Anonymous tale from the mid-12th c. in rhymed octosyllabic couplets. This brief ‘roman idyllique’ recounts the childhood love of Floire, a pagan prince, for Blanchefleur, daughter of a Christian captive. Born on the same day, the children grow up and are educated together; they fall in love as they read ancient love literature. But Floire's parents contrive to separate the lovers as they reach adulthood. Floire undertakes fantastic adventures to rescue Blanchefleur, who has been bought and held captive by the cruel, misogynistic emir of Babylon. After penetrating into the emir's domain by hiding in a flower-basket, Floire eventually tells the story of his voyage and moves the captor's court to mercy. Floire and Blanchefleur are joyously reunited; Floire inherits his parents' kingdom and converts to Christianity. An early version of the tale, sometimes dubbed ‘aristocratique’, incorporates allusions to Ovid and to the Troy legend; its author delights in describing luxurious and marvellous objects, such as Blanchefleur's false tomb or a golden cup decorated with the story of Troy. A later version abridges refinements and expands the chivalric content.
[Roberta Krueger]
