The Bible in the Carolingian Age

Abstract

Abstract Abstract: This chapter discusses the copying and study of the Bible during the reign of Charlemagne and his immediate successors. The Carolingian age was marked by technological innovations that led to a notable increase in the production of biblical manuscripts, in particular single-volume Bibles or pandects, while powerful patrons stimulated the creation of lavishly decorated luxury bibles. The ninth century further witnessed a dynamic tradition of study and exegesis of the Bible, steered in large part by the Carolingian rulers’ desire to consolidate their empire through the centralization of religious practice and education. Although a large corpus of biblical commentaries was produced by leading intellectuals such as Hrabanus Maurus, Florus of Lyons, and Haymo of Auxerre, it was the work of Theodulf of Orleans and Alcuin of York on the text of the Bible that was decisive in shaping the Carolingian legacy.