The “matter of France” includes the subjects of the old
French epics. These concern the stories about Charlemagne and a good example is
the well-known Song of Roland. The “matter of Rome” concerned the tales of classical
antiquity, and included stories about Alexander and Troy amongst many others.
The “matter of Britain” derives from the history of Geoffrey
of Monmouth and made King Arthur into a national hero, the British counterpart
of Charlemagne. Nonetheless the pretence of solidity and historical truth found
in Geoffrey was not suitable for romantic purposes and the Arthur found in the “matter
of Britain” stories is very unlike the great imperial monarch and conqueror as
presented by Geoffrey and his followers.
Geoffrey announced his purpose – to set out the deeds of the
kings of the Britons from the first king, Brutus to Cadwaladr, i.e. from 1115
BC to AD 689. It created a new and rich history for a very old country –
Britain which by Geoffrey’s day had been forgotten and passed over for England.
His work restored pride for Britain’s people, the Britons. Because he left the
end tantalizingly open it meant that the Matter of Britain not only referred to
the glories of the past but might well have relevance for the future.
Geoffrey of Monmouth made Britain, not England, the subject
o his work and in the process provided Britain with a glorious pre-English and
non-English past. The Matter of Britain was an overwhelming success,
particularly as the fount of a remarkable body of literature.
Blog Question: What was it about the Matter of Britain that
was so attractive not only to British authors, but to the continental authors
of Romance?
The Matter of Britian was so attractive not only to British authors but to the continental authors of Romance because it represented ideas of universal importance. These myths took on symbolic meaning. They soon took on a broader more universal significance that represented ideas not unique to Britian. Therefore continental authors could easily write about Arthur, as British authors did, because he was a symbolic figure not just a British king and warrior. Also, Britian used the Matter of Britian to link itself to mainland Europe since it is an island isolated from the continent. This can be seen as an invitation for continental authors to take up the Matter of Britian to accept a connection between Britian and the continent, which is what the continental authors did. Lastly, many countries in mainland Europe invaded Britian, such as Germanic tribes, and took on the Matter of Britian as a way to legitimise their rule over the British. They took the Matter of Britian back to the continent and used it their romance literature to establish a strong connection between Britain and their own country that was imprinted in popular culture.
ReplyDeleteThe matter of Britain was attractive to not only British authors but also the romantic authors from the continent because the myths represented ideals and characteristics that were favoured by both. These include the chivalry that is demonstrated in the Arthurian legend and also the “motif of decline and ruin” that adds more colour to the romantic tales. These myths also took symbolic meaning as not just the legendary king, but also as a link back to the ancient civilizations before them. The last reason the matter of Britain was so attractive was because it spoke to the people it showed a glimmer of light in the turmoil of the 12th century and allowed for a distraction from the hard times.
ReplyDeleteThe Matter of Britain not only attracts British authors but also Romance authors due to the intricate details in the stories. British authors will be pulled by the Matter as it documents the history and foundations of its own nation, where patriotism may also be evoked. The elements present in the Matter of Britain provide not only a memorable story, but the questionable attributes (such as the outstanding achievements by Arthur and his lineage and Brutus’ hardships in order to become the founder) are sometimes skimmed over in order to preserve the story that is remembered. The careful blend of these characteristics appeals to both British and Romantic authors, as the Matter contains elements belonging to both: patriotism and a mythical foundation myth for the British and a new frontier, mingling of new races and industrialisation for the Romantics. Therefore, both future British and Romantic writers may ponder how they can live up to the standards already present in Britain’s mythical history.
ReplyDeleteThe Matter of Britain was attractive to not only British authors but to the continental authors of Romance because it contains themes and ideals that are accessible and usable for both. Being a myth, the Matter of Britain contains enough elements of history and story for both types of writers to be satisfied. The historical references and the way that Geoffrey's work, in particular, is presented as a history, provides a reference point to a prestigious national identity that could be used by British authors. The story elements, the added parts (Knights of the round table, the sword in the stone, and even the idea that Arthur will return) provide interesting backdrops for a romanticised story of Arthur not just as a British king but as a symbol of hope and "chivalry". The symbolism behind the story of Brutus and his Roman/Trojan ancestry also attract the continental Romance authors because of his and his men's strength and bravery and their apparent divinely sanctioned actions. The Matter of Britain was attractive to the British authors because it provided them with a noble national history/identity but it was also attractive to the continental authors of Romance because of the symbolism behind it's key players.
ReplyDeleteThe Matter of Britain was not only attractive to British authors, because of its demonstration of Britain and it’s people as heroic and awe-inspiring and gives them a history to be proud of, but also to continental authors of Romance.
ReplyDeleteThis is because the tales contained within the Matter of Britain fit well with the characteristics of Romance – high adventure, chivalry, mystery and the supernatural.
The stories appealed to both because of its portrayal of an idealised and noble period, where men were virtuous and just. The tales, especially those of King Arthur, acted as symbols of hope. The theme of love, patriotism and bravery were universal, and is the reason why not just British authors were intrigued by it.
What makes "The Matter of Britain" so transcendant across literary fields lies not in just the ways it utilizes the key elements of a good medieval tale (adventure, fair maidens and valourous knights, dragons and battles), but in how these elements are used to embed a stable narrative within the history of the British nation. As a consequence of this, there emerged, as Davenport states, "themes that define ... morality and human nature", and as such could be carried through in the literature that subsequently followed on from it.
ReplyDeleteIt's popularity amongst the continental Romance authors stems from this, but also the fact that these British tales dwelled upon stories from their own pre-history, such as Beowulf and Norse mythology (Davenport).
The myth cycle known as “The Matter of Britain” appealed to both British and continental Romance authors for three main reasons that stem from its relatability. Namely it contained universal themes of love, betrayal, human fallibility and redemption; if need be it enabled them to critique contemporary society’s moral decline or serve as warning against corrupt behaviour; lastly authors could infuse their own proclivities – e.g. for Wace courtly values, in Layamon the craftsman who instigates the Round Table (i.e. that base, mechanical craft is often intrinsic to “high” art). It was/is perfect artistic fodder, congruent with the authors’ role as social commentator and entertainer. I thought Matthew’s last comments insightful, his “moral decline” and “glimmer of light/distraction from hard times” could be rephrased as moral degeneration and escape from a seemingly futile present by gleaning an alternate reality (hope) provided by the authors’ tales. For inherent in the idea of (de)generation is subsequent renewal, its cyclical nature is perhaps more optimistic than fatalistic (dec)line which can imply irrevocable descent into hell/end-of-the-world state of being. So maybe The Matter of Britain in fact pertains to most philosophical/religious inquiry and artistic endeavour – how to attain a state of Ultimate reality.
ReplyDeleteThe Matter of Britain is so attractive to both British authors and authors of Romance due to the themes that it expounds and the possibilities it provides to Romantic writers by broadening the imagination of continental authors. The Matter of Britain explores human nature and its relationship with Divinity, a special relationship being the theme central to the genre of Romance, however it expresses it in two different ways. The epic narrative presented through the story of Brutus have elements of adventure, tragedy, love and loyalty which gave it a literary significance beyond its importance to British authors. The story of origin makes it especially attractive to British authors however the mix of history and myth make it appealing to authors of Romance. This is the second literary genre utilised in the Matter of Britain- being the fairy tale as presented by the story of Arthur. William gives life to the history by incorporating themes and motifs that are relevant and attractive to everyone and concern humanistic philosophy.
ReplyDeleteWhile earlier tales of Arthur and Brutus existed, it seems that it was only when Geoffrey bound them together in one cohesive almost mythic tale that they truly became the Matter of Britain - a myth-cycle that gave British rulers legitimacy and portrayed Britain as having a destiny, set apart from the rest of the world. This was also the form that was taken up in other countries and elaborated, suggesting that it was Geoffrey's innovations that made the Matter of Britain widely popular and appealing. Therefore the injection of romance, chivilary, mythic and mystical elements and the supernatural air surrounding Arthur himself are likely a key factor in it's widening popularity.
ReplyDeleteThe universal attraction of the Matter of Britain was because it dealt with events so far in the past, it could be tailored to suit different generations in different places. As John Davenport nicely encapsulates, it became a “self-contained ‘realm’ of legend that stands outside of ordinary historical time.” Thus, it did not matter that the myth only dealt with Britain, because different hearers could work their own meanings into the narrative.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, however, one may argue that the reason the Matter of Britain was taken up so strongly by French writers, was because they did not see it as an essentially foreign myth at all. Since the Norman Conquest of 1066, the kings and nobility of England had all been essentially French. William the Conqueror, William II, and Henry I were all Norman-French; King Stephen was from the County of Blois, and the Plantagenets were descended from the Counts of Anjou. Although they gradually came assimilated with the Saxons, during the 12th and early 13th centuries they still would have primarily spoken French. Thus at the time when the “Matter of Britain” entered widespread popularity and began to be fully developed, the culture of the nobility of England still had a strong French influence. In addition, the early shapers of the Arthurian story were themselves French or influenced by French culture. Geoffrey of Monmouth, whose Historia regum Brittaniae arguably transition the tale of Arthur from history into literature, is regarded to having been educated in France, possibly Paris. Wace, who was an Anglo-Norman, presented his Brut, written in French, to Queen Elinor, also a southern French Duchess. Thus it is quite possible that the enduring popularity of the “Matter of Britain” in France, resulting in later works such as the Chanson de Troyes and the Vulgate Cycle, is not due solely to the universal themes present in the Brutus and Arthur myths. This view is further strengthened when one considers the much lesser impact the Matter of Britain had upon scholars outside of France, such as in Germany and Italy.
On the surface, it is almost easy to see why native British found 'The Matter of Britain' so attractive, as it is a grand story that describes the origin of their own nation. Yet, clearly, this is not enough to set it apart from other origin myths and certainly not enough to attract the romantic authors of continental Europe. What sets it apart? As Davenport suggests, as well as my classmates above, the story explores morality and human nature. It was this that later British literature sought to emulate. By showing relatable characters and archetypes as well as themes of love, divinity and chivalry, the story of Arthur (with Geoffrey's modification) had the right combination of myth, story and perceived truth that made it an attractive tale to British and overseas authors alike.
ReplyDeleteTwelfth century Europe was participating in a surprisingly cohesive effort of expansion into Iberia, the Levant and Eastern Europe, but also considering notions of ‘rightful rulership’ and the rights of the warrior class and an educated court culture was also developing.
ReplyDeleteI think the Matter of Britain provides meaning because it plays into all of these factors with the idea of a ‘manifest destiny’ for European warrior culture. Addressing as it does the anarchy and instability of the early twelfth-century isle, I think the Arthur myth plays equally into the dilemmas of mainland existence, and also of the pan-European perception of having emerged from a darker and more chaotic period to embrace a more potent and prosperous future.
Perhaps this is largely because Geoffrey’s Arthur is less about the Romano-Greek cultural inheritance that was the province of the church and scholars. Instead Geoffrey valourises the culture in which he lives. A culture whose base is at once Greek, Roman, British, Germanic (through the Angles), French and Viking (via the Normans and Danes). I do not think it is surprising that the isle produced such a pluralist myth given that the islanders possessed such a plural identity.
The matter of Britain was important to the native Britons firstly because they can say that they are from that country. It is something for them to be proud of and take within their culture. Other British authors sought basically to copy the ideas from this Matter and that other Romantic writers wished to express; memorable plot, chivalry, heroic characters (Arthur).
ReplyDeleteThe matter of Britain held a universal lure which captivated both British as well as continental writers. Firstly, the magnitude and scope of the Arthurian legend made him accessible to all writers, regardless of whether they were British or not. This resulted in a wider, larger amount of Arthurian literature. Several particularly Arthurian characteristics also added to the appeal – the strong patriotism, tales of adventure and unmistakeable sense of gallant chivalry. The appeal of Arthur was – is – universal, and appealed to British and international authors alike, due to the sheer fact that it was a very good story.
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