Cabinet 2: Secular Poetry

Named after the Findern family of Derby, the fifteenth-century Findern manuscript contains short works of popular poetry. Anthologies like this were common in the later Middle Ages; the works collected reflected the tastes of the patrons and owners and rarely showed concern for authorship. At the end of the anonymous poem Sir Degrevaunt, shown here, are the names Elisabeth Koton and Elisabeth Frauncis, likely to be the scribes of the poem.

The Findern Manuscript: Cambridge University Library Ff.1.6, edited by Richard Beadle and A. E. B. Owen (London: Scolar Press, 1977) Central PR 1203 OZ6