ABOUT

The Oxford Medieval Commentary Network aims to establish a multi-disciplinary network for research and discussion of the medieval commentary tradition, its roots and its long afterlife.

Across Western medieval literatures, the biblical text forms a central object of interpretation and comment. Such interpretations can take the form of traditional commentaries – texts derived from the Church Fathers and other authorities – which are typically written in Latin and are often restricted to a small scholarly readership. Beyond such traditional commentaries, forms of comment on and interpretation of the biblical text also suffuse medieval culture in other shapes, including poetry, song, literary and devotional texts, engagement with biblical interpretation through visual art, and performance in in music and drama. Engagement with the biblical text in these forms includes both Latinate and vernacular authors and audiences from a variety of backgrounds.

The Oxford Medieval Commentary Network aims to bring together research on traditional commentaries as well as research on interpretations of the biblical text in a broader sense, in order to trace interrelations, mutual dependencies, and developments. The network seeks to establish a conversation between scholars from a range of disciplines working on different languages and geographical areas. This conversation also includes post-medieval responses to the commentary tradition. The longer-term objective for the Medieval Commentary Network is to become a nexus of research and discussion of medieval commentary culture and its expression in various textual and artistic forms. The network is open to everyone with an interest in these topics.

Future events will include conferences, workshops, public talks, and musical performances.

The Oxford Medieval Commentary Network is supported by a Research Centre grant from Christ Church, Oxford.