Title Background

Two <i>Piers Plowman</i> C-Text Interpolations: Evidence for a Second Textual Tradition.

Two Piers Plowman C-Text Interpolations: Evidence for a Second Textual Tradition.

Comparison of the unique versions of passages on false hermits (corresponding to C.9.66-281) and the Ophni and Phineas passage (C.Prol.91-127) in the Ilchester MS. and Huntington Library MS. HM 114 shows these interpolations circulated in a form substantially different from the “received” C text; on the basis of agreements in error, shared shape and content, and shared omissions they cannot be considered independent scribal versions of the received C text. The false hermits passage in these MSS. suggests circulation of this material was cued for insertion but was not added into C text revision. C.5.1-5 (the autobiographical passage) may refer to the false hermits passage as a response to criticism of earlier work.