Exzerpte als Rezeptionszeugnisse: Isidors Etymologiae in Handschriften aus dem Kloster St. Emmeram

Abstract

The Etymologiae by Isidore of Sevilla are one of the most intensively used encyclopaedias in European history; they were consulted, copied and finally printed between the seventh and fifteenth century. So far, their reception has been studied mainly with regard to the circulation in Europe, but also their use as a source has often been commented on. Only in a few cases, however, have excerpts and fragments been examined, although they can provide important insights into the reception of the work. Because of the almost unfathomable number of such textual witnesses, the study must be focussed on a clearly defined group of users. This article discusses the reception of Isidore in the Benedictine convent of Saint Emmeram in Regensburg, whose library is today a fonds on the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek at Munich. Three particular manuscripts are presented (Clm 14515, Clm 14584 and Clm 14477) which show how useful information were extracted from the work and made readily available for the classroom.