Themes and Images in the Medieval English Religious Lyric
Routledge Library Editions: The Medieval World Series

Originally published in 1972, Themes and Images in the Medieval English Religious Lyric discusses themes and images in religious lyric poetry in Medieval English poetry. The book looks at the affect that tradition and convention had on the religious poetry of the medieval period. It examines the background of the lyrics, including the Latin tradition which was inherited by medieval vernacular and shows how religious lyric poetry presents, through a rich variety of images, the significant incidents in the scheme of Christ?s redemption, such as the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Passion and the Resurrection. It also considers the lyrics which were designed to assist humanity in the task of living in a Christian life, as well as those which prepared them for death.

Preface Part I: The Background 1. The Inherited Tradition 2. Medieval Devotion 3. The English Lyrics, I 4. The English Lyrics II Part II: The Scheme of Redemption 5. Christ and the Virgin Mary 6. Annunciation and Nativity 7. The Passion 8. Resurrection and Assumption Part III: The Life of this World 9. The Christian Life 10. Death and the Last Things Conclusion Note on Sources and Abbreviations Notes Index