Introduction

Summary

IN SEEKING TO honour Paul E. Szarmach's commitment to medieval studies—and his role as co-editor of Studies in Medieval and Renaissance History (SMRH)—we organized a series of three panels at the 57th International Congress on Medieval Studies at Western Michigan University in 2022. The call for papers drew scholars from around the world, and the panels were bursting at the seams. Fifteen papers of exceptional quality were presented. We cheered as we raised a glass in Paul's memory, celebrating his contributions in Kalamazoo and more. As was true with the Congress panels, there was significant interest in developing these papers for a special issue of SMRH, and contributions numbered more than one volume could sustain. Volume 17, published in 2023, features nine articles on late medieval literature, history, and culture, as well as studies of medievalism. A few were accepted for publication before Paul's death, but the majority were cultivated to honour his legacy, as are the contributions that constitute Volume 18. The following, which are offered by long-time colleagues and former students, are focused on early medieval England and beyond, a tribute to Paul's engagement with early saints’ lives, Anglo-Latin and Carolingian manuscript production, and the reception of early literature and history.

Volume 18, which will conclude Joel Rosenthal's stint as editor of SMRH, will fittingly close the chapter on his long-time collaboration with Paul, but we would be remiss not to indicate how Paul has (posthumously) fostered yet another collaboration that has resulted in the publication of excellent scholarship. Paul loved to bring people together and to publish their smart ideas. In taking up the editing of these volumes, we have enjoyed rich conversations with the various contributors and know readers will find much here to provoke further scholarly engagement. We are grateful to acknowledge too the many rewards we have discovered during our partnership as editors. Paul is the lodestar that framed this work, and we are all enriched by the results.

Nota bene: SMRH vol. 17 and subsequent volumes are now published by Arc Humanities Press. After this volume, the journal will be titled Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Sources. To continue or start a subscription, please contact the Journals Manager Rob Edwards at rob.edwards@arc-humanities.org.