Two Revisions of Rolle's English Psalter Commentary and the Related Canticles

This final volume presents Psalms 116-150 and the accompanying Canticles of Richard Rolle's English Psalter commentary, showcasing the first Lollard revision and its complex editorial process.

Two Revisions of Rolle's English Psalter Commentary and the Related Canticles is the third and final volume in a first-time edition of the Lollard revision of Richard Rolle's English commentary on the Psalter. This volume focuses on Psalms 116-150, completing the comprehensive presentation of Rolle's work. Richard Rolle, a notable Yorkshire hermit and scholar who passed away in 1349, originally composed two commentaries on the Psalms—one in Latin and another in English. About fifty years after his death, his English commentary underwent a significant revision by various Lollard writers, and this redaction was further modified by subsequent revisers with similar radical perspectives.

This edition marks the first complete publication of the initial Lollard revisions and provides in-depth evidence for the second revision. It is grounded in a thorough examination of all available manuscripts for both versions. Additionally, the volume includes commentaries on the twelve Canticles that accompanied the Psalter commentary, which were likely considered integral to the overall work. The first Lollard revision reflects the efforts of a complex academic organization that dedicated considerable time to refining the text, although their work remained incomplete in certain respects.

The third volume not only completes the set but also enriches the reader's understanding of the evolution of Rolle's commentary. The first volume, published in 2012, covered Psalms 1-34, while the second volume, which includes Psalms 35-115, was released in 2013. Together, these volumes provide a comprehensive look at the Lollard revisions and their historical significance in the context of medieval scholarship and religious thought.