A Bard’s Codex: Medieval and Modern Troubadour Songs [Pre-order – to release in late 2025]

Inspired by lifelong immersion in medieval and fantasy sound and spaces, A Bard’s Codex is a unique collection by composer, countertenor and medieval harpist David Yardley.

Available as a digital edition only, to launch in late 2025 – pre-order here.

Reviewers call Yardley’s music “transcendent medieval-inspired music”, that evokes “an alternate world of mystery and archaic beauty”.

On the album, you’ll hear evocative performances of surviving works of the Middle Ages, including medieval English and French songs such as those by and about King Richard the Lionheart. You’ll also hear my musical settings of evocative fantasy and Celtic poetry, including Anne Casey’s award-winning poem “Season of Samhain”.

Anyone who loves harps, bards, troubadours, or medieval and fantasy worlds will enjoy these new works. Please join me in “a musical realm… of pure beauty” as we delve into the treasures of A Bard’s Codex.

Works on the album:

1. 1. “Ja Nus Hons Pris” by King Richard the Lionheart
   2. “Fortz Chausa Es”, a Lament on the Death of King Richard the Lionheart, by Gaucelm Faidit
   3. “The Mask Of Mystery”, Lyrics by Clark Ashton Smith, Music by David Yardley
   4. “Lay of the Ash Tree (prologue)”, Lyrics from the Prologue to Lay Le Fresne by Marie de France, 12th Century, translated to Middle English 14th Century; Music by David Yardley
   5. “Lanquand Li Jorn Son Lonc En Mai” (Song of Love and Longing For One Afar) by Jaufre Rudel
   6. “Season of Samhain”, Music by David Yardley, Poem by Anne Casey
   7. “White Iris On Thy Bier”, Lyrics by Clark Ashton Smith, Anon, Music by David Yardley
   8. “Cant Voi L’Aube”, Lyrics 13th Century Anon, Music by David Yardley
   9. “David Took The Harpe And Saul Was Coumfortid”, Lyrics from the Wycliffe Bible (c. 1384), Music by David Yardley
   10. “Reis Glorios” by Girault de Bornelh, late 12th Century
   11. “Wynter Wakeneth Al My Care”, Lyrics Anon 14th Century, Music by David Yardley
   12. “Frozen Fens”, Music by David Yardley, Poem by Emma Roxanas
   13. “Li Chastelains De Couci Ama Tant”, Lyrics 13th Century Anon, Music by David Yardley
   14. “That Hart My Hart Hath In Suche Grace”, Lyrics c.1500, Music by David Yardley
   15. “A Chantar m’er de so qu’eu no volria”, Lyrics by Countess Beatriz de Dia, Music by David Yardley
   16. “The Virtues Of A Quene”, Music by David Yardley, Words by Monique Bouchard
   17. “A Troubadour Laments the Plague of 1348,” Lyrics Peire de Lunel (fl. 1326-1384), Music by David Yardley