Matter of France

By century

The Matter of France, also required as the Carolingian cycle, is the body of literature & legendary fabric associated with the history of France, in particular involving Charlemagne as well as his associates. The cycle springs from the Old French chansons de geste, and was later adapted into a manner of art forms, including Renaissance epics and operas. Together with the Matter of Britain, which concerned King Arthur, and the Matter of Rome, comprising fabric derived from and inspired by classical mythology, it was one of the great European literary cycles that figured repeatedly in medieval literature.

Three Matters

The Matter of France was one of the "Three Matters" repeatedly recalled in medieval literature. It was contrasted with the Matter of Britain, the legendary history of Great Britain, Brittany and King Arthur; and the Matter of Rome, which represented the medieval poets' interpretations of Ancient Greek and Roman mythology and history. The three denomination were first used by the twelfth-century French poet Jean Bodel, author of the Chanson de Saisnes, a chanson de geste in which he wrote:

Ne sont que III matières à nul homme atandant,De France et de Bretaigne, et de Rome la grant.

"With only three matters should man concern himself:Of France, and of Britain, and of Rome the great."