Monday, December 28, 2015

Exploring The First Medieval Author And Writings

By Rebecca Clark


Due to the events of the time, it is easy to locate a number of writings though most were written in Latin. It is far more difficult to identify the first medieval author. For, during the Catholic church dominated central and western Europe during the Middle Ages. As a result, the church remained one of the only institutes of learning at the time.

In time, some commoners continued to use the Latin language while others moved towards using elements of the Greek and Roman language. While this is the case, it is the Latin texts which have become most well known over the years. While a number of these texts survived the time, others were destroyed over the years.

When it comes to the Celts, the most common text of the Middle Ages surrounds King Arthur and the court. There are two other texts which were often attributed great value in the era. These are Mabinogion and Marie de France. While these and many other texts remain anonymous, classical writers were known for embellishing stories. Yet, these writers were often thought to have penned these and other great tales.

Even when writers would submit original story lines, themes would often be attributed as having been quoted by an actor or actors. After which, the name of the authors took on less importance with many stories never attributed to a specific person. In time, authors became more respected, noted and honored for future works.

As might be expected, the majority of work created during this period was based in philosophical and theological thought. The Bible being one of the most popular books of the period. Catholics remained the intellectual center of society which resulted in a large collection of theological works being housed in different libraries. After which, a number of philosophical titles and others began to find a way on to shelves in local, regional and national libraries.

Texts, especially those attributed to secular and sacred authors became quite popular with the masses. After which, a number of treaties were developed to try and reconcile the Catholic church with pagan authors, an attempt that ultimately failed. Still, one in which the pagans and others began to learn about the beliefs of Catholics and others in the Christian faith.

The Golden Legend of Jacobus de Voragine attracted so much attention, it is often said the book was read more than the Bible. Philosophers and poets, priests and others all had writings published during the Middle Ages. When it came to theater, it was the Bible that presented the material for a variety of one act plays based on scripture.

There were also two notable Jewish authors working during the Middle Ages, these were Maimonides, born in Spain and Rashi, born in France. Each was quite well known for a number of different writings related to a variety of religious texts. Although, it was not long after that secular books like that of Beowolf and others began to show up at the marketplace and at different libraries in Europe, and eventually, the world.




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