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The
Planctus for
William
Longsword
Commentary
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Elisabeth M. C. van Houts, in The Normans in Europe,
edited by Elisabeth M. C. van Houts (Manchester: Manchester
University Press, 2000). ©2000, Elisabeth M. C. van Houts.
— 41 —
The Plaintsong (Planctus) of William Longsword was composed
shortly after his murder in 943 instigated by Count Arnulf I
of Flanders. The poem, which survives in two manuscripts, has
never been properly edited and presents many linguistic and
historical problems. It was composed either at Jumièges
in Normandy or, more likely, considering the southern French
provenance of the manuscripts, under the patronage of William's
sister Gerloc/Adela, countess of Aquitaine and Poitou. As a
contemporary text it is one of the most important sources for
information about Rollo's dynasty.
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