Medieval History
I wrote to one of my professors at BYU, Dr. Jesse Hurlbut to seek some answers about the Book of Hours. He is part of the French Studies Department, and some of his scholarly interests involve pageantry and theater in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the Burgundian courts, and French manuscripts. He is incredibly knowledgeable and well-versed in French history and literature, and I thought he could 'illuminate' the manuscript's mysteries, and he did not disappoint!
I wrote to him to ask if he recognized the sonnet at the beginning of the Book of Hours, and he was kind enough to respond not only with information, but a translation!
"I would guess that the sonnet is an original composition inserted as a dedication of the manuscript as a gift to an unnamed beloved. The spelling and language seem later than the Book of Hours, in my estimation, but probably still before 1625 or so--based on spelling. There may be some codicological evidence that could provide more insight here.
The title of the poem is "Vraye Amour l'Ame nous y alie" and corresponds to the last statement in the poem. Here's a rough and unpoetic translation.
I know that it's giving you very little
Compared to the infinity of so much that I owe you
And I also know that I need to choose
An even greater gift for such a worthy person.
But judge not as less complete or as inferior
My faithful friendship, than should I give you
All the precious goods of the most superb kings,
Or all the greatness of their rich crown.
One shouldn't consider the value of gifts;
For that is not loving when we look at that.
It's a good enough thing that a good heart is devoted to us.
That's why I dare give you this present:
For, though it is small, it will please you,
Since a true love binds our souls together.
The entwined laurel leaves and the knotted ('binding') monogram at the bottom of the page suggest a relationship between the poem and the giver/receiver of the gift. The fact that the title of the poem is repeated just above the monogram makes it look like it was the motto of one party or the other?"
So, a big thank you to Dr. Hurlbut, for illuminating some of the mysteries of The Book of Hours!
- Scholar Discovers 16th-century Love Poem Written By An Englishwoman
A previously unknown poem dating from the mid-1500s has been discovered pasted into a rare edition of works by Geoffrey Chaucer. The erotic-love poem seems to have been by a Roman Catholic woman and sent to a Protestant scholar who was the tutor to Edward...
- Monk's Poem Is Published 900 Years On
A medieval monk?s poem which describes the natural beauty of Ely has been translated, published and is now available to buy. In Praise of Ely is a six-page, hard-copy book which was the brainchild of Chip Coakley, Janet Fairweather and Andy English, all...
- Christ Iii Cfp
Call for Papers: 44th International Congress on Medieval Studies (May 7?10, 2009) Special Session on Christ III Despite its brilliant images and grand rhetoric, "Christ III" is the least studied member of the three-poem suite that opens the Exeter Book...
- Ltpsc Book Of Hours: Mystery Saint(?), And The Gaze In Medieval Art
My education at Brigham Young University's Art History undergraduate and graduate department was excellent. Their academic focus is to teach students a general knowledge of all areas of Art History. This has both good and bad effects; I feel as competent...
- Ltpsc Book Of Hours: Introduction
As a medievalist, I have gone through my studies with many unanswered questions regarding illuminated manuscripts. Text books can only take the intrepid scholar so far. What do the bindings look like? What does vellum actually feel to the touch, how does...
Medieval History
LTPSC Book of Hours: Sonnet update!
I wrote to one of my professors at BYU, Dr. Jesse Hurlbut to seek some answers about the Book of Hours. He is part of the French Studies Department, and some of his scholarly interests involve pageantry and theater in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the Burgundian courts, and French manuscripts. He is incredibly knowledgeable and well-versed in French history and literature, and I thought he could 'illuminate' the manuscript's mysteries, and he did not disappoint!
I wrote to him to ask if he recognized the sonnet at the beginning of the Book of Hours, and he was kind enough to respond not only with information, but a translation!
"I would guess that the sonnet is an original composition inserted as a dedication of the manuscript as a gift to an unnamed beloved. The spelling and language seem later than the Book of Hours, in my estimation, but probably still before 1625 or so--based on spelling. There may be some codicological evidence that could provide more insight here.
The title of the poem is "Vraye Amour l'Ame nous y alie" and corresponds to the last statement in the poem. Here's a rough and unpoetic translation.
I know that it's giving you very little
Compared to the infinity of so much that I owe you
And I also know that I need to choose
An even greater gift for such a worthy person.
But judge not as less complete or as inferior
My faithful friendship, than should I give you
All the precious goods of the most superb kings,
Or all the greatness of their rich crown.
One shouldn't consider the value of gifts;
For that is not loving when we look at that.
It's a good enough thing that a good heart is devoted to us.
That's why I dare give you this present:
For, though it is small, it will please you,
Since a true love binds our souls together.
The entwined laurel leaves and the knotted ('binding') monogram at the bottom of the page suggest a relationship between the poem and the giver/receiver of the gift. The fact that the title of the poem is repeated just above the monogram makes it look like it was the motto of one party or the other?"
So, a big thank you to Dr. Hurlbut, for illuminating some of the mysteries of The Book of Hours!
- Scholar Discovers 16th-century Love Poem Written By An Englishwoman
A previously unknown poem dating from the mid-1500s has been discovered pasted into a rare edition of works by Geoffrey Chaucer. The erotic-love poem seems to have been by a Roman Catholic woman and sent to a Protestant scholar who was the tutor to Edward...
- Monk's Poem Is Published 900 Years On
A medieval monk?s poem which describes the natural beauty of Ely has been translated, published and is now available to buy. In Praise of Ely is a six-page, hard-copy book which was the brainchild of Chip Coakley, Janet Fairweather and Andy English, all...
- Christ Iii Cfp
Call for Papers: 44th International Congress on Medieval Studies (May 7?10, 2009) Special Session on Christ III Despite its brilliant images and grand rhetoric, "Christ III" is the least studied member of the three-poem suite that opens the Exeter Book...
- Ltpsc Book Of Hours: Mystery Saint(?), And The Gaze In Medieval Art
My education at Brigham Young University's Art History undergraduate and graduate department was excellent. Their academic focus is to teach students a general knowledge of all areas of Art History. This has both good and bad effects; I feel as competent...
- Ltpsc Book Of Hours: Introduction
As a medievalist, I have gone through my studies with many unanswered questions regarding illuminated manuscripts. Text books can only take the intrepid scholar so far. What do the bindings look like? What does vellum actually feel to the touch, how does...