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[[File:Weston1902-Libeas-frontispiece - rotated.jpg|thumb|''Sir Libeas Desconus'' (1902){{right|{{small|―Weston tr., frontispiece by [[Caroline Watts|Caroline M. Watts]].}}{{sfnp|Weston tr.|1902}}}}]]
'''''Libeaus Desconus''''' is a 14th-century [[Middle English]] version of the popular "[[Gingalain|Fair Unknown]]" story, running to about around 2,200 lines, attributed to [[Thomas Chestre]].<ref>{{harvp|Mills ed.|1969}} ''Lybeaus Desconus''. Oxford University Press for the Early English Text Society. 302 pp.</ref><ref name="ArthEncy-chestre"/> It is a version or an adaptation of [[Renaut de Beaujeu]]'s ''[[Le Bel Inconnu]]'' (6,266 lines)<ref name="ArthEncy-renaut"/> though comparatively much shorter.

The story matter displays strong parallels to that of ; both versions describe the adventures of [[Gingalain]], the son of [[King Arthur]]'s knight [[Gawain]] and a [[fairy|fay]] who raises him ignorant of his parentage and his name. As a young man, he visits Arthur's court to be knighted, and receives his nickname; in this case Sir Libeaus Desconus, before setting forth on a series of adventures which consolidate his new position in society. He eventually discovers who his father is, and marries a powerful lady.

Other versions of the story include the [[Middle High German]] romance ''Wigalois'' (c. 1204–1210) by [[Wirnt von Gravenberc]] and the 14th-century [[Italy|Italian]] epic ''Carduino''. The "Fair Unknown" story has parallels in the tale of [[Sir Breunor|La Cote Male Taile]], [[Chrétien de Troyes]]'s ''[[Perceval, the Story of the Grail|Conte du Graal]]'', and Sir [[Thomas Malory]]'s ''Tale of Sir [[Gareth]]'' from ''[[Le Morte d'Arthur]]''.

==Manuscripts==
Versions of ''Libeaus Desconus'' can be found in the following manuscripts:{{sfnp|Mills ed.|1969|pp=1–9}}{{sfnp|Kaluza ed.|1890|pp=ix–x}}
* ''C'' - [[British Library]] MS Cotton Caligula A. ii, mid-fifteenth century;
* ''L'' - [[Lambeth Palace]] MS 306, mid-fifteenth century;
* ''I'' - Lincoln's Inn MS Hale 150, late-fourteenth/early-fifteenth century;
* ''A'' - [[Bodleian Library]] MS Ashmole 61, late-fifteenth century;
* ''N'' - [[Biblioteca Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele III|Biblioteca Nazionale, Naples]], MS XIII B. 29, mid-fifteenth century;
* ''P'' - British Library Additional MS 27879 (also known as [[Percy Folio|MS Percy]]), seventeenth century.

Judged by the number of surviving manuscripts, the ''Libeaus Desconus'' was the most popular of the Arthurian romances in Middle English.<ref>P. J. C. Field, ''Malory: Texts and Sources'' (1998), p. 291.</ref>

== Characters ==
<!--Standardized name vs. name variations etc. are discussed in explanatory notes here to reduce the notes cluttering the summary-->
* Libeaus desconus - Title hero. He only remembers his mother ever calling him "Beautiful Son" ({{langx|enm|Bewfiʒ/Bewfiz|italic=no}}{{Refn|name="bewfiz"|{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}} (L text) v. 26 "Bewfiz"; marginal note "Beautiful Son". Probably {{harvp|Mills ed.|1969}} prints the form "{{lang|enm|Bewfiʒ}}".}} or {{lang|enm|Beaufis|italic=no}}; var. Bewfys ''CN'', Bewfiz ''L''; beufise ''P''; Benys ''A'').{{sfnp|Kaluza ed.|1890|p=4}}

:He earns the nickname {{lang|enm|Libeaus desconus}}{{efn|Note that this is actually close to the hero's name in the Old French version is {{langx|fro|Li Biaus Descouneüs}} (abbreviated LBD in the TEAMS edition), though conventionally rendered into modern French as {{langx|fr|Le Bel Inconnu}} (abbreviated BI by Schofield). See title of {{harvp|Fresco ed. |Donager tr.|1992}} for bothe OF and Fr. names.}} from King Arthur (v. 89), transliterated from the French meaning "The Fair Unknown" ( "þe faire unknowe" ''C'') as explained properly in the C text.<ref name="kaluza-fair">{{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890}}, note to 80, p. 132: "eine wörtliche übersetzung des frz. namens"; note to 83, p. 133: "''C'' allein hat hier das richtige bewahrt.."</ref>{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=6}}{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="fair-explanatory"|Only the C text gives the correct meaning as "þe faire unknowe".<ref name="kaluza-fair"/> The L text reads "That the better ye mowe knowe" which does not lead to the correct meaning, and the TEAMS simply explains the meaning of ''Libeas desconus'' as "Fair Unknown" in marginal gloss.}}

* Elene{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="elene"|{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}} in footnote commentary uses "Elene" throughout, but the L text reads in the TEAMS edition as "The may hight Ellene" (v. 118), though according to its footnote: "Mills reads Ellyne explaining that the y has been erased and e written over the erasure (LD, p. 81)". The spelling "Ellyne" does occur (or recurs) at v. 861 in the L text.  {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890}} "þat maide was cleped Elene" (v. 121, var. Hellen ''P'', etc.).}}  - The emissary from Synadowne (Snowdon). Her name is variously spelled in the codices. Note also there are several "Elene"s or "[[Elaine (legend)|Elaine]]"s in the Arthurian cycle.<!--The name is of course, a form of the name "Helen".-->

* Theodeley (Teodelain) the dwarf {{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="dwarf"|L-text: "Theodeley was his name" (v. 142). In the critical edition, {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890}}, "Teodelain was his name", v. 145 and this is the French version has "Tidogolain[s]" (BI, v. 260).}} - an entertainer accompanying Elene.

* Lady of Synadowne (Snowdon) - The imperiled lady-lord whom Elene serves; Libeaus desconus is sent as the knight to take up the adventure to rescue her. Synadowne refers to "Snowdon" in Wales (Roman [[Segontium]]).{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="snowdon"|L-text, "Mi lady of Synadowne" (v. 160), explained as Snowdon in marginal note and footnote. Also designated as queen: "Of Synadowne the qwene" (v. 1484). The v. 160 footnote explains more thoroughly that Snowdon refers to [[Segontium]] of the Roman occupation period, called {{lang|cy|Cair Segeint}} in Welsh. The site is in the outskirts of [[Caernarfon]].}}

* Syr William Delaraunche (Salebraunche){{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="william"|Critical edition reads "William Salebraunche", vv. 289, 367 (var. Celebronche, Selebraunche ''C''; Celabronche, Celabronche  ''N''; de la ravnche, Sellabraunche  ''L''; de la brawunche, de la braunche ''I''; de la Braunche , do la braunche ''P''; Dolebraunche, Dolebraunce ''A'') The counterpart in BI is {{lang|fro|Blioblïeris/Bliobliéris}} who defends the Ford Perilous ({{lang|fr|Gué Périlleux}}). However, the similar name "Willaume de Salebrant" does appear in BI as one of the "Three Avengers" (cf. William's three nephews below),{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=12}} i.e. cronies of Blioblïeris.}} - The knight who defends "Point Perilous" on the way to "Chapel Adventurous" in L text; variant reading gives William  defending "Castle Adventurous" over "Vale Perilous" (C text).{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="perilous"|The castle is "chapel" in the critical ed., vv. 303–306, defended by Salebraunche, v. 289 (var. Celebronche C). Retold as "William Salebranche" (corrected from critical edition's defends "Castle Adventurous" upon the "Vale Perilous" in Weston's retelling,{{sfnp|Weston tr.|1902|p=27}} which generally follows the MS. C (castell au ''C''; vale ''C''). The "point" reads "bridge of perill" in P (cf. Fr. ''pont'' meaning 'bridge')."bridge of perill"<ref>{{harvp|Percy|1868|p=424}}, v.205</ref> }}

* Sir Otis de Lile - Formerly served Lady of Synadowne until he fled. While hunting his parti-coloured hound (brachet) goes astray and is given over to Elene. A fight ensues.

* Sir Geffron  - Lord of Cardiff, offering a gerfalcon as prize for beauty contest against his lady. Any challenger may enter his lady but if she loses must fight Geffron and expect to have his head exposed on a stake after losing.

* Maugis - A 30 foot giant{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="30ft"|L: "He is thirty fote on leynthe" (v. 1305), and footnote. Critical edition has "He is þritty fote of lengþe" (v. 1333). 40 feet in N, and 20 feet in P.}} besieging the Lady of the Ile d'Or. The  swarthy giant is clad in black shield armor (and uses black trappings are on his horse as well); his items are marked with an emblem of a triple Mammettes, or idolatry figures.{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="black-armour"|Weston's retelling gives "His shield and armour were black as pitch; there on he bare three devils (''Mammettes''<Mahomet, pagan idols) in shining gold" {{sfnp|Weston tr.|1902|p=50}}<ref>mawmentis (v. 1337), marginal note "pagan idols", and  footnote.</ref> but the critical edition (and C text) also includes here "{{linktext|trappure}}" meaning horse trappings, and the P text also inserts "paytrill" ({{linktext|poitrel}}) and [[wikt:croupiere|crouper]] which are horse equipment.<ref>{{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|p=76}}, v. 1364</ref><ref>{{harvp|Percy|1868}}, {{URL|1=https://books.google.com/books?id=AmNSAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA466|2=p. 466}}</ref>}}

* La Dame Amoure{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="damour"|L text: "calleth la Dame Amoure" (v. 1462); critical edition: "{{lang|enm|that hiȝte la dame d'amour}}" (v. 1490). Though the latter reading is lower case suggesting common noun, some variant readings are uppercased so construable as proper name (dame la d. damore C; la dame Amoure L; Madam de Armoroure P; Diamour Denamower A). TEAMS edition's v. 1462 footnote uses "Dame Amoure/Diamour" and treats as name.}} - Lady who rules the of the Ile d'Or. An enchantress. Ingratiated to Libeaus for saving her, and they become enamored.

* Lambert (Lambard, Lanwarde){{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="lambert"|TEAMS L-text: "That hight Syr Lanwarde" (v. 1549), "That hight Sir Lancharde" (v. 1642), with the latter glossed "called Sir Lambert" suggesting "Lambert" is the chosen standardized spelling. L text does also have "Lambert" (v. 1749, quoted below); critical edition: "clepeþ sir Lambard"(v. 1577) "Þat hiȝte sir Lambard" (v. 1670)}} - The steward of Synadowne, running the town in his ladyship's absence. Challenges any visiting knight to fight before granting them lodging. Libeaus passes the test, and Lambert becomes his comrade in arms in the rescue of the Lady.

* Mabon and Irayne - Two sibling necromancers who have enchanted the Lady of Synadowne and taken her hostage. They mean to usurp her birthright to the Synadowne kingdom

==Plot==
The summary is based on the Lambeth Palace text, TEAMS edition,{{sfnp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}} though Kaluza's critical edition and Schofield's summary thereof will also be consulted, with variants indicated in explanatory notes. There are additional notes on comparison between this work (abbrev. LD) and the French version, {{lang|fr|Le Bel Inconnu}} (abbrev. BI).{{efn|Abbreviated LBD from Old French title {{lang|fro|Li Biaus Descouneüs}} in the TEAMS edition.}}

Gyngelayne is raised in the forest by his mother, who keeps him away from arms for fear her 'wild' son might come to harm. Gyngelayne is never told his real name by his mother. Instead, she calls him ‘{{lang|enm|Bewfiz}} (Beautiful Son)’, since he is 'gentle of body' and has an attractive face. One day, Gyngelayne finds a dead knight in the forest. He dons the man's armour and goes to Glastonbury, where King Arthur is holding court. There he asks Arthur to dub him a knight although his upbringing is uncourtly. Arthur is so pleased by young Gyngelayne's sight that he gives him a name – Libeaus Desconus, ‘The Fair Unknown’ ({{langx|enm|"þe faire unknowe"}}{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=6}}{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="fair-explanatory"}}) – and knights him that same day. Libeaus at once asks King Arthur if he might be offered the first challenge for which the king is required to provide a champion. (''Libeaus Desconus'' vv. 1–105<ref>{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}}, vv. 1–105; {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|pp=3–8}},  vv. 1–108</ref>{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=4, 6}})

Soon a fair maiden, Elene ({{langx|enm|Ellene/Ellyne}}{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="elene"}}) with a dwarf, Theodeley, come riding in.{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="dwarf"}}{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|The dwarf is described as skilful in game (entertainment) and can play the {{lang|enm|Sotill}} ([[citole]]), [[psaltery]], harp, fiddle, and [[crwth]] vv. 145–147.}} They are on mission to save their Lady of Synadowne (Snowdon),{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="snowdon"}} who has been imprisoned, and asks Arthur to send out a knight to free her.  When Arthur grants Libeaus the quest, the maiden is angered that a young novice has been chosen, yet the king refuses to budge. Libeaus is furnished with arms and horse by famed [[Knights of the Round Table|Knights of the Round]]; e.g., Gawain gives him a [[Chevron (insignia)|chevron]] (or [[griffin]]{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|v. 254 and footnote. Only ''L'' reads "cheferon" and all else give griffin with various spellings.}}) crested shield.{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|Schofield argues the extensive description of the provision of Libeaus's equipment is unique to the Middle English version, perhaps because it involves several renowned knights, and emphasizing that the English author claims to have taken this from his French source ("so seiþ þe frensche tale", v. 246 of critical edition).{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|pp=10–11}} Though in actuality the BI does actually contain a passage naming various pieces of equipment to cover parts of his body, overseen by Gawain, and Gawain himself supplies Bel Inconnu with the squire Robert to carry the shield and spear, vv. 264–276).}} (vv. 106–263<ref>{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}}, vv. 106–263; {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|pp=8–17}},  vv. 109–264</ref>{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|pp=6–11}}) Libeaus, Elene, and the dwarf set off on their journey, in acrimony. 

=== William of Point Perilous ===
On the third day, they approach the "Chapel Adventurous", whose path is guarded at the "Point Perilous"{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="perilous"}} by the knight Syr William Delaraunche,{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="william"}} who will demand that Libeaus fight or else relinquishes his arms. Elene chides Libeaus that he will prove himself not valiant enough. But Libeaus unhorses his opponent in joust, then breaks his weapon in swordfight.{{efn|vv. 366–368 and footnote to 368ff: During their fighting with their [[falchion]]s, the L text describes William as thrusting (''launche'') his weapon through Libeaus's shield, but in C text, this causes a ''{{linktext|cantel}}'' (piece) to fall off (v. 368), as given in Weston's translation. In the N text "A quarter fille to ground".}}  Libeaus will spare William on condition he will report himself as vanquished prisoner to Arthur's court. Only now does Elene's ridicule of Lybeaus subside, and she begs his "Mercy" for her earlier verbal abuses.{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|In the French version, Hélie acknowledges the young man did well (''il a bien fait'', v. 499) then, remarks he nevertheless would certainly die if he continued forward, and that would be a "pity" ("c'est dommage" in modern French) for he is of a "noble heart" (vv. 501–504).{{sfnp|Fresco ed. |Donager tr.|1992|pp=32–33}}{{sfnp|Williams ed.|1915|p=15}} This "pity" if "killed" Schofield quotes in French as a "scene not in LD".<ref>{{harvp|Schofield|1895|pp=10–11}}, quoting vv. 497–8 since he uses Hippeau ed., {{URL|1=https://books.google.com/books?id=7Ks5AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA18|2=p. 18}}, but this corresponds to vv. 503–4 in the modern editions cited.</ref>}}(vv. 265–452<ref>{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}}, departure and Elene's name calling vv. 264–284, Adventure proper vv. 265–452; {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|pp=18–28}},  vv. 265–285, vv. 286–468</ref><ref>{{harvp|Schofield|1895}}, departure and Elene's chiding, pp. 11–12; "III. The Adventure at the Ford", pp. 12–17</ref>)

=== Three Avengers ===
Next morning, Libeaus is attacked by William's three nephews (sister-sons), riding out of "Carboun" (recte [[Caerleon]]{{efn|v. 467 and footnote. "Rydynge from Carboun" ''L'', but "probably Caerleon" "as suggested by ''N''": "Come ridyng fro Karlioun".}}).{{Refn|Collectively "Three Avengers" in Schofield's analysis. In BI, the avengers aren't named as kinsmen but are three noblemen each of different estate: Elin the Fair, Lord of Graie (vv. 527, etc.); the knight of Saie (v. 528); and Willaume de Salebrant (v. 529).}} He breaks the eldest's thigh, then faces the others attacking two against one, until breaking the second brother's arms, leaving the youngest without will to fight. He forces the three likewise to surrender themselves to Arthur in bondage. (vv. 453–567<ref>{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}}, vv. 453–567; {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|pp=28–34}},  vv. 469–582</ref><ref>{{harvp|Schofield|1895}}, "IV. The Fight with the Three Avengers", pp. 16–17</ref>)

=== Giants ===
In a wild forest, Libeaus saves a maiden from two giants (one red, other pitch-black){{efn|Libeaus first assaults the black giant, who is clutching the maiden, and quickly runs him through the lung and heart. More of a pitched battle ensued with the red giant: the giant first uses the boar (v. 627) roasting on a spit (v. 612) and beats Libeaus, and then a [[Club (weapon)|truncheon]], or rather a whole tree uprooted from ground (explained on v. 662 footnote). The tree-club lands on Libeaus's shield and sunders it in to three pieces (v. 665).}} Libeaus learns the maiden is Violet, daughter of the earl Anctour. He escorts her to the earl, bearing the giants' heads as trophy, which are then sent to Arthur's court as presents.<ref>Cf. note to v. 690</ref> (The Earl offers his daughter's hand in marriage in an interpolation, and Libeaus declines because he has a mission to accomplish)<ref>This stanza 62. in the critical edition of {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|p=42}} is "''fehlt in LINAP''", i.e., "Only C preserves a stanza in which the earl offers Lybeaus his daughter in marriage" TEAMS note to v. 690.</ref>) The Earl then rewards Libeaus with beautiful armour and a fine steed. (vv. 568–723<ref>{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}}, vv. 568–723; {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|pp=34–43}},  vv. 583–750</ref><ref>{{harvp|Schofield|1895}}, "V. Adventure with the Giants", pp. 18–24</ref>)

=== Gerfalcon contest ===
Libeaus next defeats Geffron (Jeffron{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|v. 768 L: Jeffron le Freudous, where the TEAMS notes adopt "Geffron" as standard in the commentary. Critical edition reads "Sir Giffroun le fludus" at vv. 796, 817, the spelling followed by Schofield and by Weston.{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=69}}{{sfnp|Weston tr.|1902|pp=38ff}} C text gives Flowdous and Fludous at these lines, respectively. The French version counterpart is "Giflet, li fius Do" (son of Do).{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=29}}<ref>{{harvp|Fresco ed. |Donager tr.|1992}} vv. 1804–5</ref>}}), Lord of [[Cardiff]] (Cordile<ref>v. 817 L: "In Cordile cité with sight", footnoted as "probably Cardiff as is the case with Cardyle in L". The critical edition gives Cardevile, v. 845, but Kaluza does not attempt an identification. It reads Cardigan in ''P'', with additional variants given under the city's recurring mention at v. 858 and v. 1047. The TEAMS footnote collates several of these variant spellings.</ref>), winning a white-as-swan gerfalcon (≈[[gyrfalcon]]{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|A scene that bears striking similarities with an episode in [[Chrétien de Troyes]]' twelfth century romance ''Erec et Enide'', retold in the Welsh [[Mabinogion]] tale ''Gereint and Enid''.<ref>{{harvp|Gantz|1976|pp=}}, ''The Mabinogion'', pp. 263–268</ref> Whereas {{harvp|Mills ed.|1969|loc=p. 221n688–99}} (''apud'' TEAMS note to v. 690) connects the offer of Violet as wife in the earlier sequence with the "gerfalcon" episode in ''Erec and Enide'' (This is better explained as Roger S. Loomis's observation, cf. {{section link||Erec et Enide}}) below.}}). This was not just a contest of combat skill, rather, Geffron held the boasting right that his [[wikt:leman#English|lemman]] was of unsurpassed beauty, and any challenger must submit his lady to a beauty pageant held at the town's market, whose prize was the gerfalcon.{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|This in Middle English context denotes any "large falcon used in hawking", but it could in some cases refer to the species known as [[gyrfalcon]] today, since their native habitat extends to Iceland<ref>''Middle English Dictionary'' s.v. "{{URL|1=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/middle-english-dictionary/dictionary/MED18428 |2=ǧerfaucǒun}}: "1. A large falcon used in hawking, a gerfalcon; whit ~, the white gerfalcon of Iceland."</ref><ref>v. 746 footnote</ref>}} Libeaus offers Elene as his candidate, and if she fails to win the pageant, he would be committed to fight Geffron in combat, possibly to meet the fate of past losers who had their struck-off heads stuck "upon a shafte" for display. Libeaus causes steed and knight to fall and Geffron's back cracks audibly.{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|"Geffrounes backe to-brake" L, v. 990, but critical text uses ''regge" (at v. 1018) which also means "back".<ref>''Middle English Dictionary'' s.v. "{{URL|1=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/middle-english-dictionary/dictionary/MED37502 |2=riǧǧe }}: "1a. (a) The back of a person"</ref> But Kaluza footnotes that this ''regge'' in C was read "legge" by Ritson, thus explaining Weston's rendition as "Griffroun's leg brake", p. 43}} Libeaus has the prize falcon taken to Arthur, who is so satisfied with his knight that he decides to send him a hundred pounds in [[Florin|florins]] at Cardiff, and here Libeaus holds a forty-days feast. (vv. 724–1028<ref>{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}}, vv. 724–1028; {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|pp=43–59}},  vv. 751–1056</ref><ref>{{harvp|Schofield|1895}}, "VI. The Sparrow-hawk Adventure", pp. 25–32</ref>)

===Dispute over dog===
In a forest, Libeaus's group is alerted of hunting activity nearby, when they the horn blowing of . The dwarf recognizes from the sound of the horn, it must be led by Sir Otis de Lile<ref group="lower-alpha"|>L text does not mention the man's name at this passage, but in Kaluza's critical edition: "Hit blowiþ sir Otes de Lile" (v. 1063), as occurs in several manuscripts.</ref> who had served the Lady of Snowdon but had fled in the time of peril. Later, a many-coloured hunting dog ({{lang|enm|rache}}, a scent hound) come their way, and Libeaus fulfills Elene's wish to own it. There arrive a pair of greyhounds pursuing a [[Hind (deer)|hind]], and afterwards Sir Otis, who courteously asks that his hound be returned, but Libeaus refuses to rescind a gift he had given. They exchange insult with threat and tempers mount. Sir Otis claims he would have fought Libeaus on the spot if he were armed, but in fact, returns with a whole band of comrades, only to be nearly annihilated single-handedly.{{efn|The first group of assailants met the fury of Libeaus and called him "Satan!" but he spared no one. But there were twelve knights waiting at bay, and they surrounded him. Libeaus killed three, and four fled, so that only Otis himself and his sons remained, fighting him five on one. This turn of events according to Schofield's summary, but also followed by the L-text.}} Sir Otis, too, is sent to Arthur's court. (vv. 1029–1268<ref>{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}}, vv. 1029–1268; {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|pp=59–72}},  vv. 1057–1296</ref><ref>{{harvp|Schofield|1895}}, "VII. The Dispute about the Dog ", pp. 32–36</ref>)

===Isle of Gold=== 
After many adventures in Ireland and Wales,{{efn|Adventures which are not detailed in the work.}} Libeaus arrives at the beautiful Isle of Gold (''Ile d'Or'')<ref>L-text: "Jl de Ore" (Mills ed.) or "Il de Ore" (v. 1290) in TEAMS edition which glosses as "Isle of Gold" in margin and footnote. Critical edition has "Ile d'or" (v. 1318), followed by Schofield's summary.</ref> a city of castles and palaces. Its lady is besieged by a [[Saracen]] giant called Maugys, described as "black as pitch" (his shield and armor black as well{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="black-armour"}}) and measuring 30 feet tall.{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="30ft"}} Libeaus decides to succor her, and [[single combat]] ensues: after killing each other's horses and fighting on foot, they call a truce to refresh their thirst. Maugis breaks manner and shoves Libeaus into the water. Libeaus leaps up and claims the "baptism" only made him feel twice as light (eager) as before. Maugis cuts Libeaus's shield, but the latter retrieves the shield that the giant dropped earlier. In the end, Libeaus chops off the giant's arm, pursues, and decapitates him. La Dame Amoure,{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="damour"}} the lady lordship of the island and enchantress, offers the hero her love and lordship over the Isle of Gold. Libeaus gladly accepts, and for twelve months he lives a life of 'recreantise'.<ref name="ArthEncy-chestre"/> When one day Libeaus meets the maiden Elene, she points out to Libeaus that he has been disloyal to his lord in abandoning his quest. He feels deeply ashamed and leaves the Isle of Gold. With him he takes his horse, his armour and La Dame Amour's steward Gifflet (here "Jurflete"),<ref>L-text: Jurflete (v. 1529), critical edition: "Gifflet" (v. 1548).</ref> whom he makes his squire. (vv. 1269–1520<ref>{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}}, vv. 1269–1520; {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|pp=72–85}},  vv. 1297–1548</ref><ref>{{harvp|Schofield|1895}}, "VIII. At the Ile d'Or", pp. 36–42</ref>)

===Steward of Synadowne===
Arriving at Snowdon (Synadowne) at last, Libeaus challenges Lambert (or Lanwarde/Lambard{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="lambert"}}) the city's steward and "Constable of that castelle",{{efn|The castle's name is not given in here, but in BI, the seneschal Lampart's castle is called "Galigan[s]" ({{harvp|Schofield|1895|p=42}}, {{harvp|Fresco ed. |Donager tr.|1992}}, v. 2507).}} who has the habit of fighting every knight who comes to the city seeking lodging ("{{lang|enm|ostell}}", 'hospitality'). The loser suffers the shame of having carnage and filth ("{{lang|enm|cor/goore and fen[ne]}}") cast at by the city-folk. Libeaus brings along Gifflet (his squire, here "Gyrflete") as fellow Knight of the Round.{{efn|The panoply of one of them is described as "rose red armour / with three lions of gold".}} Libeaus engages Lambert in three rounds of jousting, and the shafts are shivered many times over upon shields, Libeaus breaks the other's helmet in the second bout, and unhorses him in the third. Lambert concedes defeat and guesses Libeaus must be Gawain's kin, and says he is more than welcome especially if he is willing to fight on behalf of his lady. Libeaus replies this is exactly what he has been tasked to do, but knew not of the reasons or perpetrators behind the lady's torment. Lambert informs Libeaus that the Lady of Synadowne is being held captive by two "clerks of necromancy" (or "clerics" who practice black magic) (‘nigermansye’):{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|Although "Twoo clerkys" (v. 1752) is glossed as "two clerics", they are not meant to be taken as clergymen of the church, and "Clyrkys of nigermansye"  (v. 1756) is glossed "masters of necromancy"; the footnote too uses the phrase "magic of the clerks". Schofield employs the stock phrase "clerks of necromancy";{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=45}} Weston also uses "clerks".{{sfnp|Weston tr.|1902|p=60}}}}
:"Quod Lambert, 'Be Seint John!
:Knyght, sir, is ther none
:That durste hir away lede.
:Twoo clerkys ben hir foone,
:Fekyll off bloode and bone,
:That hauyth y-doo this dede."<ref>{{harvp|Mills ed.|1969}} L text, vv. 1749–1754.</ref>

Lambert informs Libeaus that these two clerks, brothers named Mabon and Irayne (Jrayne) have created a magical palace which no nobleman dares enter, and they say that they will kill the lady unless she transfers all of her right (birthright) to Mabon. Not only that, but the townsfolk fear that they intend to "do her sin" (i.e., rape her), presumably with the design of claim her as wife.{{Refn|Schofield summarizes that she faces "death unless she gives herself over to them", suggesting more than signing away her birthright, and surrender of the carnal sort,{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=45}} though the TEAMS footnote more explicitly gives the gloss "do her sin (rape her)", and further explains "they may “force” her into sin, that is, if Mabon rapes her and then claims her as his wife"<ref>{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}} "[lest] they done hir synne", v. 1790, also marginal gloss and footnote</ref>}} Lambert rides with Libeaus to the gate of the perilous palace, but no other barons, burgesses, etc. are willing to accompany, save for Libeaus's swain Gifflet (here "Sir Jerflete"), but he is denied due to mortal danger. (vv. 1521–1832 <ref>{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}}, vv. 1521–1832; {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|pp=85–104}},  vv. 1549–1860</ref><ref>{{harvp|Schofield|1895}}, "IX. The Adventure with Lampart", pp. 42–47</ref>)

===Lady of Synadowne turned dragon ===
Next morning, Libeaus enters this palace and, leading his horse by the reins, finds nobody there but [[Minstrel|minstrels]] playing their music.{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|As to the minstrels' instruments, L-text gives "Trumpys, hornys, sarvysse (service at table)" (v. 1834), but in other codices, this line names the woodwind "[[shawm]]s".<ref>{{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|p=104}}, v. 1864</ref>{{sfnp|Weston tr.|1902|p=61}}<ref>{{harvp|Percy|1868}}, {{URL|1=https://books.google.com/books?id=AmNSAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA484 |2=p. 484}}</ref> On  "harpe, lute, and roote" (v. 1851), the last glossed as "viol", though the MED defines it as a harp type instrument.<ref>''Middle English Dictionary'' s.v. "{{URL|1=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/middle-english-dictionary/dictionary/MED37898 |2=rōte n.(1)}}: "1.(a) A stringed instrument of the harp family"</ref> and "sotill and sawtery" (v. 1854) are [[citole]] and [[psaltery]] already appearing as the dwarf's instruments.}} Going deeper into the palace, searching for someone to fight with, he passes magnificent columns and stained glass windows and sits down on the raised platform at the far end of the space. The minstrels who had been playing now vanish, the earth shakes, and stones fall down. On the field outside appear the two necromantic clerks, Mabon and Irayne, armed and on horseback. They are intent on killing Libeaus, who does battle with them both. His horse is wounded on the neck by Irayne, but Libeaus in turn slices off Irayne's thigh, seemingly to immobilize him.{{efn|The wound was inflicted despite the enchantment (''chawntementis '', v. 1975) protecting him.}} Indeed, when Mabon breaks his sword, Libeaus runs up to Irayne and seize his weapon. Then decisively, Libeaus severs Mabon's shield arm. Mabon offers to surrender, fearing the wound from his own poisoned weapons cannot be left unattended. But Libeaus delivers the head-splitting stroke. Meanwhile, Irayne has disappeared. 

Depressed, Libeaus sits down in the palace hall: Irayne might well cause him trouble in the future. While Libeaus contemplates his situation, a window appears in one of the walls, and a winged serpent ({{langx|enm|worm}}) with a woman's face crawls through.{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|The creature certainly had wings ("wynges"), which fell off after the serpent transformation wore off(v. 2087). But there is contested reading for the  L-text "Hir peynis gryme and grete" (v. 2075), glossed as "wings" versus "paws" ("{{lang|enm|pawe}}") that are "{{lang|enm|grim and grete}}" according to the critical text.<ref>{{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|p=118}}, v. 2102,  variants: palmys ''A''; pennys ''N''; clawes ''P''</ref>{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=51}}<!-- Possibly, the former was construed as "pinion" meaning "wings".<ref>''Middle English Dictionary'' s.v. "{{URL|1=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/middle-english-dictionary/dictionary/MED33433 |2=piniọ̄n}}</ref-->}} The dragon<ref>L-text: "And howe her lady bright
/To a dragon was ydight" (v. 2130–2131)</ref> speaks, asserting that it is 'young', and then kisses a terrified Libeaus. Consequently, it changes into a beautiful young woman: the Lady of Synadowne. She thanks Libeaus for freeing her, and tells him that he has slain both of the evil clerks. She also tells him that the only way the curse which had changed her into a serpent could be lifted was by kissing Gawain or someone else of his kin. Then the lady offers herself and her many possessions to Libeaus, who gladly accepts. (vv. 1833–2168<ref>{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}}, vv. 1833–2168; {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|pp=104–124}},  vv. 1861–2196</ref><ref>{{harvp|Schofield|1895}}, "X. The Rescue of the Enchanted Lady", pp. 47–53</ref>)

After staying Lambert for seven days at Synadowne (Snowdon), Libeaus and the Lady of Synadowne go to King Arthur's court, where Arthur grants Libeaus the lady's hand. A forty-day feast follows, after which the newly-weds are escorted back to Synadowne by Arthur and his knights, where they live happily together for many years. (vv. 2169– 2204[end]<ref>{{harvp|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}}, vv. 2169–2204; {{harvp|Kaluza ed.|1890|pp=124–127}}, vv. 1861–2232</ref><ref>{{harvp|Schofield|1895}}, "XI. The Conclusion", pp. 53–54</ref>)

==Style==
''Libeaus Desconus'' is a late fourteenth-century Middle English poem of around 2,200 lines (the exact number of lines varies amongst the six manuscripts).{{sfnp|Mills ed.|1969}} Like many Middle English romances (e.g. ''[[The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle]]'' and ''[[Emaré]]'') the poem is divided into stanzas of tail-rhyme verse, a rhyming couplet followed by a tail-rhyme, repeated four times in each stanza in a [[rhyme scheme|scheme]] like AABCCBDDBEEB.{{sfnp|Mills ed.|1969}}

Writing principally in a dialect of southern England,{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=1}} possibly the SE Midlands,{{sfnp|Mills ed.|1969|pp=28–36}} [[Thomas Chestre]] has been described as a "hack writer" who had an acquaintance with a number of other [[Middle English]] romances and was able to borrow from them, often retaining the different dialects of the bits and pieces he incorporated into his own [[poetry]].{{sfnp|Mills ed.|1969|p=35}} ''Libeaus Desconus'' was written for a more popular audience than the Old French romances on which it models itself.{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=190}}

==Thomas Chestre's sources==
Most of the themes and motifs in ''Libeaus Desconus'' are drawn from a common stock of medieval Arthurian material. It is difficult to assign a unique work from which this Middle English poem derives, although some have argued for a lost twelfth century romance from which both ''Libeaus Desconus'' and the much earlier, late twelfth or early thirteenth-century Old French ''[[Le Bel Inconnu]]'' have their source.{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=107}} ''Le Bel Inconnu'' may have been known to the author in a manuscript copy that was not identical to the only copy which now survives, and [[Thomas Chestre]] may have had access to this "as well as other, related, material".{{sfnp|Mills ed.|1969|p=51}}

Schofield, who was a proponent of the theory that Thomas Chestre had recourse to a French work that was older than Renaut's ''Libeaus Desconus'' finds corroboration in Chestre's testimony of his "French source", which occurs in three passages in the work.<ref>{{harvp|Schofield|1895|pp=10–11}}, his example being "so seiþ þe frensche tale", v. 246 of critical edition {{=}} L-text, "Thus telleth the Frensshe tale" (v. 245).</ref><ref>Another mention occurs at L-text, "in Frensshe as it is j-ffounde" (v. 673), {{harvp|Mills ed.|1969|p=117}}</ref> However, it has been pointed out that it was "a convention of romance.. to acknowledge a French source, whether or not it is the actual source",<ref>TEAMS footnote to v. 673</ref> so Chestre's claim of a "French source" could well be just lip service and not a reliable testimony of its existence.

==Cognate tales==
There are Old French (''Libeaus Desconus''), [[Middle High German]] and Italian versions of this tale: [[Wirnt von Gravenberc]]'s  MHG ''Wigalois'' (c. 1204–1210) and the Italian ''Cantare di Carduino'' (c. 1375).{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|pp=1–2}}<ref name="ArthEncy-renaut"/>{{sfnp|Fresco ed. |Donager tr.|1992|pp=xviii–xix}} There is also Claude Platin's ''L'Hystoire de Giglan'' (1530), a reworking in early modern French.{{sfnp|Fresco ed. |Donager tr.|1992|p=xix}}

While this also goes to the question of Chestre's sources broached above, the links and differences between them are a complex issue,<ref>{{harvp|Fresco ed. |Donager tr.|1992|pp=xx–xxi}}, especially note 33.</ref>{{sfnp|Mills ed.|1969|p=50}} and one cannot simply assume a lost twelfth-century work from which they all originate.{{sfnp|Mills ed.|1969|p=50}} 

==Parallels==
As well as the late-twelfth/early thirteenth century Old French romance ''[[Le Bel Inconnu]]'', or its hypothesised precursor,{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=107}} there are a number of other works that are parallels which share motifs with Thomas Chestre's story ''Libeaus Desconus'', possibly influencing, or influenced by it. 

The "Fair Unknown" story has parallels in the tale of [[Sir Breunor|La Cote Male Taile]] and Sir [[Thomas Malory]]'s ''Tale of Sir [[Gareth]]'' from ''[[Le Morte d'Arthur]]''.<ref name="broadus1903"/><ref name="wilson1943"/> as well as [[Chrétien de Troyes]]' ''[[Perceval, the Story of the Grail|Conte du Graal]]''.<ref name="schofield1895-perceval">{{harvp|Schofield|1895}}, "§Renaud's Use of the Perceval", pp. 139–144; "§Comparison with ''Peredur''", p. 147–153, et passim.</ref>

===Perceval===

[[Chrétien de Troyes]]'s ''[[Perceval, the Story of the Grail|Perceval, le Conte du Graal]]'' (c. 1180–1190)<ref>Kibler, William W and Carroll, Carleton W. 1991. Chrétien de Troyes: Arthurian Romances. Penguin Books Limited. p. 5.</ref> and its Welsh version ''[[Peredur son of Efrawg|Peredur]]'' in the ''[[Mabinogion]]''{{sfnp|Gantz|1976}} are named as parallels, moreover, ''Percival'' has been held to be the original template upon which the Fair Unknown stories were crafted, according to Schofield.<ref name="schofield1895-perceval"/><name="fresco-n33"/> Schofield even went so far as to pronounce that ''Libeaus'' was "only Perceval with a new name".{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=146}}

However, this notion has been retorted by modern Germanist J. W. Thomas. While admitting there are traces of ''Perceval'' material in the "Fair Unknown" romances, an equal or even more viable scenario is that these embellishments were merely later added.{{Refn|J. W. Thomas (1977),<ref name="thomas_jw1977"/> also cited by Neil Thomas (2004)as a retort to Schofield's "view" exemplified by the "only Perceval with a new name" quote.<ref name="thomas_n2005"/>}}

The Middle English verse romance, ''[[Sir Perceval of Galles]]'' (''Sir Perceval of Wales''),<ref>Braswell, Mary Flowers. 1995. ''Sir Perceval of Galles and Yvain and Gawain''. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Western Michigan University for TEAMS.</ref> relates early events in the life of Perceval that are similarly situated to ''Libeaus desconus'', only more vividly compared to ''LD''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "summary".<ref name="baldwin1914"/>{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|The Middle English ''Sir Perceval'' also divulges the young Percival's father in the beginning, as namesake "Perceval".It is noted that the Italian version ''Carduino'' is considered to be of "importance to students of English literature" in regards to ''LD'' and "Sir Perceval".<ref name="ArthEncy-carduino"/>}}

===''Erec et Enide''===
The variant of ''Libeaus Desconus'' in which the maid rescued from giants is offered in marriage to the hero is of particular importance to [[Roger Sherman Loomis|R. S. Loomis]] in his comparative study to ''[[Erec and Enide|Erec et Enide]]'', because this nuptial offer is followed by the gerfalcon adventure, just as Erec's amorous ties to Enide are followed by the sparrowhawk episode<ref>Kibler, William W and Carroll, Carleton W. 1991. p 44.</ref> in Chrétien's romance.<ref name="loomis1961"/> (The topic of the gerfalcon episode paralleled in ''Erec et Enide'' has already broached in the plot summary above, under {{section link||Gerfalcon contest}}).

This story of ''Erec and Enide'' has itself been considered a successful reworking of material from which the tales of the Fair Unknown derive, in particular creating a heroine 'who is more complex and interesting than any of her counterparts in ''Le Bel Inconnu''.{{sfnp|Mills ed.|1969|pp=46–48}} There is evidence that Arthurian tales were often reworked,<ref>Green, Thomas. 2007. Concepts of Arthur. Tempus Publishing, p 109.</ref> and that characters not originally associated with King Arthur in the eleventh and twelfth centuries were absorbed into his epic.<ref>Green, Thomas. 2007. p 110</ref>

===Hugh of Rhuddlan's ''Ipomedon''===
{{Off topic|date=February 2024|Perceval}}
The twelfth-century romance ''Ipomedon'', written in Norman French by [[Hugh of Rhuddlan]], is found in a Middle English version, ''[[Ipomadon]]'', in MS Chetham 8009, lying in Chetham's Library, Manchester, England and dating from "between the last decade of the fourteenth century and the middle of the fifteenth century".<ref>Purdie, Rhiannon. 2001. ''Ipomadon''. Oxford University Press for the Early English Text Society. Introduction.</ref> Following a number of adventures in which the eponymous hero demonstrates his martial prowess, [[Ipomadon]] puts on the garb of a fool and goes to the court of the uncle of the lady he loves, the King of Sicily, where he agrees to stay only if he is granted the "fyrste battayle".<ref>Purdie, Rhiannon. 2001. ''Ipomadon'', line 6323. p 182.</ref> Shortly after he arrives, a maiden appears, "apon a palfreye white as mylke",<ref>Purdie, Rhiannon. 2001. ''Ipomadon'', line 6454. p 186.</ref> seeking a champion to free her lady from oppression. The fool (Ipomadon) asks again that the quest be given to him. Since nobody else at court wants to undertake this task, the king concedes his request. The maiden is far from impressed. Only slowly does she moderate her acrimony as the fool travels along with her, defeating one hostile knight after another, until they reach the maiden's land and he frees the lady, who is, in fact, the lady he loves. The maiden's name is Imayne, she travels with a dwarf and, along the way, Ipomadon defeats a knight named Maugys.

===Breton lays===
{{Off topic|date=February 2024|Perceval}}
The upbringing-in-the-wild motif is evident not only in tales of the Fair Unknown and in Chrétien de Troyes' ''Perceval, le Conte du Graal'' but in the Breton lay ''[[Tyolet]]''.{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|p=146}} Known from only one Old French manuscript, dating to the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century, the lay itself was probably composed by the beginning of the thirteenth century.<ref>Burgess, Glyn S. and Brook, Leslie C. (Eds. and translators). 2005. Doon and Tyolet: two Old French Narrative Lays. Liverpool Online Series: Critical Editions of French Texts, p 50.</ref> Like Perceval and Libeaus Desconus, Tyolet arrives at King Arthur's court as a young man who has spent all his childhood living alone in the forest with his mother. Like Perceval and Libeaus Desconus, what prompts Tyolet to go to King Arthur's court in the first place is the sight of armour. Unlike Chrétien's ''Perceval'', but like ''Libeaus Desconus'', an animal in this story is transformed into a human, in this case a stag which changes into an armed knight, a "knight-beast".<ref>Burgess, Glyn S. and Brook, Leslie C. (Eds. and translators). 2005, pp 81–83.</ref>

The Breton lays that we have from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, on the evidence of the opening passages in ''[[Tyolet]]'' and others, describing their transmission, are possibly derived from stories that are considerably older, although the desire of medieval authors to "seek to ensure a measure of authenticity for their tales" should be remembered.<ref>Burgess, Glyn S. and Brook, Leslie C. (Eds. and translators). 2005, p 53.</ref> Similarities in ''[[Tyolet]]'' and the Second Continuation of Chrétien's ''[[Perceval, le Conte du Graal]]'' has led R.S. Loomis to observe that the two stories "must derive from a common remote source".<ref>{{harvp|Loomis|1961}}, {{URL|1=https://books.google.com/books?id=IRrrAAAAMAAJ&tyolet |2=p. 69}}</ref>

Instances of animals transforming into human beings occur also in the twelfth-century Breton lays of [[Marie de France]], in particular "[[Bisclavret]]" and "[[Yonec]]".

===Irish mythology===

R. S. Loomis notes the similarities between the early life of Perceval and the ''enfances'' of [[Fionn mac Cumhaill|Finn mac Cumhail]], as found in the twelfth-century narrative ''[[The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn]]'' (''Macgnímartha Finn''),<ref name="loomis1963"/> and makes a similar comparison with the boyhood of Sir Gawain's son Gingalais, who arrives at King Arthur's court to become the Fair Unknown. Finn mac Cumhail likewise was a son of noble blood, first named Demne, deliberately reared deep in the forest, away from the threat of arms, spent his childhood hunting in this forest and at last came upon the home of a great lord where he was given the name Fionn, or Fair.<ref>{{harvp|Loomis|1991}} [1963], [https://books.google.com/books?id=DGQcsXGYII4C&pg=PA85 p. 85]</ref><ref>Rolleston, T. W. 1910. The High Deeds of Finn and other Bardic Romances of Ancient Ireland. London, pp 106–115.</ref>

Although the Irish and Scottish lays were only redacted in modern times, they often lay claim ancient authorship or old oral tradition. The episode of the many-coloured hunting dogs (common to ''LD'' and the French version) has a parallel in the ''Lay of the Great Fool'' ({{langx|ga|Amadán Mór}}), which is known widespread in Irish and Scottish versions, either as a standalone lay, or a prose tale containing the lay.{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|pp=171–172}}<ref>{{cite journal|last=McHugh |first=Sheila Joyce |author-link=<!--Sheila Joyce McHugh--> |title=The 'Lay of the Big Fool:' Its Irish and Arthurian Sources |journal=Modern Philology |volume=42|number=4 |date=May 1945|url=<!--n/a--> |page=197<!--197–211-->|doi=10.1086/388653 |jstor=433906|s2cid=161487366 }}</ref> Schofield uses the Irish lay ("Adventures of the Amadan Mor") recorded by O'Daly <ref>{{cite book|last=O'Daly |first=John |author-link=<!--John O'Daly--> |chapter=Eachtra an Amadáin Mhóir |trans-chapter=The Adventures of the Amadan Mor |title=Laoithe Fiannuigheachta |trans-title=Fenian Poems: Second Series |series= Transactions of the Ossianic Society for 1858, vol VI |location=Dublin |publisher=[[Ossianic Society]] |year=1861 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hEQIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA160 |pages=169ff<!--160–207-->}}</ref> and a similarly worded lay recorded in Campbell's ''[[Popular Tales of the West Highlands]]''<ref> {{cite book|editor-last=Campbell |editor-first=J. F. |editor-link=John Francis Campbell |chapter=LXXIV. The Story of the Lay of the Great Fool (Append: ''Laoidh an Amadain Mhoir'') |title=Popular Tales of the West Highlands |volume=III |location=Edinburgh |publisher=Edmonston and Douglas |year=1862 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qkwAAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA160|page=160<!--146–179-->}}</ref> as his counterpart examples.{{sfnp|Schofield|1895|pp=171–172}}

==See also==
{{portal|Novels}}
*''[[Partonopeus de Blois]]''
*''[[Amadís de Gaula]]''

==Explanatory notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
;Citations
{{Reflist|2|refs=
<ref name="ArthEncy-carduino">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Hoffman |first=Donald F. |author-link=<!--Donald F. Hoffman--> |entry=Cantari di Carduino, I |editor1-last=Lacy |editor1-first=Norris J. |editor1-link=Norris J. Lacy |editor2-last=Ashe |editor2-first=Geoffrey |editor2-link=Geoffrey Ashe |editor3-last=Ihle |editor3-first=Sandra Ness |editor3-link=<!--Sandra Ness Ihle --> |editor4-last=Kalinke |editor4-first=Marianne E. |editor4-link=<!--Marianne E. Kalinke--> |editor5-last=Thompson |editor5-first=Raymond H. |editor5-link=Raymond H. Thompson |display-editors=1 |title=The Arthurian Encyclopedia |location=New York |publisher=Peter Bedrick |year=1996 |url= |page=81 |isbn=<!--1136606335, -->9781136606335 |quote=}}; New edition 2013, "[https://books.google.com/books?id=7Yu0AAAAQBAJ&pg=PT246 Cantari di Carduino''I'']" (sic., comma missing)</ref>

<ref name="ArthEncy-chestre">{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Price |first1=Jocelyn |author1-link=<!--Jocelyn Price--> |author1-mask=Price, Jocelyn (on ''Libeaus''); Noble, James <!--James Noble--> (on ''Sir Launval'', etc.) |entry=Chestre, Thomas |editor1-last=Lacy |editor1-first=Norris J. |editor1-link=:en:Norris J. Lacy |editor2-last=Ashe |editor2-first=Geoffrey |editor2-link=:en:Geoffrey Ashe |editor3-last=Ihle |editor3-first=Sandra Ness |editor3-link=<!--Sandra Ness Ihle --> |editor4-last=Kalinke |editor4-first=Marianne E. |editor4-link=<!--Marianne E. Kalinke--> |editor5-last=Thompson |editor5-first=Raymond H. |editor5-link=:en:Raymond H. Thompson |display-editors= |title=The Arthurian Encyclopedia |location=New York |publisher=Peter Bedrick |year=1996 |url= |pages=100–102 |isbn=<!--1136606335, -->9781136606335 |quote=}}; New edition 2013, [https://books.google.com/books?id=hf6zAAAAQBAJ&q=chestre pp. 84–85]</ref>

<ref name="ArthEncy-renaut">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Busby |first=Keith |author-link=<!--Keith Busby--> |entry=Renaut de Beaujeu |editor1-last=Lacy |editor1-first=Norris J. |editor1-link=Norris J. Lacy |editor2-last=Ashe |editor2-first=Geoffrey |editor2-link=Geoffrey Ashe |editor3-last=Ihle |editor3-first=Sandra Ness |editor3-link=<!--Sandra Ness Ihle --> |editor4-last=Kalinke |editor4-first=Marianne E. |editor4-link=<!--Marianne E. Kalinke--> |editor5-last=Thompson |editor5-first=Raymond H. |editor5-link=Raymond H. Thompson |display-editors=1 |title=The Arthurian Encyclopedia |location=New York |publisher=Peter Bedrick |year=1996 |url= |pages=448–449 |isbn=<!--1136606335, -->9781136606335 |quote=}}; New edition 2013, [https://books.google.com/books?id=hf6zAAAAQBAJ&q=beaujeu p. 380]</ref>

<ref name="baldwin1914">{{cite book|last=Baldwin |first=Charles Sears |author-link=Charles Sears Baldwin |chapter= |title=An Introduction to English Medieval Literature |location=London |publisher=Longmans, Green, and Company |year=1914 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VZ0PAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA130 |pages=130–131|isbn=978-0-598-97296-5 }}</ref>

<ref name="broadus1903">{{cite journal|last=Broadus |first=Edmund Kemper |author-link=<!--Edmund Kemper Broadus--> |title=The Red Cross Knight and Lybeaus Desconus |journal=Modern Language Notes |volume=18 |number=7 |date=November 1903 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tyZHAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA202 |pages=202–204|doi=10.2307/2917591 |jstor=2917591 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

<ref name="loomis1961">{{cite book|last=Loomis |first=Roger Sherman |author-link=Roger Sherman Loomis |chapter= |title=Arthurian Tradition and Chretien de Troyes |location=New York |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=1961  |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IRrrAAAAMAAJ&q=libeaus |pages=80–81}}</ref>

<ref name="loomis1963">{{cite book|last=Loomis |first=Roger Sherman |author-link=Roger Sherman Loomis|chapter= |title=The Grail: From Celtic Myth to Christian Symbol |location=New York |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=1991 |orig-year=1963 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DGQcsXGYII4C&pg=PA62 |page=62|isbn=0-691-02075-2 }}</ref>

{{void|<ref name="lupack2005">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Lupack |first=Alan |author-link=<!--Alan Lupack--> |entry=Libeaus Desconus |title=The Oxford Guide to Arthurian Literature and Legend |location= |publisher=OUP Oxford |year=2007 |orig-year=2005 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KigTAQAAIAAJ&q=libeaus |page=320 |isbn=<!--019921509X, -->9780199215096|quote=}}</ref>}}

<ref name="thomas_n2005">{{cite book|last=Thomas |first=Neil |author-link=<!--Neil Thomas--> |chapter= |title=Wirnt Von Gravenberg's Wigalois: Intertextuality and Interpretation |location= |publisher=DS Brewer |year=2005 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CI3ZCuqmfNEC&pg=PA27 |page=27 |isbn=<!--1843840383, -->9781843840381 |series=Arthurian studies 62}}</ref>

<ref name="thomas_jw1977">{{cite book|ref={{SfnRef|Thomas tr.|1994}} |author=Wirnt von Grafenberg |author-link=Wirnt von Grafenberg |others=<!--Translated by J. W. Thomas--> |translator-last=Thomas |translator-first=J. W. |translator-link=<!--J. W. Thomas--> |title=Wigalois: The Knight of Fortune's Wheel |place=Licoln, Nebraska |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |date=1977 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mu9HhvJN8KwC&pg=PA18 |page=18  |isbn=<!--0803298277, -->9780803298279 }}</ref>

<ref name="wilson1943">{{cite journal|last=Wilson|first=Robert H.  |author-link=<!--Robert H. Wilson--> |title=The "Fair Unknown" in Malory |journal=PMLA |volume=58 |number=1  |date=March 1943|url=<!--n/a--> |pages=1–21 |doi=10.2307/459031 |jstor=459031|s2cid=163405632 }}</ref>
}}

;Bibliography
{{refbegin}}
;(texts)
* {{cite book|ref={{SfnRef|Kaluza ed.|1890}} |author=Thomas Chestre |author-link=Thomas Chestre |editor-last=Kaluza |editor-first=Max |editor-link=Max Kaluza |title=Libeaus Desconus: die mittelenglische Romanze vom Schönen unbekannten |place=Leipzig |publisher=O. R. Reisland |date=1890 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VkUW8_-pQBsC |page= }}<!--alt url https://books.google.com/books?id=NxULAQAAIAAJ -->

* {{citation|ref={{SfnRef|Mills ed.|1969}} |author=Thomas Chestre |author-link=Thomas Chestre |editor-last=Mills |editor-first=Maldwyn |editor-link=<!--Maldwyn Mills-->|title=Libeaus Desconus: die mittelenglische Romanze vom Schönen unbekannten |place= |publisher=Early English Text Society |date=1969 |url= |page= |series=Early English Text Society: Original series 261 |isbn=<!--0197222641, -->9780197222645}}

* {{cite book|last=Percy |first=Thomas |author-link=Thomas Percy (bishop of Dromore) |editor1-last=Hales |editor1-first=John W. |editor1-link=<!--John W. Hales--> |editor2-last=Furnivall |editor2-first=Frederick J. |editor2-link=Frederick J. Furnivall |chapter=Libius Disconius |title=Bishop Percy's Folio Manuscript.: Ballads and Romances |volume=2  |place=London |publisher=N. Trübner |date=1868 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AmNSAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA404 |pages=404–499}}

* {{citation|ref={{SfnRef|Salisbury|Weldon edd.|2013}} |author=Thomas Chestre |author-link=Thomas Chestre |editor1-last=Salisbury |editor1-first=Eve |editor1-link=<!--Eve Salisbury--> |editor2-last=Weldon |editor2-first=James  |editor2-link=<!--James Weldon-->|title=Lybeaus Desconus (Lambeth Palace, MS 306) |place=Kalamazoo |publisher=Medieval Institute Publications |date=2013 |url=https://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/text/salisbury-and-weldon-lybeaus-desconus-lambeth |page= |series= TEAMS Middle English Texts}}

* {{cite book|ref={{SfnRef|Weston tr.|1902}} |author=Thomas Chestre |author-link=Thomas Chestre |editor-last=|editor-first=|editor-link= |translator-last=Weston |translator-first=Jessie L. |translator-link=Jessie Laidlay Weston |others=Translated by [[:en:Jessie Laidlay Weston|Jessie L. Weston]]; Designs by Caroline M. Watts |title=Sir Cleges/Sir Libeas Desconus |place=London |publisher=David Nutt |date=1902 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yFk9AAAAYAAJ |page= |series=Arthurian Romances Unrepresented in Malory's "Morte D'Arthur 5}}

;(BI texts)
* {{cite book|ref={{SfnRef|Fresco ed. |Donager tr.|1992}} |author=Renaut de Bâgé |author1-link=Renaut de Beaujeu |editor-last=Fresco |editor-first=Karen L. |editor-link=<!-- Karen L. Fresco--> |translator-last=Donagher |translator-first=Colleen B. |translator-link=<!-- Colleen B. Donagher--> |title='Le Bel Inconnu': ('Li Biaus Descouneüs'; 'The Fair Unknown')  |publisher=Garland |date=1992 |url= |page=|isbn=0-8240-0698-4}}
** {{URL|1=https://books.google.com/books?id=6-JBEAAAQBAJ |2=Reprint}}, Routledge, 2021, {{isbn|1000164020}}<!--9781000164022-->

* {{cite book|ref={{SfnRef|Williams ed.|1915}} |author=Renaut de Beaujeu |author1-link=Renaut de Beaujeu |editor-last=Williams  |editor-first=G. Perrie |editor-link=<!--G. Perrie Williams--> |title=Li biaus descouneüs de Renaud de Beaujeu |place=Oxford|publisher=Fox, Jones, & Co.  |date=1860 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pS2N-5MbJc0C |page=}}

;(studies)
* {{cite book|last=Gantz |first=Jeffrey |authorlink=<!--Jeffrey Gantz--> |title=The Mabinogion |edition= |location= |publisher=Penguin |year=1976 |url= |pages= |isbn=0-14-044322-3}}
** [https://books.google.com/books?id=VatVpD7AJBgC Reprint, 2003]

* {{cite book|last=Schofield |first=William Henry |author-link=:en:William Henry Schofield |title=Studies on the Libeaus Desconus |place=Boston |publisher=Ginn and Company for Harvard University |year=1895 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gXc4AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA2 |page= |isbn=<!-- -->}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* [http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/libeaus.htm Translation of ''Libeaus Desconus'' into Modern English, by Jessie Weston]
* [https://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/publication/salisbury-and-weldon-lybeaus-desconus Middle English editions of ''Lybeaus Desconus'']

[[Category:14th-century books]]
[[Category:14th-century poems]]
[[Category:Arthurian literature in Middle English]]
[[Category:Middle English literature]]
[[Category:Medieval literature]]
[[Category:Middle English poems]]