Medieval Romance
Medieval Romance
Basic Narrative Pattern
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A quest, in which the hero undertakes
a dangerous journey in search of
something of value
Reflection of Society
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System both of government
and of landownership.
Give oath of loyalty,
receive land.
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Nobleman ruled land,
judged legal cases,
imposed taxes, and
maintained an army
Elements of Romance
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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
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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
Ideals of Knightly Conduct
Countrymen
God
Women
Code of Chivalry
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Loyalty
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Maintain commitment
to the people and
ideals you choose to
live by. Never
compromise.
Defend the lives of
others
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Stay true to the oath
to defend the liege
lord, and your fellow
Christians
Code of Chivalry
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Prowess
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Seek excellence in all
endeavors. Use strength for
justice – not for personal
gain.
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Seek always the path of
“right,” or unencumbered by
bias or personal interest, no
matter what the cost.
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Code of Chivalry
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Humility
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Do not boast of your own
accomplishments; let
others do this for you.
Honor others before
yourself.
Courage
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Be ready to follow the most
difficult paths. Be prepared
to make personal sacrifices
in service of others.
Code of Chivalry
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Faith
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Generosity
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Have faith in your beliefs, for faith
roots you and gives hope against
the despair created by human
failings
Be generous as much as your
resources allow; generosity in
this way counters gluttony.
Nobility
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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
Chivalry – Attitude towards
Women
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Courtly love. . .
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A noble-born woman is the
ideal of virtue and should be
honored and protected
A knight must serve his lady
and all other ladies after her.
He must always demonstrate
gentleness and good manners
to all women
From The Art of Courtly Love by Andreas Capellanus
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May be based in fact
Feature these elements:
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Heroic figures and memorable
deeds
Quests, contests, or tests
Patterned events (for instance,
events repeated three times)
Included:
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Detailed descriptions
Plot twists
Sophisticated characterization
King Arthur
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Was King Arthur real?
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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
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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
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Chivalry, bravery, loyalty, warfare,
honor, conquests, heroism
Themes
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Love, loyalty, betrayal
Morte d’Arthur Background
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Rumor has it that the good knight Lancelot had an affair
with Queen Guinevere
At the insistence of his nephew Gawain, Arthur and his
men travel to France to confront Lancelot
King Arthur’s loves Lancelot and has trouble punishing
him
He learns that his illegitimate son, Mordred, has captured
England
King Arthur and the men return to England where nephew
Gawain is killed in the initial confrontation with Mordred’s
army