I, Marie de France, am here to write about a tale of love. This is not the easy kind of optimistic love harped about by lovesick maidens, but the kind that has a sorrowful and bittersweet ending. Now, whoever wishes to lend an ear: I tell this tale so that others may learn of both foolishness and true love.
There once lived a young maiden named Emilia, who, although having the appearance and heart of a true noble, was unfortunately constrained by her societal standing at birth. Her father, desperate to build a family legacy, arranged her marriage to a wealthy Lord, a much older man of stern demeanor with great riches and land. As women of her time must do, Emilia submitted without a complaint to the arrangement.
On the Lord’s grand estate lived the knight Sir James, a man of great honor and discipline. Much like Emilia, he too was tied to a life which was not his own choice. He came from a wealthy and politically influential family with a widowed mother who, in fear of the Lord evicting her in absence of her late husband, forbade him to journey far from her. Sir James was dutifully loyal to his family and stayed by his mother’s side despite a restless longing to find love.
On a bright spring afternoon, when the trees were beginning to flower, Emilia was wandering her husband’s estate to escape his constant controlling demeanor. On this same afternoon, the knight was in search of his family’s hound; earlier that morning, it had taken off after a stray animal. Happening to cross paths in a newly blooming field, their exchange was brief yet stirred a deep, unignorable warmth in their hearts. When you have taken vows to another, one must admit that it is foolish to fall in love elsewhere. At first, the pair fought to restrain their desires. Emilia kept herself locked inside the home, conversing only with her husband and confiding only in her most trusted maids. Sir James returned to his mother and, taking it upon himself to act as dutifully as ever, did not often leave her side. But alas, the knight was unable to bear the strings pulling at his honorable heart and could not leave his memory of Emilia behind. In a desperate act, he returned to where they met, which was now in full bloom with colorful flowers. He carved a message into a thick tree trunk, hoping she might return to the field and discover his request for her to visit his home.
As he hoped, Emilia could also not resist her desire. Praying she might see the knight again, she soon returned to the field. Upon discovering his message, she felt a confliction of joy and wariness; she felt blessed that he shared her sentimental feelings but knew her husband was growing suspicious of her changed demeanor. Unbeknownst to her, he had assigned a servant to watch Emilia; having followed her to the field, the servant also found Sir James’ message. The Lord was furious and, swearing he would uncover who her secret lover was, followed his wife the next night. As he followed her into the field, hidden by dusk, the Lord spotted the carved message. He burst out of the shadows with fierce accusations, demanding that she reveal who her lover was. Emilia painfully understood that, although she had not yet sinned upon her husband, James would suffer immensely if she revealed his name—but how else could she protect herself from her husband’s wrath?
Looking up at the Lord, Emilia sorrowfully said, “My dear, punish me as you see fit, but I have truthfully not partaken in any physical act which would offend you. I therefore cannot betray the one who has sparked warmth in my heart, for his feelings do not put any harm on you.”
The Lord was blind with rage and ordered the entire field be burned, believing he could scorch her infidelity just as easily as the flames would consume the carving on the tree. Refusing to give up so easily, the huge tree smoldered only briefly before flames fizzled out into smoke. The field’s flowers were scorched, but the message on the trunk remained clear. Filled with frustration, the Lord dragged Emilia away with a promise that he would never let her out of the home again.
Sir James, still hopeful at his lover’s arrival to his home, was struck with grief when news came of the Lord’s wrath on his imprisoned wife. James’ mother, fearful of the Lord’s anger, forbade him from attempting to visit Emilia. Remaining steadfast, the knight was determined to display a final act of love; while he could not directly speak to his lover, he carried water from a nearby stream and tended to the scorched field. As days went on, colorful flowers began to sprout beneath the ashes. Bright green vines snaked up the tall tree, covering the Lord’s attempted carnage. He was unsure if she would ever see his display of affection, but Emilia continuously gazed upon the field from a high window of her home; marveling at the recovery of the blossoms, she felt that their forbidden love inevitably continued to bloom.
Thus ends my tale. Let all who hear it believe that true love cannot be forced away. Even when constrained by society, two people’s intertwined hearts hold the power for strength and passion. Yet we learn how foolish it may be; a woman will be punished for seeking what her heart desires.
Year Published: 1160
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