The popular Arthurian legends, such as the grail quests of Perceval and
Galahad, and the love of Lancelot for Queen Guenevere, have largely
overshadowed Scotland's own Arthurian romance. The story of Fergus, one
of King Arthur's knights, was known to only a few; it was written in Old
French and this prevented its proper recognition as a part of Scottish
literary heritage. In Fergus of Galloway, Guillaume le Clerc combines,
in a unique Scottish setting, the classic themes and conventions of
Arthurian romance - many of which would be familiar to his audience
through the work of Chrétien de Troyes and his successors - with a
highly individual tone of parody and witty comment. Professor Owen's
eloquent and lively translation brings this exciting and much
undervalued work to a wider audience.
Professor Owen's introduction outlines the literary techniques employed
in Fergus of Galloway and discusses the significance of Guillaume's
achievement in the context of other Arthurian romances. Detailed notes
help the reader gain a closer understanding of the poet's technique, and
two appendices contain useful background information: a translation of
the principal episodes in the Perceval Continuations used in Fergus of
Galloway; and a new theory on the possible identity of Guillaume.
