The Defining Characteristics

 12 th -15 th century ( )  Earlier romances in verse (poetic form)  Later ones sometimes in prose (NOT poetry)  Tales of courtly love and chivalric adventure

 Based on feudal ideal of chivalry  Code of Chivalry:  Emphasizes courage, grace, honor, love, loyalty, valor, and humility  both on and off the battlefield (high moral code)  Includes the pledging of service to a lady— honoring, revering, serving, and protecting her reputation (placing her on a pedestal—to worship from afar/on high)

 Are imbued with adventure, love, the supernatural  Feature kings, knights, damsels in distress  Give a glamorous portrayal of castle life (idealized)

 Born under mysterious circumstances  Grows up in obscurity (state of being unknown, inconspicuous, unimportant)  Undergoes an initiation from childhood to adulthood involving a magic weapon  Fights to defeat evil and promote peace  Often aided by—  magic weapons and  wise mentors (the Wise Old Man archetype)  “Departs” from this world under mysterious circumstances/events  Leaves open the possibility, the hope, that he may return when his people need him most

 Most popular medieval romances surround—  legends of King Arthur and his  Knights of the Round Table  Arthur—  thought to have been a Welsh chieftain (or Celtic king)  5 th or 6 th century

 Other names from the Arthurian legends:  Merlin (sorcerer & Arthur’s advisor)  Camelot  Excalibur (sword)  Guinevere (Arthur’s wife)  Lancelot (best friend and Knight of the Round Table)  Other knights include Sir Galahad, Sir Gawain, Sir Bedivere, Sir Percivale, Sir Lionell, Sir Kay, et al.  Uther Pendragon (father)  Igraine (mother)  Morgan le Fey (half-sister)  Mordred (nephew/son)

 Arthur  Mordred  Sir Lucan  Sir Gawain  Sir Bedivere  Hermit  Lady of the Lake  Three Queens

IgraineUther Pendragon Gorlois Arthur Morgana Mordred Guinevere Lancelot Bedivere Lionell Tristram Galahad Gawain Perceval Lucan Kay Ector Merlin Lady of the Lake Excalibur