`A rich, closely packed book which requires much of the reader and repays with remarkable stimulation and excitement.' TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT This highly acclaimed introduction to the medieval lyric during the period 850-1300 is now reissued in a third edition, which includes a new preface andsubstantial new bibliographical indications. After an introductory discussion of the performers and performance of lyrics in the middle ages, each chapter analyses one of the major lyrical genres. While the rise of religious lyric and the transformations of love-lyric receive the fullest treatment,there are also chapters on women's songs, on the alba, on dance-songs, and on `lyrics of realism'. Each chapter centres on close critical discussion of outstanding lyrics, with generous quotation of texts and translations.