ABSTRACT
The primary function of the annotated bibliography, beyond its usefulness as a compilation of factual data, is to promote the medieval Consolatio translations as a valuable area for comparative studies. One of the more fruitful fields for studies of indirect influence has been developed in the work of Pierre Courcelle. His study of the medieval commentaries on the Consolatio has helped to bind the entire European tradition into one fabric. The Consolatio tradition has another dimension common to all medieval literary traditions: the discovery of manuscripts continues to alter our understanding and interpretation of the translations. Thus, work on inventories and descriptions of manuscripts necessitates a periodic re-evaluation of existing critical editions. The commentaries were universally consulted by the medieval translators and material was often lifted directly from them and incorporated into the translations, so much work remains to be done on the use of the commentaries in the production of those translations which constitute the European Consolatio tradition.
