Courtly Love
Many of the ideas of chivalry and courtly love appeared in the 12th and 13th centuries, perhaps first appearing at the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who had been both a queen of France and then England. Neither of her marriages were very happy, as they were both made for political alliances. Her daughter, Countess Marie, was a patroness of Chretien de Troyes, which is most likely why his version of the Arthurian legend relied heavily on themes of gallant knights and courtly love.
Under the rules and conventions of courtly love, a knight or nobleman would attempt to win the favor of a lady by presenting her with various tokens of his affection: songs, flowers, jewelry, poems, and ceremonial gestures. She could return his favor with small hints at her regard, but realistically he would be the one whose actions would be the most bold. However, most of these relationships were meant to remain secret, sometimes extramarital. Marriage was not often the end result of a courtly love relationship, since most people of the nobility entered into arranged marriages for political or financial gain.
Some rules of chivalry are here.
Under the rules and conventions of courtly love, a knight or nobleman would attempt to win the favor of a lady by presenting her with various tokens of his affection: songs, flowers, jewelry, poems, and ceremonial gestures. She could return his favor with small hints at her regard, but realistically he would be the one whose actions would be the most bold. However, most of these relationships were meant to remain secret, sometimes extramarital. Marriage was not often the end result of a courtly love relationship, since most people of the nobility entered into arranged marriages for political or financial gain.
Some rules of chivalry are here.
Famous Romances
Culhwch and Olwen
Yvain, the Knight and the Lion
Yvain and the Lady of the Fountain
Pelleas and Ettarre (by Tennyson)
Pelleas and Ettarre (a translation)
Three Damsels of the Fountain (Sir Gawain)
The Fair Unknown (Sir Gawain)
The Knight with the Sword (Sir Gawain)
Sir Gawain and Lady Ragnell
Tristan and Isolde
Erec and Enide
Yvain, the Knight and the Lion
Yvain and the Lady of the Fountain
Pelleas and Ettarre (by Tennyson)
Pelleas and Ettarre (a translation)
Three Damsels of the Fountain (Sir Gawain)
The Fair Unknown (Sir Gawain)
The Knight with the Sword (Sir Gawain)
Sir Gawain and Lady Ragnell
Tristan and Isolde
Erec and Enide