The Fables of Marie De France: An English Translation

The 'Fables' of Marie de France, written in octosyllabic French verse near the end of the 12th century, constitute an essential part of the work of this important medieval author. Here they are presented for the first time in English translation, together with the Old French original text on facing pages. Preceding the prose translation of the 102 fables is a critical and historical overview in which the 'Fables' are considered in their relationship to the 'Lais' and the 'Espurgatoire seint Patriz,' to the Aesopic tradition, to their contemporary social context, and finally to folklore and the oral tradition.