Arthurian romance, also known as the Matter of Britain, is a type of medieval romance that tells of British kings, knights, and ladies. Particularly distinctive subjects are King Arthur, Camelot, and the quest for the Holy Grail. In 1138, Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote in Latin a pseudo-historical account of British kings from the foundation of a New Troy in Britain up to Anglo-Saxon control of Britain in the seventh century. Following Geoffrey’s influential work were many Arthurian romances written in later twelfth and thirteenth century. Chrétien de Troyes late in the twelfth-century wrote French verse Arthurian romances, particularly Lancelot, that were interpreted to promoting men’s servitude to women in love (chivalric love / courtly love).
Prior poems of women dreaming of their beloveds provide context for the wizard Merlin’s mother’s dream and her virgin conception of Merlin. … Read the post wizard Merlin’s virgin conception in literary history
Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia regum Britanniae narrates horrific violence against men. Ending violence against men starts with noticing men’s deaths. … Read the post Geoffrey of Monmouth’s horrific history of violence against men
The cuckolding (chastity) tests of lais Cor & Mantel show men’s solidarity, but men aren’t effectively demanding gender equality in parental knowledge. … Read the post lais Cor & Mantel: men’s solidarity in being cuckolded
Tristan and Iseut flagrantly lie in Béroul’s Tristan, but since they are good persons, what they say is true. Evil persons maliciously speak falsehoods. … Read the post Béroul’s Tristan narrates evil persons’ lies vs. good ones’ truth
In the Middle English romance Sir Gawain and The Carle of Carlisle, Gawain with courtly manners and sexual dynamism transcends gyno-idolatry for redemption. … Read the post Sir Gawain’s courtly manners & sexual dynamism transcend gyno-idolatry