Christine Mcwebb

Academic heresy was an acute topic in the learned circles of thirteenth century France to which numerous texts and teachings fell victim. Yet, Jean de Meun’s highly controversial continuation of the Roman de la rose successfully escaped this fate. A new reading of the allegory False Seeming in Jean de Meun’s Rose is offered in the context of academic heresy. We must turn to this allegory’s lengthy diatribe on mendicancy and lay piety in order to grasp the enthusiastic reception of this popular work by the contemporary university community.