=Grimm Library=
No. 12
THE LEGEND OF SIR LANCELOT DU LAC
=The Grimm Library.=
I. GEORGIAN FOLK-TALES. Translated by MARJORY WARDROP. _Cr._ _8vo_,
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II., III., V. THE LEGEND OF PERSEUS. By EDWIN SIDNEY HARTLAND, F.S.A. 3
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VOL. I. THE SUPERNATURAL BIRTH. _Cr._ _8vo_, _pp._ xxxiv+228
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IV., VI. THE VOYAGE OF BRAN, SON OF FEBAL. An Eighth-century Irish
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VII. THE LEGEND OF SIR GAWAIN. Studies upon its Original Scope and
Significance. By Jessie L. Weston, translator of Wolfram von
Eschenbach's 'Parzival.' _Cr._ _8vo_, _pp._ xiv+111. 4_s._ _net_.
VIII. THE CUCHULLIN SAGA IN IRISH LITERATURE. Being a Collection of
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IX., X. THE PRE-AND PROTO-HISTORIC FINNS, both Eastern and Western,
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XI. THE HOME OF THE EDDIC POEMS. With Especial Reference to the
'Helgi Lays,' by SOPHUS BUGGE, Professor in the University
of Christiania. Revised Edition, with a new Introduction concerning
Old Norse Mythology, by the Author, translated from the Norwegian by
WILLIAM HENRY SCHOFIELD, Instructor in Harvard University.
_Cr._ _8vo_, _pp._ lxxix+408. 12_s._ _net_.
_All rights reserved_
The Legend of
Sir Lancelot du Lac
Studies upon its Origin, Development,
and Position in the Arthurian
Romantic Cycle
By
Jessie L. Weston
London
Published by David Nutt
At the Sign of the Phoenix
Long Acre
1901
Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, (late) Printers to Her Majesty
PREFACE
The Studies contained in the following pages were, in the first
instance, undertaken some four or five years ago. From time to time the
exigencies of other literary work have compelled me to lay them aside,
but the subject has never been lost sight of, and, not infrequently,
studies in appearance wholly unconnected with the _Lancelot_ legend
have thrown an unexpected and welcome light on certain points of the
story. Undertaken, in the first instance, with an absolutely open mind
(even after I had been working at it for two or three years I should
have been sorely at a loss if asked to state a theory of the origin
of the story), it was only by slow degrees that the real bearing of
the evidence became clear, and I felt that I had at last grasped a
guiding thread through the perplexing maze. The results, which perhaps
to some readers may appear startlingly subversive of opinions formally
expressed by certain distinguished scholars, were wholly unforeseen.
They are the outcome of genuine study of original texts; whether, in
the long-run they be, or be not generally accepted, I would at least
plead that they be judged _on the evidence of those texts_.
In certain cases I have little doubt as to the verdict. So far as the
evidence concerning the sources of Malory, and the differing versions
of the prose _Lancelot_, is concerned, the facts, now brought forward
for the first time, are beyond dispute. They may, I hope they will, be
hereafter added to, and confirmed. As they stand they encourage us to
hope that further study of the material already available may yield
welcome, and perhaps unsuspected results.
We are, so far, only on the threshold of a satisfactory and scientific
criticism of the Arthurian cycle, and I doubt whether all who are
engaged in this study recognise sufficiently either the extent and
complexity of the questions involved, or the absolute futility of,
at this early stage, enunciating dogmatic decisions on any of the
various points at issue. Is there any one living scholar who is
perfectly aware of _all_ the evidence at our disposal for any of the
great stories of the cycle? If there be, he will know, better than any
other, that till critical editions place us in a position to determine
the characteristic readings of the MSS. representing not one
alone, but _all_ those stories, their inter-relation, their points of
contact with, and variance from each other, the very best work that can
be done will be liable to bear the impress of a temporary character--it
will not, it cannot be, final.
Elsewhere, I have urged that this fact be recognised and acted upon,
and I cannot but hope that the evidence collected in these studies may
help to convince others of the real necessity for a determined effort
to edit and render accessible the principal Arthurian texts, and the
certain and permanent profit likely to result from such a work.
BOURNEMOUTH, _February 1901_.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
PAGE
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 1-4
Lancelot not a character of primitive Arthurian tradition 4
First recorded mention by Chrétien de Troyes and sudden
growth in popularity 5-7