Medieval Chronicles: Key Figures and Literary Works
The Chronicles
- Chronicle: The facts speak of the era.
- Epica: Those who sing of glories, importance, type genus. It lacks great battles, great victories, great defeats, and real characters.
- Songs feat: Poems speak of battles or wars.
Medieval Chronicles
- James I: (King Conqueror), the characters say exactly what they mean. Is characterized by providentialism (belief that victories are due to divine designation).
- Bernard Desclot: Documents do not explicitly name Bernard Desclot. He sometimes signed as Desclot, or as a scribe. He is an author of many accounts and traveled extensively.
- Ramon Muntaner: The protagonists of his works were the kings, who were getting their things done. He was very nationalistic.
- Peter the Ceremonious: (King) His chronicle is the shortest, justified in its battles and deaths, about his reign and his father’s reign.
Bernat Metge (1340/1346-1413)
14th century. Considered a humanist. Humanism comes from Italy (Dante, Boccaccio, Petrarch) from a classical antiquity environment. Humanists are known to be isotopes of the classical world. Humanist ideals included acceptance between power as kings.
Joan I & Marti Luma
It was mandatory to know Latin, Aragonese, and Catalan, being the official chancery (institution of great importance to the era) which directed a foreign bureaucratic body that redacted all official documents of royalty and nobility. Its importance comes from linguistic uniformity. The official from the Foreign Secretary, Joan I, had privileges until he was found dead in the woods of Foix. And the queen regent, Mary Moon, imprisoned the chancellors. Author of the narrative verse “Book of Wisdom and Fortune”.
Work
The author shows himself as refined, cultured, but also with cynicism and sarcasm. The most famous sermon is “Siat Nature.”
You Dream
Written in the first person, it narrates a starry night where the protagonist, Bernard, sees Joan I accompanied by two divinities (Orpheus and Tiresias). The dialogue is divided into 4 books:
- Book 1: Conversation between doctor and King.
- Book 2: Joan I answers questions from Bernat Metge about the cause of his death, his fate in Purgatory, to avoid the appearance of those who condemn Bernard.
- Book 3: Orpheus and Tiresias speak, attacking women.
- Book 4: Responds to the attack and criticizes men. Bernard finally awakens, realizing it was only a dream.
Intention: To justify themselves before Marti Lhuma in order to reinstate the royal chancery (readmit him). Bernard is presented as believed as the ‘humà Marti.
Ausias March
Born in Valencia, a young gentleman, spoke in military campaigns, called the greatest falconer. Married 2 times. 1st to Elizabeth Martorell (who died 2 or 3 years later), 2nd to Jeanne Escorna (Ausias will address the singing of the dies). In the testament, it was stated that he had 5 children. He was the first author to write poetry in Catalan. He is considered the great poet of the Middle Ages. He leaves Occitan to write poems in Catalan. He makes poetry himself, he thinks of himself (private life).
Work
Differences from troubadours:
- Part of a social group.
- Dolce Stil Novo breaks the classist spirit and is based on the nobility of heart, a lady had idealized.
Type of Love
- Spiritual: The love of the soul.
- Carnal: If you had a woman in her bed (Erotic) (Body).
Senhal: Designates the beloved, full of wisdom, lily among thorns, love, love, love oh crazy.
QTY Spiritus: He writes at the end of his life, apologizing to God. He traveled a lot and was in sea battles and maritime comparisons.