SexViolHist Bib: Representations: Literary Texts: Graelent

»Graelent is an Old French Breton lai, named after its protagonist. It is one of the so-called anonymous lais.
The plot is similar to that of Marie de France's lai of Lanval. Graelent, a knight of Brittany, rebuffs amorous advances from the queen, who retaliates by manipulating the king against him. Graelent's wages are suspended, reducing him to poverty. Graelent dejectedly rides into the forest, and while tracking a white hind (bisse blance v. 201; Mod. Fr.: biche blanche), he stumbles upon a beautiful lady bathing in the fountain, attended by two maidens. Graelent sneaks up and clutches the articles of clothing she has disrobed upon a bush. The lady cries out his name, demanding their return. Graelent does not comply, and bargains for her to emerge from the fountain, and asks for her love.
She is at first scornful at the suggestion, but Graelent rapes her, and she then decides to help him. She would appear to him whenever he wills it, but the relationship must be kept a strict secret, and the couple are to abide in the country for one year while avoiding detection from comrades. Graelent receives from the lady a magnificent war horse, and large sums of gold and silver. He repays his debt to the burgess's hostel where he stayed, and begins entertaining many knights, regaling them with food and harpers' music. He spends other hours of the day and nights with his lady. Graelent is now extricated from financial difficulties, but another ordeal is awaiting.« (Extract from: Wikipedia)

K e y w o r d s

I. Chronological Index: Medieval History: 13^th Century

II. Geographical Index: European History: French History

III. Topical Index: Types: General: Rape

B i b l i o g r a p h y

I. Author Index

[Info] Wilson, Alexander, et al. »‘Sa vesteüre ala saisir, | Par tant la cuide retenir’: Clothing and Coercion in the Bathing Scenes of Medieval Romance.« Reconsidering Consent and Coercion: Power, Vulnerability, and Sexual Violence in Medieval Literature. Edited by Jane Bonsall et al. Turnhout 2025: 201-216.

II. Speaker Index