Beyond the manuscript. Inquiries into a ninth-century local priest and his social environment by means of his handbook (BSB Clm 14508)

Abstract

A ninth-century priest’s handbook (BSB Clm 14508) is used to inquire into the social environment of a local priest, by tracing the selection process that the compiler of the manuscript went through in order to compile this specific codex and interpreting these choices in their historical context. In this case the canon law collection included in the manuscript, also known as the ‘Collectio Sangermanensis’, is compared with a more elaborate version, which can be found in Paris (BN lat. 12444). Interesting choices either to included, exclude or add information become visible, which together provide a snapshot of a local priest and the rural community he attended to.