Dear Dom Anselm,
It took me a while to realize that your note mistakenly posted to the
list might have been for me, as COPAC was not familiar to me.
I've since taken a look at it and must now thank you for turning me on to a
most useful reference.
Among other things, it allows me to correct an error in my previous post:
the "8 vol." "Dictionnaire topopgraphic" of "Joanne" might have been
cited with a *bit* more accuracy as:
Joanne, Paul Benigne, Dictionnaire geographique et administratif de la France.
Paris: Hachette, (1890)-1905. 7v : illus., maps (COPAC says that there is a
copy in Manchester)
I have a set at home in dismal Indiana, but am now in sunny California
and was citing from memory. I find this "old fashioned" work to be most
helpful in running down obscure places and in establishing whether or not a
particular village was noted (in 1900) for the manufacture of parapluies,
sabots, or whatever. (Vital information for that post-compline game of Trivial
Persuit.)
And, as I said, I would think that it is the other, even more grander
Ste-Fripettes who might have a literary heritage of use for your hagiographic
purposes. I know of no other source which would so conveniently and
exhaustively list *all* of the Sainte-Fripettes of France--and its colonies.)
Also of use--once you establish the "ownership" of your village--and also in
Manchester, might be the:
Inventaire-sommaire des Archives departementales anterieures a 1790,
Indre-et-Loire 1867-1906. 4v. (Series H for secular, G for regular
institutions, I think)
which *might* summarize a _fonds_ of documents concerning your place.
Unlikely, I fear, given the (presumed) small size of the woods therebouts.
Claire's suggestion to contact the local Societe' is, of course a good one. I
believe that its publications (Memoires) go back to the 1840's, so there might
well be something there, assuming there is an index volume or two.
More important, they might be able to put you in contact with the
Touraine equivelant of what the Chartrain region had (until his death a few
years ago): a local _savant_ of the stature of Pere Guy Villette, whose
knowledge of the places and place-names of the Eure-et-Loire was virtually
unsurpassed.
(I can't find an address for the Societe arch. de Touraine on the Web,
but perhaps the Tours _Syndicat des initiaves_ could supply one.)
I have read a few very interesting articles in the Revue Mabillon (I
think it was) by Guy-Marie OURY which dealt in some detail with, I believe,
priories of Marmoutier or hermitages in the Orleanais, and he
may be native to--or resident in--the region. I also believe that he is a
member of your Order, which means he might let you in on the straight
dope on Sainte Fripette.
But it seems to me that all you have to do to convince your abbot that
you need a bit of a continental rest-cure (with an appropriate American guide)
is to run by him that theory of yours that Bill Gates was responsible for the
Eighth Degree of Humility in the Rule and he'd be
sure to let you go.
(It's not that Ole Bill *couldn't* do such a thing.
(Only that, given his well-known commitment to turning out *only* Top Quality
Products and *always* taking the Long View of things, and acting only for the
Good of Civilisation, I just don't think that he would mess with such a
fly-by-night, self-absorbed .org as the OSB.)
Assuming that he's ever heard of it.
Just a suggestion....
Best from here,
Christopher
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