Epics and Romances of the Middle Ages

This volume gathers retellings of medieval heroic and romantic lays from Germanic and related traditions—Langobardian tales, the Amelung cycle, the Dietrich of Bern romances, the Nibelung legend and its lament, Beowulf, the Carolingian chansons, and Arthurian and Grail narratives. The selections present episodes of dragon-slaying, feuds, courtly quests, betrayals, and tragic consequences alongside mythical motifs and poetic treatment. Essays and an introduction contextualize oral transmission, ritual and social customs, and the tension between popular tradition and courtly romance. Organized by cycle, the collection highlights recurring themes of honor, loyalty, fate, and collective memory.