"Chaucer's Constance and Accused Queens" is a profound scholarly exploration into the literary and folkloric origins of one of Geoffrey Chaucer's most compelling figures. This work meticulously examines the motif of the "Accused Queen" as it appears in "The Man of Law's Tale" and throughout broader medieval European literature. Margaret Schlauch traces the development of the Constance legend, situating it within a vast network of international folklore and traditional narratives involving persecuted heroines.
The study delves into the recurring themes of innocence, divine protection, and the trials of noble women, comparing Chaucer's treatment of the theme with various parallel versions found in historical chronicles and oral traditions. By analyzing the structural and thematic elements of these stories, the text provides invaluable insight into the cultural and social contexts that shaped medieval storytelling. This volume remains an essential resource for students and scholars of Middle English literature, comparative folklore, and the representation of women in the Middle Ages. It offers a comprehensive look at how ancient myths were transformed into enduring literary masterpieces.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.