Hortulus: The Online Graduate Journal of Medieval Studies Dear Readers,

Vol. 1, No. 1, 2005

Welcome to the premiere issue of Hortulus, the new online journal of medieval studies written and published by graduate students. What you are about to explore is a lush garden of interesting and entertaining flora carefully tilled and cultivated by our staff. We have striven to embody the diversity and passion of graduate students from around the globe and are pleased to present an exciting assortment of academic and informative pieces. This issues scholarly articles range from literature to painting and music. Laura Alexander investigates the Wife of Baths interpretation of female autonomy in Thanne Have I Gete of Yow Maistrie; Mimi Stillman explores musics moral and historical performance in Dantes Purgatorio; and Clemena Antonova juxtaposes representations of iconic art with theories of divine eternity in Seeing the World with the Eyes of God. We hope you will also visit Hortus Amoenus, a section that seeks to entertain and instruct by featuring articles on various and sundry aspects of medievalism. This issues contributions will help you improve your Latin, test your knowledge of medieval gardens and herbs, educate you in the art of weaponry, and enhance your appreciation of music. With this publication we intend to open up the world of graduate medieval studies by utilizing the capabilities of the Internet to provide a forum for communication and the exchange of ideas. The flexibility of the Web can help us profit from the knowledge of our comrades-in-books; new influences, like fertile soil, allow the seeds of research and study to blossom. To this end, we encourage you to continue the discussion by posting responses to the articles (Respond buttons are available next to each piece), by submitting articles in any discipline yourselves (see the Submissions page), and by joining our staff. Working on this journal has been a terrific experience, but we could not have done it without the help of our many supporters. We are indebted (figuratively speaking) to the Rutgers Graduate Student Association for providing funding. Many thanks to Rick Emmerson of the Medieval Academy of America and Chris Cevasco of Paradox for their gracious assistance with advertising. Recognition is also due to the professors and journalists (too numerous to be listed here) upon whom we have called for advice. And of course I would like to thank the staff and contributors for their hard work in turning this idea into reality. Thank you for taking the time to share Hortulus with us, and happy reading! Hayley Weiner Editor in Chief

www.hortulus.net