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Appendix: Synopsis of the Guy of Warwick narrative

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2017

With contributions by
Marianne Ailes ,
Helen Cooper ,
Ivana Djordjevic ,
Martha W. Driver ,
Sian Echard ,
A. S. G. Edwards ,
David Griffith ,
Andrew King ,
Robert Rouse  and
Judith Weiss
Edited by
Rosalind Field  and
Alison Wiggins
Helen Cooper
Affiliation:
Professor of Medieval and Renaissance English
Ivana Djordjevic
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor, Liberal Arts College, Concordia University, Montreal
Sian Echard
Affiliation:
Sian Echard is Associate Professor, Department of English, University of British Columbia.
Robert Rouse
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Department of English at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Judith Weiss
Affiliation:
Dr Judith Weiss is a Fellow of Robinson College, Cambridge, where she teaches English and medieval French.
Rosalind Field
Affiliation:
Rosalind Field was formerly Reader in Medieval Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London. [Retired]
Alison Wiggins
Affiliation:
Alison Wiggins is Lecturer in English Language at the University of Glasgow.
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Summary

Short summary

Guy, the son of the steward of Earl Rohaud of Warwick, falls helplessly in love with the Earl's daughter Felice. Felice will grant him her love once he has proved himself as a knight. Guy travels to France with his companions, including Herhaud of Ardern. He distinguishes himself in a tournament at Rouen and as a prize is offered the love of Blancheflour, the daughter of the German Emperor Reiner. Guy returns to England to claim the love of Felice [E 209–1054; Auchinleck 235–1130; CUL 177–792].

On his return, Felice tells Guy that she will grant him her love only when he has proved himself the best of all knights. Guy travels abroad again and distinguishes himself in a series of tournaments. His adventures include: the ambush at the orders of Duke Otes (whom he had earlier wounded at Rouen) and the battle for the Duke of Louvain against the Emperor Reiner. The Emperor Reiner's champion is Tirri. Otes is also fighting on his side and violently opposes the reconciliation that Guy finally effects between the two former enemies. Guy next travels to Constantinople. He frees the land of the Emperor Hernis from the forces of the Sultan and is offered his daughter in return. However, Guy is hated by the Emperor's jealous steward Morgadour, who slanders him and kills his pet lion. At this, Guy kills Morgadour, refuses to marry the daughter, and leaves. In Lorraine Guy rescues Tirri (who has become his sworn brother) and his mistress Oisel and then helps Albri (Tirri's father) against Loher (Oisel's father) and Otes (now Oisel's intended husband). After rescuing Tirri from prison Guy kills Otes. Then, whilst hunting Guy kills a young knight and has to fight with the vassals of Florentin, the knight's father. Guy returns to England and kills a dragon that is devastating Northumberland. He returns to Warwick, marries Felice, and conceives a child [E 1055–7562; Auchinleck 1131–7306, stanzas 3–19; CUL 793–7116].

A fortnight after the marriage, Guy repents that he has so long neglected God through his excessive devotion to Felice and sets out on a pilgrimage of atonement. After visiting Jerusalem and Bethlehem, he successfully fights for King Triamour against the Sultan's gigantic champion, Amoraunt.

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Guy of Warwick: Icon and Ancestor , pp. 201 - 214
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer
Print publication year: 2007

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