Andreas Capellanus Books

Andreas Capellanus, author of a treatise often known as The Art of Courtly Love, offers a sophisticated, perhaps cynical, perspective on medieval romance. Written at the request of Marie de Champagne for a young pupil, his work delves into the intricacies of love, defining its nature, illustrating romantic interactions across social classes, and recounting tales from actual courts. This influential text serves as a valuable, albeit debated, record of the attitudes and practices foundational to Western literary traditions, with modern scholars often interpreting it as a subtle critique of aristocratic superficiality.