An Introduction to the Chansons de Geste

Old French epic poems, or chansons de geste, are one of the most important traditions of the French Middle Ages. With an overview of the principal epic cycles, close readings of six major poems, and a glossary of key terms, Catherine Jones makes the chansons de geste accessible to students and any reader interested in learning more about this genre. She also presents a survey of traditional scholarship and raises intriguing contemporary questions related to alteration, gender, and genre.