This out-of-fashion yet still very important book by an unknown French author (probably a troubadour) from the turn of the 12th to the 13th century was published under a bit different title as Aucassin and Nicolete (one t is missing). It was translated by Andrew Lang and illustrated by Gilbert P. James. The publisher was George Routledge & Sons Ltd, London, in 1905. We don't know much more, yet somebody was probably not very happy with the twelve plates created by James because a few years later on the market arrived an edition with illustrations by George Percy Jacomb-Hood. Jacomb-Hood's edition was reprinted many times.
Aucassin and Nicolette is a parody of virtually every known genre from the times when the manuscript (the only surviving copy is stored in France) was made, using numerous plots and twists we are still familiar with. There is a love story, a lady locked in a tower, numerous battles with neighboring kingdoms and armies from far away, broken promises, an escape into the woods, a voyage with a ship, a ship wreckage, hidden identities, ...
Aucassin and Nicolette is partly written in prose and partly in verse.
Aucassin and Nicolette is partly written in prose and partly in verse.
We will go through the story with James' illustrations reproduced by photogravures. Each image will be accompanied by a short description so you can make a summary on the way.
Aucassin is a spoiled son of a nobleman who is at war with another nobleman. Aucassin doesn't want to fight because he is in love with Nicolette. He can't think of anything else. Nicolette is of Saracen origin (bought as a slave) but was raised as a Christian. Still, his family doesn't consider their relationship as appropriate. Aucassin's father demands Nicolette's master to send her away, so Aucassin can forget her.
Instead of that, she is locked in a tower.
Instead of that, she is locked in a tower.
She spends all day almost alone.
She has a maid to give her company, but this doesn't make her happy. Aucassin doesn't know where she is. He still doesn't want to go fighting.
Then his father promises to arrange a meeting with a girl if he joins the forces on the battlefield.
Then his father promises to arrange a meeting with a girl if he joins the forces on the battlefield.
This makes Aucassin moving.
His father doesn't fulfill his promise, which makes Aucassin angry. In the meantime, Nicolette escapes from the tower.
She wanders around in disguise. She can't reach Aucassin, who is imprisoned for being disrespectful.
Nicolette finds a shelter in the woods. There she lives for some time. Aucassin escapes and starts his search for Nicolette.
He finds her in the woods, and they are happy for a short time. They know they are still in danger.
Aucassin and Nicolette decide to leave the country by a ship.
They find a nice place to live in a foreign country until the country is attacked. They are captured and separated.
Nicolette escapes and goes after Aucassin. She has no idea where he is, so she starts traveling in disguise through the country, singing a song about their love.
Aucassin survives a wreckage and saves himself. He returns to his castle and finds that his father died. He becomes the master of properties.
One day, he hears Nicolette's song and recognizes their personal story.
Aucassin survives a wreckage and saves himself. He returns to his castle and finds that his father died. He becomes the master of properties.
One day, he hears Nicolette's song and recognizes their personal story.
They are reunited and live happily ever after.
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The illustrations by Gilbert James are the main reason for this post. They are of varying quality, but definitely worth checking. We kindly reccomend you check another set of illustrations of the same story, this time in color and with decorative borders, in typical Art Nouveau fashion. Here is the link to Aucassin and Nicolette by Anne Anderson.
To explore even more, check a less-known fairy tale by the Grimm Brothers Maid Maleen, and compare the similarities with Aucassin and Nicolette.
And don't forget to share your findings!
***
The illustrations by Gilbert James are the main reason for this post. They are of varying quality, but definitely worth checking. We kindly reccomend you check another set of illustrations of the same story, this time in color and with decorative borders, in typical Art Nouveau fashion. Here is the link to Aucassin and Nicolette by Anne Anderson.
To explore even more, check a less-known fairy tale by the Grimm Brothers Maid Maleen, and compare the similarities with Aucassin and Nicolette.
And don't forget to share your findings!
