Launfal, an Ancient Metrical Romance

by Thomas Chestre

Excerpt from Launfal, an Ancient Metrical Romance

I This hero was the son of Ban, king of Benock, in the marches of Gaul and little-britain, and a knight-companion of the round table. He is equally remark able for his gallantry and good fortune; being never overcome, in either joust or tournament, unless by enchantment or treachery; and being in high favour with the queen, whom he loved with singular fidelity to the last; doing for her many magnanimous deeds of arms. And actually saveing her from the fire through his noble chivalry. This connection involved him in a long and cruel war with King Arthur; after whose death he became a hermit. His adventures, which take up a considerable portion of Illa d'artbtr, are the subject of a very old French romance, in three folio volumes, beside a number of mss.

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Genres: Poetry, Medieval, Classics, Arthurian, Fantasy, School, Mythology

102 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1390

About the author

Fourteenth-century English author.

Reviews

[Gabi Kaczmarek · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s probably not that it’s bad. I’m just too thick to understand it 😭

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few Arthurian stories where Queen Gwenny is a shrew. In addition there are tons of Pagan symbolism and the fae aren't portrayed as the bad guys. Although it is interesting that in this story Gwenevere is the princess of Ireland. This story is also like a medieval version of from rags to riches. One of my favourites so far that I have read.

[Tereza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sir Launfal my favorite damsel in distress

[Jaslyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pulling up daisies and grass by the handfuls in this vale of tears. At this rate I'm going to emerge from this semester weeping, wailing, and coughing up blood. Why is there so much to read and why don't I have the energy to read all the things

[Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lmao. "I'm not gay! I have a gf she just goes to another school!"

[flora · Rating 3 out of 5]

marie outsold

[tamz · Rating 1 out of 5]

wtf

[Falyn Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Translated and read for class and I liked it more than I originally thought I would. Pretty good for a in class read.

[lily 🪴]

they let people write anything back then

[Imo melrose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thomas Chestre Hates women

[mar ⭐️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

marie carried

[Michael Vawser]

Biblio.com US$35.87

[Phia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally I have preferred to read the version by Marie de France. That said, there are interesting distinguishments to be made, such as references to Catholicism in the few ending lines of the lay.

[eleanor grey ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5☆

‘Thus Launfal, truly, that noble knight of the Round Table, was taken into the land of the fairies.’

ˋ°•*⁀➷
my review:

It certainly was a task translating this from Middle English into a modern legible translation, but aspects of Middle English are definitely interesting. I’m curious to learn how Marie de France’s tale of Lanval was developed into this longer narrative.

✧･ﾟ: * ✧･ﾟ: * ✧･ﾟ: * ✧･ﾟ: *

[David Mosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting late medieval Arthurian Romance, Launfal is a knight of the Round Table who falls in love with faerie he meets in the wood. She is Triamour, daughter of Oberon, King of the Faeries. She loves and promises to come to him every night should he think of her. One rule on Launfal is placed, never to boast about her. You must read this poem for yourself to see how well Launfal keeps this rule, especially when goaded by Queen Guinevere.

There is some interesting ambiguity in morality in this tale, not unlike what you might find in Thomas Malory. Nevertheless, I very much enjoy this Faerie Romance, as it gives us insight not only to the late Middle Ages, but to the beauty and perilous nature of Faerie as well.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

why does everyone hate guinevere though ???