The Wandering Scholars

by Helen Waddell

An illuminating and captivating journey through the world of medieval Latin lyric poetry, 'The Wandering Scholars' by Helen Waddell is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and literature of the Middle Ages. Waddell, a research scholar at Oxford's Lady Margaret Hall, expertly guides readers through the works of prominent poet-scholars such as Fortunatus, Abelard, and the Irish scholars of Liège and Cologne. Her in-depth examination of the goliards, a group of wandering scholars and poets, is particularly noteworthy, shedding new light on this little-known aspect of medieval history. She dives into the history of the Vagantes – the Medieval Traveling Clergy - those members of the faith who had no benefice or because they had deserted the church to which they had been attached. This book is not only informative, but also beautifully written, with Waddell's own translations of Latin lyrics adding to the richness of the text. With glowing reviews from distinguished critics, including George Saintsbury and C. H. Haskins, and Waddell becoming the first woman to be awarded the A. C. Benson Foundation silver medal by the Royal Society of Literature, it's no surprise that 'The Wandering Scholars' went through three editions in its first year of publication. This is a must-read for any enthusiast of the Middle Ages.