Segmentation

The growth of the Guiron le Courtois cycle has been mainly linear. Once the three core branches (Roman de Méliadus, Roman de Guiron and Suite Guiron) were written, subsequent narratives tended to complement their plots by adding prequels, sequels, and interstitial narratives. The long continuation of Méliadus (Corpus Christi, Ferrell 5) and the continuation of the Suite Guiron (BnF n.a.f. 5243) are good examples of this linear growth.

There are, however, important instances of re-writing, in which cases we observe parallel versions, each of them relating to a specific cyclical form. The most important instances are 1) the second section of the Méliadus, drastically compressed in the first cyclic form, which merges it with a transition which leads to the beginning of the Roman de Guiron (see n. 3 and n. 5); 2) the central section of the Roman de Guiron, for which we have a long and a short version (respectively, n. 8 and n. 12). In both cases the long version is almost certainly the original one. Some compilations, especially the twins BnF f.fr. 356-357 and Arsenal 3477-3478, gather both versions of the Roman the Guiron: the entire long version, and the short version starting from the point where its text diverges from the first.

The segmentation of the cycle is chiefly based on the critical summary of all the narratives of the traditions provided by Lathuillère 1966 reconsidered in the light of Morato 2010 and Lagomarsini 2014. The cycle is divided into three main branches: Roman de Méliadus (1-4), Roman de Guiron (7-10), Suite Guiron (13); and into interstitial narratives (11-12, 14), cyclic sequels, and prequels (15-27). For a detailed textual analysis of each, see Morato 2010 (especially for the three main branches and interstitial narratives), Wahlen 2010 (especially for the Continuation of the Ferrell MS) and Lagomarsini 2014 (for the prequels and sequels).

1. Prologue I (same title in Lath.). It was initially the prologue to the Roman de Méliadus, named Palamedés by Hélie de Boron, the pseudo-author (although Palamedés features only at the beginning of the narrative), and dedicated to Henri II. The prologue was used for the whole cycle, and sometimes the mention of Palamedés changes with that of Guiron. Common version.

2. Up to the siege of Anchone (Lath. 1-41). Adventures of Méliadus: his rivalry with the Bon Chevalier sans Peur, his love for the Queen of Scotland which causes a war against King Arthur. Common version.

3. Up to Méliadus' defeat of Ariohan (Lath. 41-48). Saxons' invasion of Britain, repelled by Arthur after the decisive intervention of Méliadus. Long pre-cyclic version (see n. 5 for the short version).

4. Continuation of Ferrell 5 (Lath. 49-51 + a narrative absent from Lath., cf. Morato 2010 and Wahlen 2010). Arthur's quest to free the Morholt. Sequel transmitted by a single witness and a few fragments.

5. Guiron rescues Méliadus (Lath. 152-158). Interstitial narrative that presents a short version of the siege of Anchone (see n. 3). It is part of the first cyclic form.

6. Lac and Méliadus (Lath. 52-57). Interstitial narrative which works as a transition between the short version of the Méliadus and the Guiron.

7. Up to Heryan's queste of Guiron (Lath. 58-78). Deux Soeurs tournament and Guiron's love for the Lady of Malohaut. Common version.

8. Up to the Chevalier a l'escu mi parti (Lath. 79-103). Adventures of Guiron, Danain and Lac. Long version (cf. the short version at n. 12).

9. Up to the captivity of the Old Knights (Lath 103-132). Brehus in the underground palace of the Bruns, rivalry between Guiron and Danain for the love of Bloie, enprisonment of the the knights. Common version.

10. Continuations of Add. 36880 and X (Lath. 133-150). Arthur in search of the old knights, first meeting with Guiron. Particular version.

11. Epilogue of X (Lath. 151). Arthur frees Lac from the prison in Malohaut. Particular version.

12. Up to the Chevalier dou pavillon (Lath. 159-160). Adventures of the knights. Short version of n. 8.

13. Suite Guiron (Lath. 161-209). Long prequel to the Guiron, incomplete at the beginning and the end. It is the third main narrative of the cycle.

14. Guiron's fortunes and misfortunes (Lath. 203, 219-220, 198, 205, 221, 196, 194, 222). Compilation largely based on the Suite Guiron.

15. Adventures of the Bruns 1 (Lath. 223-226). Adventures of members of Guiron's family.

16. Galeholt and Guiron (Lath. 206, 191, 202, 240, 242). Compilation largely based on the Suite Guiron.

17. The four knights (Lath. 243-248). Adventures of the knights of the old generation. Particular version.

18. The Lavegnic Tournament (Lath. 249-250). Particular version.

19. Adventures of the Bruns 2 (Lath. 256-261). Adventures of members of Guiron's family.

20. Prologue II (same title in Lath.) Second prologue added to the first (see. n. 1) in a few late cyclical manuscripts.

21. Continuation of BnF n.a.f. 5243 (Lath. 251-255). Sequel to the Suite Guiron. Particular version.

22. Continuation of Morgan M916 (absent from Lath., cf. Morato 2010 and Lagomarsini 2014). Particluar version.

23. Enfances Guiron (Lath. 213-218). Particular version.

24. Armand and Ludunas (Lath. 227-239). Particular version.

25. Adventures of the Bruns. Compilation of Laurenziana Ash. 123 (Lath. 161 n. 3-162 n. 1, 165 n. 1-166 n. 3, 241, 194 n. 2-11, 177 n. 1-178 n. 4, 180 n. 1-3, 193 n. 1-2, 195 n. 1-4, 181 n. 3-182 n. 2, 184 n. 1-5, 188 n. 1-3).

26. Guiron and Danain at the Tour de la Mareschiere (Lath. 199). Short version of an episode from the Suite Guiron.

27. Compilation of BnF f.fr. 362-363 (Lath. 262-286). Particular version.