The Romance of William and the Werewolf has arrived! After four long years of writing, research and illustration, I was pleased to visit the printworks of Clays at Bungay, Suffolk, in November to sign over 400 copies for patrons of the book. This was a special occasion.
An important Middle English romance
The Romance of William and the Werewolf, or William of Palerne (Palermo) as it is known by scholars today, has never been translated into modern English in its alliterative verse form until now.
This neglect is unfortunate because the text is one of the earliest - perhaps the earliest - to appear in the so-called Alliterative Revival of the Fourteenth-century.
It was transcribed into (Middle) English from an original Old French source in ca. 1350 when the whole of Europe lived under the shadow of the Black Death. Telling the story of two wrongly exiled princes and their eventual return to power, it is a fascinating insight into the fragility of power and the need for rulers to behave with justice and understanding.
The romance is important not only for the messages it contains but also because it tells us a great deal about the relationship between its poet, his patron (Humphrey de Bohun) and the motivations of both. It also reflects a society in dramatic transition, when those further down the social order were starting to make their English voices heard.
A medieval manuscript for the modern age
Made possible only by the generosity of each and every one of its patrons, this modern translation has been published by Unbound, a crowd-funding publisher whose work helps enable important books to reach the market which other publishers might not be prepared to back.
As you can see in the video above, Unbound has done a magnificent job with both design and text layout. The focus with my work is to create what I call 'medieval manuscripts for the modern age'; the team at Unbound have enabled this to be achieved magnificently.
As well as illustrating the text with a suite of linocut images drawing from themes within the romance, I have also created all the illuminated letters within the text.
These letters follow those used in the original manuscript to help break the text up for contemporary readers. In total there are some 20 different images and a further 20 letters in the text - the result of some extremely hard work and long hours at the cutting table and on the Albion Press.
The book is a magnificent example of how, with skill and craft, author and publisher can combine to produce something really special.
Signing and dedicating
In November 2024, I visited the historic town of Bungay on the edges of Suffolk.
Here is one of Britain's oldest and biggest book printers, Clays, and it is at their works that I was to sit down and sign over 400 copies of the book ready to send out to each and every patron who made the book possible (and whose names are printed in the back).
Quietly and diligently, Clays' staff opened each copy of the book in the same place and passed it to me for signing. A second member of staff then carefully packed each signed book ready for despatch.
Every twenty books or so, she would seal each box and pass it on to the despatch department; it was then ready to send on to Unbound for sending to each patron.
After several hours, the work was complete. Following a light lunch, my account handler asked if I would like a tour of the works for old times' sake (I used to work in publishing myself many years ago).
I then spent a happy hour seeing the entire process of book production before it was time to leave and wend my way back to Hertfordshire.
But not before a quick visit to Bungay's castle, made famous by a rhyme attributed to Hugh Bigod, who once ruled these parts:
"Were I in my Castle
Upon the River Waveney,
I wouldne give a button
For the king of Cockney"
Afterwards, I popped into a shop in the town where I saw a group of people I had seen touring the factory. It was none other than the senior management team of Clays, including the CEO. I made a point of congratulating them on their work and their attention to detail.
What a great day I had - a day I will remember for a very long time.
Order a signed, dedicated copy of The Romance of William and the Werewolf
I am extremely proud of this book, perhaps particularly so because I believe it may be the only version ever to have been published which brings to the reader a modern English redaction of the entire romance in its alliterative form.
As well as a complete translation of the romance, the book also includes: an historical introduction; detailed appendices examining the role of the narrator and the romance's original 12th Century Old French source; comprehensive notes; and a thorough bibliography should you wish to undertake further research into this magnificent romance.
The book publishes on 19th December; copies are available through all good bookshops, online, or direct from Mythical Britain with a personal dedication. I hope to have my own copies ready for despatch before that date.
About the author, Michael Smith
Michael Smith is a British translator and illustrator of medieval literature; he is also an accomplished printmaker, whose work is in private collections worldwide.
His books, including a translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the Alliterative Morte Arthure, are available through all the usual outlets. His forthcoming translation of The Romance of William and the Werewolf publishes on 19th December, 2024. All Michael's books feature his linocut prints as their illustrations.
For more details of Michael's books and how to purchase signed copies, click here.
Comentarios