Description
Book SynopsisA full survey and overview of the extraordinary flowering of Scottish poetry in the middle ages. The poetry written in Scotland between the late fourteenth and the early years of the sixteenth century is exceptionally rich and varied. The contributions collected here, by leading specialists in the field, provide a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to the material. There are introductions to the literary culture of late medieval Scotland and its historical context; separate studies of the writings of James I, Robert Henryson, William Dunbar, Gavin Douglas, and Sir David Lyndsay; and essays devoted to general themes or genres, including the historiographical tradition, religious verse, romances, and the legendary history of Alexander the Great. A final chapter provides bibliographical guidance on the major advances in the criticism and scholarly study of this poetry during the last thirty years. Contributors: PRISCILLA BAWCUTT, JULIA BOFFEY, JOHN BURROW, ELIZABETH EWAN, R. JAMES GOLDSTEIN, DOUGLAS GRAY, JANET HADLEY WILLIAMS, R. J. LYALL, ANNE MCKIMM, JOANNA MARTIN, RHIANNON PURDIE, NICOLA ROYAN.
Trade ReviewOffers a comprehensive guide to early Scots vernacular literature. Illustrated with copious references, it should prove especially useful as a reference point for students and scholars from neighbouring disciplines.[...]This volume supplies a significant and rewarding introduction to the rich literary culture of late medieval Scotland. * JOURNAL OF ENGLISH AND GERMANIC PHILOLOGY *
Can be recommended to students, and others, with confidence. There are indeed some wondrously good essays in it, and...others would do well to match its execution and quality. * INNES REVIEW *
A welcome addition to the Boydell & Brewer Companion list. [...] Will be valued by students and scholars alike for its excellent contribution to the field of Scottish literature. MEDIUM AEVUM The most significant publication this year in the world of Middle Scots poetry. * YEAR'S WORK IN ENGLISH STUDIES, 2008 *
Table of ContentsIntroduction: Poets `of this Natioun' - Priscilla Bawcutt and Janet Hadley Williams Late Medieval Scotland: a Study in Contrasts - `I will my proces hald': Making Sense of Scottish Lives and the Desire for History in Barbour, Wyntoun and Blind Hary - R James Goldstein `Mark your Meroure be Me': Richard Holland's Buke of the Howlat - Nicola Royan The Kingis Quair and other poems of Bodleian Library MS Arch. Selden. B. 24 - Julia Boffey `Of Wisdome and of Guide Governance': Sir Gilbert Hay and The Buik of King Alexander the Conquerour - Joanna Martin Henryson's Morall Fabillis: Structure and Meaning - Roderick J Lyall Orpheus and Eurydice and The Testament of Cresseid: Robert Henryson's `fine poetical way' - Anne McKim Religious Verse in Medieval Scotland - Priscilla Bawcutt William Dunbar - John A. Burrow Gavin Douglas - Douglas Gray Medieval Romance in Scotland - Sir David Lyndsay - Janet Hadley Williams Guide to Further Reading Index of Manuscripts General Index
