Sentimental and Humorous Romances

Floris and Blancheflour, Sir Degrevant, The Squire of Low Degree, The Tournament of Tottenham, and The Feast of Tottenham

Edited by Erik Kooper

Book cover: Sentimental and Humorous Romances

Extent: 234 pages

Publisher: Medieval Institute Publications

Subjects: Literary Studies, Medieval Studies

Series: TEAMS Middle English Texts Series

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(April 2006)

ISBN: 9781580441032

7.01 x 10 inches

Price: $19.95

In stock

PDF (Published)

(April 2006)

ISBN: 9781580444347

Price: $16.00

This volume presents a unique collection of Middle English romances, each with a different view of society. One of the oldest English romances, Floris and Blancheflour, presents a tale of oriental wonders: a harem, an emir who never lacks a wife, eunuchs, and a garden housing a magical tree and spring. Sir Degrevant relates a tale of country nobility and marriage between the low and high ranks, while realistically illustrating their status and the ever-present issues of love and battle; The Squire of Low Degree is a poem about social mobility and the difference between reputation and wealth. The Tournament of Tottenham and its likely continuation, The Feast of Tottenham , are excellent examples of burlesque where the humor is inescapable: the bumpkin heroes in their stuffed sheepskins fighting with flails for the reeve’s daughter, who is watching them with her pet hen on her lap, are a spectacle not easily forgotten. – from the Introduction

Acknowledgments


Floris and Blancheflour

Introduction
Floris and Blancheflour
Explanatory Notes
Textual Notes


Sir Degrevant

Introduction

Sir Degrevant

Explanatory Notes
Textual Notes


The Squire of Low Degree

Introduction

The Squire of Low Degree

Explanatory Notes
Textual Notes
The Squier of Low Degree, Percy Folio
Textual and Explanatory Notes


The Tournament of Tottenham
and The Feast of Tottenham
Introduction

The Tournament of Tottenham

Explanatory Notes
Textual Notes

The Feast of Tottenham

Explanatory Notes
Textual Notes

Glossary
Bibliography

  • Edited by Erik Kooper