| Abstract | session grouped by Norman Houseley (4/11/03):
Abstract paper -a:
Die mittelenglischen Karlsromanzen betrachtet man oft als Texte, die eher den Kreuzzuegen als eigentlich Karl dem Grossen gewidmet waren. Da die Sarazenen in den Romazen als feindliches Nachkommen, Gegner Gottes und ihre Religion als falsche dargestellt waren, waren sie zu bekehren oder zu toeten. Der Uebertritt des Protagonisten zu einem anderen Glauben nach eigenem Willen war sowohl fuer den Autor als auch fuer seine Zuhoerer unvorstellbar. Aus diesem Grunde geschehen die eigentlichen Bekehrungen der Sarazenen in den mittelenglischen Romanzen meistens als von Gott vollbrachte Wunder, aber auch durch den Todesangst, die Liebe oder die Desillusion ueber die Goetter.
Abstract paper -b:
The Anglo-Norman romance Boeve de Haumtone, written for the Albini earls of Arundel, forms the basis of a Middle English text extant in several redactions. I will single out hitherto unexamined topical allusions in it to the Albinis' crusading experiences, with special reference to the complex interactions between the local population of Outremer and the crusading Franks. This will be the starting point for an examination of the way that these episodes are rewritten as the text is translated and disseminated, with established literary and cultural stereotypes being substituted for what had been specific references to concrete socio-historical attitudes and practices in the source text.
Abstract paper -c:
Ralph Hanna called The Siege of Jerusalem 'the chocolate covered tarantula', for reveling in violence and Elisa Narrin van Court argued that it is at times very sympathetic to the Jewish characters it portrays. I will argue in my paper that part of the purpose of the poem is to reinforce ideas of orthodoxy. The reinforcement of the powers of relics through the healing of both Titus and Vespasianus as well as the vilification of Caiapahs and his learned priests and the glorification of the passionate Christian soldiers under Vespasianus are major examples of orthodxy that I will discuss. These examples reflect orthodox ideas present in England at the time.
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