Discovered by a Madrid antiquarian: one of only three surviving collections of medieval love songs from a woman's perspective
Vindel Parchment
Galicia (Spain) — late–13th century

Vindel Parchment
Galicia (Spain) — late–13th century
The seven love songs written by Martin Codax, a travelling singer in 13th century Galicia, were discovered in 1913/14
They are in the tradition of the so-called *Cantigas de amigo*, which are narrated in a female voice
These monologues and dialogues tell of their longings and laments, and are filled with illusions to nature
Vindel Parchment
- Vindel Pergamente
Short Description
Medieval Spain and Portugal had a rich tradition of troubadour poetry, including a specific tradition written in a female voice known as Cantigas de amigo. These cheeky, even erotic monologues and dialogues are among the rarest specimens of medieval lyric poetry. In fact, before the discovery of this manuscript in 1913/14, only one other manuscript of Galician-Portuguese cantigas was known to exist, and only one other has since been discovered. This 13th century manuscript may have originated from the splendid court of Alfonso X the Wise, and is counted among the greatest historic finds of the 20th century.
Vindel Parchment
This 13th century manuscript was discovered by coincidence in 1913/14. Pedro Vindel, an antiquarian in Madrid, discovered that it was being used as a cover for a copy of De Officiis by Cicero (106-43 BC). It is one of the most important discoveries in the history of the Galician-Portuguese troubadour tradition. The so-called Vindel Parchment contains seven love songs written by Martin Codax, a travelling singer in 13th century Galicia associated with the court of Alfonso X the Wise (1221–84), and is the only record for six of them. It is also the only manuscript containing the so-called Cantigas de amigo – a genre of medieval lyric poetry specific to northwestern Iberia in a female voice – with musical notation. Taking the form of either monologues or dialogues with their girlfriends, sisters, mother, or boyfriend, the short and cheeky lyrics tell of their longings and laments, and are filled with illusions to nature –they are also strongly erotic. The manuscript was created in an unknown but well-staffed scriptorium and is adorned with blue and red initials. Until the emergence of this document, the Cantigas de Santa María, dedicated to religious subjects by Alfonso X the Wise, was the only known Galician-Portuguese cantigas. Later, the Sharrer Parchment (turn of the 12th to 13th century) was discovered along with seven cantigas of troubadour poetry by King Denis of Portugal (1261–1325), called the Poet King, but fall within the genre of Cantigas de amor. The Vindel Parchment was acquired in 1977 by the New York Morgan Library, where, after a journey as random as the protests of the protagonist in the verses themselves, it is still preserved today.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Vindel Pergamente
- Origin
- Galicia (Spain)
- Date
- late–13th century
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Content
- 7 songs about love
- Previous Owners
- Pedro Vindel
Rafael Mitjana
Otto Haas
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „Vindel Parchment “
Vindel Parchment
- Publisher
- M. Moleiro Editor – Barcelona, 2016
- Limited Edition
- 987 copies
- Commentary
-
1 volume by Martin Codax, Monica Miro, Marina Arbor Aldea, Rip Cohen, Harvey L. Sharrer, Simone Marcenaro, Antonio Ciaralli, Antonio Calvia, Speranza Cerullo
Languages: Galician, English, Spanish - More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
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