The Narrative Unity of the Cursor Mundi

The Cursor Mundi is a long religious epic of 25 000 lines, a survey of man's view of the world as it appeared to an anonymous cleric living in the fourteenth century. The poem is unique in that it is the first work of this kind written in the English language since the Norman Conquest. It is also the most comprehensive treatment in the vernacular during the Middle Ages, of all the most important events in the religious history of the world. The purpose of Dr. Mardon's study is to show the artistic unity, achieved by skilful blending of prophecy and legend, of one of the most remarkable pieces of medieval literature. The book provides an eminently readable and interesting introduction to the longer poem, the author quoting generously from the original Early English text. A useful addition to the book list of the student dealing with the literature of this important period.