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The Arthur of Medieval Latin Literature: The Development and Dissemination of the Arthurian Legend in Medieval Latin (Arthurian Literature in the Middle Ages)
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About The Arthur Of Medieval Latin Literature: The
Review “It requires no more than a simple listing of contributors to demonstrate that the chapters of this book were in extraordinarily good hands. That is what we would expect of Echard―as both editor and contributor―and of all the others. The volume is a collection of admirable contributions, presented with authority and clarity, . . . [and] delivers what Echard promises: to ‘introduce readers to saints, monsters, knights, werewolves, and to many Arthurs.’ The Arthur of Medieval Latin Literature will surely be the authoritative standard half a century from now.” -- Norris J. Lacy, Pennsylvania State University ― Speculum Product Description Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain, written in Latin, is one of the earliest sources for many of the legends we now associate with King Arthur and his knights. What is little known, however, is that the tradition of Arthur stories in Latin extended well beyond Geoffrey. This collection offers essays that highlight different aspects of that broader Latin Arthurian tradition. About the Author Siân Echard is professor of English and Distinguished University Scholar at the University of British Columbia. Her books include Arthurian Narrative in the Latin Tradition and Printing the Middle Ages. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. The Arthur of Medieval Latin Literature The Development and Dissemination of the Arthurian Legend in Medieval Latin By Siân Echard University of Wales PressCopyright © 2011 The Vinaver Trust All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-7083-2201-7 Contents Preface, Ad Putter, Abbreviations, Introduction: The Arthur of Medieval Latin Literature Siân Echard, Section One The Seeds of History and Legend, 1 The Chroniclers of Early Britain Nick Higham, 2 Arthur in Early Saints' Lives Andrew Breeze, Section Two Geoffrey of Monmouth, 3 Geoffrey of Monmouth Siân Echard, 4 Geoffrey and the Prophetic Tradition Julia Crick, Section Three Chronicles and Romances, 5 Latin Historiography after Geoffrey of Monmouth Ad Putter, 6 Glastonbury Edward Donald Kennedy, 7 Arthurian Latin Romance Elizabeth Archibald, Section Four After the Middle Ages, 8 Arthur and the Antiquaries James P. Carley, Bibliography, CHAPTER 1 THE CHRONICLERS OF EARLY BRITAIN Nick Higham As a figure of Latin literature, Arthur derives from the central Middle Ages and most particularly the fertile mind of the British cleric responsible for the Historia Brittonum (HB). This work was arguably written in 829–30 in Gwynedd and under the patronage of King Merfyn, who was then in his fourth regnal year. HB appears, however, to have been composed by an author with greater personal experience of the southern March and south-east Wales than of north-west Wales. This is particularly clear as regards his collection of marvels (chs 67–75): several comparatively detailed narratives relate to the south east (chs 67–74), including instances which betray a personal presence in these vicinities, and these contrast with the very brief listing of four marvels relating to Anglesey, offered in as many sentences, which along with two somewhat fuller Irish stories seem to have been appended to the author's initial foray into this particular genre. The HB is far from being an attempt at what we might consider history, but was presented as a kind of sermon, carrying a nationalist, dynastic and ideological agenda and – like other early medieval narratives – seeking to manipulate the past to serve present needs. The popularity of HB during the Middle Ages led to numerous recensions, which have in turn made establishment of the primary text and its authorship problematic. The following will focus specifically on the Harleian text, on the assumption that it is the earliest and closest to the original. First, we should place this work in its immediate political and cultural context. In the early ninth century, British kingship was limited to the extreme west, specifically to Strathclyde, Wales and Cor
