Le Bestiaire, written between 1246 and 1268, is a fascinating description and interpretation of the animal kingdom. Craig Baker here provides the first complete edition of this, the long version of the text (there was a nineteenth-century transcription, but this was a non-interventionist rendering). The short version of the Le Bestiaire, on which this is based, is thought to have been written by Pierre de Beauvais, author of the Voyage de Charlemagne and of the Translation et miracles de Saint Jacques. The long version too has generally been attributed to him, but Baker gives a convincing refutation of this viewpoint, and demonstrates that the long version constitutes an original piece of compilation and reworking by an independent and anonymous author. Though this author reproduces the short version's prologue, in which Pierre names himself as the producer of the text, and though he cites the Latin Physiologus as his only source, he has in fact combined materials from diverse provenances, including Gossouin de Metz's Image du monde; La Lettre du Prêtre Jean; Le Lucidaire; Le Livre du palmier; and most importantly, Le Bestiaire d'amour by Richard de Fournival, to create an original contribution to the encyclopaedic knowledge of the thirteenth century.
The author aims, like so many of his period, at unity and completeness, and claims to have written in prose because verse leads to the inclusion of words outside the truth. There is moreover a moral purpose to the work, found in a complex double discourse whereby each description of a creature is accompanied by an allegorical interpretation glossing its place in God's plan. The author draws on ideas from Biblical exegesis and Latin hermeneutics in order that his catalogue of beings might encourage readers to examine their consciences and to live life in accord with their faith. The animal world is made into a set of examples of human virtues and vices: the lion shows us the value of mercy, the crane that of "porveance" (prudence), and the peacock displays the fear of the soul that risks losing the grace that God gave it. Other animals symbolize divine and demonic figures and forces: the phoenix which rises from the ashes is in the image of Jesus, whereas the mole is like the devil as it ruins every land it inhabits. Intriguingly, the testicles of the beaver are said to have healing qualities. Beavers know that they are sought for these and so they sometimes tear them off and throw them at the hunting dogs, so that they will not be chased anymore. This signifies the way in which we must purify ourselves of the vices which attract the devil. The author constantly refers to the Physiologus as his source ("Phisiologes nos dist" becomes a refrain), especially for account of exotic creatures from far-off lands like "Inde," where there are griffins, and savage men with horns who wage an endless war against the "Sagetaires" (who are half-man, half-horse).
There are five surviving complete manuscripts of the Le Bestiaire, plus one fragment. After a close study of these, Baker shows that manuscript P (Paris, Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal 3516) which has no significant lacunae, is the best base for an edition, and accordingly his rendering is a close version of the text in this codex, with minimal interventions. Corrections of errors make use of other manuscripts, but also the source texts on which the Le Bestiaire draws. All changes have been signalled in the footnotes, so that the reader can restore a complete transcription of the Arsenal manuscript from this edition. Thus the editor provides access to the best text of the work, as well as giving a readable and accurate version. Variants are found in the notes at the end, which also signal modifications made by the anonymous author to the short version, and catalogue his other sources for particular entries.
Also provided are an index of proper names, an index of elements of the natural world, and a glossary including translations into Modern French of more obscure terms and phrases. Fourteen illustrations from various codices of the Le Bestiaire have been reproduced in black and white. Though it is a pity that the Le Bestiaire has not been made available in a more accessible volume that would enable it to figure on undergraduate reading lists, Craig Baker is to be thanked for this valuable edition of an intriguing and important medieval text.