Lai de Aelis and La Quinte Estampie: Cheryl Ann Fulton, medieval harp; Peter Maund, riq

Of all the forms of medieval French and Latin poetry the harp has the strongest connection to the lai, an extended form similar to a sequence but with free variation of the versicles. References to the performance of lais as harp solos as well as accompanying sung lais are found especially in Arthurian poems and narratives. The Lai de Aelis is from the late 13th c. manuscript “Chansonnier de Noailles“ (Paris, BN MS fr. 12615). For this performance a shortened version of the lai has been arranged for harp