How did Marie de France use Celtic themes in her lais?

Marie de France utilized Celtic themes in her lais by incorporating elements of enchantment and magic, which served to replace the Christian miracles often found in other medieval genres. These short verse narratives, likely composed in England, drew upon the rich tradition of Celtic legends that were capturing the public imagination during the 12th century.1

By integrating these "Celtic marvels," Marie de France explored complex psychological states and romantic situations, aligning her work with the courtly ideals of amour courtois (courtly love). Her lais—such as Chevrefoil, which draws from the Tristan legend—functioned as courtly tales that emphasized individual experience and magical motifs rather than the communal exploits typical of the chanson de geste. While these works are distinct from the musical lai form, they remain significant for their role in adapting Celtic lore into the sophisticated literary landscape of the Middle Ages.123