Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Metrical Romances explained
This chapter discusses the earliest form of romances, which appeared in rude verse and were sung or recited at feasts.
What happens
This chapter discusses the earliest form of romances, which appeared in rude verse and were sung or recited at feasts. It provides specimens of the language used after the Norman conquest, including a passage from Robert de Beauvais and Robert de Brunne, and explains the transition to prose romances in the late thirteenth century. The chapter includes a sample from Sir Thomas Mallory's Morte d'Arthur, which lists the nine worthies and introduces King Arthur as the first Christian worthy.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Transmission and Education
The chapter discusses how romances were transmitted orally in verse and later in prose, preserving and adapting stories for new audiences.
Heroism and the Quest
The excerpt from Morte d'Arthur lists the nine worthies, including King Arthur and Charlemagne, as exemplars of heroic deeds.
Characters to notice
- Sir Tristrem
Referenced in the specimen from Robert de Beauvais as the subject of a story.
- King Arthur
Listed as the first Christian worthy in the excerpt from Morte d'Arthur.
- Charlemagne
Listed as the second Christian worthy in the excerpt from Morte d'Arthur.
- Hector of Troy
Listed as the first pagan worthy in the excerpt from Morte d'Arthur.
Key passages
“Ne voil pas emmi dire, Ici diverse la matyere, Entre ceus qui solent cunter, E de le cunte Tristran parler.”
I will not say too much about it, so diverse is the matter, among those who are in the habit of telling and relating the story of Tristran.
This is a specimen of the Norman French language used among the nobility after the Norman conquest.
“Als thai haf wryten and sayd Haf I alle in myn Inglis layd, In symple speche as I couthe, That is lightest in manne's mouthe. Alle for the luf of symple men, That strange Inglis cannot ken.”
As they have written and said, I have laid all in my English, in simple speech as I could, that is easiest in man's mouth, all for the love of simple men who cannot understand strange English.
This is a specimen of the English spoken by common people at the same time, referring to the 'strange Inglis' of the nobility.
“It is notoyrly knowen thorugh the vnyuersal world that there been ix worthy and the best that ever were. That is to wete thre paynyms, three Jewes, and three crysten men.”
It is notoriously known throughout the universal world that there are nine worthies and the best that ever were, that is to say three pagans, three Jews, and three Christian men.
This excerpt from Morte d'Arthur introduces the concept of the nine worthies, listing pagan, Jewish, and Christian heroes.