The Mediæval Bæbes is an English ensemble of female musicians founded by Mi… Read Full Bio ↴The Mediæval Bæbes is an English ensemble of female musicians founded by Miranda Sex Garden member Katharine Blake in London in 1996, featuring some of her MSG cohorts as well as other friends who share her love of medieval music. The lineup often rotates from album to album, and ranges from 6to 12 members.

The Bæbes's first album, Salva Nos (1997), shot straight to No 2 in the classical charts, a silver disc. Subsequent albums include Worldes Blysse (which went straight to No 1), Undrentide, (co-produced by John Cale), The Rose, and the Christmas-themed album Mistletoe & Wine.

Mirabilis (2005), was launched at a concert and party in London, August 2005. A self-titled DVD was released in July 2006. The first 300 preorders were autographed by the band and received a special mention in the DVD credits.

A live album was be released in December 2006 and featured two bonus studio tracks, An Itunes exclusive was also launched which added tracks not featured on the cd release and at this time still remain exclusive so is well worth tracking down.

The new album entitled Illumination was released via preorder on the bands website in Oct 2008 and as an added incentive to fans features two bonus tracks not included on the regular wholesale edition which has a Spring 2009 official release date. There has been concerns over the mastering of the album from fans which could account for the delayed release dates.

Each album features traditional medieval songs and poetry set to music, mostly arranged by Blake specifically for the ensemble, alongside varying numbers of original compositions. They sing in a variety of languages, including Latin, Middle English, French, Italian, Russian, Middle High German, Welsh, Irish Gaelic, modern English, Swedish and the nearly extinct Cornish. Their vocals are backed by medieval instruments, including the recorder and cittern, played by the singers or fellow musicians.

One of the group's founding musicians, Dorothy Carter, died of a stroke in 2003 at the age of 68. In addition to playing autoharp, hurdy gurdy, and dulcimer with the group, she performed the lead vocals on So Spricht Das Leben (Worldes Blysse) and L'Amour de Moi (The Rose).

Emily Ovenden, who sings with the group, is the daughter of artist Graham Ovenden.

The Bæbes' musical pieces run the gamut from extremely traditional, such as their version of The Coventry Carol on Salva Nos, to songs that feel traditional but are much more modern, such as their rendition of Summerisle, a song written for Robin Hardy's 1973 cult film Wicker Man. John Cale added non-medieval instruments, including saxophone and electric guitar, to some of the arrangements on Undrentide, although with subsequent albums the band returned to more traditional instruments. Even with these instruments, however, the band's current style is quite different from medieval authentic performance groups, as it displays significant modern influence.

Current Band Members:
Katharine Blake (Contralto, Recorders, Violin, Piano), Emily Ovenden (Soprano, Recorders, Concertina, Percussion), Ester Dee (Soprano), Claire Rabbitt (Contralto, Piano), Bev Lee Harling (Alto, Violin, Citern, Recorders, Guitar), Melpomeni Kermanidou (Mezzo Soprano, Piano)

former Band Members:
Dorothy Carter, Karen Lupton, Nicole Frobusch, Nichole Sleet, Carmen Schneider, Claire Ravel, Ruth Galloway, Teresa Casella, Rachel Van Ash, Audrey Evans, Marie Findley, Cylindra Sapphire, Sophie Evans, Maple Bee, Sofia Escobar, Maxine Fone

Official website: www.mediaevalbaebes.com

Veni coronaberis
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics

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The most worthye she is in towne
He that seith other do amiss
(And) worthy to ber the crowne
Veni, coronaberis

Ivy is soft and mek of spech
Ageinst all bale she is blysse
Well is he that (may) her rech

Veni, coronaberis
Veni, coronaberis

Ivy is green with colour bright
Of all trees best she is
And that I preve well now be right
Veni, coronaberis
Veni, coronaberis

Ivy bereth beris black
God graunt us all his blisse
For there shall we nothing lack
Veni, coronaberis
Veni, coronaberis
Veni, coronaberis
Veni, coronaberis

Veni, coronaberis
Veni, coronaberis

Veni, coronaberis
Veni, coronaberis

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mediæval Bæbes's song "Veni coronaberis" describe the worthiness and beauty of a woman in town, who is worthy of wearing a crown. The first two lines express the idea that anyone who thinks otherwise is mistaken. The next two lines emphasize that the woman is not only deserving of the crown, but also of praise and adoration, inviting her to be crowned with flowers. The repetition of "veni, coronaberis" throughout the song reinforces this sentiment and imbues the lyrics with a liturgical quality, as if the song were a hymn or a medieval chant celebrating the woman's virtues.

The third stanza compares the woman to ivy, a plant known for its softness and bright green color. The singer notes that ivy is a source of joy and comfort, and those who have access to it are fortunate. The fourth and final stanza invokes the protective power of God, asking that He blesses us all with the abundance of the earth ("beris black") and that we may never lack anything. The song ends with a repetition of the opening refrain, as if to reinforce the centrality of the woman's worthiness and the hope that all who hear the song might recognize it.

Line by Line Meaning

The most worthye she is in towne
She is the most worthy woman in the town

He that seith other do amiss
Those who speak poorly of her are in the wrong

(And) worthy to ber the crowne
She is deserving of a crown

Veni, coronaberis
Come, you will be crowned

Ivy is soft and mek of spech
Ivy is gentle and mild in her speech

Ageinst all bale she is blysse
She brings happiness in the face of adversity

Well is he that (may) her rech
Fortunate is he who can reach her

Ivy is green with colour bright
Ivy is bright green in color

Of all trees best she is
She is the best of all trees

And that I preve well now be right
And I can prove it to be true now

Ivy bereth beris black
Ivy bears black berries