By Lorris Chevalier
As the holiday season approaches, let us delve into the world of medieval poets to explore how Christmas made its way into their works. While Latin hymns widely celebrated the Nativity during the Middle Ages, vernacular poets seem to have paid little attention to the theme—or at least few of their texts have survived. Join us on a literary journey through subtle allusions and festive vignettes, from Chrétien de Troyes to François Villon, with a stop at Clément Marot.
A Subtle Nod in Chrétien de Troyes
In Perceval, the Story of the Grail, Chrétien de Troyes refers to Christmas not as a religious event, but as an opportunity for feasting. In this passage, Christmas appears as a marker of time to underscore the length of a banquet:
« Mes sire Gauvains coste a coste
Fist delez lui mangier son oste,
Et li mangiers ne fut pas corz,
Qu’il dura plus que uns des jorz
Antor Natevité ne dure. »
“Sir Gawain at his side
Had made him his guest,
And the meal was not brief,
For it lasted longer than one of the days
Around the time of Nativity.”
Here, Christmas serves as a backdrop for festivity, far removed from theological contemplation, with the feast itself taking center stage.
An Imaginary Christmas in the Fabliau of Cocagne
The Fabliau of Cocagne, a humorous 13th-century text describing a utopian land of abundance and perpetual festivity, mentions Christmas as one of many celebrations, almost ordinary in this whimsical paradise:
« Quatre semaines font un mois,
Et quatre Pasques a en l’an
Et quatre festes Saint-Julian.
Quatre toz saints, quatre Noex,
Et quatre festes chandeleurs. »
“Four weeks make a month,
And four Easters in the year,
And four Saint Julian’s feasts.
Four All Saints’, four Christmases,
And four Candlemas feasts.”
Although the passage does not delve into the spirit of Christmas, it underscores its importance in the medieval festive calendar, even in imaginary realms.
Clément Marot’s Festive Cheer
With Clément Marot, we find a more explicit and lighthearted tone in the celebration of Christmas. In a pastoral song dedicated to the Nativity, the poet joyfully commemorates the event:
« Une pastourelle gentile
Et un berger, en un verger,
Lautrehier en jouant à la bille
S’enlredisoient, pour abréger :
[…]
Te souvient-il plus du Prophète
Qui nous dit cas’ de si hault faicl,
Que d’une pucelle parfaicte
Naistroit un enfant tout parfaict ? »
“A gentle shepherdess
And a shepherd, in an orchard,
The day before yesterday, while playing at marbles,
Spoke to shorten the time:
[…]
Do you recall the Prophet
Who foretold such a noble deed,
That from a perfect maiden
Would be born a perfect child?”
This song blends the Nativity’s spiritual narrative with a playful and pastoral tone, highlighting both devotion and festive joy.
François Villon’s Proverbial Christmas
Finally, we turn to François Villon and his famous Ballade of Proverbs. While not dedicated to Christmas, this text includes a recurring phrase that joyfully invokes the holiday season:
« Tant crie-l’on Noël qu’il vient. »
“So much we cry Noël that it comes.”
This refrain, repeated throughout the ballad, captures the collective anticipation and joyous celebration of Christmas. Villon’s playful manipulation of proverbs creates a lively tapestry of medieval life, with Christmas punctuating the celebratory tone.
Though Christmas is a subtle theme in medieval poetry, it remains a source of inspiration for occasional references and songs. Beyond grand liturgical celebrations, poets sometimes celebrated the season through images of feasts, imaginary lands, or lighthearted pastorals.
May your holiday season be filled with poetic joy and festive cheer!
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon.
Top Image: Bodleian Library MS. Bodl. 264 fol. 72v
By Lorris Chevalier
As the holiday season approaches, let us delve into the world of medieval poets to explore how Christmas made its way into their works. While Latin hymns widely celebrated the Nativity during the Middle Ages, vernacular poets seem to have paid little attention to the theme—or at least few of their texts have survived. Join us on a literary journey through subtle allusions and festive vignettes, from Chrétien de Troyes to François Villon, with a stop at Clément Marot.
A Subtle Nod in Chrétien de Troyes
In Perceval, the Story of the Grail, Chrétien de Troyes refers to Christmas not as a religious event, but as an opportunity for feasting. In this passage, Christmas appears as a marker of time to underscore the length of a banquet:
« Mes sire Gauvains coste a coste
Fist delez lui mangier son oste,
Et li mangiers ne fut pas corz,
Qu’il dura plus que uns des jorz
Antor Natevité ne dure. »
“Sir Gawain at his side
Had made him his guest,
And the meal was not brief,
For it lasted longer than one of the days
Around the time of Nativity.”
Here, Christmas serves as a backdrop for festivity, far removed from theological contemplation, with the feast itself taking center stage.
An Imaginary Christmas in the Fabliau of Cocagne
The Fabliau of Cocagne, a humorous 13th-century text describing a utopian land of abundance and perpetual festivity, mentions Christmas as one of many celebrations, almost ordinary in this whimsical paradise:
« Quatre semaines font un mois,
Et quatre Pasques a en l’an
Et quatre festes Saint-Julian.
Quatre toz saints, quatre Noex,
Et quatre festes chandeleurs. »
“Four weeks make a month,
And four Easters in the year,
And four Saint Julian’s feasts.
Four All Saints’, four Christmases,
And four Candlemas feasts.”
Although the passage does not delve into the spirit of Christmas, it underscores its importance in the medieval festive calendar, even in imaginary realms.
Clément Marot’s Festive Cheer
With Clément Marot, we find a more explicit and lighthearted tone in the celebration of Christmas. In a pastoral song dedicated to the Nativity, the poet joyfully commemorates the event:
« Une pastourelle gentile
Et un berger, en un verger,
Lautrehier en jouant à la bille
S’enlredisoient, pour abréger :
[…]
Te souvient-il plus du Prophète
Qui nous dit cas’ de si hault faicl,
Que d’une pucelle parfaicte
Naistroit un enfant tout parfaict ? »
“A gentle shepherdess
And a shepherd, in an orchard,
The day before yesterday, while playing at marbles,
Spoke to shorten the time:
[…]
Do you recall the Prophet
Who foretold such a noble deed,
That from a perfect maiden
Would be born a perfect child?”
This song blends the Nativity’s spiritual narrative with a playful and pastoral tone, highlighting both devotion and festive joy.
François Villon’s Proverbial Christmas
Finally, we turn to François Villon and his famous Ballade of Proverbs. While not dedicated to Christmas, this text includes a recurring phrase that joyfully invokes the holiday season:
« Tant crie-l’on Noël qu’il vient. »
“So much we cry Noël that it comes.”
This refrain, repeated throughout the ballad, captures the collective anticipation and joyous celebration of Christmas. Villon’s playful manipulation of proverbs creates a lively tapestry of medieval life, with Christmas punctuating the celebratory tone.
Though Christmas is a subtle theme in medieval poetry, it remains a source of inspiration for occasional references and songs. Beyond grand liturgical celebrations, poets sometimes celebrated the season through images of feasts, imaginary lands, or lighthearted pastorals.
May your holiday season be filled with poetic joy and festive cheer!
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon.
Top Image: Bodleian Library MS. Bodl. 264 fol. 72v
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