Alain de Lille (or Alanus ab Insulis) (c. 1128–1202), French theologian and poet, was born, probably in Lille, some years before 1128. Little is known of his life, but he had a very widespread reputation during his lifetime and his wealth of varied knowledge led to him being called Doctor universalis. He created the allegory of grammatical "conjugation" which was to have its successors throughout the Middle Ages. The Anticlaudianus, a treatise on morals as allegory, the form of which recalls the pamphlet of Claudian against Rufinus, is agreeably versified and relatively pure in its latinity.The Complaint of Nature is one of the most renowned pieces of medieval literature, written in prose, that covers much of Alain de Lille’s philosophical topics. This edition is specially formatted with a Table of Contents.