Medieval 'Artes Praedicandi'

This book is a vital resource for understanding the structure and significance of medieval scholastic sermons, particularly the Medieval 'Artes Praedicandi'.

Written by a leading expert on late medieval scholastic sermons, Medieval 'Artes Praedicandi' serves as an essential resource for scholars and advanced students interested in utilizing scholastic sermons for research purposes. This work delves into the structured format adopted by theologians and preachers in Western Europe from the early thirteenth to the late fifteenth centuries, highlighting the significance of the scholastic sermon and the technical treatises known as artes praedicandi, of which around 230 have survived.

The scholastic sermon is characterized by its dense and complex arrangement, which can pose challenges for modern scholars seeking to interpret its nuances. In this concise text, Siegfried Wenzel emphasizes the key components of the sermon, guiding readers from the initial thema to the final prayer. Medieval 'Artes Praedicandi' also features an annotated list of forty-two major surviving artes praedicandi, offering insights into the evolution of this genre and a structural analysis of a sample sermon from Worcester Cathedral Library Ms. F.10, illustrating how the principles of the artes were applied in practice.

This book is not only a valuable contribution to the study of medieval rhetoric but also provides a thorough and detailed account of the primary sources of the ars praedicandi. It surveys all known texts, making it a significant addition to the field and a crucial reference for anyone exploring the complexities of medieval sermon literature.