The subjunctive in the Lindisfarne gloss

Abstract

Abstract The use of the subjunctive mood in the Old English gloss to the Lindisfarne Gospels is investigated. All the examples of the Latin third person singular imperfect subjunctive, esset, are examined. There are three aims: to contribute to understanding the use of the subjunctive in the gloss of the Lindisfarne Gospels; to add to the authorship debate; to explore the question of how much Latin influences the glosses. Although, generally, indicative mood is expected in Old English adverbial temporal clauses, this clause type is often found in the subjunctive. The tendency is strongest in the Gospel of Luke. A few doublets of subjunctive and indicative occur, but only in the Gospels of Luke and John.