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Aucassin & Nicolette, and Other Mediaeval Romances and Legends
Aucassin & Nicolette, and Other Mediaeval Romances and Legends by Mason, Eugene [Translator]
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"Rediscover This Timeless Classic - The Ultimate MP3 Audiobook CD Experience!"
Journey back in time and immerse yourself in a world of timeless stories with our classic MP3 Audiobook series.
Why Dive into Our Classic Title MP3 Audiobook CDS?
Historical This masterwork, has shaped literature, inspired countless adaptations, and touched the hearts of generations.
Authentic Faithfully reproduced to capture the essence of the original publication.
High Quality Narrated by a cutting-edge AI voice.
Consistent AI narration ensures a consistent tone and pace throughout the book. There's no risk of the narrator becoming fatigued or any variations happening in the audio quality.
Universal This CD is compatible with any device that supports MP3 playback - from vintage CD players to modern car stereos and computers
Made in the Meticulously produced within a specialized duplication facility in the USA.
Reacquaint yourself with the tales that have withstood the test of time and embark on a audible journey through literature's golden age!
The content of this book are in the public domain in the United States. Any use or redistribution of this item outside the United States is done at the user's own risk and liability.
Listed
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1910
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 19, 2021
hmmm u know what im glad I eventually finished this
February 15, 2021
According to Wikipedia, the title piece, Aucassin & Nicolette, is a chantefable. Once a cottage industry, this the only surviving example. So there’s bragging rights there if you want to go around saying you’ve read an entire genre. Mind you, if you do want to brag about that sort of thing, you probably only know the woman in the chip shop. Regardless, it’s worth reading in its own right. There’s actually a scene where a damsel knots bed sheets together and escapes from a tower. Later the hero murders a load of innocent people and has to be restrained. It reminded me of that scene in Monty Python’s Quest for the Holy Grail where Herbert tries to escape out of the tower and John Cleese murders all those wedding guests. Terry Jones was a Medievalist and I suspect we have a direct reference here.
As for the rest of the collection it really is rather good and very charming. A wide range of different subjects that enticingly displays what dead Frenchmen have to offer.
As to the translation, it is written in faux Olde English. Annoying, but, in this case I must admit, rather endearing. However, I suspect that in some cases it may have altered the tone of the original. It’s also worth noting that Mason was working under conditions of tyrannical censorship. I also therefore suspect that he has not accurately translated some filthy French phraseology. Neither can I attest to the accuracy of the translation. Take ‘The Covetous Man and the Envious Man’. This is a translation of Jean Bodel’s Fabliaux ‘De Covoteus et de L’Envieus’. Comparing this to the Old French text we can see that Mason has entirely excised fully nine lines of verse from the beginning. Mason opens with:
“Once upon a time, more than one hundred years ago, there lived two companions, who spent their time very evilly.”
Compare this to the same point in Nathaniel E Dubin’s translation, which is virtually line for line, and you see the difference:
“Now, it is true beyond impeaching
that there were once two comrades, though
it was some hundred years ago,
who both led lives of mortal sin.”
These problems aside, I can’t fault the book.
For some reason Mason is rather shy of his sources. He only gives us his own English titles for each piece. I don’t have access to a library at the moment; there’s very little online and what there is is in French, a language with which I am almost entirely familiar. So it took me ages to work out what I was actually reading. And I’m the kind of man who likes to know what he’s reading, if you know what I mean, WINK WINK. If you’re looking for a particular text, read on:
The Story of King Constant, the Emperor - Li Contes dou Roi Coustant L’Empereur
Author unknown. 2nd half of the 13th Century.
Our Lady’s Tumbler - Li Tumbeor Nostre Dame
Author unknown. c. 1200
The Lay of the Little Bird - Le Lai de L’Oiselet
Author unknown. 13th Century.
The Divided Horsecloth - Le Houce Partie
Bernier. 13th Century.
Sir Hugh of Tabarie - Li Contes de Monseigneur Huon de Tabarie
Author unknown. 1st half of the 13th Century.
The Story of King Florus And The Fair Jehane - Li Contes dou Roi Floire et de la Bielle Jehane
Author unknown. 13th Century.
The Lay of Graelent – Look on Wikipedia, you lazy git.
The Three Thieves - De Barat et de Haimet
Jean Bodel. Before 1202.
The Friendship of Amis and Amile - Li Amitiez de Ami et Amile
Author unknown. 13th Century. Prose version. There are six versions of French and Anglo-Norman, to say nothing of the Middle English. Some connection to the Matter of Britain.
Of the Knight Who Prayed Whilst Our Lady Tourneyed in His Stead -
I have not been able to positively identify this. The story is in the Golden Legend. I’m not sure if this is an excerpt or an independent version.
The Priest and the Mulberries - Du Provoire qui Menga les Mores
2nd half of the 13th Century. This is Version 2, the anonymous one. If you’re looking for Garin’s version look in Dubin’s Fabliaux.
The Story of Asenath -
This has a particularly interesting back story. It was originally a Jewish pseudepigraphon that may be as old as 200 BC. You’ll find an English translation of the oldest surviving text in Volume 2 of Charlesworth’s Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. From there it was passed into Christian Europe and disseminated in a wide variety of languages and versions. Vincent de Beauvais condensed the story and included it in his Latin history of the world ‘Speculum Historiale’. I suspect the text here is a French translation of that.
The Palfrey – Du Vair Palefroi
Huon le Roi de Cambrai. 2nd half of the 13th Century.
I don’t think he was really a king, cheeky bugger.
As for the rest of the collection it really is rather good and very charming. A wide range of different subjects that enticingly displays what dead Frenchmen have to offer.
As to the translation, it is written in faux Olde English. Annoying, but, in this case I must admit, rather endearing. However, I suspect that in some cases it may have altered the tone of the original. It’s also worth noting that Mason was working under conditions of tyrannical censorship. I also therefore suspect that he has not accurately translated some filthy French phraseology. Neither can I attest to the accuracy of the translation. Take ‘The Covetous Man and the Envious Man’. This is a translation of Jean Bodel’s Fabliaux ‘De Covoteus et de L’Envieus’. Comparing this to the Old French text we can see that Mason has entirely excised fully nine lines of verse from the beginning. Mason opens with:
“Once upon a time, more than one hundred years ago, there lived two companions, who spent their time very evilly.”
Compare this to the same point in Nathaniel E Dubin’s translation, which is virtually line for line, and you see the difference:
“Now, it is true beyond impeaching
that there were once two comrades, though
it was some hundred years ago,
who both led lives of mortal sin.”
These problems aside, I can’t fault the book.
For some reason Mason is rather shy of his sources. He only gives us his own English titles for each piece. I don’t have access to a library at the moment; there’s very little online and what there is is in French, a language with which I am almost entirely familiar. So it took me ages to work out what I was actually reading. And I’m the kind of man who likes to know what he’s reading, if you know what I mean, WINK WINK. If you’re looking for a particular text, read on:
The Story of King Constant, the Emperor - Li Contes dou Roi Coustant L’Empereur
Author unknown. 2nd half of the 13th Century.
Our Lady’s Tumbler - Li Tumbeor Nostre Dame
Author unknown. c. 1200
The Lay of the Little Bird - Le Lai de L’Oiselet
Author unknown. 13th Century.
The Divided Horsecloth - Le Houce Partie
Bernier. 13th Century.
Sir Hugh of Tabarie - Li Contes de Monseigneur Huon de Tabarie
Author unknown. 1st half of the 13th Century.
The Story of King Florus And The Fair Jehane - Li Contes dou Roi Floire et de la Bielle Jehane
Author unknown. 13th Century.
The Lay of Graelent – Look on Wikipedia, you lazy git.
The Three Thieves - De Barat et de Haimet
Jean Bodel. Before 1202.
The Friendship of Amis and Amile - Li Amitiez de Ami et Amile
Author unknown. 13th Century. Prose version. There are six versions of French and Anglo-Norman, to say nothing of the Middle English. Some connection to the Matter of Britain.
Of the Knight Who Prayed Whilst Our Lady Tourneyed in His Stead -
I have not been able to positively identify this. The story is in the Golden Legend. I’m not sure if this is an excerpt or an independent version.
The Priest and the Mulberries - Du Provoire qui Menga les Mores
2nd half of the 13th Century. This is Version 2, the anonymous one. If you’re looking for Garin’s version look in Dubin’s Fabliaux.
The Story of Asenath -
This has a particularly interesting back story. It was originally a Jewish pseudepigraphon that may be as old as 200 BC. You’ll find an English translation of the oldest surviving text in Volume 2 of Charlesworth’s Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. From there it was passed into Christian Europe and disseminated in a wide variety of languages and versions. Vincent de Beauvais condensed the story and included it in his Latin history of the world ‘Speculum Historiale’. I suspect the text here is a French translation of that.
The Palfrey – Du Vair Palefroi
Huon le Roi de Cambrai. 2nd half of the 13th Century.
I don’t think he was really a king, cheeky bugger.
Read
December 14, 2019That these stories are still in print after 800 years is all the rating they need. Amid the many tedious caricatures of honorable knights and fair damsels are some haunting 13th century life lessons that speak to modern times. My favorite is probably “The Divided Horsecloth.” This story tells us that our children see how we treat our parents and will do the same with us.
December 3, 2022
nicolette gender fluid baddie
April 14, 2013
A series of short fables, generally from thirteenth-century France.
The title story begins with the elderly Count Garin of Beaucaire reproaching his only son, Aucassin, for falling in love with a foreign "captive maid" who was reared by a nearby nobleman. After Count Garin has a pointed word with the girl's handler, he swears to send her to a faraway country so she won't be the source of any trouble, but he merely hides her in a tower. Regardless of the details of her disappearance, Aucassin is so despondent that he initially refuses to fight when a rival count sieges his father's palace. He only relents when his father promises him that he can have one kiss with Nicolette if he returns alive from battle. Spurred on by this hope, the son kills ten knights, injures seven, and captures the rival count alive, but his father refuses to keep his word. So the son declares himself the enemy of his father, and he lets the rival count live on the grounds that he will promise to continue tormenting his father. On it goes, with a series of threats of hyperbolic violence, until Aucassin and Nicolette can finally be together.
The weirdest interlude involves Aucassin stopping by the castle of Torelore, where the queen hosts company and the king lies in child-bed. Aucassin's immediate reaction is to beat the king within an inch of his life until the king promises to conform to gender norms and never lie in child-bed again.
Other stories have a strong Christian theme, with titles like "Of a Jew who took as surety the image of Our Lady" and "The story of Asenath."
The title story begins with the elderly Count Garin of Beaucaire reproaching his only son, Aucassin, for falling in love with a foreign "captive maid" who was reared by a nearby nobleman. After Count Garin has a pointed word with the girl's handler, he swears to send her to a faraway country so she won't be the source of any trouble, but he merely hides her in a tower. Regardless of the details of her disappearance, Aucassin is so despondent that he initially refuses to fight when a rival count sieges his father's palace. He only relents when his father promises him that he can have one kiss with Nicolette if he returns alive from battle. Spurred on by this hope, the son kills ten knights, injures seven, and captures the rival count alive, but his father refuses to keep his word. So the son declares himself the enemy of his father, and he lets the rival count live on the grounds that he will promise to continue tormenting his father. On it goes, with a series of threats of hyperbolic violence, until Aucassin and Nicolette can finally be together.
The weirdest interlude involves Aucassin stopping by the castle of Torelore, where the queen hosts company and the king lies in child-bed. Aucassin's immediate reaction is to beat the king within an inch of his life until the king promises to conform to gender norms and never lie in child-bed again.
Other stories have a strong Christian theme, with titles like "Of a Jew who took as surety the image of Our Lady" and "The story of Asenath."
March 10, 2010
There is something about Mediaeval Romances that modern day romances lack. Take for instance, "Aucassin and Nicolette". On the face of it, the story might look too simple, two lovers and his father doesn't like the girl. Yet, there is something far more touching about Aucassin's repeating "my sweet friend" when describing Nicolette. Somehow it makes his love seem far more real. I was even willing to forgive him his rather sexists views about women and love. (I actually wanted to introduce him to Anne from Persuasion and let her talk to him).
Most of the other tales are similar to others. For instance, there is a form of Marie de France's "Lanvel". There is a fore runner of Shakespeare's Cymbeline. Of an interest, however, are the tale of King Florus and Jehne, which features one of those crossing dressing heroines that Shakespeare so likes. Also of interst is the "Tal of Asrenth", which is about Joseph's Egyptian wife.
Most of the other tales are similar to others. For instance, there is a form of Marie de France's "Lanvel". There is a fore runner of Shakespeare's Cymbeline. Of an interest, however, are the tale of King Florus and Jehne, which features one of those crossing dressing heroines that Shakespeare so likes. Also of interst is the "Tal of Asrenth", which is about Joseph's Egyptian wife.
February 28, 2012
Finished Aucassin & Nicolette and Other Medieval Romances and Legends translated by Eugene Mason. As the title states this is a collection of medieval stories - romances, religious tales and other legends, all French in origin. It's a wonderful read. The first, Aucassin & Nicolette, is a classic tale where two young people fall in love. In this one, father of the young man, believes that the young woman is not appropriate choice for his only son because she is of a lower class than his son. The rwo strive to convince the father that their love is just and right but to no avail. Can their love be fulfilled so that they may live out their lives together. There are other romances such as Story of King Flolrus and of the Fair Jehane, Lay of Graevlent, and The Palfrey, each of which has its own plot and ending. Stories of a religious nature include The Lady's Tumbler, A Jew Who Took as Surety the Image of Our Lady, The Knight Who Prayed While Our Lady Tourneyed in His Stead and the The Story of Asenath. Others are about what is just and fair, friendship, and the quirks of life.
January 25, 2015
Even with its translation into English, the reading of this book takes a little getting used to. It is almost recommended that one read it aloud as there is a certain rhythm and poetry to how it sounds spoken than read. Some themes are familiar and take from other sources (i.e. mythology, the Bible). The norms in the content also take some adjustment (i.e. women's subservience, imperious and violent leadership).
Upon suspending one's contemporary sensibilities and linguistic style however - which some may say is the point of reading 13th century French literature - there is a grand beauty to the themes and stories and the sacrifice that one is willing to make for love, be it through battle or a test of faith.
Upon suspending one's contemporary sensibilities and linguistic style however - which some may say is the point of reading 13th century French literature - there is a grand beauty to the themes and stories and the sacrifice that one is willing to make for love, be it through battle or a test of faith.
January 18, 2008
This book I found in an Antique Shop in Maleny.
It doesn't actually have the published date, but has a signature and an inscription '1918'. It is embossed on the front with leafy scroll and the name of the publisher JM Dent & Sons. Bound in London.
Inside the cover, there is a beautiful illustration of leafy scrolls and a fair ladye with a bunch of flowers.
It says 'Everyman I will go with thee, & be thy gvide in thy most need to go by thy side'.
It doesn't actually have the published date, but has a signature and an inscription '1918'. It is embossed on the front with leafy scroll and the name of the publisher JM Dent & Sons. Bound in London.
Inside the cover, there is a beautiful illustration of leafy scrolls and a fair ladye with a bunch of flowers.
It says 'Everyman I will go with thee, & be thy gvide in thy most need to go by thy side'.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews