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Who was Sir Guy of Warwick? |
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An illustration showing Sir Guy of Warwick fighting abroad
© Courtesy of Coventry Libraries and
Information Services |
The popularity and endurance of the Sir Guy of Warwick legend can be attributed to its success in fulfilling the purpose it served for Anglo-Norman families. Lacking a rich family history in England, families such as the Warwick used ancestral romance to bolster their family name. These tales became popular with wider Norman society in England and further a field because of its underlying verification for the customs which underpinned Norman society: the right to land and feudal duty.
Throughout the earlier version of the Sir Guy of Warwick legend, the idea of the baron’s right to land and power is accentuated. In later, Middle-English versions of the poem, these baronial concerns are adapted to fit in better with a national rather than baronial outlook, demonstrating how much the original legend is preoccupied with justifying/legitimising baronial power and influence
Modern day Winchester |
While the Gui de Warewic text fits many of the components of an “ancestral” romance, its historical basis does not hold up under scrutiny. Indeed Legge argues that the historical background to Gui de Warewic “seems to be one of the sketchiest”. For example, in the later version of Sir Guy of Warwick, Guy is called upon to rescue at Winchester from the Danish invaders, by fighting the giant Colebrand. In true heroic fashion Guy defeats the giant and saves the day. However, history tells a different story: unquestionably there was a joint Norwegian and Danish invasion of the southern counties in the 10th Century, but rather than Winchester being released by a champion in single combat, it was saved by payment of money. According to Legge this battle was supposed to have been inspired by the in 937. The author, with a little artistic licence, would have adapted events to suit the tale he wished to bestow to the Warwick family.
Your comments
1 em from nh, usa - 9 January 2004
"one of my favorite stories. enjoyed your article very much. have always thought it was written for guy beauchamp,earl of warwick. thank-you!
"
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