Editorial practice in Smaragdus of St Mihiel's commentary on the Rule of St Benedict

Abstract

This paper examines the editorial principles that guided Smaragdus of St Mihiel (fl. 809–26) in the composition of his commentary on the Rule of St Benedict. Scholars in the late eighth and early ninth centuries actively engaged in an official programme of educational reform that called for the production of accurate texts. Smaragdus' commentary provides a valuable witness to this movement, revealing how scholars applied grammatical and doctrinal criteria to root out errors in the manuscript tradition. Smaragdus' concern with the monastic life also draws attention to the importance of considerations of practice and observance in the pursuit of textual authority.

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