It was French poet Chrétien de Troyes who was the first to write about the legends of the Knights of the Roundtable. Historically, his stories were commissioned by Marie of France, Countess of Champagne around 1160. My curiosity compels me to ask who inspired these legends. First, we need to understand France in the 12th Century. The prior century, France was home to historically famous characters with William the Conqueror being the most notable. However, 11th century France also had its share of real romantic royal scandals. There was a love triangle of the King, his popular Queen and one of the King’s most loyal supporters. Does this story sound familiar? It is the story of King Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot, right? A century prior to de Troyes’ story of Lancelot and Guinevere, there was King Henry 1st of France, who was historically known for his adoration of his wife (20 years his junior) Anne of Kyiv, and she was said to have a fondness for one of King Henry’s most trusted supporters, Count Raoul IV of Valois. First, let’s meet the characters and how they relate to the Lancelot, Guinevere story.
After the death of Raoul’s wife, Adela, Raoul married a woman named Eleanor. However, when King Henry died a few years later, Raoul immediately repudiated his marriage to Eleanor and eloped with Queen Anne. Their marriage was seen as a scandal and the church did not acknowledge his repudiation of Eleanor. Raoul was subsequently excommunicated from the church. Both Raoul and Anne of Kyiv were admonished with the Pope’s advice to dissolve their marriage. Both defied the church. A few years later, Anne of Kyiv had a falling out with her son, young King Philip. She left court with Raoul, never to return despite making amends with Philip. ![]() Historians and historical fiction writers have all had their say as to the true reasons for Anne of Kyiv’s departure from court and her falling out with King Philip. Some say, King Philip was jealous of her popularity, and other say members of his court turned him against her. Curiously, I found in genealogy reports that Raoul and Anne of Kyiv had a son a year after King Henry’s death. She was a widow Queen Regent and pregnant. This would make perfect sense as to Raoul’s repudiation of Eleanor and his quick marriage to Anne of Kyiv, not to mention how this would upset a young King.
Whatever the exact reason, Anne of Kyiv gave up the crown for Raoul and Raoul gave up his reputation…and even his soul, as he died excommunicated. Despite the scandal, Anne of Kyiv remained popular with the people of France and Raoul went on to be one of King Philip’s most trusted advisors. After both Raoul and Anne of Kyiv’s deaths, their reputations were cemented by King Philip and the clergy. Queen Anne of Kyiv was cast as a humble and virtuous Queen, and Raoul was, well, white-washed from history and demonized as a thug. As rumors of Anne of Kyiv and Raoul of Valois still linger today in historical circles and literature, imagine the impact it would have had a thousand years ago. Their story would have been prime fodder for romantic minds. Imagine how this story could have inspired a French poet, who would live and interact with the grandchildren and great grandchildren of Raoul and Anne of Kyiv. Their legacy still would have been strong at that time and inspiration for a poet to weave a romantic tale.
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My book, Conqueror and the Hart is inspired by the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable. A Welsh monk named Geoffrey of Monmouth, whose grandfather fought at the Battle of Hastings with William the Conqueror, wrote the first book of King Arthur, The History of the Kings of Britain. The book was not a fictional tale of courage and heroics but a nonfiction book on the qualities of a good King. To gain local support for his book, Geoffrey incorporated a Welsh mythological figure named Merlin. This medieval book was a big hit – a best seller and it influenced many other books, call them medieval fan fiction. Let’s jump across the channel to France, where a poet named Chrétien de Troyes introduced us to the Knights of the Roundtable – Lancelot, Gawain, Percival, etc. The legends of King Arthur and his Knights span both England and France. Conqueror and the Hart characters, King Henry and the Noblemen of the Roundtable are based on real-life people from a century prior to when Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote his megahit. Curiously, in my research, King Henry and his noblemen share similar qualities of King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable.
When we study history, and historical characters in depth, we can find the legends are not far from the truth. All these men were legends of their time, and possibly, an inspiration for a French poet who wrote stories of Kings and Knights.
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AuthorAuthor and painter working on a historical fiction/fantasy middle grade book series, featuring young Count Raoul of Valois and his cousin, Walter. Explore Medieval history, mythology and folklore. Archives
July 2022
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