<P> Carmina Burana (/ ˈkɑːrmɪnə bʊˈrɑːnə /, Latin for "Songs from Beuern"; "Beuern" is short for Benediktbeuern) is the name given to a manuscript of 254 poems and dramatic texts mostly from the 11th or 12th century, although some are from the 13th century . The pieces are mostly bawdy, irreverent, and satirical . They were written principally in Medieval Latin; a few in Middle High German, and some with traces of Old French or Provençal . Some are macaronic, a mixture of Latin and German or French vernacular . </P> <P> They were written by students and clergy when the Latin idiom was the lingua franca across Italy and western Europe for travelling scholars, universities and theologians . Most of the poems and songs appear to be the work of Goliards, clergy (mostly students) who satirized the Catholic Church . The collection preserves the works of a number of poets, including Peter of Blois, Walter of Châtillon, and an anonymous poet, referred to as the Archpoet . </P> <P> The collection was found in 1803 in the Benedictine monastery of Benediktbeuern, Bavaria, and is now housed in the Bavarian State Library in Munich . Along with the Carmina Cantabrigiensia, the Carmina Burana is considered to be the most important collection of Goliard and vagabond songs . </P>

Who wrote the poetry on which carmina burana is based