Lais of Marie de France

Lore & Background

Marie de France's lais are written in octosyllabic verse and survive in five manuscripts, though only Harley 978 preserves all twelve. The manuscript includes a 56-line prologue in which Marie states she was inspired by ancient Greeks and Romans to create entertaining and morally instructive works, and to preserve tales she had heard. The odd-numbered lais in Harley 978 praise characters who express love for others, while the even-numbered lais warn against self-centered love leading to misfortune.

Reader's Guide

The Lais of Marie de France are significant as early examples of the Breton lai genre and as precursors to later Arthurian literature. Two lais, 'Lanval' and 'Chevrefoil,' mention King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and Marie was probably a contemporary of Chrétien de Troyes. Her works were among the first translated into Old Norse, where they are known as the Strengleikar. Despite her influence, little is known of Marie herself; she is thought to have been born in France and written in England. The lais' focus on courtly love, individuality, and vivid description marks them as hallmarks of emerging medieval literature.

Did You Know?

• Only one manuscript, Harley 978, preserves all twelve lais.
• Two lais, 'Lanval' and 'Chevrefoil,' mention King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
• Marie's lais were among the first works translated into Old Norse, where they are called the Strengleikar.
• The prologue states Marie was inspired by ancient Greeks and Romans to create entertaining and morally instructive works.