Voyage of St. Brendan and Matilda and Adeliza of Louvain

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Title

The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Medieval Women’s Writing in the Global Middle Ages

Abstract

The Anglo-Norman Voyage of St. Brendan, penned by cleric Benedeit and dating to the first quarter of the twelfth century, belongs to the popular literary tradition surrounding the early Irish monastic Saint Brendan of Clonfert (c. 484–577 CE). Comprising 1840 lines, it has proved linguistically essential in scholarly study of early Anglo-Norman. One facet of its literary historical significance lies in its place among the first narrative poems composed in French octosyllabic couplets. Another lies in its patronage history, with one dedication clearly attributable to Adeliza of Louvain (1103–1151), second wife of Henry I (c. 1068–1135), and one manuscript witness instead dedicated to Henry’s first wife, Matilda of Scotland (1080–1118). Correspondingly, through both dedications, the text is a significant artifact attesting to women’s literate culture and influence.

Research Highlights

  • The Problem: Lack of recognition for the 12th-century Anglo-Norman text Voyage of St. Brendan as a significant artifact of early French narrative structure and female literary patronage. 

  • The Method: Linguistic and historical analysis of 1840 lines of verse and manuscript dedications to the first and second wives of Henry I.

  • Finding: The text is one of the first narrative poems composed in French octosyllabic couplets; it serves as a linguistically essential primary source for the study of early Anglo-Norman. 

  • Qualitative Finding: Manuscript evidence confirms dedications to Adeliza of Louvain and Matilda of Scotland; the text functions as a record of 12th-century women's literate culture and social influence.

Publication Date

2-2026

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