The Flourishing of Romance and the Rise of Allegory: (Periods of European Literature, vol. II)

The Story

This volume traces the dynamic evolution of European literature during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, a period marked by the flourishing of romance and the rise of allegory. It situates this literary blossoming within the broader intellectual and spiritual unity of Europe, emphasizing the continent as a confederation working toward common cultural ends.

The narrative begins by examining the emergence of the romance genre, particularly the chansons de geste—epic poems celebrating heroic deeds. These works, such as the Chanson de Roland, are notable for their immense length and narrative complexity, often spanning thousands of lines. The Roland itself, one of the shortest, contains around four thousand lines, while others like Aliscans and Huon extend to eight and ten thousand lines respectively. These epic poems celebrate figures like William of Orange, a loyal and valiant marquis who embodies the chivalric ideals of the age. His saga, along with those of his ancestors Garin de Montglane and Aimeri de Narbonne, forms a vast cycle of heroic narratives that underscore themes of loyalty, valor, and family honor.

The book then explores the Arthurian romances, highlighting their complex origins and the blending of Celtic, French, and Teutonic influences. It notes the distinctive character of the love stories within these romances, especially the passion of Lancelot for Guinevere, which is absent in Welsh tradition but central to the later medieval narrative. The Arthurian legend is portrayed as a fusion of historical conquest, mystical Grail quests, and romantic intrigue, reaching its fullest expression in the works of Chrétien de Troyes and Wolfram von Eschenbach.

Parallel to these epic and romantic narratives, the rise of allegory is traced through works like the Roman de la Rose. This complex poem, begun by William of Lorris and continued by Jean de Meung, combines courtly love with philosophical and satirical elements, reflecting the intellectual currents of the time. The Roman de la Rose stands alongside the Roman de Renart and the fabliaux as a major influence on European literature, shaping the tone and themes of subsequent works for centuries.

The volume also addresses the scholastic movement’s impact on literature, emphasizing the precision and exactness of medieval Latin philosophical prose. The Scholastics, despite their reputation for pedantry and dialectical hair-splitting, contributed to the development of a precise terminology that influenced vernacular literature. Their rigorous intellectual methods helped shape the language and style of medieval writers, fostering a culture of exactness that permeated both theological and literary texts.

The book surveys the dissemination and preservation of these medieval texts, noting the uneven printing and editorial practices that have affected their accessibility. It highlights the efforts of scholars like Paulin Paris and Francisque Michel in bringing chansons and romances to print, while lamenting the fragmentation and scholarly disputes that have sometimes hindered a comprehensive understanding of the corpus.

Further, the work touches on the influence of other literary traditions, such as the Icelandic sagas, which offer a contrasting but equally rich narrative tradition characterized by vivid storytelling and supernatural elements. The sagas, like those of Grettir the Strong, provide a window into Norse culture and its literary aesthetics, differing in tone and style from the French and Arthurian romances.

The volume concludes by reflecting on the challenges of tracing the precise connections between Eastern, Byzantine, and Western romance traditions. It acknowledges the gaps in historical knowledge and the speculative nature of some theories regarding literary transmission across cultures, underscoring the complexity of medieval literary history.

Throughout, the book maintains a scholarly yet accessible tone, weaving together literary criticism, historical context, and philological insight to present a comprehensive picture of a formative period in European literature.

The People

• William of Orange: A marquis and heroic figure in the chansons de geste, William embodies loyalty, valor, and piety. He is a bulwark of Christendom and a scion of a noble lineage. His rough manners and martial prowess define his character, and his saga spans numerous poems that celebrate his deeds and family heritage.

• Garin de Montglane: Ancestor of William, Garin’s story involves fighting for justice and honor, including avenging his mother’s wrongs and conquering Montglane. He represents the noble qualities of loyalty and courage foundational to the epic tradition.

• Chrétien de Troyes: A pivotal French poet whose Arthurian romances crystallize the blend of romance, mysticism, and chivalry. His works mark a high point in medieval narrative art, setting the stage for later developments in the legend.

• Jean de Meung: Successor to William of Lorris in the Roman de la Rose, Jean introduces a more satirical and philosophical tone, expanding the poem’s scope and influence. His work reflects the intellectual ferment of the late thirteenth century.

• The Scholastics: A collective of medieval philosophers and theologians who developed a precise and exact terminology in Latin prose. Their rigorous dialectical methods influenced literary style and intellectual culture, shaping the language of medieval literature.

• Grettir the Strong: A figure from Icelandic saga tradition, Grettir is portrayed as valiant but ferocious, embodying the wild vigor and supernatural elements characteristic of Norse storytelling. His saga contrasts with the French romances in tone and narrative style.

In Its Own Voice

The book’s excerpts reveal the scholarly tone and detailed analysis that characterize its approach:

"The criticism which alone can much help us for the future is a criticism which regards Europe as being, for intellectual and spiritual purposes, one great confederation, bound to a joint action and working to a common result."

This statement sets the framework for understanding medieval literature as a pan-European cultural phenomenon.

"All the peculiarities which ignorance or sciolism used to ridicule or reproach in the Scholastics—their wiredrawnness, their lingering over special points of verbal wrangling, their neglect of plain fact in comparison with endless and unbridled dialectic—all these things did no harm but much positive good from the point of view which we are now taking."

Here the author defends the scholastic method as a foundation for literary precision and intellectual rigor.

"It is not withered and hackneyed by time and tongues as, save when genius touches it, it is now. The dew is still on all of it; and, thanks to the dead language, the dead manners, it will always be on."

This poetic reflection on the enduring freshness of medieval French lyric poetry captures the book’s appreciation for the vitality of medieval literature despite its age.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an exploration of how medieval European literature evolved into a rich, interconnected cultural tapestry during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. It argues that the flourishing of romance and the rise of allegory were not isolated phenomena but part of a broader intellectual movement that unified Europe’s literary and spiritual life.

The book emphasizes the importance of precision in language and thought, highlighting how the scholastic tradition’s rigorous methods shaped literary expression. This precision allowed for the development of complex allegories and the nuanced exploration of themes such as love, honor, and faith.

Another key theme is the interplay between oral tradition and written literature. The chansons de geste and romances often derive from oral storytelling, yet their preservation and elaboration in written form reflect a growing literary sophistication. The book traces how these narratives expanded in length and complexity, incorporating historical, mystical, and romantic elements.

The volume also probes the cultural exchanges that influenced medieval literature, from Celtic and Welsh traditions to French, German, and Norse contributions. It examines how these diverse sources merged to create the Arthurian legend’s distinctive blend of history, mysticism, and romance.

Moreover, the book addresses the tension between the sacred and the profane, particularly in the treatment of love and morality. The Roman de la Rose exemplifies this tension, combining courtly love’s idealism with satirical and philosophical critique, reflecting the era’s complex attitudes toward human desire and spiritual aspiration.

Finally, the book is concerned with the transmission and preservation of medieval texts, acknowledging the challenges posed by fragmentary manuscripts, uneven editorial practices, and scholarly disputes. It underscores the ongoing effort to unlock the literary heritage of this period for modern readers.

Why Read It Today

This book offers a richly detailed and nuanced account of a pivotal era in European literary history. Readers interested in medieval culture, the origins of romance, and the intellectual currents that shaped Europe will find it invaluable. Its scholarly rigor and breadth provide a deep understanding of how literature both reflected and influenced the medieval worldview.

The prose is precise and warm, avoiding hype while conveying the vibrancy and complexity of the period. However, the book’s density and the specialized nature of some discussions—such as detailed philological debates and the intricacies of medieval prosody—may challenge casual readers. The language, while accessible, reflects the scholarly style of the late nineteenth century, which may require patience.

What stays with the reader is a sense of the medieval literary world as a living, breathing entity—full of heroic deeds, mystical quests, and intellectual debates. The book reveals how romance and allegory were not mere entertainments but vital expressions of a society grappling with questions of identity, faith, and human experience.

For those willing to engage with its length and detail, the book opens a window onto a formative moment when European literature took shape in ways that continue to resonate. It invites readers to appreciate the medieval imagination’s richness and the enduring power of its stories and ideas.