval England," Magistra 1 (Summer 1995) 9-38
Antha Spreckelmeyer, "Reclaiming the 'Wayward Nun:' Thematic Similarities in Three Middle English Versions of the Benedictine Rule," Magistra 2 (Summer 1996) 51-62
Northern Metrical Version
Manuscript:
London, British Library, MS Cotton Vespasian A.xxv, ff 66a-119b [early 15th c.]
Editions:
Ernst A. Koch, ed., Three Middle-English Version of the Rule of St. Benet and Two Contemporary Rituals for the Ordination of Nuns. Early English Text Society, Original Series 120, 1902
Reprints: Millwood NY: Kraus Reprint Co., 1972, 1975
Bibliographies:
John Edwin Wells, A Manual of the Writings in Middle English 1050-1400. New Haven: Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1916, 1926, 365-920
A. Bruce Severs, A Manual of the Writings in Middle English 1050-1500 (Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1970) 655.
Studies:
Frank Henderson, "Feminizing the Rule of Benedict in Medieval England," Magistra 1 (Summer 1995) 9-38
Antha Spreckelmeyer, "Reclaiming the 'Wayward Nun:' Thematic Similarities in Three Middle English Versions of the Benedictine Rule," Magistra 2 (Summer 1996) 51-62
Antha Spreckelmeyer, "Feminine Experience in the Northern Metrical Version of the Benedictine Rule, Magistra 1 (Winter 1995) 267-280
Lyminster Version
Manuscript:
Washington. Library of Congress, MS 4, ff 1r-37v, Regula Sancti Benedicti [15th c.]
[The Lyminster Version is translated from an Old French version.]
Bibliographies:
Ruth J. Dean and M. Dominica Legge, eds., The Rule of St. Benedict: A Norman Prose Version. Medium Aevum Monographs VII. Oxford: Society for the Study of Mediaeval Languages and Literature, 1964, 105.
A. Bruce Severs, A Manual of the Writings in Middle English 1050-1500. Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1970, 655
Study:
Jeanne Krochalis, "The Benedictine Rule for Nuns: Library of Congress, MS 4." Manuscripta 30 (1986) 21-34
Caxton version
Early Printed Book:
[A] Compendius abstracte...of the holy rule of S. Benet, Caxton, Westminster 1490?
[STC 3305]
[This is one of three separate works printed in a volume variously known as Horologium Sapientiae or The Book of Divers Ghostly Matters.]
Editions:
Ernst A. Koch, ed., Three Middle-English Version of the Rule of St. Benet and Two Contemporary Rituals for the Ordination of Nuns. Early English Text Society, Original Series 120, 1902
Reprints: Millwood NY: Kraus Reprint Co., 1972, 1975
Bibliographies:
John Edwin Wells, A Manual of the Writings in Middle English 1050-1400. New Haven: Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1916, 1926, 366, 820
A. Bruce Severs, A Manual of the Writings in Middle English 1050-1500. Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1970, 655
N. F. Blake, William Caxton: A Bibliographical Guide. New York and London: Garland Publishing, 1985, 35
Studies:
Frank Henderson, "Feminizing the Rule of Benedict in Medieval England," Magistra 1 (Summer 1995) 9-38
Antha Spreckelmeyer, "Reclaiming the 'Wayward Nun:' Thematic Similarities in Three Middle English Versions of the Benedictine rule," Magistra 2 (Summer 1996) 51-62
Foxe Version
Early Printed Book:
Richard Foxe, Here Begynneth the Rule of St. Benet. London: Pynson 1516
[STC 1859]
Bibliographies:
A. Bruce Severs, A Manual of the Writings in Middle English 1050-1500. Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1970, 655
Suzanne W. Hull, Chaste Silent & Obedient: English Books for Women 1475-1640. San Marino: Huntington Library 1982, 148-149
Studies:
Joan Greatrex, "On Ministering to 'Certayne Devoute and Religiouse Women': Bishop Fox and the Benedictine Nuns of Winchester Diocese on the Eve of the Dissolution," in Women in the Church, ed. W. J. Sheils and D. Wood. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1990, 223-235
Barry Collett, "The Civil Servant and Monastic Reform: Richard Fox's Translation of the Benedictine Rule for Women, 1517," in Judith Loades, ed., Monastic Studies: The Continuity of Tradition. Headstart History 1990
Brussels Version and Statutes
Early Printed Books:
Benedictus, Saint. The rule of the most blissed Saint Benedict. Gant: Joos Doom 1632
[STC 1860]
Mary, the Blessed Virgin, Monastery at Brussels. Statutes compyled for the better observation of the holy rule of the most glorious father and patriarch S. Benedict . . . delivered to the English religious women of the monastery of our blessed lady the perpetual Virgin Mary in Bruxelles and to all their successours. Gant: Jan Dooms 1632 [STC 1860]
Edition:
The Rule of the Most Blissed Father Saint Benedict Patriarke of all Munkes. English Recusant Literature 1558-1640, vol. 278. London: The Scolar Press, 1976. Microfilm: Early English Books, 1475-1640, reel 1090:08 (Ann Arbor: UMI).
Statutes compyled for the better observation of the holy rule of the most glorious father and patriarch S. Benedict... delivered to the English religious women of the monastery of our blessed lady the perpetual Virgin Mary in Bruxelles and to all their successours. English Recusant Literature 1558-1640, vol. 278. London: The Scolar Press, 1976. Microfilm: Early English Books, 1475-1640, reel 1027:08 (Ann Arbor: UMI).
Bibliography:
Suzanne W. Hull, Chaste Silent & Obedient: English Books for Women 1475-1640. San Marino: Huntington Library 1983. Rule, 149; Statutes, 186.
German
Oxford Version
Manuscript:
Oxford, Bodleian Library, Codex Laud Misc. 237 [beginning of 14th c.]
Edition:
Carl Selmer, Middle High German Translations of the Regula Sancti Benedicti: The Eight Oldest Versions. Old German Prose Documents I. Cambridge MA: Mediaeval Academy of America 1933, 245-278
Studies:
John E. Crean, Jr., "A Comparative Study of Three Manuscripts of the Rule of St. Benedict for Women," Vox Benedictina 10 (Summer 1993) 157-178.
Patricia A. Giangrosso, "Weibliche Stimmen in Early German Translations of the Regula Benedicti," Magistra 2 (Winter 1996) 70-91
Berlin Version
Manuscript:
Berlin, Prussische Stattsbibliothek, ms. germ. 0 810 [15th c.]
Edition:
Konrad Schmidt, Vier deutsche Benediktinerregeln aus dem spaten Mittelalter. Diss. Technische Universitat Berlin, 1969, 217-280.
Studies:
John E. Crean, Jr., "A Comparative Study of Three Manuscripts of the Rule of St. Benedict for Women," Vox Benedictina 10 (Summer 1993) 157-178
John E. Crean, Jr., "Benedict in Berlin: Another Feminine Voice," Magistra 1 (Summer 1995) 172-190.
Patricia A. Giangrosso, "Weibliche Stimmen in Early German Translations of the Regula Benedicti," Magistra 2 (Winter 1996) 70-91
Altenburg Version
Manuscript:
Altenburg, Stiftsbibliothek, Codex Altenburgensis MS AB 15 E 6, fol. 119r-156v [1505]
Edition:
John E. Crean, Jr., The Altenburg Rule of St. Benedict. Regulae Benedicti Studia Supplementa 9. St. Ottilien: EOS Verlag 1992
Studies:
John Crean, Jr., "Obsculta o fili / Hor o Tochter: Gender Modification in a 1505 Rule of St. Benedict," Classical Folia 31 (1977) 153-162
John Crean, Jr., "The Unique Language of the Altenberg Rule of St. Benedict," Studies in Medieval Culture 12 (1977) 125-132
John Crean, Jr., "Embellishment in Feminine Versions of the Rule of St. Benedict in Middle High German," Cistercian Studies 16 (1981) 66-75
John E. Crean, Jr., "Scriptural Adaptations and Accomodation in the Altenburg Rule of St. Benedict: Abba Pater or Frau Mutter," Regulae Benedicti Studia: Annuarium Internationale 18 (1994) 65-75
John E. Crean, Jr., "Made to Order: The Rule of St. Benedict Feminized," Across the Oceans: Essays in Honor of Richard Seymour. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press 1995
John E. Crean, Jr., "A comparative study of three manuscripts of the Rule of St. Benedict for Women," Vox Benedictina 10 (Summer 1993) 157-178.
John E. Crean, Jr., "Scripture and the Bible: Luther and a German Women's Version," Magistra 2 (Summer 1996) 88-105
Patricia A. Giangrosso, "Weibliche Stimmen in Early German Translations of the Regula Benedicti," Magistra 2 (Winter 1996) 70-91
Friedenspring Version
Manuscript:
[??] [1597 ]
Study:
Patricia A. Giangrosso, "Weibliche Stimmen in Early German Trnalations of the Regula Benedicti," Magistra 2 (Winter 1996) 70-91
Lower Rhenish Version
Manuscript:
Leiden, Bibliotheek der Rijksuniversiteit MS BPL 2483 [not dated]
Bibliographic Citation:
Theo Coun, De oudste middelnederlandse Vertaling van de Regula S. Benedicti. Regulae Benedicti Studia Supplementa 8. Hildesheim, Gerstenberg Verlag, 1980, 16.
French
Dijon Version and Cistercian Constitutions
Manuscript:
Dijon, Bibliotheque publique de Dijon, MS. no. 352 [13th c.]
Edition:
Philibert Guignard, Les Monuments primitifs de la regle cistercienne, publies d'apres les manuscrits de l'abbaye de Citeaux. Analecta divionensia, vol. 10. Dijon: J.-E. Rabutot, 1878.
Appendice. Ancienne Traducion Francaise des Ecclesiastica officia, Instituta generalis Capituli, Usus conversorum et Regula sancti Benedicti,
[Rule] Ci comence li prologues de le Riule Saint Benoit. Asculta, 585-642
[Constitutions et al.] Coument li mosnie de cysteaux iscirent de molesme, 407-584.
Bibliographic Citation and Study:
Janet I. Summers, 'The Violent Shall Take It By Force': The First Century of Cistercian Nuns, 1125-1228. Ph. D. Dissertation, University of Chicago, 1986, 130-136
Rouen Version
Manuscript:
Rouen A. 389 (534), ff 95r - 126r [13th c.]
Bibliographic citation:
Ruth J. Dean and M. Dominica Legge, eds., The Rule of St. Benedict: A Norman Prose Version. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1964, 104, 107
Stockholm Version
Manuscript:
Stockholm, Kungl. Bibl. A 219, ff. 1r-125r [15-16th c.]
Bibliographic citation:
Ruth J. Dean and M. Dominica Legge, eds., The Rule of St. Benedict: A Norman Prose Version. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1964, 104, 107
St. Arnand Version
Manuscript:
Vatican, Regin. Lat. 343, ff. 1r-46r; [15th c., perhaps 1450]
Bibliographic citation:
Ruth J. Dean and M. Dominica Legge, eds., The Rule of St. Benedict: A Norman Prose Version. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1964, 104, 107
[STILL TO OBTAIN OR COMPLETE]
Dominican Rule for Women
Edition:
Constitutiones Sororum Ord. Praedicatorum. Codex Regularum Monasticarum et Canonicarum, xx, xxxx.
Dominican Rule for Tertiaries
Edition:
Regula, sue formae vel modi videndi, Fratrum & Sororum de Militia Jesu Christi, de Paenitentia Beati Dominici. Codex Regularum Monasticarum et Canonicarum, xx, xxxx
Dominican Rule for Men
Edition:
Constitutiones Fratrum Praedicatorum. Codex Regularum Monasticarum et Canonicarum, xx, xxxx
Carmelite Rule for Women/Tertiaries
Edition:
Regula Carmelitarum. Codex Regularum Monasticarum et Canonicarum, xx, xxxx
Gilbertine Rule
Gilbertine Rule for Women
Edition:
Institutiones ad Moniales Ordinis Pertinentes. Codex Regularum Monasticarum et Canonicarum, xx, xxxx
Gilbertine Rule for Men
Edition:
Regular Ordinis Sempringensis sive Gilbertirorum Canonicorum. Codex Regularum Monasticarum et Canonicarum, xx, xxxx
Manuscript:
Oxford: Bodleian Library, MS Douce 136
Edition:
Dugdale's Monasticon, vi. 2. xxix-xcvii
Praemonstratenian Rule
Manuscript:
Edition:
English Translation:
Rule of Fontevault
Manuscript:
Edition:
"Regulae Sanctimonialium Fontis Ebraldi and Praecepta Recte Vivendi," Patrologia Latina 162 (1889) col. 1081-1086