
audiobook
by John Gower
Transcriber’s Notes
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOHN GOWER
INTRODUCTION LIFE OF GOWER.
EPISTOLA
VOX CLAMANTIS
Incipit Cronica que Vox Clamantis dicitur.
CRONICA TRIPERTITA
REX CELI DEUS ETC.
O RECOLENDE ETC.
CARMEN SUPER MULTIPLICI VICIORUM PESTILENCIA
This volume brings together the Latin works of a medieval poet whose reputation rests largely on his English verse, offering listeners a rare chance to hear his lesser‑known compositions in their original language. Edited from surviving manuscripts, the text is presented with an extensive introduction, detailed notes and glossaries that explain obscure references and restore the poet’s intended meaning. The careful transcription removes typographical errors while preserving the rhythm and diction of the 14th‑century Latin.
The collection includes moral and philosophical poems that explore themes such as the fleeting nature of wealth, the virtues of humility, and the tension between earthly ambition and spiritual salvation. Written in a classical style, the verses reflect the author’s deep engagement with both the scholastic tradition and the political concerns of his day. Readers will also encounter occasional lyrical passages that celebrate nature and the fleeting joys of courtly life.
For anyone interested in medieval literature, this edition offers clear guidance through its scholarly apparatus, making the Latin accessible even to those with only a modest background in the language. The introduction also surveys the poet’s life, highlighting the challenges historians face in reconstructing his biography from scant records. Listening to these works provides a fresh perspective on the intellectual currents that shaped late‑medieval England.
Language
en
Duration
~16 hours (940K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Ted Garvin, Stephen Rowland, Krista Zaleski and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2023-12-13
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

d. 1408
A major voice of late medieval England, this poet wrote ambitious works in French, Latin, and English while exploring morality, politics, and love. Best known today for Confessio Amantis, he was also a contemporary and friend of Geoffrey Chaucer.
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