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Art. 39, Les pardouns de Acres: Introduction

ABBREVIATIONS: AND: Anglo-Norman Dictionary; ANL: Anglo-Norman Literature: A Guide to Texts and Manuscripts (R. Dean and Boulton); BL: British Library (London); Bodl.: Bodleian Library (Oxford); CCC: Corpus Christi College (Cambridge); CUL: Cambridge University Library (Cambridge); IMEV: The Index of Middle English Verse (Brown and Robbins); IMEV Suppl.: Supplement to the Index of Middle English Verse (Robbins and Cutler); MED: Middle English Dictionary; MWME: A Manual of the Writings in Middle English, 1050–1500 (Severs et al.); NIMEV: A New Index of Middle English Verse (Boffey and Edwards); NLS: National Library of Scotland (Edinburgh).

In 1040 during the First Crusade, Acre was the chief port in the Holy Land for crusaders. Articles 38 and 39 indicate how it remained an entry point for pilgrims. Dated 1258–63, The Pardons contains a unique listing of the shrines and holy houses (churches, hospitals, monasteries, etc.) that a pilgrim to Acre should plan to visit — and perhaps lodge at — during a stay there. The document specifies the indulgence a pilgrim will obtain upon visiting each sanctuary. In some cases, it is stated that an extended stay will bring added benefit. This text is closely allied with the preceding pilgrimage text (art. 38). For a helpful map of medieval Acre that pinpoints these sites, see Pringle 2009, 4:16–17.

[Fol. 70rb–v. ANL 337. Scribe: B (Ludlow scribe). Quire: 8. Layout: Prose in double columns, with final portion on fol. 70v written without columns. Edition: Michelant and Raynaud, pp. xxx–xxxi, 235–36 (no. 12). Other MSS: None. Translations: Pringle 2009, 4:22; Pringle 2012, pp. 15–17, 235–36.]

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