
Miracles and Murders
An Introductory Anthology of Breton Ballads
Oxford University Press
Published on 4. May 2017
Book
Hardback
250 pages
978-0-19-726619-9 (ISBN)
Description
This is a vivid introduction, by two of the foremost scholars in the field, to one of the most fascinating and little-known song traditions in Europe, the Breton gwerz, or ballad. These narrative songs, collected in Western Brittany from the 19th century to the present day, recount a wealth of stories based on tragic local events or legends. They tell of shipwrecks, abductions, accidents and murders, miraculous rescues, penitent souls, and strange journeys. Quite unlike songs from the neighbouring French tradition, and distinct from anything else in the other Celtic languages, these ballads unfold in clear, spare verses, filled with striking imagery: they are often highly dramatic in nature.
Historians of popular culture will find much to explore here, as will medievalists interested in tracing themes and legends across different European cultures, or linguists looking for rare material in Breton. But the gwerziou speak to readers and listeners of all kinds, with stories of violence, love, and grief that touch us directly today. This generous selection of songs is presented here for the first time in the original Breton with English translations and musical notation; an accompanying CD showcases some of the most famous Breton traditional singers. A comprehensive introductory essay offers insights into the history of ballad collection in Brittany, the nature of the songs, and the contexts in which they have been performed.
Historians of popular culture will find much to explore here, as will medievalists interested in tracing themes and legends across different European cultures, or linguists looking for rare material in Breton. But the gwerziou speak to readers and listeners of all kinds, with stories of violence, love, and grief that touch us directly today. This generous selection of songs is presented here for the first time in the original Breton with English translations and musical notation; an accompanying CD showcases some of the most famous Breton traditional singers. A comprehensive introductory essay offers insights into the history of ballad collection in Brittany, the nature of the songs, and the contexts in which they have been performed.
Reviews / Votes
For anyone interested in the music of our nearest neighbours it is an essential addition to their bookshelf. * Simon Furey, Folk Music Journal * Miracles & Murders is almost the perfect book within the scope it sets itself, being an 'introductory anthology'. If you read only one book about gwerziou (and if you are in any branch of Celtic studies whatsoever, you should), this is it ... [F]or someone not looking for more avenues of research to pursue, but simply wanting to get a taste of the gwerziou, there is little more to be said. I praise the book highly. * Matthieu Boyd, North American Journal of Celtic studies * [Although], the widely accepted notion that the menacing impact of globalisation and consequent cultural homogeneity have provoked a renewed and defensive interest in 'smaller', local identities and cultural heritage indicates that Miracles and Murders will attract a much wider, general readership. The provision of these scholarly, literary translations into English of the Breton ballads thus has the potential not merely to enrich the pursuits of academic researchers, but also to stimulate the imagination of all those who look to the past, or to a Celtic heritage, to reinforce a sense of belonging in this modern age. In achieving this dual appeal, Constantine and Guillorel will undoubtedly succeed in their aim to 'give the Breton gwerziou a new lease of life' (p. 29). * H-France Review *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
4 colour plates
Dimensions
Height: 253 mm
Width: 195 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
752 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-726619-9 (9780197266199)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Mary-Ann Constantine is a Reader in Welsh and English literature at the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies. Her work is concerned with the relations between and mutual influence of the different cultures and languages of Britain (and to some extent beyond) in the late-C18th and early-C19th centuries. She has published books on Breton folklore, ballads and songs, Romantic-era forgery, and Welsh responses to the French Revolution. Her current work is focused on travel writing, the Welsh Tour, and the writings of Thomas Pennant (1726-98).
Eva Guillorel is an Associate Professor in Early Modern History at the Universite de Caen Normandie. Her studies have included History, Ethnology and Celtic Languages, and she has held postdoctoral fellowships in Brittany, Quebec, United States and England. Her works is concerned with oral cultures and languages in early modern Europe and Americas, mainly songs. She published her Ph.D. on the links between Breton Ballads and History. Her current work is focused on the circulation and transformation of oral cultures over space and time, including cultural transfers between Europe and North America.
Eva Guillorel is an Associate Professor in Early Modern History at the Universite de Caen Normandie. Her studies have included History, Ethnology and Celtic Languages, and she has held postdoctoral fellowships in Brittany, Quebec, United States and England. Her works is concerned with oral cultures and languages in early modern Europe and Americas, mainly songs. She published her Ph.D. on the links between Breton Ballads and History. Her current work is focused on the circulation and transformation of oral cultures over space and time, including cultural transfers between Europe and North America.
Author
Reader in Welsh and English LiteratureSenior Research Fellow, University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies
Associate Professor in Early Modern HistoryAssociate Professor in Early Modern History, University of Caen, Normandy
Content
Introduction
The Ballads
Lord Count and the Fairy
Saint Henori and the King of Brest
Skolvan, a penitent soul
Maharit Laurans saved from the gallows
Dom Jean Derrian's journey to Santiago de Compostela
Saint Iann Bubry, murderer and rapist
Berhet, midwife to the Virgin Mary
The plague in Langonnet
The bridegroom and the mad dog
Seven years at sea
Shipwreck at Penmarc'h
The siege of Guingamp
The Heiress of Keroulaz: a forced marriage
Lord Villaudrain and the merchants
Fontanelle and his bandits
The kidnap and suicide of Jeannedig ar Rous
Marharit Charles and her bandits
Love and Leprosy: Iannik Kokard
Janedig the witch
The wax child
The lead tower
Cleric Laoudour and his sweetheart
The murder of Lord Penanger
The reprieve of Contrechapell
Marivonnik abducted by English sailors
Sea-changes: Catherin An Troadec
Infanticide and penance: Mari Kelen
The murdered servant girl
The drowning of Toussaint de Kerguezec
The execution of the Marquis de Pontcallec
Loeiz Er Ravalleg murdered by his friends
The twice-married woman
The recruit: Garan Ar Briz
The death of the chouan Jean Jan
Our Lady of Port-Blanc
The Ballads
Lord Count and the Fairy
Saint Henori and the King of Brest
Skolvan, a penitent soul
Maharit Laurans saved from the gallows
Dom Jean Derrian's journey to Santiago de Compostela
Saint Iann Bubry, murderer and rapist
Berhet, midwife to the Virgin Mary
The plague in Langonnet
The bridegroom and the mad dog
Seven years at sea
Shipwreck at Penmarc'h
The siege of Guingamp
The Heiress of Keroulaz: a forced marriage
Lord Villaudrain and the merchants
Fontanelle and his bandits
The kidnap and suicide of Jeannedig ar Rous
Marharit Charles and her bandits
Love and Leprosy: Iannik Kokard
Janedig the witch
The wax child
The lead tower
Cleric Laoudour and his sweetheart
The murder of Lord Penanger
The reprieve of Contrechapell
Marivonnik abducted by English sailors
Sea-changes: Catherin An Troadec
Infanticide and penance: Mari Kelen
The murdered servant girl
The drowning of Toussaint de Kerguezec
The execution of the Marquis de Pontcallec
Loeiz Er Ravalleg murdered by his friends
The twice-married woman
The recruit: Garan Ar Briz
The death of the chouan Jean Jan
Our Lady of Port-Blanc