Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch

audiobook

Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch

by Jessie L. (Jessie Laidlay) Weston

EN·~2 hours

Chapters

Description

This translation brings to life a little‑known chapter of the Arthurian world, preserved only in a 14th‑century Dutch manuscript that gathered together the great cycles of Lancelot, the Quest, and the Grail. The prose version offers a clear window onto a medieval romance that was originally composed in verse, letting modern ears hear a tale that has long been hidden from the mainstream canon.

At its heart is Morien, a strikingly noble knight of Moorish heritage who rides into Camelot’s court seeking his place among the Round Table. His dark complexion and fearless skill set him apart, and his quest intertwines personal honor with the larger Grail narrative, echoing the chivalric ideals that define the age. As he travels, Morien confronts both external dangers and inner questions of identity, forging alliances that test his courage and loyalty.

Rendered in smooth, accessible prose, the story balances adventure with subtle reflection, making it an engaging listen for anyone curious about the richer, more diverse strands of Arthurian legend. Its historical rarity and vivid characters give listeners a fresh perspective on the timeless themes of bravery, belonging, and the pursuit of a higher ideal.

Details

Language

en

Duration

~2 hours (162K characters)

Series

Arthurian Romances Unrepresented in Malory's "Morte d'Arthur" -- No. IV.

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Text file produced by David Starner, David Widger, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team HTML file produced by David Widger

Release date

2005-07-01

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

JL

Jessie L. (Jessie Laidlay) Weston

1850–1928

A pioneering independent scholar of medieval literature, she became famous for bold, imaginative studies of the Grail legends and their links to myth and ritual. Her work helped shape how modern readers think about Arthurian stories, especially in the early 20th century.

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