Les Cantiques Salemon: The Song of Songs in MS Paris BNF fr. 14966 (Medieval Women: Texts and Contexts)

The first edition of one of three Old French commentaries on the 'Song of Songs' (the other two published). It is notable for its inclusion of contrafacta of courtly, secular lyrics and by its fervent lyricism. Its character and allusions to the Beguines link it to female piety in Northern France in the 13th C. There is a very full introduction on the tradition of the Song of Songs and Beguine writing in Old French. A detailed summary of the text is provided, along with a very full glossary, notes, and a study of the language of the text. No edition has ever been made before despite the cultural significance of what is a most original text very much in the Cistercian tradition.