ection>
Fallible Authors
THE MIDDLE AGES SERIES
RUTH MAZO KARRAS
Series Editor
EDWARD PETERS
Founding Editor
A complete list of books in the series is available from the publisher.
Fallible Authors
Chaucer’s Pardoner and Wife of Bath
ALASTAIR MINNIS
PENE
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA PRESS
PHILADELPHIA
Copyright © 2008 University of Pennsylvania Press
All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations used for purposes of review or scholarly citation, none of this book may be reproduced in any form by any means without written permission from the publisher.
Published by
University of Pennsylvania Press
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-4112
Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Minnis, A. J. (Alastair J.)
Fallible authors : Chaucer’s Pardoner and Wife of Bath /
Alastair Minnis.
p. cm. — (Middle ages series)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8122-4030-6 (alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-8122-4030-8 (alk. paper)
1. Chaucer, Geoffrey, d. 1400. Pardoner’s tale.
2. Chaucer, Geoffrey, d. 1400. Wife of Bath’s tale. I. Title.
PR1868.p3 M56 2007
821´.1 22
2007017366
To SARAH and KATHERINE
Contents
Introduction: Authority and Fallibility in Medieval Textual Culture
Chapter 1. De officio praedicatoris: Of Preaching, Pardons, and Power
I. Constructing the Preacher: Authority, Knowledge, Attributes
The Sinful Preacher: Secrecy, Scandal, and Skill
Art versus Virtue: The Challenge of Aristotle
Theory into Practice: Codes of Conduct in Preachers’ Handbooks
II. Consecrating the Sacraments: Priestly Power and the Keys to Heaven
Sin versus Sacrament: Evil Ministers of the Mass
Vetula baptizat, et baptizatum est: The Power to Baptize
Authority and Agency in the Tribunal of Penance
III. Making Indulgences: Spiritual and Material Economies
Authority and Jurisdiction in the Dispensing of Pardon
Honoring Becket: The Case for Canterbury
Chapter 2. Moral Fallibility: Chaucer’s Pardoner and the Office of Preacher
I. Alms and the Man: The Deviant Pardoner
II. Prechyng for coveityse: The Deviant Preacher
III. Breaking Bodies: The Drunkard’s Eucharist
IV. Geldyng or mare: The Deviant Body
Chaucer and the Queering Eunuch
Reclaiming Public Deviancy
Chapter 3. De impedimento sexus: Women’s Bodies and the Prohibition of Priestly Power
I. Sex versus Sacrament: The Constrictions of Symbolism
Sexus non est in anima: Orthodox Positions
Crowning Glories
A Woman’s Touch
II. Silence in Church: Private Teaching and the Denial of Public Office
Confining the auditrix and doctrix
Limiting Biblical Precedent
III. Unnatural Selection: Authorization Through Inspiration
Prophecy and Purity of Life: In Defense of Holy Women
Affirming Biblical Precedent
IV. Sexus non est in anima: Heterodox Reactions
