Male and Female Devotion in Three Texts of the Vercelli Book: Vercelli VII, XVII and Elene. Issue 3 (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hardie, Rebecca
• Is Part Of: English studies. Volume 100:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 273
• Page End: 290
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: English philology -- Periodicals; English literature -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Philologie anglaise -- Périodiques; Littérature anglaise -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; 420
• DOI: 10.1080/0013838X.2018.1555979
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-838X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this article, I propose that the interaction of male and female devotion is a significant concern in three texts of the Vercelli Book, Vercelli Homily VII, Vercelli XVII and Cynewulf's Elene . I consider the repetition of theme and trends in the adaptation of source material across these three texts to show how they each emphasise women's obedience to God and generosity towards the church. Studies of the Vercelli Book have conventionally assumed a male audience. In this article, I argue that Vercelli VII, Vercelli XVII and Elene could have been read with considerable effect in a context commensurate with their internal evidence, where male and female devotion had shared economic and spiritual goals. In this article I re-evaluate evidence for the interaction of male and female religious in Anglo-Saxon England and propose that the selection of texts in the Vercelli Book reflects this mixed gender context.