Examples of beast epics written in Middle Latin include Ecbasis captivi (1140-45) and Isengrimus (1148-50). These two early works were written by Germanic priests and were intended to expose the corrupt lower clergy, as well as the corrupt nobility. The earlier beast epics led to a specific form of twelfth century fox and wolf verse narratives and one of the most notable examples is the Old French Roman de Renart (between 1174 and 1205). It spawned several late medieval adaptations, created in the Dutch and Flemish region. These included the late twelfth century variants Van den vos Renaerde, Reinaerts Historie, and the verse epic Reinke de vos. In addition to the Dutch/Flemish works, an obscure Middle High German poet, Heinrich der Glichezare, produced a version of the fox epic, Reinhart Fuchs (ca. 1189/90). - [Author]

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