The original version of one of the greatest and most potent of medieval legends.
Chrétien de Troyes Books
January 1, 1135 – January 1, 1181
Chrétien de Troyes is widely recognized as the father of Arthurian romance and a pivotal figure in Western literature. His works, composed in French in the late twelfth century, showcase a learned approach and a taste for dialectic likely acquired through his education. Simultaneously, his writing reveals a warm human sympathy that animates his characters and situations, bringing them to life. While drawing upon Celtic myth and setting his narratives in the timeless reign of King Arthur, he imbues them with the society and customs of his own era, and his unfinished final work notably introduces the mysterious Grail to literature.
Arthurian Romances
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Although he didn't invent the Round Table or the tales of its fellowship, the twelfth-century poet Chrétien de Troyes was the first to recount in verse the adventures of Arthur's knights. He is also chiefly responsible for establishing the importance of the Arthurian legend in European literature and assuring its survival into modern times. This sensitive translation of Chrétien's verse narratives features four romances, including those of Erec and Enide, Cligés, Yvain, and Lancelot. Erec and Enide's tale illustrates how honor can be restored to a troubled relationship through acts of public duty. Cligés' tale involves a forbidden relationship, in which a knight falls in love with his queen—who is also his uncle's wife. The story of Yvain explores the effects of long-term absence on a questing knight's marriage. Lancelot's adventure, the rescue of Guinevere, is Chrétien's enduring contribution to the tradition of Arthurian myth. The version included is a principal source of Mallory's popular Le Morte d'Arthur. Lively and accessible, these four romances form the most complete expression of the ideals of French chivalry by a single author.
A twelfth-century poem by the creator of the Arthurian romance describes the courageous exploits and triumphs of a brave lord who tries to win back his deserted wife's love.
Lancelot
- 254 pages
- 9 hours of reading
This translation of Lancelot brings to English-language readers, the fourth of Chretien's five surviving romantic Arthurian poems. This poem was the first to introduce Lancelot as an important figure in the King Arthur legend.
Cligès
- 252 pages
- 9 hours of reading
In this translation of Cliges, the second of five surviving Arthurian poems by 12th-century French poet Chretien de Troyes, Burton Raffel captures the original. In this poem, Chretien creates his most artful plot and paints the most starkly medieval portraits of any of his romances.
Le Conte Du Graal
- 640 pages
- 23 hours of reading
Perceval lives cut off from the world, ignorant of everything, even his name. One day in the forest, he meets, five knights wearing their armor and decides to join the court of King Arthur to become a knight in turn. Thus begins the adventures of Perceval who face a hundred enemies, meets love and tries to unravel the mystery of the Grail. Will thisn aive child become a perfect knight?
Erec et Enide
- 130 pages
- 5 hours of reading
Published in 1987: Erec and Enide, the first of five surviving Arthurian romantic poems by a twelfth-century French poet, narrates a vivid chapter from the legend of King Arthur. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1. Introduction, by William W. Kibler. 2. Select Bibliography. 3. Erec and Enide. 4 Textual Notes. 5. Index to Old French Terms. Appendix A: Line-Number Comparisons with Foerster's and Roques' Editions. Appendix B: Lines Added to Guiot's Text. Appendix C: Non-Emendation Changes to Roques' Text.
Lancelot: the Knight of the Cart
- 160 pages
- 6 hours of reading
The book features a faithful reproduction of the original text, preserving its historical significance and authenticity. It offers readers a chance to engage with the content as it was originally presented, providing insights into the themes and context of the time. This edition is ideal for those interested in exploring classic literature or historical documents in their original form.
