medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Dunstan prostrating himself before Christ as depicted in the later tenth century on fol. 1r of Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS. Auct. F.4.32 (a composite manuscript known as Dunstan's Classbook as much of it can be connected with Dunstan's teaching activity at Glastonbury):
http://www.saintedwardbrotherhood.org/images/dunstanLarge.jpg
The inscription is in verse. Almost certainly by Dunstan himself, it reads, _Dunstanum memet clemens, rogo, Christe, tuere / Tenarias me non sinas sorbsisse procellas_ ('I beseech you, gentle Christ, to protect me, Dunstan. Do not permit the storms of Hell to suck me in.'). Another translation will be found in Paul Hayward's description of the manuscript (see the discussion of its first part [Eutyches with Old Breton glosses]) at:
http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/staff/haywardp/hist424/seminars/Auct_F.4.32.htm
Neither translation does full justice to the word play _clemens_ ... _procellas_. In Dunstan's phrasing Christ is imagined not only as merciful but also as a locus of (metaphorical) fair weather opposing the the storms of hell.
Best,
John Dillon
On 05/19/15, Gordon Plumb wrote:
>
> 19th May is the feast day of St Dunstan. Some glass images:
>
> Cockayne Hatley, Bedfordshire, nII, 2b:
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/22274117@N08/2285002809
>
> York, St Olave, East window, 2b:
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/22274117@N08/630752560
> and detail:
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/22274117@N08/6307006267
>
> Trinity College, Oxford, Old Library East window:
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/22274117@N08/17681324270
> and detail of head:
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/22274117@N08/17682614669
>
> Wells Cathedral, Lady Chapel, sII, C2 - head:
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/22274117@N08/15139000242
> Dunstan had been abbot of Glastonbury before becoming archbishop. He had a high grading in the Wells calendar before the mid 11th century. One of the Cathedral bells bore his name.
>
> Gordon Plumb
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