Protection of Maidens and Ladies

The protection of maidens is an important theme in "Arthurian Romances" as it was an important part of the knight's code of chivalry and honor. Since medieval times saw women as innocent and weak, it was the duty of any honorable man, especially a knight, to preserve that innocence and provide them with protection. Each story in this collection demonstrates this theme at least once.

In "Erec and Enide," the reason Erec sets off after the rude knight during the hunt for the white stag is because the knight disrespects Queen Guinevere and her maiden. Later, during his travels with Enide, he saves Cadoc of Cabruel because of the maiden's tears. When he undergoes the Joy of the Court, he approaches the grieving maiden in the garden to comfort her. In "Cliges," Cliges rescues Fenice from the Duke of Saxony when she is kidnapped...