Arthurian Romances

Translated with an introduction and notes by William W. Kibler. ("Erec and Enide" translated by Carleton W. Carroll.) Chrétien de Troyes not only created a new genre, the courtly romance, but virtually invented Arthurian literature as we know it. This volume contains new prose translations of his five romances: "Erec and Enide", which explores the dilemma of the knight who must strive to reconcile the demands of both his honour and his love; "Cligés", wonderful in its irony and insight into the hearts of lovers; "The Knight of the Cart", telling of the adulterous relationship between Lancelot and King Arthur’s wife, Guinevere; "The Knight with the Lion", a romance filled with fantastic adventures; and the ever haunting and mysterious "The Story of the Grail". Chrétien de Troyes was an incomparable poet, a writer of skill and sensitivity who freed his characters to speak for themselves. William W. Kibler provides a valuable introduction to the sources and context of the romances and to what is known of the author. "All those who have celebrated and still celebrate King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table," he writes, "are forever in his debt."