Medieval Women and Poetry

1. Medieval Women and Poetry By Lindsey Bell

2. Looking At: • Authorship • Medieval Court • Floencia Pinar • Marie de France

3. Medieval Authorship Modern concept of Authorship did not exists at this time Male dominated field

4. Female literacy is more common than assumed due to the Medieval term of literacy

5. Began in early 12th century with the end of the Crusades The crusades brought contact with the East Life originating outside the Church Rise of Court

6. Three Forms of Love in Poetry • Fin’ Amors ( Adulterous love) • Passionate love/ Tristian love (Tragic Love) • Conjugal Courtly Love ( Love inside marriage)

7. Fall of Secular Court • Decline in late 12th century to the early 13th century • Occurred during the beginning of the Albigensian Crusade

8. Florencia Pinar • 15th century Spanish Love poet • Connected to the court of Ferdinan and Issabelle

9. Florencia Pinar’s Poetry Work in 3 Collections (Concioners) Uses Female voice Poems are written with concrete language

10. Marie de France Not much is known about her life though many guess. Composed writings between 1160-1215 Wrote in French Vernacular Wrote three different genres: Brenton Tale Animal Fables Spiritual voyages

11. Lais • About men and women suffering in love • The female characters launch the story and resolve the crises • Critique on feudal courtly society • These lais brought Marie de France to the 21st century

12. Cheverefoil/ The Lai of the Honeysuckle • Shortest Lai • Rewrite of an old myth • Shows the joy of love and the pain of separation.

13. King Author Known Today

14. Lai Lavnal • Only rewrite of an Arthurian tale • Most copied Lai • A criticism of feudal society

15. Fables • Most popular in Marie de France’s time. • First to bring fables to a divers audience • 102 fables in all