Four Arthurian Romances

Chrétien's works include five major poems in rhyming eight-syllable couplets. Four of these are complete; Erec and Enide (c. 1170); Cligès (c. 1176), and Yvain, the Knight of the Lion and Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart, both written simultaneously between 1177 and 1181. Chrétien's final romance was Perceval, the Story of the Grail, written between 1181 and 1190, but left unfinished, though some scholars have disputed this.

A compendium of four most remarkable romances about the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and associated figures of the Arthurian mythos. This compendium consists of the tales of EREC ET ENIDE, CLIGES, YVAIN, and LANCELOT.

Filled with romantic tales of Lancelot and early Grail legends, this exacting translation of de Troyes' verse narratives written in the 12th century features four romances that expound on the ideals of French chivalry.

DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "Four Arthurian Romances" by De Troyes active 12th century Chrétien. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

Erec et Enide features many of the common elements of Arthurian romance, such as Arthurian characters, the knightly quest, and women or love as a catalyst to action. While it is not the first story to use conventions of the Arthurian characters and setting, Chrétien de Troyes is credited with the invention of the Arthurian romance genre by establishing expectation with his contemporary audience based on its prior knowledge of the subjects.

Chrétien de Troyes' Four Arthurian Romances continued and expanded on existing Arthurian legends, but began the Arthurian Romance genre, so popular in Medieval literature. His tales often diverge from Arthur himself, focussing instead on the characters of his court. Chretien introduced Sir Lancelot and also the Holy Grail to the Arthurian legends. He is considered the first major French novelist.

Chr?tien de Troyes' Four Arthurian Romances continued and expanded on existing Arthurian legends, but began the Arthurian Romance genre, so popular in Medieval literature. His tales often diverge from Arthur himself, focussing instead on the characters of his court. Chretien introduced Sir Lancelot and also the Holy Grail to the Arthurian legends. He is considered the first major French novelist.

Introduced and translated by W. W. Comfort. Originally written in rhyming eight-syllable couplets, these epic poems date from the twelfth century and served as the original inspiration of what became the Arthurian Cycles - the legends of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, Courtly Love and popular Medieval imagery and life. The first romance tells the story of Erec, who serves as part of Queen Guinevere's retinue, his quest for the hand of princess Enide, and his struggle for honor on the battlefield, and finally their crowning as King and Queen of Nantes. The second romance tells the story of the knight Cliges, the prince regent of Constantinople and second cousin to King Arthur. While Cliges is growing up in Britain, Constantinople is ruled by his uncle Alis. Upon his return to that city, Cliges falls in love with Alis's wife, Fenice-who, by means of a magic potion, has never consummated her marriage. The drama which ensues is a whirlwind of deception, but ultimate victory for courtly love. The third romance tells the story of Yvain, the Knight with the Lion whose loyal servant is a lion he rescues from a servant - and whose strength in battle saves his life more than once in battle with natural and supernatural foes. The fourth romance tells the story of Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart, and of the love affair between Queen Guinevere and Lancelot, after he rescues her from abduction by Meleagant. It tells of Lancelot's struggles to rescue the queen and of the battle to balance his duties of loyalty to Arthur and his personal love for Guinevere. Chretien de Troyes's works played a major role in helping to shape Arthurian romance-but also, due to his detailed descriptions of everyday court life, provided a fascinating window into early Medieval ruling class lifestyles.