The Lais of Marie de France

The narrator begins by informing the reader that although the lay was originally named Eliduc after the male protagonist, “the name has been changed, because the adventure upon which the lay is based concerns the ladies” in his life, Guildelüec and Guilliadun (111).

The knight Eliduc is happy in his marriage to Guildelüec and his service to the king of Brittany. However, Eliduc’s prowess causes his rivals to slander him before the king, meaning that knight must go abroad to seek his fortune elsewhere. Before leaving, he promises his wife that he will remain faithful to her.

Arriving in a place called Totnes, Eliduc serves an old and powerful king who has no sons but a nubile daughter. Having helped the king fight his enemies, Eliduc gains his trust. Guilliadun, the king’s daughter, summons Eliduc to come and meet her and instantly falls in love with him. Remembering his wife, Eliduc is slow to return her affections, even though the girl’s beauty and love for him makes an impression. Eventually, he finds that “his heart was firmly trapped, for he wanted to remain faithful, but could not refrain from loving the maiden Guilliadun, who was so beautiful, from looking at her and talking to her, kissing and embracing her” (117).