François Villon – Medieval French Poet
About the time when William Shakespeare was presenting us new insights into the life and times of the medieval English countryside garnished with romance and historical skullduggery, just across the Channel, a Parisian ruffian, a certain François Villon, with a poetic bent was delighting his literary audiences with questions regarding the ultimate meaning of life under the kings of France.
Some historians say that he may have occasionally transgressed the law at the time and, therefore, spent long and unrewarding days and weeks in the King’s local prisons, but, there, he unwittingly learned all the fine points of a vagabond’s profession. For more information on the good Francois Villon, click here.
Experts of the French language have studied extant manuscripts dating back to about 450 AD, which show the gradual transition from the spoken, street Latin of the period to a more Frankish version that appeared in the days of Charlemagne, around 800 AD.
Recall that the Franks had taken over the territory and institutions of old Gaul – Julius Caesar’s conquered lands in the west – and had refashioned the everyday language to, yet, another brand. But, by the mid-1400s, poetic verse could be appreciated in, yet, another vulgate used by folks of the Parisian nightlife, which is where Villon found an audience.
Several examples of his work can be found in the Encyclopedia Britannica. One of Villon’s more famous ballads focused on the very ephemeral nature of human glories. especially, with regards to feminine beauty. It is called: “Ballade des Dames du Temps Jadis” and is often recalled in English as: “But where are the Snows of Yesteryear?”
This association may appear a bit bizarre, but the reader in examining the following leaflet will, hopefully, appreciate the connection. Click below to appreciate the poet’s style.
Also, note the Frankish style of speech used by Villon in the text. Even a student at a French lycée (advanced high school) today would need to fully read the material once or twice to get the full impact.
But, can you answer the key question below?
“Mais, ou sont les neiges d’antan?”