The Tapestry Shop, my 2010 release from Five Star, is based on the life of Adam de la Halle, a thirteenth century musician. Adam is best known for his secular plays, especially his Jeu de Robin et Marion, which figures heavily in my historical novel.
In most pastourelles, the knight is the narrator, wielding his aristocratic power over a lower-class shepherdess. After propositioning her, he may carry her away by force. In Adam’s pastourelle, the shepherdess (Marion) takes a more active part in the play, rebuffing the advances of a persistent knight and declaring her love for Robin.
For further reading on the medieval pastourelle and its construction, see Geri L. Smith’s The Medieval French Pastourelle Tradition: Poetic Motivations and Generic Transformations.
In most pastourelles, the knight is the narrator, wielding his aristocratic power over a lower-class shepherdess. After propositioning her, he may carry her away by force. In Adam’s pastourelle, the shepherdess (Marion) takes a more active part in the play, rebuffing the advances of a persistent knight and declaring her love for Robin.
For further reading on the medieval pastourelle and its construction, see Geri L. Smith’s The Medieval French Pastourelle Tradition: Poetic Motivations and Generic Transformations.
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4 comments:
I didn't know about the poor shepherdess'.
Strange huh? I think I'd have a problem with that.
Good luck with sales for The Tapestry Shop!
Hi Joyce,
Wow, another very interesting blog.I have to confess I know very little about the era in which you write. I write historicals but in a much later era. When I think of shepherdess or shepherd I immediately think of a flock of sheep.
Margaret: You're correct, of course. They attended sheep. I just always picture them in some kind of trouble (haha, read too many medievals). What period are your historicals? Are they always the same period?
MAry: So nice of you to stop by! Thanks for your comment, and for your well wishes. It's always a long wait from contract to holding that book in your hands. Thanks for stopping.
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