Matter of France - Three Matters

Three Matters

The Matter of France was one of the "Three Matters" repeatedly recalled in medieval literature. It was contrasted with the Matter of Britain, the legendary history of Great Britain and King Arthur; and the Matter of Rome, which represented the medieval poets' interpretations of Ancient Greek and Roman mythology and history. The three names were first used by the twelfth century French poet Jean Bodel, author of the Chanson de Saisnes, a chanson de geste in which he wrote:

Ne sont que III matières à nul homme atandant,

De France et de Bretaigne, et de Rome la grant.

(There are but three literary cycles that no one should be without: the matter of France, of Britain, and of great Rome.)