Professor Lesley Smith

Professor of Medieval Intellectual History; Fellow in Politics

Harris Manchester College

01865 (2)81464

lesley.smith@hmc.ox.ac.uk

Research Interests

Medieval Intellectual History
The Bible in the Middle Ages
Medieval Manuscripts

I work on the medieval Bible, as both a physical and intellectual object. This ranges from close technical work with manuscripts of Bibles, biblical commentary, theology and pastoralia, to the exposition of commentary and theology, to investigation of the intellectual milieu of the schools in which the Bible was studied – the people and the products of this early university system, from the twelfth century onwards. In particular, I explore the two-way link between the manuscript evidence and the intellectual evidence of these early schools – in modern terms, how technology affects what we learn and know, and vice versa. The study of the Bible has also led me to contribute to the study of medieval Jewish-Christian scholarship and relations.

See page on Harris Manchester College website

Fragments of a World: William of Auvergne and His Medieval Life (Chicago University Press, 2023)

The first modern biography of medieval French scholar and bishop William of Auvergne.

Today, William of Auvergne (1180?–1249) is remembered for his scholarship about the afterlife as well as the so-called Trial of the Talmud. But the medieval bishop of Paris also left behind nearly 600 sermons delivered to all manner of people—from the royal court to the poorest in his care. In Fragments of a World, Lesley Smith uses these sermons to paint a vivid picture of this extraordinary cleric, his parishioners, and their bustling world.

The Ten Commandments (Studies in the History of Christian Traditions)

The Ten Commandments: Interpreting the Bible in the Medieval World, Studies in the History of Christian Traditions, 175 (Leiden & Boston: E. J. Brill; 2014)

Using the commentaries of a group of scholars from c. 1150-1350, along with confessors manuals, mystery plays and sermon material, this book investigates the place of the Decalogue in medieval religious life and thought.

The Glossa Ordinaria: the making of a medieval Bible commentary, Commentaria, 3 (Leiden & Boston: E. J. Brill, 2009)

This book is the first history of the twelfth-century Glossa Ordinaria, the ubiquitous biblical commentary of the Middle Ages and the first university textbook. Based on manuscript evidence, it explores this monumental work, its authorship, content, layout, production and use.

I would like to hear from potential DPhil students in the fields: Medieval intellectual history, widely defined; history of exegesis, biblical studies and theology; history of the university. Manuscript studies.

I currently supervise Masters students in the fields: Medieval intellectual history, widely defined; history of exegesis, biblical studies and theology; history of the university.

I am a regular supervisor for MSt Medieval Studies and MST Medieval History.

I currently teach:

Prelims	FHS
Most of my undergraduate teaching is Politics for the PPE degree; but I do teach the Historical Texts and Theories of the State papers, as well as the medieval overview, for prelims.	Most of my undergraduate teaching is for Politics in the PPE degree, but I can teach the medieval options for FHS History.

Professor Lesley Smith

Featured Publications

Fragments of a World: William of Auvergne and His Medieval Life (Chicago University Press, 2023)

The Ten Commandments: Interpreting the Bible in the Medieval World, Studies in the History of Christian Traditions, 175 (Leiden & Boston: E. J. Brill; 2014)

The Glossa Ordinaria: the making of a medieval Bible commentary, Commentaria, 3 (Leiden & Boston: E. J. Brill, 2009)

Current DPhil Students

Teaching

Publications