CHAPTER V

THE POSITION OF CHRÉTIEN DE TROYES IN THE ARTHURIAN CYCLE

Source of Chrétien's poems an important problem 54

Professor Foerster's views summarised--The Arthurian legend partly historic, partly romantic--Latter of exclusively continental origin 55-56

Reply to Professor Foerster--Arthurian tradition of greater extent and of wider diffusion than supposed--Evidence for early diffusion of _romantic_ tradition 56

Necessity of distinguishing between _mythic_ and _romantic_ tradition--Former of strongly marked Celtic-Irish character, and mainly preserved in _insular_ tradition 56-61

Condition of Arthurian tradition when Chrétien wrote--No longer purely oral--Necessity for understanding what is involved in oral transmission--Mr. Hartland's evidence on this point--The Breton _lais_ folk-lore in character-- Gradual process of Arthurisation--Evidence of _Yvain_-- The process well advanced at the time Chrétien wrote 61-68

Necessity for determining original character of story before criticising, _i.e._ tales of folk-lore origin demand a different method of criticism from that applicable to tales of purely literary invention--Professor Foerster's theory of origin of _Yvain_ examined and rejected as not consonant with archaic character of tale 68-77

Proposed origin of _Perceval_ also unsatisfactory, not in harmony with statements made elsewhere by Chrétien--Strong probability that the tale, in its completed form, is older than has hitherto been supposed 78-80

Folk-lore character of _Erec_, _Yvain_, and _Perceval_ probably an important element in their popularity 81

The varying geography of Chrétien's poems evidence of varying source 82-83

Probable relation between Chrétien's poems and the Welsh versions--Resemblance does not necessarily postulate dependence 85

General summary of principles resulting from present investigation, and their bearing upon position ultimately to be assigned to Chrétien 86-88