The Canterbury Fails Adam Davy's Dreams
Apr 15, 2022
Dive into wild prophetic dreams about Edward II and laugh along as the hosts mock the poem's awkward rhymes. Discover the peculiar connection between medieval political prophecy and modern conspiracy theories like QAnon. Enjoy the Poet's Dream cocktail and its refreshing citrus-herbal taste while unraveling the mysteries of historical texts. Join the debate on the poem's dating and context, and explore how it ties into 14th-century cult promotion, leading to some entertaining insights!
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Prophetic Dreams Praise A Failed King
- Adam Davie's poem frames five prophetic dreams that glorify Edward II despite his historical failures.
- The vision mixes enigmatic imagery with blunt political claims, creating a jarring tone shift.
Manuscript Context Undercuts Early Dating
- The poem survives only in a late 14th-century manuscript (Laud MS 622) alongside much later texts.
- That manuscript context raises doubts about the poem's early dating to Edward II's coronation.
Prophecy Tropes Versus Unusual Specificity
- Political prophecy was a common medieval literary device, often deliberately vague.
- Adam Davie's poem is unusually specific in parts, making its failures historically visible and puzzling.