Courtly Love in Medieval Manuscripts

Widely popular in Europe throughout the Middle Ages, the phenomenon of courtly love is said to have had its origins with the troubadours of the 11th century. In its true sense it referred to a stylised and idealistic relationship between a knight and his lady, which was motivated by the aims of chivalry and required by convention to be unrequited, the real reward of the knight's devoted service being an educational one. Such courtly liaisons became a powerful force in shaping the literature o…