Dutch Verse Version: Van den seven vroeden van binnen Rome

There is only one extant manuscript that contains the Dutch Verse Version A. It consists of two parts from which the first part includes the 4514 lines long vii. vroeden van binnen Rome, and is dated around 1325–1350 (see Schlusemann 2023a: 123, Schlusemann 2025: 17) – according to linguistic features, though, it is said to have emerged in the second quarter of the 13th century. It is the oldest known Dutch version and is considered an adaptation (rather than a translation) of a French Prose A text (possibly the manuscript Paris Bibliothèque nationale de France, français 95 or one that is closely related to fr. 95 – see Schlusemann 2023a: 123; Schlusemann 2025: 5,9).

The Verse Version differs in some aspects from the later Dutch Seven Sages texts which are all part of the Historia septem sapientum (Version H): the plea of the Emperor’s first wife not to raise her son by a new Empress, as well as the Empress’s lover and their unmasking are missing here. There is also a speech by the Empress at the end where she begs the Emperor for mercy and tries to explain her behaviour as motivated by a feeling of alienation and fear for her husband’s honour. Her death penalty is postponed for 40 days and the narrator regrets that she (ab)uses her intelligence for lying and devious acts (see Schlusemann 2023a: 123–124). Another notable aspect is that the Empress does not tell a story on the 7th Day. Aligning with the French tradition, only the seventh Master tells a story (>Vidua<) while the Empress returns on Day 8 with the story >Roma< (see Schlusemann 2025: 23–24).

[Added by Elisabeth Böttcher]

General Information
Language within Version	Dutch
Narrative / Scholarly Group
Parent Versions	Dutch Version A
Child Versions
Author
Title
Siglum of the version of the Seven Sages
Version Number
Branch of the tradition	West

Language & Composition
Original language of version
Translated into (languages)
Place of composition
Date of composition	1225 - 1250
Source for date of composition	Schlusemann (2023a), Schlusemann (2025)

Literature & Editions
Modern research literature	Schlusemann (2025), Schlusemann (2023a), Plomp (1889), Deschamps/Mulder (2007), Reynders (2020), Van den Berg (1986), Coco (2016)
Modern Editions	Stallaert (1889), Schlusemann (2025)

Recorded branch of this secondary version
A (Seven Sages) Dutch Version A Dutch Verse Version: Van den seven vroeden van binnen Rome French Version A: Roman des Sept Sages Group U Group V Group W Group X Group Y Group Z Gaelic Version A German Version A: Allegatio/Libellus Italian Version A Italian Prose (V) Libro dei Sette Savj (A) Storia favolosa di Stefano (S) Latin Version A Latin Version A: Allegatio / Libellus Middle English Version A Midland Version Y Group Northern English Southern English Old Swedish Version A: Sju vise mästare Old Swedish Redaction A Old Swedish Redaction B Older Scots Version A: Buke of the Sevyne Sagis Welsh Version A: Chwedleu Seith Doethon Rufein Early Modern and Modern Welsh Version A Middle Welsh Version A

Connected prints
No connected prints

Adaptations
Adapted from (version)
Adapted into (version)
Source for composition and adaptation information	Schlusemann (2023a), Schlusemann (2025)

Languages in Use
Language of text	Dutch
Regional or specific language of version

Notes
Note
Notes on motifs
Notes on the frame

Pattern of embedded stories in this version

Has Short Title	Has Sequence Number	Has Narrator	Has Name Variation
Arbor	1	Empress
Canis	2	Banxillas	Bancillas
Aper	3	Empress
Medicus	4	Anxilles
Gaza	5	Empress
Puteus	6	Tintillus
Senescalcus	7	Empress
Tentamina	8	Malequidart
Virgilius	9	Empress
Avis	10	Catoen	Caton
Sapientes	11	Empress
Vidua	12	Jesse
Roma	13	Empress
Inclusa	14	Mauras

Connected manuscripts