The chanson de geste {song of deeds} is a genre of Old French epic poems that were composed in the late eleventh and twelfth century. These poems typically concern noble persons related to or associated with Charlemagne and his descendants. The most well-known chanson de geste is The Song of Roland {La Chanson de Roland}, composed about 1100. Many chansons de geste are much more concerned with gender and heterosexual relations than is La Chanson de Roland. Chansons de geste highlight women’s power and the gender problem of epic violence against men.
Rainoart in the chanson de geste Aliscans is an uncivilized man who fights on foot with a club and punches a horse, quite unlike a medieval knight. … Read the post medieval Rainoart exemplifies uncivilized masculinity
When Queen Blancheflor opposed William of Orange’s desperate plea for help, he bitterly castigated his privileged sister & sought to behead her. … Read the post William of Orange castigated his privileged sister Queen Blancheflor
William of Orange sought aid from his lord King Louis the Pious. He received help only when his mother Ermengard intervened to support him. … Read the post Ermengard fought for her son William against King Louis
In the epic cycle Guillaume d’Orange, the former Saracen queen Guiborc on her deathbed admirably asked her Frankish husband William for forgiveness. … Read the post did Guiborc offend her husband William of Orange?
The Christian epic hero William of Aquitaine / Guillaume d’Orange became a monk who fought to keep his underwear against despoiling, raping robbers. … Read the post Waltharius continued: Christian epic hero becomes monk