Medieval Romance

Basic Narrative Pattern

A quest, in which the hero undertakes

a dangerous journey in search of

something of value

Reflection of Society

System both of government

and of landownership.

Give oath of loyalty,

receive land.

Nobleman ruled land,

judged legal cases,

imposed taxes, and

maintained an army

Elements of Medieval Romance

Unusual or exotic setting

A near perfect hero

A test of the hero

Brave knights

An evil enemy

Battles, quests, contests, tests

Magical or supernatural elements & events

Elements of Romance

Good vs. Evil

Female figures who are usually

maidens (beautiful & in need of

rescue), mothers, or crones

High-born figures, such as kings

or queens

Themes of love, loyalty, faith,

courage in a blend of realism

and fantasy

Courtly Love & Knightly Adventure

From The Art of Courtly Love by Andreas Capellanus

He who is not

jealous cannot

love.

Boys do not love

until they reach the

age of maturity.

When one lover

dies, a widowhood

of two years is

required of the

survivor

Some Rules of Courtly Love

Courtly Love & Knightly Adventure

Some Rules of Courtly Love Con’t . . .

From The Art of Courtly Love by Andreas Capellanus

It is not proper to love any

woman whom one would be

ashamed to seek to marry.

A true lover does not desire to

embrace in love anyone

except his beloved.

The easy attainment of love

makes it of little value:

difficulty of attainment makes it

prized.

Courtly Love & Knightly Adventure

Some Rules of Courtly Love Con’t . . .

From The Art of Courtly Love by Andreas Capellanus

When made public

love rarely endures.

A new love puts an old

one to flight.

Good characters

alone makes any man

worthy of love.

Rich jealousy always

increases the feeling

of love.

Courtly Love & Knightly Adventure

Some Rules of Courtly Love Con’t . . .

From The Art of Courtly Love by Andreas Capellanus

He whom the thought of love

vexes eats and sleeps very

little.

A true lover considers

nothing good except what he

thinks will please his

beloved.

Nothing forbids one woman

being loved by two men or

one man by two women.

Ideals of Knightly Conduct Courage

Loyalty

Courtesy

Code of Chivalry

Loyalty

Maintain commitment to the people and ideals you choose to live by. Never compromise.

Defense

Stay true to the oath to defend the liege lord; seek always to defend your nation and your family.

Code of Chivalry

Prowess

Seek excellence in all

endeavors. Use strength for

justice – not for personal

gain.

Seek always the path of

“right,” or unencumbered by

bias or personal interest, no

matter what the cost.

Code of Chivalry

Humility

Do not boast of your own

accomplishments; let

others do this for you.

Honor others before

yourself.

Courage

Be ready to follow the most

difficult paths. Be prepared

to make personal sacrifices

in service of others.

Code of Chivalry

Faith Have faith in your beliefs, for faith

roots you and gives hope against the despair created by human failings

Generosity Be generous as much as your

resources allow; generosity in this way counters gluttony.

Nobility Hold to the virtues and duties of a

knight, realizing the ideals cannot be reached.

Code of Chivalry

The Ten Commandments of the Code of Chivalry I. Believe all that the Church teaches, and observe all its

directions.

II. Defend the Church.

III. Respect all weaknesses, and constitute thyself defender of them.

IV. Love the country in which you were born.

V. Do not recoil before your enemy.

VI. Make war against the Infidel without cessation, and without mercy.

VII. Perform scrupulously your feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God.

VIII. Never lie, and remain faithful to your pledged word.

IX. Be generous, and give largess to everyone.

X. Be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.

From Chivalry by Leon Gautier

May be based in fact

Feature these elements: Heroic figures and memorable

deeds

Quests, contests, or tests

Patterned events (for instance, events repeated three times)

Included: Detailed descriptions

Plot twists

Sophisticated characterization

King Arthur Was King Arthur real?

No one knows, but his name has popped

up since the sixth century, and by the

ninth century, he was a folk hero.

Morte d’Arthur

Written by Sir Thomas Mallory

First English prose version of King Arthur’s life.

Romance & medieval legend

King Arthur battles his illegitimate son, Mordred, loses his knights and dies himself

Values Chivalry, bravery, loyalty, warfare,

honor, conquests, heroism

Themes Love, loyalty, betrayal

Sir Gawain & the Green Knight

Romance & medieval legend

Values

Heroism, honor, chivalry,

bravery, beauty, honesty,

loyalty

Gawain is Arthur’s loyal

nephew; he is tested by three

challenges

Gawain is admirable, but not

invulnerable