Print

Print


medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture

Hello all,

I suspect this is a dead end, but in case not, I thought I'd throw it to
the knowledgeable folks on this list.  In one of the (non eyewitness)
chronicles of the First Crusade, Robert of Reims writes (in Sweetenham's
translation):
*“And so our soldiers, forced by the coming of night, returned to their
tents with the priests and clergy chanting the following hymn to God:
‘Though art glorious in Thy saints, O Lord, and wonderful in majesty; fearful
in praises, doing wonders [Ex 15.11]. Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed
in pieces the enemy [Ex 15.6], and in the greatness of thine excellency
though hast overthrown them that rose up against thee [Ex 15.7]. The enemy
said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust
shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy
them. [Ex 15.9]. But Thou, Lord, was with us as a strong warrior, and Thou
in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed. Now we
realize, God, that Thou art guiding us in Thy strength unto Thy holy
habitation [Ex 15.13] Thy Holy Sepulchre.” After this they fell silent and,
now safe from the enemy, slept well that night.*

The latin runs:

*Nostri itaque, compellentibus tenebris, ad sua tentoria reversi sunt,
sacerdotibus et clericis hymnum Deo dicentibus in hunc modum: Gloriousus
es, Domine, in sanctis tuis mirabilis in majestate tua; Terribilis atque
laudibus, et faciens mirabilia. Ex 15.11. Dextera tua, Domine, percussit
inimicum, et in multitudine gloriae tuae deposuisti adversarios nostros. Ex
15.7. Dixerat inimicus. “Persequar et comprehendam illos, dividam spolia,
implebitur anima mea, evaginabo gladium meum, interficiet eos manus mea.”  Ex
15.9. Sed tu, Domine, vobiscum fuisti, tanquam bellator fortis, et dux et
protector fuisti in misericordia populo tuo quem redemisti.**Nunc, Domine,
cognoscimus quia portas nos in fortitudine tua, ad habitaculum sanctum tuum
ad sanctum scilicet sepulcrum tuum. Ex 15.13*

*Unsurprisingly, I am trying to figure out whether this was actually every
used as a hymn.  I've looked in the Analecta Hymnica; searched in Cantus,
and Cetedoc's electronic CBP and CAO and dont' find anything. These texts
themselves are obviously scriptural, but not in proper order.  Does anyone
have any wisdom to share on this?  Any thoughts of Robert's use of the
word hymnum
in relationship to cobbled together lines from Exodus? Any thoughts at all?*

*As ever, cecilia*

**

*
*

**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: subscribe medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: unsubscribe medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/medieval-religion