Certain romances fall properly speaking outside the scope of the four great bodies of romances. Some of these are legends, obviously inspired by the struggle between Paladin and Saracen, and the spirit of Crusader interwoven with curious tales of magic. In one, William of Palerne, there is the were-wolf motif: in another, one of the most agreeable, Robert of Sicily, an angel for a while takes the place of the king, in order to chasten his pride:- Long- fellow made delight use of this story; another deal with Richard Coeur de Lion.
More interesting as a romance is
the tale of Floris and Blanchefleur.
The story of Floris and
Blanchefleur concerns the all-absorbing passion of two lovers who overcome
difficulties and desperate perils, and in the end, are united.
The story explores themes of young
love, emotional development, and the power of romantic love over the force of
arms.
At was one of the most popular
stories of the Middle Ages. Originating in the East, it attained a wide
circulation in Western Christendom, probably through the agency of the Crusades,
and the history of the story is almost as interesting as the story itself.
It seems to have been introduced
into France in about 1106 and was connected by the Jongleurs with the French
cycle (Charlemagne). There were two versions, an “Aristocratic” or “courtly
version”, and a “Popular”.
In the popular version, the hero
is transformed from a lovesick youth into a man of Knightly courage.
The English translation made by a
poet in the reign of Henry III some hundred years later reproduces from the earlier
French version the oriental air of softness and luxury but condenses the
sentimental element. The poem is written in short, well-constructed rhymed
couplets.
The story exists in four imperfect
medieval manuscripts, which indicate oral transmission. The tale was popular
throughout Western Europe. The English account, Floris and Blancheflur (or
Flores and Blancheflour) was composed in the East Midlands dialect about 1250
and is commonly held to be one of the most charming romances in Middle English.
Blanchefleur as a girl's
name is of French origin, and the meaning of Blanchefleur is "white
flower"
Blanchefleur ("white flower",
also Blancheflor, Blancheflour, Blanziflor) is the name of several characters
in the literature of the High Middle Ages. Except for in Perceval, the Story of
the Grail, Blanchefleur is typically a character who reflects her name—an image
of purity and idealized beauty.
Floire et Blancheflor is
a medieval romance and chivalric love story. It is a French metrical
romance that was popular in Western Europe between the 12th and 13th
centuries. The story is about the separation and reunion of young lovers,
Floire and Blancheflor, who are from different religions. Floire is the
son of a Saracen king, while Blancheflor is Christian.
The story is thought to be of
Greco-Byzantine or Moorish origin. It was told in many different
vernacular languages and versions during the Middle Ages.
POETICAL THEME:
Floris and Blancheflour is a
Middle English poem that emphasizes the power of romantic love over a force
of arms. The tale is about the separation and reunion of young lovers,
Floris and Blancheflour, who are born on Easter Sunday and named Paskes
Flourie, or "flowering Easter".
Romantic love: The tale shows
how romantic love can preserve life and ensure a good end.
Flower imagery: The poem uses
flower imagery over fifty times to represent the power of love to renew itself.
Verbal play: The names
"Blancheflor" and "Floire" are a kind of verbal play, with
"white" and "flower" both denoting purity.
The tale has many origins,
including:
French
The Middle English version comes
from the Old French "aristocratic" version, Floire et Blancheflor.
Oriental
The tale has many details from The
Arabian Nights, such as the Tower of Maidens, eunuch guards, and odalisques.
Indian
The tale has analogs in Indian
literature, particularly the Jatakas of the early fifth century.
The tale has been popular for
retellings, including a version by Boccaccio in 1336, and a romantic ballad by
Swedish poet Oskar Levertin in 1891.
With the theme of separation
and reunion of young lovers, the book was popular throughout Western Europe.
This is a story in which there is
much to remind us of the charming 12th-century French romance, Aucassin and
Nicolette, and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
These Oriental romances differed
from the Saxon romances in their more fantastic and sentimental treatment. In
their inception, at any rate, they were fanciful, allusive, whimsical, tender
rather than stern, and passionate. Some of them became Westernised to suit the
fiercer taste of the Saxons and the more vigorous inclination of the Normans.
Few of them were ever so popular
as the Arthurian Romances, yet they played a part in modifying English literature
and tingeing with softer outlining the British romance
LENGTH AND POPULARITY:
Reading classic romances
translated from French to English can be a rich experience that involves
considering the cultural and historical significance of the work, the literary
excellence of the original translation, and how it has influenced other authors.
The popularity of legend of Floire
et Blancheflor has achieved so much success with the reading public to survive
until nowadays: one may still find modernizations and retellings of the story
in all Europe literary background, especially in France and Spain.
The Middle English romance Floris
and Blancheflour is 108 pages long. You can read a free digital
version of the book on the Internet Archive.
STYLE OF THE BOOK:
Floris and Blancheflour is
a Middle English romance written in the East Midlands dialect around
1250. It is considered one of the most charming romances in Middle
English. Here are some of the characteristics of the book's style:
Linear plot: Each section of
the story depends on the previous one.
Romantic: Unlike other
romances of the time, which were often bloody and martial, Floris and
Blancheflour is more romantic.
Couplets: The book is written
in couplets.
Themes: The story includes
themes of conflict between Christianity and paganism.
Reunion of lovers: The story
is about a pair of lovers who become separated and later reunite.
Disguise: The hero assumes a
disguise, as is common in medieval romances.
Magic ring: The story
involves a magic ring that makes the wearer invulnerable to death.
Floris and Blancheflour is a
retelling of an Old French romance from the mid-twelfth century. The story
was popular throughout Western Europe and is known in many European languages.
VERSIONS AND LANGUAGES:
The story of Floris and
Blancheflour has been told in many versions and languages, including:
Old French
Floire et Blancheflor is the
original French version, which dates back to around 1160. A popular version was
published around 1200.
Middle English
Floris and Blancheflour is the
Middle English version, which was composed around 1250. It's considered one of
the most charming romances in Middle English.
Middle High German
Florie und Blansheflur is the
Middle High German version, which was written by Konrad Fleck around 1220.
Middle Low German
Flos unde Blankeflos is the Middle
Low German version, which was written after 1300.
Middle Dutch
Floris ende Blancefloer is the
Middle Dutch version, which was written by Diederic van Assenede around 1260.
Italian
Florio e Biancifiore is the
Italian version, which was written after 1300.
Old Norwegian
Flóres saga ok Blankiflúr is the
Old Norwegian version, which was translated into Swedish around 1312.
Greek
Florios kai Platziaflora is the
Greek version, which was written around 1400.
Castilian
La Reina Jerifa Mora is the
Castilian version, which was written before 1500.
Floris and Blancheflour is a Middle-English
romance that is worth reading because of its themes of young love, emotional
development, and the power of romantic love.
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