Frankish Sources
Due to the difference between the Arthurian and Frankish sources, I have decided that the Songs of Deeds (Frankish legend) section should have its own bibliography page.
I have not confined the Songs of Deeds to just legends about Charlemagne. I also included some knightly tales from literature that are unrelated to both Carolingian and Arthurian legends, such as the legend of El Cid.
The main difficulties are finding English translations and money to buy these books. Another problem is location. I live in Melbourne, so it’s not easy finding translations, here. Even in the library, there are limitations. (Of course, there are books that can be found on the Internet, where they can deliver it to your door. Only one problem with that… I don’t have a credit card.)
Texts
The following books are translations that I have read. If you are interested in reading this literature, then I would highly recommend that you read these books. These books are the main sources of information for Timeless Myths.
Most of these books are actually books I have brought over the years. A few books listed here come from books I either borrowed or read in the library.
Unknown
The Song of Roland
translated by Glyn Burgess
Penguin Classics, 1990
The most famous of Old French poems in the chansons de geste, which centres around Charlemagne and his knights. It was possibly written by Turoldus, a name found at the end of the poem. Although this has nothing to do with the Arthurian legends, but sometimes a hero or two is mentioned in the Arthurian romances.
Unknown
Heroes of the French Epic
A Selection of Chanson de Geste
translated by Michael A. E. Newth
Boydell Press, 2005
Highly Recommended
Don’t have this book yet. Very expensive, but it would be worth it. It contains several other chansons.
- Gormont and Isembart
- The Song of William
- Charlemagne’s Pilgrimage
- Raoul of Cambrai
- Girart of Vienne
Ludovico Ariosto
Orlando Furioso
translated by Guido Waldman
Oxford World’s Classics, rev. 2008
Italian chivalric legend of Charlemagne, particularly of the love triangle of Orlando (French Roland), Rinaldo (French Renaud) and Angelica, and the Saracen Ruggerio and Brandamant.
Orlando Furioso
(“Orlando Enraged”)
William Stewart Rose, 1910
Online Medieval and Classical Library
A 1910 translation of Orlando Furioso.
Einhard
Two Lives of Charlemagne
Einhard, Notker the Stammerer
translated by Lewis Thorpe
Penguin Classics
The Life of Charlemagne
translated by Samuel Epes Turner
Harper & Brothers, 1880
Medieval Sourcebook
The Monk of Saint Gall
The Life of Charlemagne
translated by A.J. Grant, 1926
Medieval Sourcebook
Gregory of Tours
History of the Franks
translated by Lewis Thorpe
Penguin Classics
History of the Franks
translated by Earnest Brehaut
abridged version, 1916
Medieval Sourcebook
Geoffrey of Monmouth
The History of the Kings of Britain
translated by Lewis Thorpe
Penguin Classics, 1966
Highly Recommended
Also called Historia regum Britanniae or History. This was written in Latin, in 1137. See the Life of King Arthur. The reason why I put this book here is because Gerin, one of the Twelve Peers, was seen as one of Arthur’s captains in the war against Rome.
Wace and Layamon
The Life of King Arthur
translated by Judith Weiss & Rosamund Allen,
Everyman, 1997
Highly Recommended
Wace was an Anglo-Norman who wrote the Roman de Brut in French, probably in 1155. Layamon was an English writer who wrote the Brut in 1200. See the Life of King Arthur.
Wace adapted Geoffrey’s Historia, adding some new details to it such as the Fellowship of the Round Table. Layamon adapted his work from Geoffrey and Wace, providing a more magical aspect for the legend.
The reason why I put this book here is because Gerin, one of the Twelve Peers, was seen as one of Arthur’s captains in the war against Rome.
Unknown
The Poem of the Cid
translated by Rita Hamilton and Janet Perry (Translator)
Penguin Classics, 1985.
The Lay of the Cid
translated by R. Selden Rose and Leonard Bacon
Berkeley, 1919
Online Medieval and Classical Library
Other Texts
The following works are translations that I have not yet read, but I do suggest that you give these a try… Well, if you can find them.
There are several reasons why I haven’t read these works yet.
- There is no English translation available yet.
- The original is either fragmented or damaged, and probably not yet published.
- It’s out of publication (OUT OF PRINT).
- I couldn’t afford it (please, donate?).
- It was available but I did not want to buy it.
However, if you do happen to find English translations of any of these works (preferably in paperback) that are affordable, please e-mail me the details (title, author, name of the translator, ISBN, and the publisher, etc).
Matteo Maria Boiardo
Orlando innamorato
(“Orlando in Love”)
Wolfram von Eschenbach
Willehalm
early 13th century.
Written in German, is based on the French epics of Guillaume d’Orange (William of Orange).
