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Features

An Anglo-Norman Drinking Song for Christmas

by Medievalists.net
December 20, 2024

By Lorris Chevalier

Amid festive holidays and in the spirit of medieval celebration, we delve into an Anglo-Norman drinking song from the High Middle Ages, specifically the 13th century. This lively piece blends the merriment of Christmas with the revelry of drinking, transporting us to the jubilant atmosphere of medieval feasts.

The Source: The Royal Manuscript MS 16 E VIII

Antoine Leroux de Lincy first documented this song in Recueil de chants historiques français. He cited an English manuscript as its origin, though without providing specifics. Later, Paul Meyer attributed it to the Royal MS 16 E VIII, housed in the British Museum’s Royal Library.

Tragically, the manuscript vanished in June 1879, likely stolen amid the lax security of the time. Among its 147 folios, the manuscript featured treasures like an illustrated bestiary, a Latin and Anglo-Norman Missus Gabriel on the Annunciation, a tale of Charlemagne in Jerusalem, and two drinking songs, including this Christmas-themed ode.

An Early Norman Drinking Song

Though its author remains anonymous, Deu doint à tuz ces joie d’amur is a rare and precious example of early Anglo-Norman drinking songs. Centuries later, in the 15th century, Olivier Basselin would popularise the genre with his Vaux-de-vire, but this earlier song shows that the Normans celebrated festive and culinary joys long before his time.

The Song and Its Translation

Original Anglo-Norman Text

Seignors, ore entendez à nus :
De loinz Sumes venuz à wous
Pur quère* Noël,
Car l’em nus dit que en cest hostel
Soleit tenir sa feste anuel
A hicest jur.

Deu doint à tus icels joie d’amurs
Qui à danz Noël ferunt honors !

Seignors, jo vus di por veir
Ke danz Noël ne velt aveir
Si joie non,
E repleni sa maison
De payn, de char et de peison
Por faire honor.

Deu doint à tuz ces joie d’amur, etc.

Seignors, il est crié en l’ost
Qe cil qui despent bien e tost
E largement,
E fet les granz honors sovent,
Deu li duble quanque il despent
Por faire honor.

Deu doint, etc.

Noël beyt bien le vin engleis,
E li Gascoin et li Franceys
E l’Angevin ;
Noël fait beivere son veisin
Si qu’il se dort le chief enclin,
Sovent le jor.

Deu doint, etc.

English Translation

Lords, now listen to us:
From afar we have come to you
To seek Christmas,
For they tell us that in this hall
The annual feast is customarily held
On this day.

May God grant all those joy of love
Who honor Sir Christmas!

Lords, I tell you truly,
That Sir Christmas will have
No joy unless
He fills his house
With bread, meat, and fish
To do him honor.

May God grant all those joy of love, etc.

Lords, it is proclaimed in the gathering
That he who spends freely and fast
And generously,
And often shows great honor,
May God double all he spends
To do him honor.

May God grant, etc.

Christmas drinks well the English wine,
And the Gascon, the French,
And the Angevin;
Christmas makes his neighbor drink
Until he sleeps with head inclined,
Often by day.

May God grant, etc.

A Toast to Medieval Merriment

This song not only invokes the festive spirit of Christmas but also celebrates communal generosity and revelry. The Anglo-Norman refrain, “Deu doint à tus icels joie d’amurs,” blesses all who honor Christmas with love and feasting. It concludes with a timeless toast: “Wesseyl, Drincheyl”—a cheerful call to good health and joyous drinking.

This 13th-century gem is a vivid reminder of how Christmas brought people together in medieval times—through song, wine, and celebration. As you raise your glasses this season, echo the medieval spirit: “Wesseyl!”

Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon.

Top Image: British Library MS Add. 27695, f. 14

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TagsChristmas in the Middle Ages • Medieval Social History • Music in the Middle Ages

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