Joseph of Exeter

Joseph of Exeter (Latin Josephus Iscanus ) was a poet in Latin from Exeter in the 12th century.

Around 1180, he traveled to study in Geldern, where he completed his lifelong friendship with Guibert, who later became Abbot of Florennes. Some of their correspondence have been preserved until today.

His most famous poem is De bello Troiano ( "From the Trojan War " ) in six books, most of which were written before 1183, but which was not completed until after 1184.

When his friend Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, set out on the Third Crusade to the Holy Land, Joseph accompanied him. After Baldwin had died in November 1190 in the Holy Land, Joseph returned to England. He immortalized his crusade experiences in his poem Antiocheis of which at least 21 lines are obtained, which quoted William Camden Remains Concerning Britain in his work. Various other now lost poems are attributed to Joseph.