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).
Lancelot, whose relationship with Guinevere stimulated scholarly study and glorification of courtly love, is best understand as Chrétien de Troyes’ manlet. … Read the post Chrétien’s Lancelot: cretinous manlet is ideal of courtly lover
The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell shows men’s fantasy that striving to please and marrying will transform a loathly lady into a fair dame. … Read the post loathly lady Dame Ragnell: fantasy of fulfilling women’s desires
The temptation that seduced Gawain was a matter of reason. Gawain fell to the temptation of believing a beautiful woman. … Read the post fighting temptation: Gawain and the Green Knight’s lessons for men
In Arthurian romance, the magician Merlin’s abjection in love reflects the medieval shift from men’s love magic to men’s love servitude. … Read the post Merlin the magician lacked seductive love magic
In Frauendienst (Service of Ladies), written in German about 1250, Ulrich von Liechtenstein describes a knight’s mis-education, delusion, and suffering. … Read the post Ulrich von Liechtenstein’s servitude to women: don’t be that man