LUDUS: Puzzling out the Fleury Playbook

The “Fleury Playbook” (Orléans BM 201 pp. 176–243) has been at the center of discussions about medieval drama for almost two centuries. Made in the second half of the twelfth century, and containing a collection of ten plays, this book is unique in its size and nature. The manuscript provokes many questions: who made it? Who used it? What is its institutional background (St-Benoit-sur-Loire at Fleury or not)? Who performed these plays?

This workshop considers the manuscript from paleographical points of view (decorated capitals, text hand, musical notation) and in terms of its content. Besides looking at the diverse ways in which music is used as a basis for expression in these ten plays, we shall focus on one – the Ordo Rachelis – as an example of contemporary social critique. Everyone is welcome to bring their own ideas and questions!

The LUDUS Working Group is delighted to host Susan Rankin as part of our ongoing exploration of intersections between medieval art, music, and performance.

Please RSVP to Beatrice Kitzinger bkitzinger@princeton.edu and Jamie Reuland jlgreenb@princeton.edu for a copy of Rankin’s recommended preparatory reading. Lunch will be provided.

Co-sponsored by the Department of Music; Program in Medieval Studies; Department of Art and Archaeology