Late-medieval code that prescribed the highly conventionalized behaviour and emotions of aristocratic ladies and their lovers.
It was the theme of an extensive literature that began with late 11th-century troubadour poetry in France and swiftly pervaded Europe. The courtly lover, who saw himself as enslaved by passion but fired by respect, faithfully served and worshiped his lady-saint. Courtly love was invariably adulterous, largely because upper-class marriage at the time was usually the result of economic interest or the seal of a power alliance. Its literary sources are believed to be found in Arabic literature, transmitted to Europe through Arab-dominated Spain; the growing religious cult of Mary was another influence. Examples of works inspired by the ideal are the Petrarch 's sonnets to Laura, Dante 's Divine Comedy , and the lyrics of the trouvère s and minnesinger s. See also chivalry .