Jacob Van Maerlant

Maerlant, Jacob Van 

Born before 1235, in Damme, near Brugge; died there circa 1300. Dutch poet. Served as sexton in the village of Maerlant and as governmental clerk in Damme.

Maerlant began his literary activity with free adaptations of chivalric romances; later he contrasted a sober and practical outlook to the courtly heroic style. Writing in the vernacular, he popularized natural science and historical information (Der Naturen Bloeme, c. 1262-66; Spieghel Historiael, c. 1283-88, unfinished). He wrote moralistic and didactic narrative poems and epic and lyrical verses. Depicting the manners and customs of medieval society, he exposed the moral decline of the higher clergy and feudal lords and attacked private property as the cause of social injustice. His world view was expressed in the form of religious heresy. His creative work played a significant role in the formation of the Dutch literary language of the Middle Ages.

WORKS

Strophische gedichten, 3rd ed. Leiden, 1918.

REFERENCES

Arents, A. J. Van Maerlant: Proeve van bibliografie. ’s-Gravenhage, 1946.
Mierlo, J. van. J. van Maerlant. Turnhout, 1946.

V. V. OSHIS