Chapter 1 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