ABSTRACT
First Crusade is unique in possessing its own epic cycle, known as the Old French Crusade Cycle. First Crusade which was probably vernacular, and popular and possibly written, and which at some point during the twelfth century coalesced into a recognisable work. This chapter explores the relationship between the Canso tradition (that is Bechada's composition and subsequent reworkings of it up to and including the Madrid fragment) and these texts. It describes the content, supposed history and manuscript tradition of the Old French Crusade Cycle; discusses the place in the cycle of the Antioche and analyses the relationship of the Antioche to the Occitan tradition as represented both by the Madrid fragment and by the GCU. The chapter also describes the rather different verse alexandrine tradition preserved in two manuscripts in England and concludes that the Canso tradition is related to both, but sufficiently individual to maintain its own identity.
