Medievalists?

[Branwen daughter of Llyr]

I have to say that I'm surprised by the number of people with research interest in Arthuriana, and I wonder if the percentage here correlates with the general Medievalist applicant pool.

Do those of you wishing to work in that field have more specific interests/aspects of Arthuriana that you want to look into? Last summer, when I was thinking about what I'd want to focus on in grad school, I briefly considered topics in Arthuriana, but I thought the subject might already be packed with research from the past couple centuries. Do those of you wanting to go into this part of the field want to do something completely new in Arthuriana, or are you looking to re-visit older research?

Also very interested in Arthuriana - but mostly from the Celtic angle. I'm fascinated by the human need for fantasy, and the "fabulist" tendencies in Middle English lit - up to the present. So the Arthurian cycle is mostly a backdrop for me, the basis, for extensive scholarship connecting medieval lit (of the "fantasy" kind - romances, epic poems, dragons, fairies, etc.) to it's modern counterpart in children's literature and the fantasy genre. I'm fascinated by The Mabinogi, Welsh / Celtic magic and it's role in literature (and what it says psychologically about the Celtic mind / persona), folklore in general, the bardic tradition, and quite a lot more. I think there is so much room in the Arthur story and scholarship (since it has touched SO many genres, periods, and lives) to find a unique niche that most of us will definitely come up with new angles. At least, that's my hope.

Re the languages question: I'm planning on Latin and French as basics (and slowly puzzle out Middle-French for the 12th century romances), but I can also already read Middle English fairly well (though I should take a refresher), and I'm looking forward to learning Welsh so I can read the stories in the original language (yes, even the Arthurian ones). Knowing myself, I'll most likely take a course in Old English as well, since I'm a nerd. I'd also love to learn Italian, for Dante and the comedia de l'arte, specifically, but I doubt I'll manage to do that during my PhD. Oh well... many years of study and research post-doc, right? I'm also fluent in Hebrew, but I doubt that will help me much, unless I do any sort of work with medieval Spanish-Jewish poetry (which I doubt).

[Branwen daughter of Llyr]

My interest in Arthuriana is both in how pre-Christian myth informed the early legends and how the Arthurian canon is now being revised and revitalized in modern mass media. I'm particularly interested in the roles of women in modern versions of the legends -- from Zimmer Bradley's feminist proto-pagan Morgaine to Keira Knightly's wode-spackled Guinevere.

Interest in Arthuriana has remained remarkably strong for quite a while now, and I suspect part of the reason is because the legends continue to be revitalized in modern literature and film. There are oldies like me who fondly remember singing tunes from Lerner and Loewe's "Camelot" as a child or reading Lloyd Alexander's books soon after they were published. But since then, there have been a host of other versions of the legends that have continued to influence my generation (and good golly, I feel old saying that) as well as younger folks.

I wonder if anyone's done research on Python's Holy Grail as a benchmark of popular culture in Arthuriana... I lectured in the Fantasycom conference here a few years ago about the evolution of the Arthurian story from it's Celtic origins to the present, and included Holy Grail (with some excellent Python pictures) right at the end. God, I love John Cleese ("You don't frighten us, English pig-dogs! Go and boil your bottoms, sons of a silly person. I blow my nose at you, so-called Arthur-king, you and all your silly English kaniggets. Thppppt!" *snort*).

[Medievalmaniac]

For the Latinish folks, you might want to check out latinum.mypodcast.com. In addition to free online materials (yay for free!), they also have some low-cost materials. I'm extremely auditory, so hearing the language while I read along with a text is proving to be excellent for me.

Ooooh, Nighthob, thank you for this! I've never heard of it before, but it sounds AWESOME. What a great resource!

[Medievalmaniac]

Another medievalist here.

Medievalmaniac, where have you studied Celtic languages? I'm very interested in the Ulster Cycle, but my undergrad university lost its Irish professors just before I came here. Now it looks like I will just have to pick it up in bits and pieces on my own or in graduate school.

Has anyone ever heard of someone using literature in their dissertation that they didn't have the language for going into graduate school? I'm advertising myself as a Danteist to potential programs, which is accurate since I am very interested in his work and his influence on Boccaccio, but I would much prefer to spend several years comparing the ideal of the warrior-hero in Anglo Saxon and Celtic literature.

I didn't - I did an independent study and taught myself the folklore and histories, but I don't have the languages yet - that's one of my main focuses when I hit grad school if I get UNC or Columbia; otherwise I'll have to do some intensive language study on my own, maybe with a tutor. It helps that I already have fluency in other languages, and have taught french at the AP level, so I have a good understanding of language acquisition....but it would be hard as Hades to do sengoidelc on my own! ACK. so, here's hoping.

You can certainly acquire enough language proficiency to work on dissertation materials in the language you need as a graduate student - that's one reason medievalists have to have the Latin and another language.

Your research idea sounds great! I adore Dante......

[Medievalmaniac]

Medievalmaniac, congratulations on the book deal!

My interest in Arthuriana is both in how pre-Christian myth informed the early legends and how the Arthurian canon is now being revised and revitalized in modern mass media. I'm particularly interested in the roles of women in modern versions of the legends -- from Zimmer Bradley's feminist proto-pagan Morgaine to Keira Knightly's wode-spackled Guinevere.

Interest in Arthuriana has remained remarkably strong for quite a while now, and I suspect part of the reason is because the legends continue to be revitalized in modern literature and film. There are oldies like me who fondly remember singing tunes from Lerner and Loewe's "Camelot" as a child or reading Lloyd Alexander's books soon after they were published. But since then, there have been a host of other versions of the legends that have continued to influence my generation (and good golly, I feel old saying that) as well as younger folks.

Thank you! It's very preliminary, but they're very interested. It's a press specializing in reference works - nice mid-level recognition. Of course, it's a long way from "yes, we're very interested, show us what you plan to do with this and go ahead and develop it" to "here's the contract"....but I'm excited about the chance!

And I loooooooooove Lloyd Alexander. I think your and Branwen's ideas concerning modern appropriations of Celtic themes and motifs is a great research program - because it is so inexhaustible! How many new Arthurian whosit-whatsits come out every year? Incredible!

Has anyone seen The Secret of Kells yet? I loved it.

[Branwen daughter of Llyr]

Thank you! It's very preliminary, but they're very interested. It's a press specializing in reference works - nice mid-level recognition. Of course, it's a long way from "yes, we're very interested, show us what you plan to do with this and go ahead and develop it" to "here's the contract"....but I'm excited about the chance!

And I loooooooooove Lloyd Alexander. I think your and Branwen's ideas concerning modern appropriations of Celtic themes and motifs is a great research program - because it is so inexhaustible! How many new Arthurian whosit-whatsits come out every year? Incredible!

Has anyone seen The Secret of Kells yet? I loved it.

Good luck with the book, btw

I discovered Lloyd Alexander when I was about 9 or 10 - The Prydain Chronicles is spectacular (I wrote about it in my honors thesis). If you guys are interested in anything Welsh in children's lit, read Susan Cooper (The Dark is Rising sequence) - very very Arthurian Celtic.

I think that the Arthurian appeal is due to the multitude of elements in the story itself - the quest, the hero, the magic, the hope / politics, the messianic idea (the once and future king, for example), and the basic "light vs. dark" theme that runs through it every single generation. Religious quest was tacked on with the holy grail and the "conquest" of Rome stories, the romantic love aspect added on in the 12th-13th centuries - you can find just about anything in the Arthurian cycle. Perhaps that's why it has such a hold on us, and why there's a new version nearly every year, allowing us scholars to delve deep and in diverse directions.

[Medievalmaniac]

Good luck with the book, btw

I discovered Lloyd Alexander when I was about 9 or 10 - The Prydain Chronicles is spectacular (I wrote about it in my honors thesis). If you guys are interested in anything Welsh in children's lit, read Susan Cooper (The Dark is Rising sequence) - very very Arthurian Celtic.

I think that the Arthurian appeal is due to the multitude of elements in the story itself - the quest, the hero, the magic, the hope / politics, the messianic idea (the once and future king, for example), and the basic "light vs. dark" theme that runs through it every single generation. Religious quest was tacked on with the holy grail and the "conquest" of Rome stories, the romantic love aspect added on in the 12th-13th centuries - you can find just about anything in the Arthurian cycle. Perhaps that's why it has such a hold on us, and why there's a new version nearly every year, allowing us scholars to delve deep and in diverse directions.

Branwen - LOVE Susan Cooper!!!! And I think your point about "why" we "need" fantasy is very valid - sort of the "something for everyone" element - the writers did that intentionally. I love Ad Putter's article, "Finding Time for Romance" in which he argues that romance writers in the Arthurian tradition used the historical chronicle to map out temporal areas or spaces in which the romance tales could have happened - for example, the seven years between Arthur's first campaign and second, etc. etc. - so the romanciers were able to weave their stories of quests and non military/chivalric adventures within those spaces to create a more seamless boundary between chronicle and romance. It's a wonderful article, and compelling argument.

[Kam]

You guys are making me wonder if I want to refocus on Arthuriana again! lol

[Medievalmaniac]

You guys are making me wonder if I want to refocus on Arthuriana again! lol

yesssssss.......join the dark side.........

[Nighthob]

Has anyone seen The Secret of Kells yet? I loved it.

I'd never heard of it until you posted. I searched online, and the website looks awesome. I lived in Dublin for 6 months after my Master's (just traveling for fun), so I have a soft spot for Irish medievalism.

[Branwen daughter of Llyr]

Branwen - LOVE Susan Cooper!!!! And I think your point about "why" we "need" fantasy is very valid - sort of the "something for everyone" element - the writers did that intentionally. I love Ad Putter's article, "Finding Time for Romance" in which he argues that romance writers in the Arthurian tradition used the historical chronicle to map out temporal areas or spaces in which the romance tales could have happened - for example, the seven years between Arthur's first campaign and second, etc. etc. - so the romanciers were able to weave their stories of quests and non military/chivalric adventures within those spaces to create a more seamless boundary between chronicle and romance. It's a wonderful article, and compelling argument.

I'll google that article as soon as possible. (I SHOULD be translating now, the damn thing is due at noon tomorrow... well, today, actually).

[Shaky Premise]

Shaky - as an Anglo-Saxonist, you could not do better than you have done for acceptances!! BRAVO to you! Is that Tenn-Knox, Tenn-Nash, or...? Never mind, doesn't matter, you got into FSU, and THAT means ELAINE TREHARNE! She's a genius, and a fabulously wonderful person. You are going to have a BLAST studying with her if you decide to go there!!!!

Thank you for the congrats! I'm overjoyed...I was accepted to both programs on the same day (UT-Knoxville, to clarify)! I assume from your post that you've worked with Dr. Treharne? I'm already very much torn between these two programs, so any insider info about the faculty or program at FSU would be most welcome.

[gracieb]

hey, I too am a hopeful future medievalist. I went to FSU for undergrad and worked with Dr. Nancy Warren who is amazing. She is the one who turned me on to medieval literature in the first place. If you have the opportunity to study with her or Dr. Johnson you should definitely take it. There is not much to do in Tallahassee, but the faculty in the English department is wonderful and personable. I really have enjoyed my time there, and again I can't say enough nice things about Dr. Warren. She helped me sooooo much throughout my application process, and I can honestly say that she really changed my life. I know that sounds corny, but it is true. I was hoping to get in somewhere else for my PhD, but I was just accepted for a funded MA at FSU and if I don't get into any PhD, or PhD track programs I will definitely be there studying with her. If you have any questions about FSU that I could possibly answer, message me!

[Medievalmaniac]

Thank you for the congrats! I'm overjoyed...I was accepted to both programs on the same day (UT-Knoxville, to clarify)! I assume from your post that you've worked with Dr. Treharne? I'm already very much torn between these two programs, so any insider info about the faculty or program at FSU would be most welcome.

Well, UT Knoxville - Roy Liuzza (ROY LIUZZA?! Holyyyyyyy sh*t!!) and FSU - ELAINE TREHARNE?! Holyyyyyyyyy sh*t!)

I'm kind of glad I'm not you trying to make that decision.

I have met both at conferences. I attended a truly phenomenal workshop on medieval manuscripts headed by Elaine, and she was very funny and very gracious. And if you speak to anyone from the FSU program, they will tell you she is a goddess and perfect in every way.

But then again, Roy Liuzza is not exactly a slouching jerk! He is also charming, and I thought he was really generous with his time and energy in speaking to graduate students at a professional conference.

You know...you might want to do an interview with those two and decide for yourself. Either way - you win! Congratulations!!

[Medievalmaniac]

hey, I too am a hopeful future medievalist. I went to FSU for undergrad and worked with Dr. Nancy Warren who is amazing. She is the one who turned me on to medieval literature in the first place. If you have the opportunity to study with her or Dr. Johnson you should definitely take it. There is not much to do in Tallahassee, but the faculty in the English department is wonderful and personable. I really have enjoyed my time there, and again I can't say enough nice things about Dr. Warren. She helped me sooooo much throughout my application process, and I can honestly say that she really changed my life. I know that sounds corny, but it is true. I was hoping to get in somewhere else for my PhD, but I was just accepted for a funded MA at FSU and if I don't get into any PhD, or PhD track programs I will definitely be there studying with her. If you have any questions about FSU that I could possibly answer, message me!

Gracie - David Johnson is my academic grandfather...he was my graduate advisor's undergraduate advisor. He's hilarious.

[chrissy88]

I have to say that I'm surprised by the number of people with research interest in Arthuriana, and I wonder if the percentage here correlates with the general Medievalist applicant pool.

Do those of you wishing to work in that field have more specific interests/aspects of Arthuriana that you want to look into? Last summer, when I was thinking about what I'd want to focus on in grad school, I briefly considered topics in Arthuriana, but I thought the subject might already be packed with research from the past couple centuries. Do those of you wanting to go into this part of the field want to do something completely new in Arthuriana, or are you looking to re-visit older research?

So I'm getting to this conversation a little late...you people have been posting like crazy today and I loved reading every bit of it! Anyway, I figured I'd put my piece in since I've been suddenly swept into the world of Arthurian legend.

Personally, I agree with those of you that have suggested that the subject area will never necessarily be overdone. In addition to modern media constantly creating new movies and spin-offs of Arthurian legend, the texts themselves are constantly being retranslated, and some translations are geared for the general public rather than being specifically targeted to scholars. For instance, the relatively new (2008?) Simon Armitage translation of Gawain is fantastic for the average reader. I've worked in a bookstore for quite some time now, and I always find customers who want to read things like Arthurian legend or Beowulf or any other "classic" but feel like they won't ever be able to "get through it." I always recommend Armitage's translation, Seamus Heaney's Beowulf one, or Robert Fagles's translations of Greek texts. Translators like these are awesome because they preserve the beauty of the verse (I'm assuming...I've never read the originals seeing as I don't quite have the language skills for that *yet*) while still maintaining an easy to follow narrative. I myself have been surprised by the number of repeat shoppers who come in asking for new recommendations because they love being able to read "smart books." (Their words, not mine!)

On another note, I'm incorporating some Arthurian texts in my honors thesis, and I think I'm hitting upon a topic that hasn't been studied in depth as of yet. I can't exactly find a lot of research dealing with it. So I guess that just proves that there is plenty left to be explored!

[Kam]

chrissy88, you make a really good point about translations. There are definitely medieval stories out here, Arthurian and not, that are awesome if you can read them, but most people can't/won't. And I guess the older translations, even those from the 20th century, just don't cut it for the type of reading people are used to now. If new scholars in Arthuriana can get new translations out there for the public, and maybe even get some of the lesser-known stories turned into modernized novels and movies, then that would be awesome.

And along the lines of great translations, Stanley Lombardo's translations of the Aeneid and Dante's Inferno are both excellent and very readable. I haven't read his translations of the Iliad or the Odyssey, but I would suspect that they're just as good. Feel free to recommend them to your customers! (or read them yourself!)

[gracieb]

Gracie - David Johnson is my academic grandfather...he was my graduate advisor's undergraduate advisor. He's hilarious.

Hahaha, I've never heard that term before 'academic grandfather', that is great. But he is hilarious, he taught a few of my classes, and I will never forget his reading of heile of bersalah and his impersonations of all the Dutch characters. Amazing, definitely not your average medievalist!

[Branwen daughter of Llyr]

On another note, I'm incorporating some Arthurian texts in my honors thesis, and I think I'm hitting upon a topic that hasn't been studied in depth as of yet. I can't exactly find a lot of research dealing with it. So I guess that just proves that there is plenty left to be explored!

There is plenty left to explore. I incorporated theory not necessarily related to "Celtic medieval" to explain how welsh magic enables protagonists to change their subject positions. I used a mish-mash of medieval-related theory, carnival related theory, and children's lit theory to write my honors thesis - I was also lucky to have an amazing advisor who was VERY familiar with all of the above. There wasn't a lot of scholarship for my particular field, so I had to stretch and find correlations that weren't specific to children's lit and / or medieval Celtic. It was a blast, and I loved it so much, that I'll probably end up staying on the same track in grad

[chrissy88]

chrissy88, you make a really good point about translations. There are definitely medieval stories out here, Arthurian and not, that are awesome if you can read them, but most people can't/won't. And I guess the older translations, even those from the 20th century, just don't cut it for the type of reading people are used to now. If new scholars in Arthuriana can get new translations out there for the public, and maybe even get some of the lesser-known stories turned into modernized novels and movies, then that would be awesome.

And along the lines of great translations, Stanley Lombardo's translations of the Aeneid and Dante's Inferno are both excellent and very readable. I haven't read his translations of the Iliad or the Odyssey, but I would suspect that they're just as good. Feel free to recommend them to your customers! (or read them yourself!)

I think I'll have to read them! I read both the Aeneid and Dante's Inferno last year, but I wasn't crazy about the translations I picked up. I read (very little) Italian and I when I glanced at the original text for the Inferno, I realized just how disappointed I was. So thanks for the recommendation!

It's funny because I always think that there needs to be a "No Fear" version of a lot of these texts. Don't get me wrong, I do love a lot of the modern-day adaptations and spin-off type things, but I wish most people weren't intimidated by the things I love to read! But even 20th century translations can be intimidating to most modern readers, especially those from the early 20th century.

In a different vein, this reminds me of William of Malmesbury's Chronicle of the Kings of England. A text like that is fascinating, but the last time it was touched by a translator was sometime in the very early 19th century. It's my understanding that as a result of this, most professors don't even touch it with a long stick in an undergraduate setting. And to be entirely honest, I haven't come across many people that have heard of it...Any takers?

[Medievalmaniac]

I think I'll have to read them! I read both the Aeneid and Dante's Inferno last year, but I wasn't crazy about the translations I picked up. I read (very little) Italian and I when I glanced at the original text for the Inferno, I realized just how disappointed I was. So thanks for the recommendation!

It's funny because I always think that there needs to be a "No Fear" version of a lot of these texts. Don't get me wrong, I do love a lot of the modern-day adaptations and spin-off type things, but I wish most people weren't intimidated by the things I love to read! But even 20th century translations can be intimidating to most modern readers, especially those from the early 20th century.

In a different vein, this reminds me of William of Malmesbury's Chronicle of the Kings of England. A text like that is fascinating, but the last time it was touched by a translator was sometime in the very early 19th century. It's my understanding that as a result of this, most professors don't even touch it with a long stick in an undergraduate setting. And to be entirely honest, I haven't come across many people that have heard of it...Any takers?

Malmesbury is usually taught to grad level students only, unless there's an ambitious prof - most of the history texts are. He's also taught more often in History/ historiography courses than in English, to the best of my knowledge. The Encyclopedia of Medieval Chronicle is due out this fall, and that should help a bit to make the historical texts more accessible (although it's out of Brill, so it's going to be a pricy book).

For SGGK, I still love Tolkien, but Marie Boroff's translation is the newest on the marke (I think it came out last month?) I had it on pre-0order and have it now, yay.

LOVE Fagles. LOVE his Aeneid in particular. Although Mandelbaum's translation is marvelous, it isn't really accessible if you're not keen on the Classics...and Chapman is only for the die-hards in this day and age.

[chrissy88]

Malmesbury is usually taught to grad level students only, unless there's an ambitious prof - most of the history texts are. He's also taught more often in History/ historiography courses than in English, to the best of my knowledge. The Encyclopedia of Medieval Chronicle is due out this fall, and that should help a bit to make the historical texts more accessible (although it's out of Brill, so it's going to be a pricy book).

Hmm...I did not know that. I guess I had an "ambitious professor" as an undergrad. I took a course on Anglo-Norman literature, and for the first 4 weeks of the semester all we read were the history texts--William of Malmesbury, Henry of Huntingdon, Gerald of Wales, etc. It makes me sad that most undergrads don't read that kind of stuff. Malmesbury can certainly be dry at times, but the scene with the mice sailing in pomegranate shells to chase "the pagans" is too hysterical not to share.

[Nighthob]

Just to lighten the mood while we're all stressed and waiting for application results.

I offer "Geoffrey Chaucer Hath a Blog."

http://houseoffame.blogspot.com/

Excerpt of a book review of Twilight:

In this fyne book of sparklie vampyres, Bella Cygne moveth from Essex to Yorkshyre to lyve with her fathir, who ys a sheriff and escheator. At a scole ful of recentlie coyned stereotypes, she witnesseth the fayre skyn and fashion-sprede slow-mocioun hotenesse of the Cu Chulainn clan, the which have all eaten long ago of the magical Irisshe Salmon of Really Good Hair (oon byte of this magical salmon and ye shal have good hair for evir). Aftir Bella doth see the hottest of the clan, Edward, stop a wagon wyth hys bare handes, fight off twentie churles, and brood so much he did make Angel look lyk Mister Rogeres, she doth realise that the Cu Chulainns are vampyres. But they are good vampyres, who drinke wyne. Ther is considerablie moore sexual tensioun than in Piers Plowman.

The post on Men Who Glare at Stoats had me howling.

Edited March 1, 2010 by Nighthob

[Medievalmaniac]

Just to lighten the mood while we're all stressed and waiting for application results.

I offer "Geoffrey Chaucer Hath a Blog."

http://houseoffame.blogspot.com/

Excerpt of a book review of Twilight:

In this fyne book of sparklie vampyres, Bella Cygne moveth from Essex to Yorkshyre to lyve with her fathir, who ys a sheriff and escheator. At a scole ful of recentlie coyned stereotypes, she witnesseth the fayre skyn and fashion-sprede slow-mocioun hotenesse of the Cu Chulainn clan, the which have all eaten long ago of the magical Irisshe Salmon of Really Good Hair (oon byte of this magical salmon and ye shal have good hair for evir). Aftir Bella doth see the hottest of the clan, Edward, stop a wagon wyth hys bare handes, fight off twentie churles, and brood so much he did make Angel look lyk Mister Rogeres, she doth realise that the Cu Chulainns are vampyres. But they are good vampyres, who drinke wyne. Ther is considerablie moore sexual tensioun than in Piers Plowman.

The post on Men Who Glare at Stoats had me howling.

I am a big fan of Geoffrey Chaucer's lynes of pick up, on same blog:

GALFRIDUS CHAUCERES LYNES OF PICKE-VPPE:

-Do sheriffs administere thee to those who breke the kinges peace? Bycause thou lookst “fyne.”

-Yf thou were a latyn tretise ich wolde putte thee in the vernacular.

-Ich do deuote myn diligence to studye of the anatomie of engendrure. Ich haue happed vpon an abstruse passage in the werke of Constantyne the Affrikan De Coitu, the which I kan nat construe. For lernynges sake and the goode of wisdom, woldstow performe the acte of venus withe me so that ich may interpret thys clause in propre wise?

-Ich loved thy papere, but yt wolde looke much better yscattred across the floore of myn rentede dorme roome at dawne.

-Art thou a disastrous poll tax? Bycause I feele a risynge comynge on.

-Nyce bootes. Wanna swyve?

-Thou lookst so mvch lyk an aungel that the friares haue lefte the roome yn terror!

-Shulle we maken the cindreblokke to synge?

-Woldstow haue me shyfte thyne voweles?

-Were thou yn my seisin, ich wolde nevir escheat on thee.

-Thy beaute ys more intoxicatyng than the OVP openne bar.

-Yf thy beautee were an poeme, yt wolde make Dante looke lyk Marcabru.

-The preeste telleth me that we aren more than VII degrees of consanguinitee. Game on!

-Ich notyce that myn demense and thyn do abutte. Wolde yt plese thee to consolidate ovre powere-base in the midlands?

-Makstow a pilgrymage heere often?

-Let vs breake oure mornyng faste togedir tomorrowe. Shal ich sende a page wyth a message for thee, or shal ich wake thee wyth an aubade composid ex tempore?

-Ich coude drynke a yearlye tun of thee.

-Ys thy father a makere of walles? For how else dide he gyve thee svch a tall and fayre forheed?

-Ich haue the tale of Lancelot yn myn roome. Woldstow rede of yt wyth me?

--By my soule, thou art a verye mappe of helle. For thy face lyk the rivere Styx wil make me swere oothes neuer to be fforsworn, and thy embrace lyk the Lethe shal make me foryet al else, and lyk vnto the Flegeton thyn arse ys ON FYRE!

-Woldstow be myn Gaveston?

-Howe abovte a blancmange and the acte of Venus? Whatte, blancmange pleseth thee nat?

-If ich sayde that thou hadde a bele chose, woldstow holde it ayeinst me?

lmao! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[Kam]

Those "lynes of picke-vppe" are hilarious hahahahah