1. Medieval Romance

2. Many of the first romances were written in those languages Examples:
The term “romance” comes from “Romance languages,” meaning those languages derived from Latin (French, Italian, Spanish)
Many of the first romances were written in those languages
Examples:
Le Morte d’Arthur (The Death of King Arthur)
Le Roman du Rose (The Romance of the Rose)
Tristan and Isolde
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

3. CHARACTERISTICS A highly artificial and stylized genre
Characters are lords and ladies
Love and chivalry– somewhat contradictory themes
Magic and enchantment, religious mysticism
Lots of fighting, gore, pageantry
Quests
The Knight as a central character

4. The Knight A WARRIOR, CHRISTIAN and LOVER
Possesses good manners, delicacy, protocol
Has deference and passion (both!) for ladies
Has skills as a poet, musician, writer, speaker and dancer

5. The beginning of "The Knight's Tale" illuminated manuscript, Huntington Library, California

7. 13th century illuminated manuscript: Lancelot du lac fait porter un échiquier magique à la Reine Guenièvre

8. "The Rescue of Guinevere" by William Hatherell (1855-1920)

9. The Romance and Love The Romance tells of ideal, not realistic love
Love is so passionate as to cause fever and illness
Love is usually outside of marriage
Adultery is almost always inevitable, but has tragic consequences

10. The Knight and Lady
The Knight dedicates himself to the glorification of his Lady, either in secret or openly
He wears her colors to tournaments, devotes his trophies to her
All of his acts of heroism and valor are in her honor
The Lady is generally demanding, sometimes cruel, but always beautiful, intelligent and spirited.

11. “Lancelot and Guinevere‘s First Kiss,” Manuscript illustration, c 1400
“Lancelot and Guinevere‘s First Kiss,” Manuscript illustration, c Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

12. Works Cited and Consulted
Hatherell, William. “The Rescue of Guinevere.” Oil on canvas, Rpt. “Arthurian Legends Illustrated.” Kathleen Nichols. Pittsburg State U., Sept <
“The Knight’s Tale.” Ellesmere Manuscript, ca Illuminated manuscript. San Marino, CA.: The Huntington Library. Rpt. “The Knight’s Tale in Images.” Luminarium Sept <
“Lancelot and Guinevere’s First Kiss.” Unknown artist. Manuscript illustration, c Paris: Bibliotheque Nationale. Rpt. “Lancelot du Lac.” Timeless Myths Sept <
“Lancelot du lac fait porter un échiquier magique à la Reine Guenièvre.” Unknown artist. Late 13th C. Rpt. “Tableaux ayant pour sujet les échecs.” 21 Sept <
Leighton, Edmund Blair. “The Accolade.” Rpt. CGFA. 21 Sept <
Love, D. “‘Al this Peynted Process': Chaucer and the Psychology of Courtly Love.” English Studies (Nov. 2002),