Introduction to Jean Bodel

Bringing the work of a highly influentialmedieval French writer to English-speaking audiences for the first time

Thisbook explores the life and works of Jean Bodel, an influential author who livedin twelfth-century Arras, France. A versatile poet, playwright, and epic writerwho established new genres such as fabliauxand the mystery play, Bodel remains relatively unknown to Anglophone audiences.Lynn Rameyoffers translations and summaries of works never published before in Englishwhile delving into Bodel’s historical and cultural context.

Aftera brief introduction to the poet, Ramey highlights the stimulating andcosmopolitan environment of Arras, considering the influence of the Crusadesand social movements in shaping Bodel’s works. Next, Ramey provides anextensive survey of all of Bodel’s known writing across his prolific career bygenre, from his most well-known work, ThePlay of Saint Nicholas (Le Jeu desaint Nicolas), to his final piece, Farewell(Les Congés), which offers importantinsight into his diagnosis of leprosy toward the end of his life. Rameytranslates several pieces including pastourelles,fabliaux, and selections fromthe Song of the Saxons (Chanson des Saisnes). The book also includesinformation on Bodel’s sources, a chronology, and a glossary.

Withmuch of the existing scholarship on Bodel only available in French, this bookbridges a gap in knowledge of the poet and serves as a useful resource for bothstudents and specialists. An Introductionto Jean Bodel allows a broader audience to engage with the writer’swide-ranging work and contributions to literary history.

Avolume in the series New Perspectives on Medieval Literature: Authors andTraditions, edited by R. Barton Palmer and Tison Pugh