Durham University, 2–5 July 2026
In the second half of the first millennium, the Christian scriptures were produced,
circulated, and put to use in a diverse range of forms and contexts. A manuscript may
accommodate a single biblical text (the psalter, a gospel, the Apocalypse), a collection
of texts (the Hexateuch, the fourfold gospel), or, rarely, a complete “New Testament” or
“Bible” in the familiar modern sense. The distinctiveness of a manuscript is determined
by its content and textual aFiliation, its palaeographical and codicological
characteristics, and its paratextual features – from illustrations of biblical narratives,
author portraits, and illuminated lettering to canon tables, capitula, prefatory materials,
and glosses. Once in circulation, a manuscript’s contexts of use may include liturgical
reading and preaching, meditation and mission, education and scholarship, gift-giving
and display. DiFerent uses correspond to diFerent users with distinct and perhaps
conflicting priorities and goals. Production and use(s) may occur at the same site or at
far distant times and places.
This conference aims to explore topics related to both the physical presentation and the
use of scriptural manuscripts produced in the Early Medieval period (c. 500–1000 CE).
We welcome paper proposals from scholars working in all areas of this field, including
PhD students. Whatever the specific topic, priority may be given to papers that also
relate it to the wider focus of the conference on both “form” (or “production”) and “use”.
We hope to be able to cover presenters’ full conference costs with the exception of
travel.
Titles and Abstracts of proposed papers should be submitted to Lauren Randall
(lauren.m.randall@durham.ac.uk), copied to Francis Watson
(francis.watson@durham.ac.uk), no later than Monday 17 November. Abstracts should
not exceed 150 words. Our current draft schedule can accommodate up to fourteen 45
minute sessions, with a maximum of 25 minutes for the presentation in order to allow
substantial time for discussion. There will also be several keynote papers or
presentations. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about this event!
For information, the context of this event is our sub-project “Text, Format, and Reader”,
focused primarily on Codex Amiatinus and funded by the Glasgow-based “Paratexts
Seeking Understanding” project (Templeton Religion Trust). We are grateful to our
Glasgow colleagues for their support.
Francis Watson (Prof)
Lauren Randall (PhD student)