Silence
v. Prohibit or prevent from speaking
It is somewhat curious that Le Roman de Silence would carry such a name, since it is a story which itself has been kept from speaking for several hundred years. Those of you whom have heard me talk about this Romance have almost certainly heard me get some of the details wrong. I hope to set the record straight here.
Analysis of the Old French used in writing Silence has led scholars to conclude that it was drafted in the late 1200s, yet it was basically unknown until 1911 when it was found in the manor of a British noble inside a box marked “old papers – no value.” This unpromising box also held a number of letters from King Henry VIII.
It received only passing academic mention until it was edited in 1960 and published in 1972. That edition is out of print and difficult to find.
v. Prohibit or prevent from speaking
It is somewhat curious that Le Roman de Silence would carry such a name, since it is a story which itself has been kept from speaking for several hundred years. Those of you whom have heard me talk about this Romance have almost certainly heard me get some of the details wrong. I hope to set the record straight here.
Analysis of the Old French used in writing Silence has led scholars to conclude that it was drafted in the late 1200s, yet it was basically unknown until 1911 when it was found in the manor of a British noble inside a box marked “old papers – no value.” This unpromising box also held a number of letters from King Henry VIII.
It received only passing academic mention until it was edited in 1960 and published in 1972. That edition is out of print and difficult to find.
Silence n. Complete absence of sound The theme of Silence plays out many ways in the text. In addition to being the protagonist's name, it describes her first home, the court of her parents, and many secrets kept along the way. Other motifs in the story include 'the princess disguised as a man accused of illicit relations with the Queen,' 'disguising of women in men's clothes,' 'recognition by birthmark,' and 'any boon asked.' These names come from the Stith Thompson Motif Index. When we discuss the tale, I hope we will cover how the story conforms to and diverges from these motifs. | Stith Thompson Motif Index |
Who Wrote Silence?
To judge by to opening lines, the author is Master Heldris of Cornwall. A reasonable enough assuption but for the fact that the opening lines of a poem are themselves a part of the poem. One might as well then credit all the Stories of the 1001 Arabian Nights to Scheherazade, or the Adventures of Baron von Munchhausen to the Baron himself.
Of course, Munchhausen has one very big advantage over Heldris of Cornwall and Sheherezad; there is an actual record of his existence (and his predilection for tall tales) – though anyone reading the opening pages of that tome will instantly realize that it is a work of fantasy with little to do with the actual Baron von Munchausen save the name.
And I suppose the same could be said of Heldris of Cornwall – who has a small appearance in The History of the Kings of Britain, a book that was itself written a good 200 years before Silence. But, time being what it is (and not the wibley-wobbly stuff described by Doctor Who), I think it is safe to assume that the Heldris recorded in The History of the Kings of Britain was not the author of the book we are currently reading.
So, who do you think wrote Silence?
To judge by to opening lines, the author is Master Heldris of Cornwall. A reasonable enough assuption but for the fact that the opening lines of a poem are themselves a part of the poem. One might as well then credit all the Stories of the 1001 Arabian Nights to Scheherazade, or the Adventures of Baron von Munchhausen to the Baron himself.
Of course, Munchhausen has one very big advantage over Heldris of Cornwall and Sheherezad; there is an actual record of his existence (and his predilection for tall tales) – though anyone reading the opening pages of that tome will instantly realize that it is a work of fantasy with little to do with the actual Baron von Munchausen save the name.
And I suppose the same could be said of Heldris of Cornwall – who has a small appearance in The History of the Kings of Britain, a book that was itself written a good 200 years before Silence. But, time being what it is (and not the wibley-wobbly stuff described by Doctor Who), I think it is safe to assume that the Heldris recorded in The History of the Kings of Britain was not the author of the book we are currently reading.
So, who do you think wrote Silence?