The popular Arthurian legends, such as the grail quests of Perceval and Galahad, and the love of Lancelot for Queen Guenevere, have largelyovershadowed 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 OldFrench and this prevented its proper recognition as a part of Scottish literary heritage. In Fergus of Galloway, Guillaume le Clerc combines, in aunique Scottish setting, the classic themes and conventions of Arthurian romance - many of which would be familiar to his audience through thework of Chrétien de Troyes and his successors - with a highly individual tone of parody and witty comment. Professor Owen's eloquent and livelytranslation 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'sachievement in the context of other Arthurian romances. Detailed notes help the reader gain a closer understanding of the poet's technique, andtwo appendices contain useful background information: a translation of the principal episodes in the Perceval Continuations used in Fergus ofGalloway; and a new theory on the possible identity of Guillaume.
