Courtly Love and Chivalry in the Later Middle Ages

Author / Editor
Benson, Larry D.

Title
Courtly Love and Chivalry in the Later Middle Ages

Published
Robert Yeager, ed. Fifteenth-Century Studies: Recent Essays. (Hamden, Conn.: Archon Books, 1984): pp. 237-57.
Reprinted in Theodore M. Andersson and Stephen A. Barney, eds. Contradictions: From "Beowulf" to Chaucer (Aldershot, Hants: Scolar; Brookfield, Vt.: Ashgate, 1995), pp. 294-313.

Description
Though there may never have been a "doctrine" of courtly love,late-medieval literature reflects conventions that may be called courtly.
Drawing examples from a number of literary works (including TC, Rom, BD, and LGW) and various historical records, Benson argues that medieval ceremonialism and gentle speech indicates internalization of courtly ideals drawn for romance tradition.

Alternative Title
Fifteenth-Century Studies: Recent Essays.
Contradictions: From "Beowulf" to Chaucer.

Chaucer Subjects
Background and General Criticism.