Historical Analysis

An Introduction to Jeu de Robin et Marion

Meaghan Haenn

Due to the lack of literacy of the era, not much concrete knowledge is known about Adam de la Halle, the author of Jeu de Robin et Marion. It is believed that he was born between 1237 and 1250 A.C.E. (“Robin and Marion”); on some accounts he died around 1245 A.C.E. (Montagny 1). It is believed that he died between 1285 and 1288 in Naples, Italy. On some accounts, he may have even been alive, living in England in 1306 (Montagny 1). Adam de la Halle was born in Arras, in northern France.

He went by several variations of names, such as Adam d’Arras, (“Adam of Arras”), Adam de la Halle (“Adam of the Market”, which signifies that he lived near a market), and Adan le Bochu or Bocu. This signifies “Adam the Hunchback”, although he was not a hunchback in reality (Montagny 2). In 1262, he married a young woman named Maroie.

During his lifetime, Adam de la Halle became a very well known poet, playwright and songwriter. Some of his most famous pieces are Jeu de Robin et Marion, Play of Madness, and the poems Conges. As for the songs he wrote, a few notable ones are Dit d’Amour (roughly translated as “Say of Love”) and Vers de la Mort (“Towards Death”) for which only a few stanzas were written.

Reviewing the musical prowess of de la Halle, it’s clear to see that he was a very talented composer. According to Elizabeth Montmagny, “Much of Halle’s work was ahead of his time, though he kept up with the styles of music from the period in which he lived. He wrote in all the styles of his time, both in music and in literature, as his plays represent” (Montmagny 1).

This French operatic play was first written around 1283 A.C.E. This story centers on Robin Hood and Maid Marion early on in their relationship. Other characters include the knight, Sir Aubert, Robin’s cousins, Gautier the Hothead and Baudon, Robin’s friend Huart and a friend of Marion, Peronnelle (“Robin and Marion”). The section of Le Jeu de Robin et Marion analyzed on this page focuses on Marion and Sir Aubert.

Bibliography

“Robin and Marion (Le Jeu de Robin et de Marion).” Robin Hood – The Facts and    the Fiction. Web. 3/24/15. *http://www.robinhoodlegend.com

Montmagny, Elizabeth. “Master of the Medieval Musical”.     http://elizabethmontmagny.weebly.com November 23, 2010. Web. 4/20/15.             http://elizabethmontmagny.weebly.com/uploads/6/4/4/5/6445909/ter mpaper2.pdf

*The original link to the page for this web source was taken down or developed an error after I began utilizing the information. I have given the central page of the website, but I am not able to provide a working link to the specific page.

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