Geoffrey Chaucer was born c.1346 and died around 1400. As a poet, he is generally considered to be the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages. He was recognised during his lifetime and remained influential throughout the 15th Century. It was he who wrote 'The Canterbury Tales' which is an unfinished collection of tales told in the course of a pilgrimage to Becket's shrine at Canterbury.

Chaucer's poem, 'Troilus and Criseyde' was written c.1385. The story comes from the Trojan legend and was developed in the twelfth century by the French poet, Benoit de Sainte-Maure, whose 'Roman de Troie' came from classical sources. Gradually, through other writers and interpretations, the story became a medieval creation.

Set during the Trojan wars, the poem tells the story of the love of Troilus, a noble young warrior, and Criseyde, the daughter of Calchas, an astronomer. Troilus sees and falls in love with Criseyde and they begin a secret affair. They live happily until Calchas and the Greeks demand Criseyde in exchange for a prisoner of war. The lovers do not flee, nor do they negotiate, but Criseyde goes to the Greeks and promises to return as soon as possible. When she does not come, Troilus is consumed with grief.

Meanwhile, Criseyde reluctantly takes the Greek Diomede as a liver. In a dream, Troilus sees his betrayal as Diomede is wearing a brooch that he (Troilus) had given to his lover. He goes to the Greek camp, hears Diomede and Criseyde together. Stricken by the betrayal, he goes into battle and dies in glory. He ascends to the seventh sphere and looks down on earth. The poem concludes with Troilus reorganising the vanity of worldly concerns.

What Henryson is concerned with is a highly reductive reading of Chaucer's text. He ignores everything that has gone before in Chaucer's text. He doesn't say anything about Diomede's wooing and Criseyde's anguish, but 'continues' with her 'story'.

Because 'The Testament' is a lengthy text to study (there are 87 stanzas in all), it may be easier to the divide the poem into manageable sections, each dealing with a different focus and 'natural breaks' in the poem. Work your way through the following analysis of the text and activities. Your answers will provide you with a comprehensive set of notes that will enhance your classwork with your teacher, your class discussions and finally, your understanding of the poem.

Notes used by permission of Fife Council Education Service.

Study Tools Index
Testament of Cresseid: Literary Background
Robert Henryson: Biographical Details
Robert Henryson - Historical Context: The State and The Church 1480s to 1700
Testament of Cresseid in Context
Testament of Cresseid in Print
Middle Scots Language
Select Bibliography
The Trojan War
An Introduction to Printing
Questions Online: see the online question and answer session from 11 November 2003