In Praise of the Virgin Mary the God-Bearer

<p><strong>Translated here in its entirety for the first time Alan of Lille's <em>Elucidatio in Cantica Canticorum </em>provides a measure for the originality of his Mariology. </strong></p><p></p><p>Fifty years after the death of Bernard of Clairvaux Alan of Lille died in 1202 or 1203 among the Cistercians at Cîteaux. Celebrated in his own time as <em>doctor universalis</em> Alan made pioneering contributions in a variety of genres. Best known today for his influential epic poems the <em>Anticlaudianus</em> and the <em>Complaint of Nature</em> Alan also composed a theological dictionary a handbook for preachers a defense of the catholic faith against the Cathars and one of the first Marian commentaries on the Song of Songs. Translated here in its entirety for the first time Alan's <em>Elucidatio in Cantica Canticorum </em>illumines his other writings and provides a measure for the originality of his Mariology.</p>