Bataille Loquifer – edition by Cristina Dusio
Bataille Loquifer, Vulgata edition: A3, A4, B1, B2, E, D is the base ms. of Vulgata ed.; C edition: C
Edition by Cristina Dusio <cristina.dusio@hotmail.it>
About the edition: The Bataille Loquifer is a XIII Century’s French chanson de geste of Guillaume d’Orange cycle. This poem is part of the so-called “petit cycle” which includes the three songs dedicated to the giant Rainouart and his struggle against Saracens; the songs of this “petit cycle” are Aliscans (the most famous one), Bataille Loquifer and Moniage Rainouart. The Bataille Loquifer is attested by ten manuscripts and one fragment. All of these were written in the east France, from XIII to XIV Century; they come all from Lorraine and Picardy. The manuscripts can be divided into two great clusters both characterized by specific features; one of these is the different denouement (the witness in wich is attested the end are only seven). The first manuscripts’ group is the so-called “Vulgata”, its denouement contains an Arthurian episode: the giant Rainouart is kidnapped and taken to Avalon by Morgan le Fay and her sisters; instead C(Ars) final episode speaks about a bird (named Alecion) that feeds on men. Both share the central part, i. e. the oldest one. the Arturian episode and the bird Alecion, in fact, were not contained in the original version of Bataille Loquifer but they are further rearrangement of the previous denouement.
Aim of the digital edition: The purpose of this work – thanks to the instruments offered by a digital environment- is to give a crossed critical edition of the two final episode of the same chanson de geste, Bataille Loquifer, in comparison each other. The two denouements are different but they share a common part: the central and the oldest one. With a digital edition it is possible show some aspects which would be lost in a classical edition i. e. preserve the two conclusions without choosing one of these (displaying, if you want, one next to the other) and compare the different modalities of interlocking and intersecting of the two denouements with the central common part: how both of them introduce the common part and how they continue their different narration.
Nota bene – Apparatus criteria: Given the high rate of variance – for the most part in “adiaforia” – which characterizes the text of the Bataille Loquifer, it was decided to insert only the substantial facts in the apparatus, trying to balance the need for completeness with that of accessibility. This apparatus, however, is not the result of a mere «choix de variantes» established on totally arbitrary criteria, but it is based on precise criteria of inclusion and exclusion due to the specific nature and traits of a text which belongs to the epic genre. Among the formal variants not listed in apparatus we include: ORTHOGRAPHY: interchangeable graphic symbols used for the same sound (phonetic): hon / homme / ome.., quand / kant/ cant, hiame / iame / yaume; proper names or places where alterations do not involve in the final statement of syllables: Marsïon / Matheon, Bruneheuz / Bruneholt / Bruhan, Olïon / Orïon e Orcon / Orson/ Albon, but we report: Giboé (three syllables) / Gambés (two syllables) because in this case this oscillation changes the metre of the line. MORPHOLOGY: we do not report the respect or the adhesion failure of the rules of nominal declension; nor the alternation between verbal time and manner if it isn’t significant for the context: fu / iert, a / ait, sera / seroit, sont / erent; the fluctuations that affect the pronouns in combination with a clitic: on dit / l’en dit, se ait / s’en a. SYNTAX: we report neither fluctuations between prepositional genitive and synthetic; nor the alternations between prepositions: o non Dé / en non Dé, o lui / a lui; nor the alternation in the coordination: the use of et or ou: ameraude et grant topace / ameraude ou grant topace; nor adverbs: si / molt/ tant, ci / la; nor the alternation between syntactic constructions as: on + 3°sing. p., il + 3° sing. p.. ORDO VERBORUM. ELEMENTS OF THE LEXICON: We do not report synonyms: chevaliers / baron, li chiteain / cil de la vile, tor / palais, mervelle / vertu, air / vertu, fiere /forte, that do not alter the overall syllabic computation of the verse; equivalent adverbs: durement / forment / haucement / ducement. We note in the critical apparatus only those formal variants attested in a unique way by the entire manuscript tradition for which the manuscript chosen as basis of our edition has “singulares” lessons.