Chretien de Troyes, Perceval

Paola Scarpini (University of York)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.5.2.01: French Writing and Culture: Old French to the Middle Ages , 500-1400.
Vol. editors: Marianne Ailes (University of Bristol), Matthew Siôn Lampitt (University of Bristol), Tim Unwin (University of Bristol), David Williams (University of Sheffield)

Dates

First circulation or publication c. 1181

Places

France (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Poetry (any)

Resources

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Perceval ou le Conte del Graal

(

Story of the Grail

) was written by Chrétien de Troyes in the court of Philip of Alsace, Count of Flanders. The exact date of its composition is not certain: it is speculated that it was probably written between 1181, when Philip of Flanders was at the height of his power, and prior to the count’s death in 1191 (

terminus ante quem

given by Philip’s death on crusade in Acre). Although the prologue implies that the story of the Grail existed in an oral and written form before Chrétien wrote his romance, this version is the earliest known version of the tale. The story, left unfinished by Chrétien, begins after a short prologue in praise of Count Philip of Flanders and extolling the virtue of Christian charity. Its incompleteness stimulated the…

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3998 words

Citation: Scarpini, Paola. "Perceval". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 May 2015 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=2874, accessed 23 April 2024.]

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