Les Légendes épiques

Les Légendes épiques is a significant work by Joseph Bédier, a scholar renowned for his contributions to the study of medieval French literature. Published in four volumes between 1908 and 1913, this work presents Bédier's theory on the origins of Old French epic poems, known as chansons de geste.1

Bédier argued that these epics were originally composed by troubadours, with themes provided by monks traveling on pilgrimage routes. He supported this theory with compelling evidence, challenging the notion that these poems were solely products of popular tradition. Bédier's scholarship also extended to the legends of Tristan and Isolde, establishing his reputation as a leading figure in medieval literary studies.1