The Cambridge Songs {Carmina Cantabrigiensia} (Cambridge, University Library MS Gg. 5.35) are an important collection of Latin poems that English scribes copied in the middle of the eleventh century. The poems come from across medieval Europe and include some classical Latin verse. A number of poems concern music, six have at least some neumes, and many have formal associations with music (sequences, “modus” in title). Breul’s facsimile edition (1915) is available online, as well as Strecker’s edition (1926). The current best edition is that of Ziolkowski (1994).
Medieval poets re-imagined female figures of the melodious nightingale & heavenly Jerusalem to incorporate in hymns men’s interests, concerns, and hopes. … Read the post melodious nightingale & heavenly Jerusalem: medieval re-imaginings
A distant girlfriend came to a dying, lovesick medieval man in a dream and urged upon him healing love-medicine. For a warm-hearted woman, that’s realistic. … Read the post warm-hearted medieval woman saved man dying from lovesickness
Arguments about sex don’t have to be nasty. Medieval literature shows girlfriends how to treat with dignity & respect sex-seeking boyfriends. Learn & love! … Read the post how to argue nicely about sex with your boyfriend: a medieval lesson
Men suffering under gender oppression desperately need loyal women. In these circumstances, women’s betrayal and disloyalty to men prompts bitter protest. … Read the post men’s sense of women’s disloyalty spurs men’s sexed protests
The medieval Latin poem Modus Florum clarifies the story of Ahiqar, the life of Aesop, and poetry’s relation to history. … Read the post Modus Florum shows poetic, inner-truth alternative to history