Abstract EN:

Dating back to the second half of the 12th century, the epic poem of Aiol has been handed down to us through a single manuscript (Paris, BNF fr. 25516). With the objective of forming an artificial “Cycle de Saint Gille,” the “chanson” of the adventures of the young Aiol was transcribed in the same manuscript with the “chanson” of Elie de Saint-Gille. Except for the prologue (consisting of alexandrines), the text is composed of two more or less equal parts, the first containing essentially decasyllabic lines (with the caesura after the 6th syllable), the second alexandrines. In the first part of the poem, Aiol’s father, Elie, has pacified the kingdom of France, but nevertheless been sent into exile. The man responsible for this act is none other than Elie’s own brother-in-law (and Charlemagne’s son), the Emperor Louis, who has succumbed to the advice of the traitorous Macaire. Thanks to the heroic deeds of Aiol, Elie’s former dignity at the royal court of France will eventually be restored and the traitor Macaire will be thrown into prison. However, before achieving these feats in the first part of the poem, Aiol abducts Mirabel, the daughter of a potential foe of Louis, the Saracen king of Pampelune, Mibrien. In the second part of the poem, Macaire, who has escaped from Louis’ jail, captures Aiol and Mirabel in the midst of their wedding festivities. Subsequently, during the young couple’s lengthy imprisonment, Mirabel gives birth to twin brothers. From this time onwards, the text is composed of a succession of more romantic elements, such as secret imprisonment(s), separations, incursions into southern and western countries, struggles against pagans and recognitions. And these in turn lead to a last battle near Pampelune, the elimination of Macaire (who is quartered) and the satisfying submission of Mibrien. Beyond providing information about the manuscript and the two 19th century editions, the present ‘thèse’ proposes a study of the ‘picard’ language of the scribe (the text being considered as the work of a ‘remanieur” and not of the first author), analyses of the literary features of the text, a summary of its content with a diagram exposing the relationships between the protagonists, and a map for geographical locations and itineraries. Critical notes, an exhaustive index of names and a glossary will complete this edition. The transcription attempts to maintain as close a reading as possible of/to the manuscript version. Corrections and additions are added thus only to facilitate direct reading of the text.