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Medieval European Studies II
[email protected] T ext and Commentary
Edited by
James E. Cathey
West Virginia University Press Morgantown 2002
West Virginia University Press, Morgantown 26506 © 2002 by West Virginia University Press All rights reserved First edition published 2002 by West Virginia University Press Printed in the United States of America 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
ISBN 0-937058-64-5 (alk. paper) Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
mHiand. Text and Commentary / edited by James E. Cathey. p. cm. -- (Medieval European Studies; 2) 1. Heliand (Old Saxon Poem). 2. Old Saxon language-texts. 3. Old Saxon language--grammar. I. Title. II. Cathey, James E. III. Series. IN PROCESS Library of Congress Control Number: 2002104486
Cover design by Alcorn Publication Design Cover motif adapted from image of St John in Vienna, Weltliche Schatzkammer, Coronation Gospels (saec. viii ex.) Typeset by P. W. Conner Printed in USA by Lightning Source, Inc.
Table of Contents Preface ................................................................................................ ix Introduction ......................................................................................... 1 The Historical Setting of the Heliand ................................................ 3 The Saxons ................................................................................ 3 The Early Missions .................................................................... 4 The Arian and Moslem Threats ................................................ 6 The English Mission................................................................... 7 Charlemagne and Europe .......................................................... 8 Charlemagne and the Saxons .................................................... 9 Consolidation of Power ........................................................... 11 Semantic Hurdles to the Task of Conversion .......................... 12 The Work ......................................................................................... 16 HeliandVerse ........................................................................... 18 The Dating of the Heliand and the Pre/atia ............................ 20 The Manuscripts ....................................................................... 22 The Fitten .................................................................................. 24 A Comparison of the 'M' vs. 'C' Manuscripts ................................ 26 Excerpts from the text of the Heliand .............................................. 29 Introduction .............................................................................. 29 Elizabeth's Child ...................................................................... 32 The Birth of John ........................................................