laudatoriae

Laudatoriae are a group of medieval Latin literary texts that function as formal expressions of praise. The form is usually systematic, employing structured rhetorical devices that honor a person, institution, or divine figure. Unlike the Christian office of Lauds, which is a liturgical morning prayer, laudatoriae were typically composed for secular or ecclesiastical occasions, such as the anniversary of a benefactor’s donation, the inauguration of a civic office, or the commemoration of a saint’s feast day.

The earliest examples appear in the twelfth century and are largely found in the collections of courtly or ecclesiastical writers. The texts are generally written in plain Latin prose with occasional verse passages. The rhetorical scheme often follows the model of the classical praise oration: a preface (exordium), the exposition of the subject’s virtues (narratio), a comparative section that contrasts the subject with other figures or standards (dispositio), and a closing argument (peroratio).

While each laudatory text is unique, they share a common purpose: to record and reinforce the reputation of the honoree and to strengthen the social bonds within the patronage community. Scholars use laudatoriae to trace political alliances, religious patronage, and the diffusion of Latin literary forms during the Middle Ages. Multiple manuscripts survive in monastic libraries across Europe, and modern editions focus on linguistic style and the interplay with contemporary genre conventions.