The voice of Lambert

In the Liber Floridus Lambert’s own voice is rarely heard. Mostly, the author restricts himself to quoting and juxtaposing excerpts from his sources. It is often impossible to determine whether he quotes from the original works by authors such as St. Augustine, Bede and Isidore, or from medieval commentaries on these authors. It is also peculiar that he often completely jumbles together quotes from texts by two or more authors, especially in captions for illustrations. Occasionally he inserts words that have nothing to do with the original text. It is, however, unlikely that he was confused or that this can be attributed to mere lapse of memory. Authors such as St. Augustine, Isidore, Bede and other theologians were considered as major authorities: their words were not modified. Lambert’s minor changes must, therefore, have had a specific significance in the greater story of the encyclopedia, and they help us understand what Lambert wanted to tell his readers.

Bibliography:

Coene, K. De, M. De Reu, en P. De Maeyer, Liber Floridus. Beelden van de wereld rond 1100, Tielt, Lannoo, in preparation.