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
Courtly Love & Knightly Adventure
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Some Rules of Courtly Love
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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
From The Art of Courtly Love by Andreas Capellanus
Courtly Love & Knightly Adventure
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Some Rules of Courtly Love Con’t . . .
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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.
From The Art of Courtly Love by Andreas Capellanus
Courtly Love & Knightly Adventure
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Some Rules of Courtly Love Con’t . . .
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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.
From The Art of Courtly Love by Andreas Capellanus
Courtly Love & Knightly Adventure
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Some Rules of Courtly Love Con’t . . .
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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.
From The Art of Courtly Love by Andreas Capellanus
Ideals of Knightly Conduct
Courage
Loyalty
Courtesy
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.
Defense
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Stay true to the oath
to defend the liege
lord; seek always to
defend your nation
and your family.
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
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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
Sir Gawain & the Green Knight
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Romance & medieval legend
Values
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Heroism, honor, chivalry,
bravery, beauty, honesty,
loyalty
Gawain is Arthur’s loyal
nephew; he is tested by three
challenges
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Gawain is admirable, but not
invulnerable