Peder Laale

Peder Laale or Peder Lolle was a 14th-century Danish scholar, known for his collection of proverbs Petri Laale Parabulæ, which was first published in 1506. Not much is known about his identity, but textual clues suggest that he may have been a magistrate or judge, or perhaps a priest. He may be identical with the deacon of Odense by name of Peder Nielsen Låle who traveled as a messenger from the Papal nuntius in Denmark and Sweden to the Curia in Avignon in the 1330s, and who later took up a post at the bishopric in Ribe. The theory that Deacon Peder Nielsen Låle is also the author of the proverbs is supported by traits suggestive of French influence in the proverbs, as well as the dates from which they are known. The earliest fragments known are from 1450 suggesting that they must have been well known for a period before that, placing their author's likely life time in the 14th century. The proverbs are considered a treasure of medieval Danish literature.