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Transformations in Medieval English Romance

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Transformations in Medieval English Romance Durham E-Theses Transformations in Medieval English Romance GOODISON, NATALIE,JAYNE How to cite: GOODISON, NATALIE,JAYNE (2017) Transformations in Medieval English Romance, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/12054/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk Material Abstract This thesis examines the role of transformation in medieval English romance. It explores corporeal changes of humans transformed into animals, monstrous men, loathly ladies, as well as the transformative effects of death. However, transformations could also alter one’s identity and interior states of being. Transformation in these texts is revealed to affect the body as well as the spirit. This symbiotic relationship between outward body and interior spirit is first demonstrated between two separate persons, and progresses to become localized within the one body and the same soul. Illicit practices of magic as well as the supernatural, powers of the faery otherworld as well as divine might, initiate these transformations. While romance transformations occur through various sources, both licit and illicit, the authors and redactors of these romances consistently employ religious imagery or belief at moments of transformation. This engagement with religious precepts proves to be surprising and unorthodox. As such this thesis explores the relationship between religious belief and the politics of disenchantment. Transformations in Medieval English Romance Natalie Jayne (Moore) Goodison Submitted for the qualification of doctor of philosophy Under the Department of English Studies at Durham University On Friday, September 30, 2016 Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Transformations in Medieval Romance ............................................................................................. 1 Transformative Agency ......................................................................................................................... 4 Classical and Biblical Background ....................................................................................................... 8 Medieval Theological Views ............................................................................................................... 11 Augustine ............................................................................................................................................... 14 Four Distinct Transformative Agents............................................................................................... 17 The Twelfth Century and Beyond ..................................................................................................... 26 Sacred and Secular ............................................................................................................................... 28 Chapter One: Animal to Human Transformations ..................................................................... 35 Libeaus Desconus ................................................................................................................................ 36 William of Palerne ................................................................................................................................ 47 Chevalere Assigne ................................................................................................................................ 60 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 72 Chapter Two: ‘Not What They Seem’: The Testing of Virtue Part I: Transformed Men 74 The Carle of Carlisle ............................................................................................................................ 85 The Turke and Gawain ....................................................................................................................... 91 The Greene Knight ............................................................................................................................ 102 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight ................................................................................................... 111 Chapter Three: ‘Not What They Seem’: The Testing of Virtue Part II: Transformed Women .................................................................................................................................................... 124 The Marriage of Sir Gawain ............................................................................................................. 127 The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle ......................................................................... 133 Melusine ............................................................................................................................................... 139 Chapter Four: Liminal Agents of Correction .............................................................................. 161 Awntyrs off Arthur ............................................................................................................................ 165 Sir Amadace ........................................................................................................................................ 176 Robert of Cisyle .................................................................................................................................. 189 Chapter Five: Consolidated Transformations: One Body and One Spirit ......................... 203 Consolidated Bodies: Transformations of Body and Spirit ........................................................ 205 Spiritual Transformations Etched on the Body ............................................................................ 208 The King of Tars ................................................................................................................................ 208 Saint Erkenwald .................................................................................................................................. 223 Amoryus and Cleopes ....................................................................................................................... 226 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 239 Bibliography .......................................................................................................................................... 242 The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without the author’s prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged. Acknowledgements ‘I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.’ Shakespeare’s quotation seems particularly apt in the completion of a thesis. Chief of those to whom I owe thanks is Corinne Saunders. Her enthusiasm, careful guidance, and encouragement, sustained over a number of years, enabled this study to take form. Such attention is priceless, and this work owes much to her influence. I also owe thanks to bodies who have funded my studies and conference attendance: the Gilchrist Trust; the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies; the Department of English Studies at Durham; and St Chad’s College. Many thanks to Nicoletta Asciuto and Heather Johnson in their aid in translation. I am indebted to many of my fellow post-graduates who engaged with me in discussion of aspects of my research. Those who particularly come to mind are Alex Wilson and David Burke. I am very grateful to those who edited this manuscript in its final stages: Heather Johnson, Koren Kuntz, David Burke, Lydia Harris, Michael Baker, Michael Huxtable, and Abby Keith. The kindness, and flexibility, of my bosses (and my colleagues) at Christchurch Durham have also enabled me to complete this project: Christopher Wood and Tony Jones. The completion of this thesis took place whilst our home was being renovated. My thanks to those who homed myself and Francis during that time is beyond articulation: the Garbash, Straker, Roe, and Pacey families. I am so grateful for the tremendous support I have received from my own family, and my husband’s. They have been such an encouragement. My gratitude particularly goes to Annie, who got me over the finish line. However, of these my largest debt of thanks is to my husband. This thesis would not have been completed without the patient support of Francis, who married me in spite of my completing a PhD. For Francis Introduction Transformations in Medieval Romance Transformations proliferate in Middle English romance: transformations of the body, such
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