The “matter of France” includes the subjects of the old
French epics. These concern the stories about Charlemagne and a good example is
the well-known Song of Roland. The “matter of Rome” concerned the tales of classical
antiquity, and included stories about Alexander and Troy amongst many others.
The “matter of Britain” derives from the history of Geoffrey
of Monmouth and made King Arthur into a national hero, the British counterpart
of Charlemagne. Nonetheless the pretence of solidity and historical truth found
in Geoffrey was not suitable for romantic purposes and the Arthur found in the “matter
of Britain” stories is very unlike the great imperial monarch and conqueror as
presented by Geoffrey and his followers.
Geoffrey announced his purpose – to set out the deeds of the
kings of the Britons from the first king, Brutus to Cadwaladr, i.e. from 1115
BC to AD 689. It created a new and rich history for a very old country –
Britain which by Geoffrey’s day had been forgotten and passed over for England.
His work restored pride for Britain’s people, the Britons. Because he left the
end tantalizingly open it meant that the Matter of Britain not only referred to
the glories of the past but might well have relevance for the future.
Geoffrey of Monmouth made Britain, not England, the subject
o his work and in the process provided Britain with a glorious pre-English and
non-English past. The Matter of Britain was an overwhelming success,
particularly as the fount of a remarkable body of literature.
Blog Question: What was it about the Matter of Britain that
was so attractive not only to British authors, but to the continental authors
of Romance?
The Matter of Britain was seen as important throughout Europe, but in particular to French authors of Romance, because it created a narrative for the nation, legitimized Britain’s first dynasty and sought to establish British sovereignty. The question of recognizing one’s destiny or purpose in the world can be interpreted through a world-view, rather than a British one. In part, what makes the Matter of Britain so attractive is the originality of its themes and attitude to the earliest British legends and the fact that the story is left open-ended, with the notion that Arthur will one day return, continues to attract the Western perspective of continental Europe.
ReplyDeleteI take your point that the Matter of Britain "created a narrative for the nation, legitimized Britain’s first dynasty and sought to establish British sovereignty" but why is this particularly appealing to FRENCH authors of Romance?
DeleteThe Matter of Britain, together with the Matter of Rome, legitimised the Carolingian cycle and provided a contrast between the Matter of France and the Matters of Britain and Rome. This literacy cycle influenced later Romance literature.
DeleteTo expand upon Emma's answer, it was so attractive to authors of romance because of the individuals that were present in the Matter of Britain. These people being heroic individuals, knights, kings and other grand men that were victorious in their efforts and that were generally honourable and noble individuals. These people discussed in the Matter of Britain allowed not only British authors to be proud of their ancestors and the foundation to which their nation was born, but allowed continental authors to view these accounts of brave men and glorious battles in a sentimental and ardent light.
ReplyDelete-Maddi
I believe that the Matter of Britain is so attractive to authors of Romance because of its capacity to inspire new stories, or, to use the contemporary term, “spin offs.” The introduction of new characters that appear from version to version are evident of this, and I believe this continues in modern society today with Arthurian stories retold through the eyes of other “characters.” For example, the Knights of the Round Table inspired authors to consider the life of Lancelot, and consider him as a main character. This subsequently inspired stories of Galahad and so forth. I am not sure how to explain the capacity that I have suggested, but it has evoked the imagination of continental authors of Romance.
ReplyDeleteMaddi has helped me out by explaining to some extent the capacity I was talking about.
DeleteI agree with the answers above. The Matter of Britain was a heroic legend that can easily allow individuals to draw on inspiration. The story of Arthur as the hero of Britain allows romantics to draw on the myth and re tell the story in more wonderful ways. Authors can use the mythical characters found within the Matter of Britain to help build their own inspirational characters.
DeleteElouise J.
Medieval romance had its roots in the aristocracy. If you combine Arthur's position as king with the factual elasticity of his story, you have a pretty welcoming opening for writers of the time. Why was it particularly appealing to the French beyond this? I don't know.
ReplyDeleteI hope it's not too late to post my comment on this blog! I was sick in the days leading up to the week 7 tute, and forgot all about posting once I had to begin my essay! Basically, the matter of Britain was so popular because of its mass appeal not only to the English, but also other cultures such as the Welsh and the Scots. The Welsh traced their lineage back to the native Britons, who legendarily were descendants of the ancient and heroic Trojans lead by the mythical founder of Britain, Brutus. Both the Welsh and the English used the matter of Britain as a national foundation myth, thus creating cultural continuity and sense of national identity. If we look at these factors in terms of Arthurian authors, (as stated above) naturally British writers, feeling a strong sense of ownership of the Arthurian tale, would use the story to give hope, inspiration and a sense of unity to a nation in a time of political instability. In reference to Romance authors, the story of Arthur, although already embedded with elements of the fantastic, gave writers the opportunity to expand upon these details, and to re-tell the story in such a way that would reflect the ideals of society; courtly love and the chivalric code, using characters as role models of valued virtues and morals.
ReplyDelete