Roman de la Rose

The most extensively illuminated and popular vernacular poem of the period was the Roman de la Rose (Romance of the Rose), begun by Guillaume de Lorris (d. c. 1235) and finished by Jean de Meung (c. 1240-c. 1305). It was by far the most widely read French literary text of the Middle Ages.

The present picture shows the miniature on folio 7 in this 15th-century copy of the poem. It shows dancers in a garden accompanied by three wind-players.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 2 minutes): Anonymous: Bohemian dances