GUILLAUME DE LORRIS

flourished 13th century French author of the first and more poetic part of the medieval verse allegory the /a>Roman de la rose (q.v.), started by him some time c. 123040 but only continued some 4050 years later by a different writer, Jean de Meun (q.v.). Guillaume's workthe first 4,058 linesis that of a courtly poet of great perceptiveness in his expression of character through allegorical symbols. Guillaume's part of the poem drew on the traditions of courtly love descended from the troubadours, but such a theme appears to have been already waning in popularity in the 13th century. Little is known of Guillaume de Lorris except that the last part of his name derives from a village near Orlans.