Anonymous, Sir Degare

Amy N. Vines (University of North Carolina, Greensboro)

Ed. by Sebastian Sobecki, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.02: English Writing and Culture: High and Late Medieval, 1066-1485.
Vol. editors: Kate Ash-Irisarri (University of Edinburgh), Rory Critten (Université de Lausanne), David Fuller (University of Durham), Natalie Hanna (University of Liverpool), Hugh Magennis (Queen's University Belfast), Jamie McKinstry (University of Durham), Sarah Peverley (University of Liverpool), Sebastian Sobecki (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen)

Dates

First circulation or publication c. 1350

Places

England (Country of Origin; Publication/ performance)

Genres and Modes

Poetry (any)

Resources

Sir Degaré is a Middle English Breton lay likely written in the early fourteenth century; it relates the story of a baby abandoned by a princess and raised by a surrogate family who must prove his worth through various acts of prowess. Once he is of age, he locates—and accidentally marries—his mother, vanquishes his father in combat, and finally reunites his family. This short romance survives in six manuscripts, the earliest of which is Advocates Library of Scotland MS 19.2.1, the famous Auchinleck Manuscript (ca. 1330-1340) (Hibbard 595-609). The later extant manuscripts are London, British Library MS Egerton 2862, Cambridge University Library MS Ff.2.38, Oxford, Bodleian Library MS Rawlinson Poetry 34, …

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1571 words

Citation: Vines, Amy N.. "Sir Degare". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 21 September 2021 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=39352, accessed 27 November 2024.]

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