Simon de Fresne

Contents

Simund de Freine (Simon de Fresne) (fl. 1200) was an Anglo-Norman cleric and poet. He was a canon of Hereford Cathedral and a friend of Giraldus Cambrensis.[1]

Works

Simund's major works were two long poems in Norman French, in heptasyllabic verse, each identified by acrostics:[1]

  • De la Fortune, an adaptation of the De Consolatio Philosophiæ by Boethius, 1700 lines.
  • La vie de Saint Georges.

He addressed two epigrams to Giraldus Cambrensis, defending him against detractors, such as Adam of Dore.[1] Simund's patron is thought to be William de Vere.[2]

References

  1. 1.[1.2][1.3]Lee, Sidney, ed. (1897). "Simon du Fresne". Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 52. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
  2. 2.Wogan-Browne, Jocelyn. "Freine, Simund de". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/25570. (Subscription, Wikipedia Library access or UK public library membership required.)