Midland Version

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The Midland Version is part of the Middle English Version A tradition and only survived in one manuscript (D), MS Dd.1.17, located at the University Library in Cambridge. According to Whitelock, the Midland Version has either been adapted from an unknown Middle English parent version x or directly from the French prose version A (see Whitelock 2005: xli), although it “consistently diverges from the common Old French original” more than any of the other extant texts (Whitelock 2005: xx). Either way, it is distinct from the Y-Group, to which the other Middle English versions belong. Whitelock calls the Midland Version “the most original of the Middle English versions in terms of narrative strategy” (Whitelock 2005: xix) and the redactor of D seems to be rather inclined to provide the female characters with a happy ending (see Whitelock 2005: lii).

[Added by Elisabeth Böttcher]

General Information
Language within Version	Middle English
Narrative / Scholarly Group
Parent Versions	Middle English Version A
Child Versions
Author
Title
Siglum of the version of the Seven Sages
Branch of the tradition	Seven Sages of Rome

Language & Composition
Language of version	Middle English
Translated into (languages)
Place of composition
Date of composition	1350 - 1400
Source for date of composition	Whitelock (2005)

Literature & Editions
Modern research literature	Whitelock (2005)
Modern Editions	Whitelock, The Seven Sages of Rome (Midland Version) (2005)

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

Languages in Use
Regional or specific language of version

Notes
Note
Notes on motifs

Pattern of embedded stories in this version

Has Short Title Has Sequence Number Has Narrator Has Name Variation Arbor – The Tree 1 Empress   Canis – The Faithful Dog 2 Bancillas   Aper – The Boar and the Fruit 3 Empress   Medicus – The Doctor 4 Ancillas   Gaza – The Treasure 5 Empress   Puteus – The Well 6 Lentulus   Senescalcus – The Seneschal 7 Empress   Tentamina – The Test 8 Maladas   Virgilius – Virgil's Marvels 9 Empress   Avis – The Bird 10 Caton   Sapientes – The Wise Men 11 Empress   Vidua – The Widow 12 Iesse   Roma – Rome Besieged 13 Empress   Inclusa – The Imprisoned Wife 14 Marcius   Copy Embedded Stories Copy Embedded Stories × Select Target Page: Close Process

Connected manuscripts
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