LANCELOT PROPER: BANC MS UCB 107

Presented by Amanda Choi, LIBR 280-12

Introduction:

Title: Lancelot Proper

Date: C. 1300

Provenance: Northern France

Housed at: Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley

Historical Context

Lancelot Proper: The Text

3rd and longest section of the Vulgate Cycle, a major source of the Arthurian Legend written in French prose

Vulgate Cycle composed between 1215 and 1230 UCB 107 is complete but only contains the 1st two

thirds of the Lancelot Proper, which is sometimes called La Reine aux Grand Douleurs

Describes the birth of Lancelot, his upbringing by the Lady of the Lake, his arrival at King Arthur’s court, his love for Queen Guinevere and friendship with Galehaut.

Author

The identity of the author is obscure The entire Vulgate Cycle is thought to

have been composed by several Cistercian Monks

However, scholars hypothesize that one “architect” devised the outline for the whole Cycle and composed three of the five sections, including the Lancelot Proper

Elaborations on previous writings by Wace and Geoffrey of Monmouth

Audience

The Manuscript: Some Details

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The Scribe

Decoration

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Illustration and Illumination

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