Medieval English Lyrics: A Critical Anthology

by R.T. Davies

Medieval English Lyrics A Critical Anthology

Genres: Poetry, Anthologies, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Swarte-smeked smethes, smatered with smoke." - (on blacksmiths)

An anthology of songs, carols and poems spanning from the 12th to the 16th century and including such illustrious names as Saint Godric, Chaucer, Lygate, Henry VIII and Thomas Wyatt.

Largely, however, the verses here are anonymous as these were written in times before there was the romantic desire to carve out one's own unique artistic space, instead these verses melt into a collective tradition, they are contributions which feel more like generous gifts than statements borne out of angst.

Not to downplay the role of invention: often a simple religious theme, like the Passion or a hymn to Mary, is approached time and time again, one verse plumbing the distraught mind of Christ while another being almost frivolous:

"Marye, maide, milde and fre,
Chambre of the Trinite."

"Think, man, on thy sinnes sevene,
Think how merye it is in Hevene."

Then there are the rich descriptions of knightly warfare:

"What is he, this lordling, that cometh from the fight?
With blod-rede wede so grisliche idight,
So faire icoyntised, so semlich in sight,
So stifliche yongeth, so doughty a knight."

Also of note are the curious blends of English with Latin prefixes, instances where we can see the language evolving before our very eyes - plenty to enjoy!

[Andy Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good charity shop find. A collection of lyric poetry or song lyrics across several centuries, with annotations for each. I started reading this before Christmas, and enjoyed reading old Christmas carols. The bulk of the poems here are about Christmas or Easter or Mary, with the rest being mostly love poems.

[Gille Liath · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's absurd to give this less than 5 stars: if you are interested in medieval English short poems, this is *the* volume to get. If you're not, well, don't bother! It has a great selection, in the original language but with partly modernised spelling (it's harder to modernise the spelling than you might think!) and, crucially, lots of explanatory notes and glosses on the same page as the poem.

It covers from the C13th to the early Tudors - usually the latter are not regarded as 'medieval', but Davies' argument is that they show essentially the same mindset as the earlier period; it's not until you get to Elizabeth that the Reformation / Renaissance attitudes set in, with their emphasis on personal experience influenced by classical mythology. Medieval civilisation was much more holistic, reflected in the high number (and many of them excellent) of Christian poems; the personal and particular was, for them, only an illustration of the universal. This is why, although there are a number of pieces by 'name' poets from Chaucer onwards, the vast majority are anonymous.

When you read these poems you feel you are getting your head free of the smog of modernity, hearing the birds sing sweetly on the boughs in Spring, and freely breathing clean, pure air. It's sometimes claimed that the English are a cynical, hard-headed people who weigh everything by gain - or, if you prefer, by Reason; either way, they have made the modern world in their own image. But it was not always so, and here's the proof.

[Pollymoore3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

My copy is the one I had at university. One favourite is William Dunbar. His gorgeous ornate style is like a medieval wall-painting or reliquary. Favourites: “Done is a battle on the dragon black”, and “Rorate celi desuper” or “Heavens distil your balmy showers”(which I had to find online).

[Georgie]

this is fine
wouldnt call it a critical anthology tho