Speculum literature
Encyclopedia
The medieval genre of speculum literature, popular from the twelfth through the sixteenth centuries, was inspired by the urge to encompass encyclopedic
knowledge within a single work. The modern equivalent is a summary survey, in the sense of a survey article
in a scholarly journal that summarizes a field of research. The speculum image, of the mirror that reflects far and wide, was drawn from the magical mirror that was supposed to belong among the treasures of legendary Prester John
somewhere in the East. Through it every province could be seen. In the genre "Speculum of Princes", the prince's realms were surveyed and his duties laid out. Other specula offered mirrors of history, of doctrine or morals,
A number of medieval book titles include the word speculum:
Ormulum
, written by a certain Orm in Northern England, bears an indirect reference to speculum and may be translated as "Orm's Mirror". It is universal in contents in that it contains the appropriate homiletic
materials throughout the Church calendar.
In English mirror appears in, among many other works, the Myrrour of the Worlde (1490), one of the first illustrated books printed in English, by William Caxton
(a translation of L'image du Monde, an overview of the sciences), the perennially-republished A Mirror for Magistrates (1559), and The Miroir or Glasse of the Synneful Soul
, a manuscript translation from the French by the young Queen Elizabeth I of England
. The Mirror of Simple Souls
is a modern English translation of a similar French work.
The Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae, Mirror of the Magnificence of Rome was a Renaissance "coffee table book" of prints of the sights of Rome, especially the antiquities, produced by the French print seller and publisher Antonio Lafreri (or Antoine du Pérac Lafréry, 1512-77). He had been publishing and distributing such prints, and selling them at his shop in Rome, since the 1540s. In the 1570s he hit on the idea of producing a title page for the albums of prints he also sold. Each copy of the Speculum may have different contents, as the customer in Rome could make his own selection in the shop & have them bound up.
Similarly, the journal Speculum
, published by the Medieval Academy of America, covers every aspect of the medieval world.
Encyclopedia
An encyclopedia is a type of reference work, a compendium holding a summary of information from either all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge....
knowledge within a single work. The modern equivalent is a summary survey, in the sense of a survey article
Survey article
In academia, a survey article is a paper that is a work of synthesis, published through the usual channels...
in a scholarly journal that summarizes a field of research. The speculum image, of the mirror that reflects far and wide, was drawn from the magical mirror that was supposed to belong among the treasures of legendary Prester John
Prester John
The legends of Prester John were popular in Europe from the 12th through the 17th centuries, and told of a Christian patriarch and king said to rule over a Christian nation lost amidst the Muslims and pagans in the Orient. Written accounts of this kingdom are variegated collections of medieval...
somewhere in the East. Through it every province could be seen. In the genre "Speculum of Princes", the prince's realms were surveyed and his duties laid out. Other specula offered mirrors of history, of doctrine or morals,
A number of medieval book titles include the word speculum:
- Speculum alchimiae, the "Mirror of AlchemyAlchemyAlchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
", written by Roger BaconRoger BaconRoger Bacon, O.F.M. , also known as Doctor Mirabilis , was an English philosopher and Franciscan friar who placed considerable emphasis on the study of nature through empirical methods...
. - Speculum astronomiaeSpeculum AstronomiaeAlbertus Magnus, produced the Speculum astronomiae sometime after 1260 to defend astrology as a Christian form of knowledge...
, written by Albertus MagnusAlbertus MagnusAlbertus Magnus, O.P. , also known as Albert the Great and Albert of Cologne, is a Catholic saint. He was a German Dominican friar and a bishop, who achieved fame for his comprehensive knowledge of and advocacy for the peaceful coexistence of science and religion. Those such as James A. Weisheipl...
. - Speculum ecclesiae, the "Mirror of the Church", written by Edmund RichEdmund RichEdmund Rich was a 13th century Archbishop of Canterbury in England...
. - Speculum historiale, part of Speculum Maius the "Great Mirror" written by Vincent of BeauvaisVincent of BeauvaisThe Dominican friar Vincent of Beauvais wrote the Speculum Maius, the main encyclopedia that was used in the Middle Ages.-Early life:...
. - Speculum Humanae SalvationisSpeculum Humanae SalvationisThe Speculum Humanae Salvationis or Mirror of Human Salvation was a bestselling anonymous illustrated work of popular theology in the late Middle Ages, part of the genre of encyclopedic speculum literature, in this case concentrating on the medieval theory of typology, whereby the events of the Old...
, the "Mirror of human salvation", written c. 1309-24, perhaps by Ludolph of SaxonyLudolph of SaxonyLudolph of Saxony , also known as Ludolphus de Saxonia and Ludolph the Carthusian, was a German Roman Catholic theologian of the fourteenth century.His principle work, Vita Christi was written in 1374...
. - Speculum judiciale, or Speculum iuris, the "Mirror for Judges", written by Guillaume DurandGuillaume DurandGuillaume Durand, or William Durand, , also known as Durandus, Duranti or Durantis, from the Italian form of Durandi filius, as he sometimes signed himself, was a French canonist and liturgical writer, and Bishop of Mende.-Life:He was born at Puimisson, near Béziers, of a noble family of Languedoc...
. - Speculum meditantis, the "Mirror of Meditations", written by John GowerJohn GowerJohn Gower was an English poet, a contemporary of William Langland and a personal friend of Geoffrey Chaucer. He is remembered primarily for three major works, the Mirroir de l'Omme, Vox Clamantis, and Confessio Amantis, three long poems written in French, Latin, and English respectively, which...
. - Speculum perfectionis, written by Brother LeoBrother LeoBrother Leo was the favorite disciple, secretary and confessor of St Francis of Assisi.The dates of his birth and of his becoming a Franciscan are not known; but he was one of the small group of most trusted companions of, the saint during his last years...
. - Speculum stultorum, the "Mirror of Fools" written by Nigel de LongchampsNigel de LongchampsNigel de Longchamps, also known as Nigel Wireker, , was an English satirist and poet of the late twelfth century, writing in Latin...
- Speculum regale, the "Mirror of Kings", which contains instructions for a young prince.
Ormulum
Ormulum
The Ormulum or Orrmulum is a twelfth-century work of biblical exegesis, written by a monk named Orm and consisting of just under 19,000 lines of early Middle English verse...
, written by a certain Orm in Northern England, bears an indirect reference to speculum and may be translated as "Orm's Mirror". It is universal in contents in that it contains the appropriate homiletic
Homily
A homily is a commentary that follows a reading of scripture. In Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox Churches, a homily is usually given during Mass at the end of the Liturgy of the Word...
materials throughout the Church calendar.
In English mirror appears in, among many other works, the Myrrour of the Worlde (1490), one of the first illustrated books printed in English, by William Caxton
William Caxton
William Caxton was an English merchant, diplomat, writer and printer. As far as is known, he was the first English person to work as a printer and the first to introduce a printing press into England...
(a translation of L'image du Monde, an overview of the sciences), the perennially-republished A Mirror for Magistrates (1559), and The Miroir or Glasse of the Synneful Soul
The Miroir or Glasse of the Synneful Soul
The Miroir or Glasse of the Synneful Soul is a manuscript book that was given to Katherine Parr by her stepdaughter, the future Elizabeth I of England in 1544, when Elizabeth was eleven years old...
, a manuscript translation from the French by the young Queen Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
. The Mirror of Simple Souls
The Mirror of Simple Souls
The Mirror of Simple Souls is an early 14th century work of Christian mysticism by Marguerite Porete dealing with the workings of Divine Love....
is a modern English translation of a similar French work.
The Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae, Mirror of the Magnificence of Rome was a Renaissance "coffee table book" of prints of the sights of Rome, especially the antiquities, produced by the French print seller and publisher Antonio Lafreri (or Antoine du Pérac Lafréry, 1512-77). He had been publishing and distributing such prints, and selling them at his shop in Rome, since the 1540s. In the 1570s he hit on the idea of producing a title page for the albums of prints he also sold. Each copy of the Speculum may have different contents, as the customer in Rome could make his own selection in the shop & have them bound up.
Similarly, the journal Speculum
Speculum (journal)
Speculum: A Journal of Medieval Studies is a quarterly academic journal published by the Medieval Academy of America. It was established in 1926. The journal's primary focus is on the time period from 500-1500 in Western Europe, but also on related subjects such as Byzantine, Hebrew, Arabic, and...
, published by the Medieval Academy of America, covers every aspect of the medieval world.