The leading edition of the work of the earliest known French woman poet--the subject of Lauren Groff's bestselling novel Matrix Marie de France (fl. late twelfth century) is the earliest known French woman poet and her lais--stories in verse based on Breton tales of chivalry and romance--are among the finest of the genre. Recounting the trials and tribulations of lovers, the lais inhabit a powerfully realized...
Poetry is one of the purest forms of expressing the human experience. It also offers a reflection of the era in which it was created. For National Poet’s Day on August 21, we celebrate the age-old artform with a tour of poetry through the ages.