Medieval France
(fl. late 12th c.). The poet Aimon de Varennes informs the reader that his romance Florimont was written for love of his lady in 1188. After apologizing for his nonnative French, he tells how Florimont’s initial success is disrupted by betrayal of his secret love. Once cured of lovesickness, “Povre Perdu” goes to Phelipople and ultimately triumphs, marries the king’s daughter, and becomes the grandfather of Alexander the Great. Much of Florimont recalls Partonopeu de Blois, while mixing in memories of voyages, local legends, and oriental stories, along with other literary sources. Like 12th-cen tury romancers in general, Aimon uses common forms and materials renewed by his own (re)inventions.
Matilda T.Bruckner
[See also: GRECO-BYZANTINE ROMANCE]
Aimon de Varennes. Florimont: Ein altfranzösischer Abenteuerroman, ed. Alfons Hilka. Göttingen: Niemeyer, 1932.
Bruckner, Matilda T. “Florimont: Extravagant Host, Extravagant Guest.” Studies in Medieval Culture 11(1977):57–63.
Fourrier, Anthime. Le courant réaliste dans le roman courtois en France au moyen âge, I: Les débuts (XIIe siècle). Paris: Nizet, 1960, pp. 447–85.
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