Lancelot-Grail Cycle
Anonymous · 1215 · Novel
This cycle directly built upon Chrétien de Troyes's pioneering of Lancelot and courtly love, elaborating on his character and his central role in the Arthurian narrative, making these elements foundational for all subsequent retellings.
What it is
A vast collection of Old French prose romances that greatly expanded the Arthurian legend, detailing Lancelot's life, his love for Guinevere, and his role in the Grail quest. It integrated these narratives into a comprehensive history of Arthur's reign.
Craft in this work
↑Inherited from(2)
This tale is one of the earliest surviving narratives to feature Arthur and his retinue in a significant quest, directly influencing the development of the Arthurian legend that the Lancelot-Grail Cycle later expanded upon.
The Lancelot-Grail Cycle explicitly draws from and expands upon the character of Lancelot and the theme of courtly love as established by Chrétien de Troyes, integrating these elements into the larger Arthurian narrative.