Marie de France

Home | Her Works | Her Politics | Lanval | Lanval Summary | Defense | Articles | Bibliography | Links | Her Legacy

Lanval Summary

lais.jpg


- King Arthur distributes presents, lands, and wives to his barons but neglects to reward the loyal Lanval
- Lanval is depressed and in financial straits; lost in thought he goes off to the countryside and reaches a stream where he meets two lovely ladies who lead him to their mistress who is beautiful and rich
- Lanval becomes her lover; she requires however that he keep their relationship secret or lose her forever; from then on Lanval is able to meet his lover whenever he wants and lives in luxury
- Queen Guinevere makes a pass at Lanval who rejects her; angry, she accuses him of homosexuality
- Lanval defends himself by boasting about the extreme beauty of his lover and points out that even her servants are more beautiful than the queen
- Even angrier, the queen tells the king that Lanval tried to seduce her and insulted her
- The king demands that be put on trial; distressed, Lanval calls his lover but she doesn't come
- Lanval is brought to court; the barons are divided as to what to do; then it is agreed that Lanval must prove the truth of his boasts
- Suddently two girls, attendants of Lanval's lover and more beautiful than anyone had ever seen, appear and request that preparations be made for the arrival of their mistress; two more and also very beautiful ladies arrive and also request preparations for the arrival of their mistress
- Lanval's lady finally arrives to the awe of all those present who must admit she is the most beautiful woman in the world
- The lady announces she has been the lover of Lanval and that the queen lied, and requests that he be acquitted - Lanval is set free and he leaves with the lady for the island of Avalon and is never heard from again

Enter content here

Enter supporting content here

Site created by Lucy LeBlanc for English 3621: Women's Writing I