William of Palerne (The Romance of William and the Werewolf) is a medieval epic romance about two princes deprived of their inheritance.

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The romance was translated into Middle English in ca. 1350 from a twelfth century poem written in Old French. The only extant copy of the Middle English original is held at Cambridge University, although it misses some sections of the poem.

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This modern translation of the Cambridge text also draws on the original Old French story to fill the gaps and present a complete alliterative translation for the first time.

 

Summary of the story 

 

When William as a boy is on the verge of being murdered by a jealous uncle, a Werewolf appears to snatch him away. We learn later that the Werewolf is a Spanish prince who has been converted to a wild creature by his jealous stepmother.

 

In revealing how William and the Werewolf overcome their troubles to reclaim their rightful inheritance, the medieval poet introduces us to a wide range of themes still familiar to us in today's unfair and unequal world. Through his story, he shows how good government, equality and justice must form the bedrock of a properly functioning and fair society.

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The story, originally written in French in the twelfth century, was transcribed into Middle English in c. 1350 by a scribe working for Humphrey de Bohun, 6th Earl of Hereford and Essex. It is one of the earliest texts from the fourteenth century Alliterative Revival.

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As with my other translations, William of Palerne (The Romance of William and the Werewolf) is richly illustrated with specially-created linocut prints and contains a detailed historical introduction as well as appendices on the role of the narrator and elements of the text from the original Old French source.

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Review:

Doris V Sutherland has written an informed review of the book for Werewolf Wednesday - read it here.

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Summary of Contents:

Historical Introduction

A Summary of the Romance

A Note on the Translation

The translation of William and the Werewolf

Notes

Appendix 1 - The Voice of the Narrator

Appendix 2 - Passages in Old French

Some Further Reading

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Bibliographical Details:

Title: The Romance of William and the Werewolf - a retelling of the fourteenth century William of Palerne

Author & Illustrator: Michael Smith

Published by Unbound, December 2024

Hardcover, ISBN 978-1-80018-369-8