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Few know I am Marie of France,
who writes of legends and romance.
From their towers and from their shroud,
woman’s whispers I tell aloud,
Abbess Marie
Act I
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Who Was Marie De France?
The Norman poetess, Marie de France (ca 1135- 1216), was famous for fifteen lais (romantic tales of
love set in octo-syllabic verse). Her human insight, as well as her well-known stature as a woman writer
were quite unique during her time. Through these lais, she helped expand such famous legends as
King Arthur and Tristan and Iseult. Her stories describe and comment upon what many women faced
in their feminine roles during this time. Often this was quite contrary to Church teachings.
In addition to the lais, Marie de France translated into French, The "Ysopet", a collection of 103 fables
originally translated from Latin into English by Henry Beauclerc. Religious texts include the "Purgatory
of Saint Patrick" and “The Life of St. Audrey.” The first tells of an Irish knight, who upon his descent
into a cavern, witnesses both torment and happiness. The second is a hagiographic text describing
the life of Saint Audrey.
Exactly who the real Marie de France was is unknown. One theory, although not the most prevalent,
is that she was Mary, Abbess of Shaftesbury. and/or the illegitimate sister of King Henry II.
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Other theories include:
Mary, Abbess of Reading
- there is little information about her
- the Abbey was a great literary centre and possessed a manuscript of the Lais and the Fables.
Marie de Meulan
- daughter of Waleran de Meulan, one of the great lords of the Isle de France
- married Hugh Talbot, baron of Cledville, with lands in the Welsh Marches
- born between 1140 and 1150.
Marie de Boulogne
- daughter of King Stephen (1135-54) and Matilda of Boulogne
- married by Henry II to Matthew of Flanders, although she was already Abbess of Romsey
- before 1180, returned to a convent, perhaps at Montreuil sur mer
- active political figure.
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"And also Dame Marie, who turned into rhyme and made verses of 'Lays' which
are not in the least true. For these she is much praised, and her rhyme is loved every-
where; for counts, barons, and knights greatly admire it, and hold it dear. And they love
her writing so much, and take such pleasure in it, that they have it read, and often
copied. These Lays are wont to please ladies, who listen to them with delight,
for they are after their own hearts."
Denis Pyramus, (c. 1240)
the author who wrote Life of St. Edmund the King
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