Editing Ormulum (section)

{{short description|12th century English book of homilies}}
{{italic title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
[[File:Orrmulum.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|A page from the ''Ormulum'' demonstrating the editing performed over time by Orrm,<ref>[[#Parkes1983|Parkes 1983]], pp.&nbsp;115–16</ref> as well as the insertions of new readings by "Hand B"]]

The '''''Ormulum''''' or '''''Orrmulum''''' is a [[twelfth-century]] work of biblical [[exegesis]], written by an [[Augustinian canon]] named [[Orrm]] (or Orrmin) and consisting of just under 19,000 lines of [[early Middle English]] verse. Because of the unique [[phonemic orthography]] adopted by its author, the work preserves many details of [[Middle_English#Phonology|English pronunciation]] existing at a time when the language was in flux after the [[Norman Conquest]] of England. Consequently, it is invaluable to [[philology|philologists]] and [[historical linguistics|historical linguists]] in tracing the development of the language.

After a preface and dedication, the work consists of [[Homily|homilies]] explicating the biblical texts set for the mass throughout the [[liturgical year]]. It was intended to be consulted as the texts changed, and is agreed to be tedious and repetitive when read straight through.  Only about a fifth of the promised material is in the single manuscript of the work to survive, which is in the [[Bodleian Library]] in Oxford.

Orrm developed an idiosyncratic [[Orthography|spelling system]]. Modern scholars have noted that the system reflected his concern with priests' ability to speak the [[vernacular]] and may have helped to guide his readers in the [[Middle English phonology|pronunciation]] of the [[vowel]]s. Many local priests may have been regular speakers of [[Anglo-Norman language|Anglo-Norman French]] rather than English. Orrm used a strict [[Metre (poetry)|poetic metre]] to ensure that readers know which syllables are to be stressed. Modern scholars use these two features to reconstruct Middle English as Orrm spoke it.<ref>[[#Burchfield1987|Burchfield 1987]], p.&nbsp;280</ref>