The Romance Seminar: Francesco Di Lella
On the edition of the ”Roman de Brut” by Wace
The Roman de Brut, written by Wace in 1155, is one of the most significant works of 12th-century literature in the langue d’oïl and of the European medieval canon. Adapting Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae, Wace translated the stories of the rulers of Britain—from Aeneas’ grandson, Brut, to the arrival of the Saxons—into the Romance language. In between lie the battles with giants, King Lear, Caesar’s invasion, Merlin’s wonders, and the reign of Arthur. We shall discuss the labour of establishing the ms. tradition of the work, and examine how it has been interpreted through contemporary historiographical and narrative traditions.
Francesco Dilello, Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Stoccolma
*External participants may write to romsem.romklass@su.se to receive the Zoom link (department members may find it in Romklass calendar)
Organisers: Anthony Lappin & Sofia Lodén
Contact:romsem.romklass@su.se
No registration required
Last updated: 2026-10-23
Source: Department of Romance Studies and Classics