The Song of Lewes (c. 1264) is a Latin poem of 968 lines in Goliardic manner, recording, celebrating, and justifying the victory of Simon de Montfort at the Battle of Lewes.
The poem is taken to be written by a cleric closely associated with de Montfort's household - hence its many Biblical references and its knowledge of the baronial constitutional position.[1]
Themesedit
The first part of the poem, lines 1-484, is concerned with the actual battle, designating the (outnumbered) de Montfort as David to Henry III of England's Goliath.[2]
The second part (lines 485-968) reflect the constitutional debate, beginning with a statement of the royalist position that "the degenerate race of the English, which used to serve, inverting the natural order of things, ruled over the king and his children".[3] In response, the Song points out that the king fell under natural law, citing the case of the fall of King Saul for breaking the law ("quia leges fregit").[4] Henry's personal rule, and reliance on favourites, was then condemned.[5] The alternative the Song proposed was the action of the community of the realm (or at least of that part most involved with the kingdom and its laws: "Therefore the community of the realm take counsel, and let there be decreed what is the opinion of the commonalty, to whom their own laws are best known".[6]
Princely characteredit
The Song of Lewes also provided a telling description of Prince Edward: "He is a lion by his pride and ferocity; by his inconstancy and changeableness he is a pard".[7]
^A G Rigg, A History of Anglo-Latin Literature (1992) p. 199
^A G Rigg, A History of Anglo-Latin Literature (1992) p. 200
^Quoted in D Jones, The Plantagenets (London 2012) p. 273
^G. M. Trevelyan, History of England (London 1926) p. 175
^J. Burton, Authority and Reaction in the Age of Magna Carta (2015) p. 93
^Quoted in R Wickson, The Community of the Realm in 13thC England (London 1970) p. 108
^Quoted in D Jones, The Plantagenets (London 2012) p. 283
Further readingedit
C L Kingsford ed., The Song of Lewes (Oxford 1963 [1890])
External linksedit
The Song of the Battle of Lewes
April 10, 2024
song, lewes, 1264, latin, poem, lines, goliardic, manner, recording, celebrating, justifying, victory, simon, montfort, battle, lewes, poem, criticizes, henry, england, reliance, favourites, depicts, pride, ferocity, prince, edward, future, king, edward, engla. The Song of Lewes c 1264 is a Latin poem of 968 lines in Goliardic manner recording celebrating and justifying the victory of Simon de Montfort at the Battle of Lewes The poem criticizes Henry III of England for his reliance on favourites It depicts the pride and ferocity of Prince Edward the future king Edward I of England but criticizes Edward s inconstancy Contents 1 Origins 2 Themes 2 1 Princely character 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External linksOrigins editThe poem is taken to be written by a cleric closely associated with de Montfort s household hence its many Biblical references and its knowledge of the baronial constitutional position 1 Themes editThe first part of the poem lines 1 484 is concerned with the actual battle designating the outnumbered de Montfort as David to Henry III of England s Goliath 2 The second part lines 485 968 reflect the constitutional debate beginning with a statement of the royalist position that the degenerate race of the English which used to serve inverting the natural order of things ruled over the king and his children 3 In response the Song points out that the king fell under natural law citing the case of the fall of King Saul for breaking the law quia leges fregit 4 Henry s personal rule and reliance on favourites was then condemned 5 The alternative the Song proposed was the action of the community of the realm or at least of that part most involved with the kingdom and its laws Therefore the community of the realm take counsel and let there be decreed what is the opinion of the commonalty to whom their own laws are best known 6 Princely character edit The Song of Lewes also provided a telling description of Prince Edward He is a lion by his pride and ferocity by his inconstancy and changeableness he is a pard 7 See also editPeatling Magna The Vows of the HeronReferences edit A G Rigg A History of Anglo Latin Literature 1992 p 199 A G Rigg A History of Anglo Latin Literature 1992 p 200 Quoted in D Jones The Plantagenets London 2012 p 273 G M Trevelyan History of England London 1926 p 175 J Burton Authority and Reaction in the Age of Magna Carta 2015 p 93 Quoted in R Wickson The Community of the Realm in 13thC England London 1970 p 108 Quoted in D Jones The Plantagenets London 2012 p 283Further reading editC L Kingsford ed The Song of Lewes Oxford 1963 1890 External links editThe Song of the Battle of Lewes Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Song of Lewes amp oldid 1212791430, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
