The two Anglo-Norman narrative poems discussed in this volume depart from the general gloomy tone of 14th-century French religious literature, say Davis and Akehurst, both retired American
professors of French. The Advocacie offers a sophisticated and dramatic rendering of theological debates about the nature of the Fall and Redemption, emphasizing the role of the Virgin Mary in
the economy of salvation. The Chapelerie presents critical insight into the contemporary struggle between church and crown over control of ecclesiastical revenues, attributing a major role to
Mary in saving income from her church for the bishop. The French and the English translation are on facing pages. There is no index. Published by the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance
Studies. Annotation 穢2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
