The Form and Function of the Twelfth-Century Old English Dicts of Cato

Elaine M. Treharne, University of Leicester

The three late Old English versions of the classical text, the Disticha Catonis, are contained in Cambridge, Trinity College, R.9.17, London, British Library, Cotton Vespasian D.xiv, and Cotton Julius A.ii.1 Each of these is adapted independently of any extant Latin source, and independently of one another. The focus in this paper will be on evaluating how and why the Dicts were incorporated into the manuscripts in the period ca. 1100-ca. 1150. This study, together with an examination of the manuscript contexts of each version, suggests the function of the Old English Dicts is not in accord with that of the numerous Latin analogues. Furthermore, my conclusions will reappraise traditional views on the nature and purpose of twelfth-century Old English texts.