Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland and Middle English lyric: Difference between pages

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'''Middle English Lyric''' is a [[genre]] of [[English Literature]], popular in the 14th Century, that is characterized by its brevity and emotional expression. Conventionally, the lyric expresses "a moment," usually spoken or performed in the first person. Although some lyrics have narratives, the plots are usually simple to emphasize an occasional, common experience. Even though Lyrics appear individual and personal, they are not "original;" instead, lyrics express a common state of mind.

<!--[[image:Duke and Duchess of Hallandia.jpg|The Duke and Duchess of Hallandia|The Duke and Duchess of Hallandia-->

== Audience ==

'''Prince Bertil of Sweden''', '''''Bertil Gustaf Oskar Carl Eugén''''' ([[February 28]], [[1912]] - [[January 5]], [[1997]]), Duke of [[Hallandia]], was the third son of King [[Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden|Gustav VI Adolf]] of [[Sweden]] and his first wife, [[Princess Margaret of Connaught]]. After his eldest brother [[Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Westrobothnia|Gustaf Adolf]] had died in [[1947]], leaving a less than one-year-old son, and every other heir to the throne had lost their right to it (due to untolerated marriages), it seemed likely that Bertil would one day become [[Regent]].

Middle English Lyrics were meant to be heard, not read. Keeping in mind an [[aural]] [[audience]], the lyric is usually structured with an obvious rhyme scheme, [[refrain]], and sometimes musical effects. The rhyme scheme primarily functions as a [[mnemonic device]] for the audience. The Refrain, however, has several critical functions. The Refrain gives the lyric unity and provides commentary (this is not unlike the bob and wheel found in ''[[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight]]''). In addition to functioning thematically, the refrain encourages audience to participate in singing the lyric. Finally, Musical Effects also encourage audience participation, and they take the form of rhythms and sounds (for example, [[onomatopoeia]] is not an uncommon [[trope]] employed).

== Authorship ==

For this reason, Bertil chose not to marry Welsh [[Lilian Davies]], as that would violate his succession. However, his father lived long enough for Bertil's nephew [[Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden|Carl XVI Gustaf]] to achieve full age, and under the views of the new King, he was permitted to marry her, and did so on [[December 7]], [[1976]]. Still first in line to the throne (until the birth of [[Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Wermelandia|Crown Prince Carl Philip]] in [[1979]]), Bertil continued to be the King's deputy.

Most Middle English Lyrics are anonymous. Because the lyrics reflect on a sort of "community property" of ideas, the concept of copyrighting a lyric to a particular author is usually inappropriate. Additionally, identifying authors is very difficult. Most lyrics are often un-dateable, and they appear in collections with no apparent organic unity. It is most likely many lyrics that survive today were widely recited in various forms before being written down. Evidence for this appears in [[Geoffrey Chaucer]]'s ''[[The Canterbury Tales]]''. Many of Chaucer's lines bear an uncanny resemblance to Middle English Lyrics.

== Survival ==

When the [[Swedish Act of Succession|Act of Succession]] was changed in [[1980]], right to the throne was restricted to Carl XVI Gustaf and his descendants; however, a special addendum was made for Bertil's case, so that he became third (and, after the birth of Princess [[Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Helsingia and Gestricia|Madeleine]] in [[1982]], fourth) in line to the throne.

Middle English Lyrics were not meant to be read or written down. Consequently, the few that survive are probably a very small sample of lyrics. Surviving Lyrics appear in [[Miscellanies]], notably the Harley 2253 manuscript. The lyrics often appear with many other types of works, including writings in other languages.

== External Links ==

Prince Bertil was a very popular person domestically. He was fond of [[Automobile|car]]s and a keen supporter and practiser of various sports, notably [[Tennis]] and [[Boule]].

[http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/lyrics.htm Middle English Lyrics]

== Bibliography ==

''See also: [[Swedish Royal Family]]''

Luria, Maxwell S. and Richard L. Hoffman. ''Middle English Lyrics.'' New York: Norton, 1974.<br>

<nowiki>(Large Selection of Lyrics with Selected Criticism)</nowiki>

Brown, Carleton Fairchild. ''English Lyrics of the XIIIth Century.'' Ed. Carleton Brown. Oxford: The Clarendon press, [1965, c1932].

[[Category:Swedish princes|Bertil]]

[[sv:Bertil, svensk prins]]

Gray, Douglas. ''Themes and Images in the Medieval English Religious Lyric.'' London, Boston: Routledge and K. Paul, 1972.

Manning, Stephen. ''Wisdom and Number; Toward a Critical Appraisal of the Middle English Religious Lyric.'' Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1962.

Reiss, Edmund. ''The Art of the Middle English Lyric; Essays in Criticism.'' Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1972.

Speirs, John. ''Medieval English Poetry: the Non-Chaucerian Tradition.'' London: Faber and Faber, 1957.

Oliver, Raymond. ''Poems without Names; the English Lyric, 1200-1500.'' Berkeley: University of California Press, 1970.

Woolf, Rosemary. ''The English Religious Lyric in the Middle Ages.'' Oxford: Clarendon P., 1968.

[[Category:Middle English literature|Middle English Lyric]]