Episode 58: Guy of Warwick

Guy of Warwick – “England’s other Arthur” and “England’s most successful medieval Romance,” according to Professor Alison Wiggins, who knows a thing or two about it.

This is my attempt to tell a version of what was, from the medieval period right up until the eighteenth century, one of England’s most beloved legends: now slid somewhat into obscurity (except in Warwick where it is very much well known!).

This first episode is the beginning (the beguyinning?) of the tale and features young lust, trivial class divisions, masculinity, Frenchmen, challenges to big dairy and exasperated emperor noises.
Amongst other things.

I hope you enjoy it.

Some Guy pictures

Spoiler free – I’ll add more as I do more episodes

Selected Sources

• The renowned history, or the life and death of Guy Earl of Warwick, containing his noble exploits and victories John Shirley, 1681 – Broadly the version of the story I am telling. This is a more readable version (though with some spelling mistakes but you can see an original here (with pictures)
• Guy of Warwick: Study and Transcription by Alison Wiggins, 2000 – Lots of information about the medieval manuscripts. Contains much of the material for my discussion section in Part1
• The Vogue of Guy of Warwick from the Close of the Middle Ages to the Romantic Revivaal by Ronald S. Crane, 1915 – Lots of information about the post medieval printings. Contains much of the other information for my discussion section in Part1