Le livre de Olivier de Castille et de Artus d'Algarbe

The narrative presents a medieval chronicle of noble lineage and chivalric deeds, opening with the death of a queen and the birth and baptism of her son, whose presence consoles a grieving king. Courtly counselors urge the king to remarry to secure succession, leading to embassy, negotiation, and agreement with a lordly widow whose own son promises a future alliance. Scenes alternate between mourning, ceremonial rites, diplomatic exchange, and preparations for marriage, while the text frames these episodes as exempla intended to recall courage, loyalty, and virtue and to rouse noble hearts to emulate ancestral conduct.