Dunstan as Hagiographical Subject or Osbern as Author? The Scribal Portrait in an Early Copy of Osbern's Vita Sancti Dunstani

Abstract

The image of a monk in a scribal pose in a historiated initial in an early copy of the Vita Sancti Dunstani by Osbern, late eleventh-century precentor of Christ Church, Canterbury (London, British Library, Arundel MS 16), has hitherto been identified as St. Dunstan, the subject of the text, despite an accompanying inscription which names OSBEARNVS. Whereas Anglo-Norman images of Dunstan--one of the most important Anglo-Saxon archbishops of Canterbury--both as hagiographical subject and as scribe survive in manuscripts and other media, notably in works produced at Christ Church, the inscription in Arundel 16 can be shown to constitute an integral component of the initial, rather than a later addition. The image appears to be the only surviving inscribed "portrait" of Osbern. It also served, by extension, as an author portrait for the second text formerly in the volume, Osbern's Vita et Translatio Sancti Elphegi, devoted to another Anglo-Saxon archbishop of Canterbury. The initial illustrates Osbern's activity as scribe and hagiographical author. Moreover, the scene characterizes this activity as sacred by showing the writing being censed and unveiled to the beholder. The accompanying figures allude to other activities in which Osbern directly engaged at Christ Church as precentor, notably musical performance and liturgical service and its supervision. The image offers an important insight into the high value placed on Osbern's multifaceted contributions to the Canterbury community.