The Rule of St. Benedict: A Norman Prose Version, edited by Ruth J. Dean and M. Dominica Legge, presents a critical edition of a 13th-century Norman French translation of the Rule of St. Benedict, one of the foundational texts for Western monasticism. Based on the Bodleian Library’s Douce Manuscript 320, this edition sheds light on a unique vernacular version of the Rule, which was likely used in a Norman monastic community.

The translation expands upon the original Latin text, providing additional explanations and practical guidance for monks unfamiliar with Latin. The editors offer a detailed analysis of the manuscript’s language, dialect, and structure, linking it to the Montebourg region in Normandy. This edition highlights the cultural and linguistic significance of the Norman dialect in medieval monastic life.

By preserving this important vernacular version of the Rule, Dean and Legge make a valuable contribution to the study of medieval monasticism, manuscript studies, and Old French literature. Their work is essential for scholars interested in the transmission of religious texts in medieval Europe and the adaptation of Latin works into regional languages for the benefit of non-Latin-speaking monastic communities.