Geoffrey of Vinsauf
Geoffrey of Vinsauf was a notable medieval scholar whose influence on vernacular literature during the Middle Ages is widely recognized, especially in the later years of that period. Born in England and educated at St. Frideswide's, Oxford, Vinsauf traveled extensively in France and Italy, eventually teaching verse composition in England. His significant contributions to rhetoric include two major works: "The New Poetics," published around 1210, and "Instruction in the Art and Method of Speaking and Versifying," both of which became essential texts on rhetorical principles. "The New Poetics," a lengthy poem, draws inspiration from classical works by Horace and Cicero, highlighting the enduring legacy of classical rhetoric in medieval scholarship. Vinsauf's teachings are believed to have influenced notable figures, including Geoffrey Chaucer, author of "The Canterbury Tales." His works have survived in over two hundred manuscripts, illustrating their widespread adoption and lasting impact on literature and education throughout Europe for three centuries. Despite the scarcity of details about his personal life, Geoffrey of Vinsauf's intellectual contributions continue to be recognized for shaping the literary landscape of his time.
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Geoffrey of Vinsauf
Writer
- Born: c. 1200
- Birthplace: England
- Died: Unknown
- Place of death: Unknown
Biography
Geoffrey of Vinsauf was a medieval scholar whose works had great influence over the vernacular texts of Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly in the later decades. It is said that Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales, was heavily influenced by Vinsauf’s teachings. Very little is actually known about Vinsauf’s life. It has been determined that Geoffrey of Vinsauf was born in England and was educated at St. Frideswide’s, Oxford. He traveled extensively throughout France and Italy. After studying for a time in Paris, Geoffrey of Vinsauf returned to England and began teaching verse composition at Hampton using rhetorical principles. His most-famous works were The New Poetics, published around 1210, which he dedicated to Innocent III, and Instruction in the Art and Method of Speaking and Versifying. Both were widely read handbooks on the art of rhetoric. The New Poetics was a two thousand-line poem with its title borrowed from two classical sources: Horace’s Ars poetica (c. 17 b.c.e.) and Rhetorica nova. Many of the principles and theories Geoffrey of Vinsauf used are based on Horace’s Ars poetica and the pseudo-Ciceronian Rhetorica ad herrenium. Geoffrey of Vinsauf’s works were taught throughout Europe for three centuries and have survived in over two hundred manuscripts.