La Chanson de Walther: 'Waltharii poesis'
A. B. E. Hood
This is a very useful edition of the medieval Latin epic Waltharius, which recounts escape from Pannonia Walter Aquitaine and his Burgundian betrothed Hiltgund, hostages held by Attila, king Huns. They take with them treasure gold bracelets, eventually cornered in defile Vosges, where he defeats series single combats dozen assailants, amid gory mutilation. The final scene strewn severed foot Frankish Gunther, Walter's hand, eye friend Hagen: ‘c'est ainsi, ainsi qu'ils se sont partagé les bracelets des Avars!’ (l. 1404, p. 139). editors provide not only text facing French translation but also selective annotation, an informative index proper names, comprehensive bibliography up to 2006, judicious introduction over thirty pages. essentially that Strecker Monumenta Germaniae Historica (1951); textual discussion minimal. fluent prose translation, first into for century, holds closely without becoming stilted. Mora's places, as far possible, tale poem historical context outlines poet's no means straightforward exploitation predecessors: Virgil Statius, Prudentius, whose Psychomachia informs prominent theme avarice. She gives measured assessment humour literary allusion deployed, characterizing it ‘ludique’ rather than single-mindedly satirical or mock-heroic; tonal variety emphasized. One misses treatment poem's metrical technique language, particularly Germanisms cross-linguistic punning, although there are instructive notes on individual lexical points. Mora does review much-debated problems authorship, date, provenance. In Prologue, transmitted one group manuscripts, certain Geraldus dedicates Waltharius Erckambaldus. regards copyist author, finds plausible identification dedicatee Erckambaldus who was bishop Strasbourg 965 991. sceptical old hypothesis, still supported some German scholars, links monastery St Gallen; she tends, rather, towards view composed at court anonymous cleric middle ninth century. New arguments adduced, clear, balanced summary guides reader controversies. There already other versions including those lively English verse Dennis M. Kratz (1984) Brian Murdoch (1989) — though listed present (p. 153), A. K. Bate's helpful if occasionally quirky (University Reading, 1978) lacks translation. However, this well-produced now offers more. It ready access, up-to-date ancillary material, antedates visible evidence comparable vernacular epics testifies subtle, witty blending Germanic heroic subject matter classical Christian late Carolingian Frankland.
French Studies