Understanding writings from the Middle Ages is not always easy though usually enjoyable. One reason being, that the Catholic church controlled most of western and central Europe at the time. As the Catholic church provided most of the education at the time, each medieval author would generally transcribe writings in Latin, except for the few whom held an existing knowledge of the English language.
While commoners continued to use this old language, a conversion to using elements of Celtic and Greek orthodoxy happened shortly thereafter. Some of the most well known writings of this genre were Igor's Campaign, Nibelungenlied, and Digenis Acritas. While often considered works of the individual, these anonymous writings of poets, priests and sages clearly take on the oral traditions of the time.
Of course, there is no better association with medieval writing and the Celts than that of King Arthur and the Arthurian cycles. With two of the most notable writings of the time being that of Marie de France and the Mabinogion. While a notable amount of literature from the period remains anonymous, classical writers were often noted for embellishing stories.
Even writers developing and submitting original story lines whether on stage or in written form, often attributed the work to others. In many cases, these writers would suggest a story came out of a play. Whereas, in others, authors would simply embellish or rewrite works which had been published anonymously. It is interesting to note, that in many cases there may have been multiple authors working on a single story.
As one might expect, stories of this era were dominated by theology and religion. The Bible, found in most homes was the premier book of the ages. Whereas, a number of different books on philosophy and theology could be found in libraries. As Catholics remained the intellectual center, there were a number of religious texts, philosophies and theories published at the time.
Many writings such as those attributed to sacred and secular scholars were based in philosophy and theology. As such, a number of treaties were written with the intention of reconciling the pagan teachings of Greek and Roman authors with that of the Catholic church. At first, the pagan authors accepted these new treaties though later rejected the writings as dogma posed by the church.
One of the most read text of the Middle Ages is that of The Golden Legend of Jacobus de Voragine. A book which has been reported to be read more than the Bible at the time. As the Bible was often read on a daily basis, saying the book was read more than the Bible may or may not be accurate, saying that the Bible was read more often than the book, could very well be fact.
A number of Jewish authors also lived during this time. Maimonides, born in Spain, and Rashi, born in France are two of the most well known and influential writers of the period. Each of which were considered outstanding writers by Catholics and pagans. After which, the writings moved toward a more secular form with one of the most popular being that of Beowolf.
While commoners continued to use this old language, a conversion to using elements of Celtic and Greek orthodoxy happened shortly thereafter. Some of the most well known writings of this genre were Igor's Campaign, Nibelungenlied, and Digenis Acritas. While often considered works of the individual, these anonymous writings of poets, priests and sages clearly take on the oral traditions of the time.
Of course, there is no better association with medieval writing and the Celts than that of King Arthur and the Arthurian cycles. With two of the most notable writings of the time being that of Marie de France and the Mabinogion. While a notable amount of literature from the period remains anonymous, classical writers were often noted for embellishing stories.
Even writers developing and submitting original story lines whether on stage or in written form, often attributed the work to others. In many cases, these writers would suggest a story came out of a play. Whereas, in others, authors would simply embellish or rewrite works which had been published anonymously. It is interesting to note, that in many cases there may have been multiple authors working on a single story.
As one might expect, stories of this era were dominated by theology and religion. The Bible, found in most homes was the premier book of the ages. Whereas, a number of different books on philosophy and theology could be found in libraries. As Catholics remained the intellectual center, there were a number of religious texts, philosophies and theories published at the time.
Many writings such as those attributed to sacred and secular scholars were based in philosophy and theology. As such, a number of treaties were written with the intention of reconciling the pagan teachings of Greek and Roman authors with that of the Catholic church. At first, the pagan authors accepted these new treaties though later rejected the writings as dogma posed by the church.
One of the most read text of the Middle Ages is that of The Golden Legend of Jacobus de Voragine. A book which has been reported to be read more than the Bible at the time. As the Bible was often read on a daily basis, saying the book was read more than the Bible may or may not be accurate, saying that the Bible was read more often than the book, could very well be fact.
A number of Jewish authors also lived during this time. Maimonides, born in Spain, and Rashi, born in France are two of the most well known and influential writers of the period. Each of which were considered outstanding writers by Catholics and pagans. After which, the writings moved toward a more secular form with one of the most popular being that of Beowolf.
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