The controversy surrounding the ars-nova - Only a joke? (Jacques de Liege,Pope John XXII, 'Speculum musicae')

The Speculum musicae of Jacques de Liege has often been considered a conser vative, narrow-minded treatise aimed at condemning ars nova. This article i nvestigates its satiric and ironic elements particular to both style and ar gumentation, which may lead to a reassessment of how the author is characte rized. Since Jacques de Liege provided the only written witness of what has been interpreted as the dispute between ars antiqua and ars nova, a challe nge to this historiographical concept is thoroughly warranted. Undoubtedly not directed toward ars nov, Pope John XXII's decree 'Docta sanctorum patru m' cannot be counted as a second witness. It concerns itself rather with ce rtain musical practices (within the church) that Jacques himself even favor ed. Be that as it may, the satirical tone of Jacques' text is foreign to th e style of the decree. It is unlikely, therefore, that Jacques would have r eferred to its existence, perhaps even dared to have mentioned it, provided he was acquainted with it. In the final analysis, it seems improbable that he was.