Bras court ou bras fort ? Exploits, magies, victoires dans Le Livre de Caradoc / Short Arm or Strong Arm? Exploits, Magic, Victories in The Book of Caradoc

Abstract

In the Book of Caradoc, an account in verse, taken from the First Continuation of the Grail, written towards the end of the twelfth century by an anonymous author, the snake, more precisely a snake, retains all its evil power. It is not, however, an instantaneous factor, but rather a gradual decrease in Caradoc’s vital forces. This is the story of Caradoc Briebras, son of the enchanter Eliavrés and Ysave, Arthur’s niece, [with a big arm or a strong arm, according to the manuscripts]. We follow the hero from his birth until his marriage to the beautiful Guinier and her coronation.

Keywords

• caradoc
• medieval literature
• magic
• knight
• snake