New Approaches to Medieval Communication

Book excerpt: This publication considers writing and written culture against the background of all forms of communication available to a given medieval society, both in western and east-central Europe. A textbook for studying this field and an introduction to current research. It is written in accessible language for non-specialists. The volume has three sections: introductions by two of the leading exponents worldwide: Michael Clanchy and Marco Mostert; a series of essays by members of the Utrecht 'Pionierproject Verschriftelijking' which consider writing and written culture against the background of all forms of communication available to a given medieval society, both in western and east-central Europe; and a comprehensive bibliography on the subject, comprising 1500 titles which will serve as a fundamental starting-point for work in this field. Contributions include: Part 1: Michael Clanchy, 'Introduction'; Marco Mostert, 'New approaches to medieval communication?'; Part 2: Wolfert S. van Egmond, 'The intended audience of early medieval hagiographical texts'; Mary Garrison, 'Letters of excuse as evidence for literacy and communication'; Karl Heidecker, 'Communication by written texts in court cases. Some charter evidence (ca. 800 - ca. 1100); Marielle Hageman, 'Between the imperial and the sacred: the gesture of coronation in Carolingian and Ottonian images'; Anna Adamska, 'The introduction of writing in Central Europe (Poland, Hungary and Bohemia); Part 3: Marco Mostert, 'A bibliography of works on medieval communication'.