Born out of exhaustive research and study, this volume covers the five major romances in octosyllabic rhyming couplets that may with certainty be ascribed to the 12th-century French writer Chretien de Troyes, and touches on a few minor works that have been attributed to him. Karl Uitti locates Chretien within the theological and philosophical setting of his time; views him as a worker-craftsman who produced stories on demand for his patron; and argues persuasively that he advanced the French language to new heights in his work. Twayne’s English Authors and Twayne’s World Authors Series present concise, critical introductions to great writers and their works. Each series features a critical, interpretative study and explication of the subject’s works, with a chronology outlining the life, work and relevant historical background of the subject, and aids for further study - complete notes and references, a selected annotated bibliography, and an index.