Middle English Romance and the Craft of Memory

In Middle English romances many memories are created stored forgotten and rediscovered by both the characters and audience; such memory work is not however either simple or obvious. This study examines the ways in which recollection is achieved and sustained through physical cognitive and interpretative challenges. It uses examples such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Sir Orfeo and Emare alongside romances by Chaucer and Malory to investigate the genre's reliance on individual and collective memorial processes. The author argues that a tale's objects places dreams discoveries disguises prophecies and dramatic ironies influence that romance's essential memory work which relies as much on creativity as it does accuracy. He also explores the imaginative crafts of memory that are employed by romances themselves. Dr Jamie McKinstry teaches in the Department of English Studies at Durham University where he is a member of the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies.