Richard le Scandinave? Héroïsme et métissage culturel dans le Roman de Rou de Wace

Le Saux, F. (2014) Richard le Scandinave? Héroïsme et métissage culturel dans le Roman de Rou de Wace. Annales de Normandie, 64.1. pp. 146-160. ISSN 0003-4134

Abstract/Summary

This article explores the bilingual and bicultural identity of Normandy revealed by Wace's depiction of Duke Richard the Fearless in the Roman de Rou. The anecdotes that open the Troisieme Partie of the Rou are analysed in the light of Scandinavian analogues, in particular the Saga of Grettir. This allows us to discern in Wace's stories a dual tradition, with romance and scandinavian strands that were not always mutually compatible, resulting in narrative tensions that had hitherto remained unexplained. In particular, the fearless duke takes on connotations of mental instability that would only have been recognised by the Normans of Danish origin.