The Birth of Romance: An Anthology : Four Twelfth-Century Anglo-Norman Romances

by Judy Weiss (Editor)

In this important anthology, Judy Weiss has translated three twelfth century Anglo-Norman "Amis and Amilun," "Romance of Horn," and "Haveloc." Forerunners of the great medieval Romances, these lays entertained the families of barons who accompanied William the Conqueror to Britain, incorporating the legends of their adopted land. These texts, here translated into English for the first time, are essential reading for anyone interested in the poetic riches of the courtly tradition.

178 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 1992

Reviews

[Maggie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good selection of romances here. Anglo-Normans really loved the idea of long lost princes!

GRRM must've read "The Romance of Horn" and was inspired by it because there's a red wedding adjacent scene where Horn and his men go into the hall disguised as musicians and then slaughter all of Wikele's men for marrying Rigmel...or, at least, that's what I thought. A fun connection.

I technically only read "Lai d'Haveloc" and "The Romance of Horn" for my thesis but I'm counting it. Four stars!