New Medieval Literatures 21

This volume presents innovative essays on medieval literature, showcasing the dynamic nature of the field and exploring diverse textual cultures. New Medieval Literatures 21 offers fresh insights.

In New Medieval Literatures 21, readers are invited to explore innovative perspectives on medieval literature, highlighting the dynamic and vibrant nature of the field. This annual volume presents a rich tapestry of essays that delve into the complexities of medieval textual cultures, with a focus on intellectual and cultural pluralism, both in the Middle Ages and in contemporary discourse. The contributions span a variety of methodologies, including theoretical, archival, philological, and historicist approaches, ensuring an inclusive examination of European cultures throughout history.

The essays within New Medieval Literatures 21 cover a wide range of topics, tracing connections from figures like Livy to Erwin Panofsky. They challenge traditional notions of medieval textual cultures as fixed categories, demonstrating the diversity and fluidity of medieval understandings of the past. By engaging with themes such as history, texts, and truth, the volume reflects on contemporary concepts, including Foucault's ideas and modern interpretations of truth in the media.

Additionally, the volume emphasizes the materiality of texts and the technical crafts involved in their production, offering new insights into mysticism, knighthood, and manuscript reception. Analysis of manuscript illuminations reveals fresh perspectives on identity and diversity, while a comprehensive survey of thirteenth-century manuscripts in Oxford libraries provides a provocative new history of script. Notable texts discussed include works by Chrétien de Troyes, Richard Rolle, and various Middle English romances, enriching our understanding of medieval literature's lasting impact.