Thessala
The loyal nurse of Fenice whose knowledge of medicine and enchantments enabled the lovers' secret romance. Through her skill, Fenice preserved both her honour and her life.
Introduction#
Thessala was the devoted nurse and confidante of Fenice in Chrétien’s Cligés. Renowned for her knowledge of medicine, healing, and enchantments, she played a crucial role in protecting Fenice’s love for Cligés while preserving her honour.
Occupation | Nurse; Healer
Affiliations | Household of Fenice
A Woman of Thessaly#
Thessala’s name reflects her origin in Thessaly, a region that medieval writers associated with magic and the occult. Chrétien alludes to this tradition while presenting her as a woman whose exceptional learning embraced both medicine and enchantments.
Although she possessed remarkable knowledge of potions and remedies, Thessala is portrayed above all as a loyal and resourceful servant whose wisdom repeatedly determines the course of the romance.
Her abilities, however, are consistently employed to protect Fenice rather than to pursue personal power.
Nurse and Healer#
As Fenice’s trusted nurse, Thessala possessed extensive knowledge of healing. She was said to understand the treatment of diseases and wounds, combining practical medicine with remedies that medieval audiences would have regarded as extraordinary.
Her wisdom made her Fenice’s closest adviser throughout the romance.
The Potions#
When Fenice was compelled to marry Emperor Alis, Thessala prepared a potion that caused the emperor to dream each night that he had consummated the marriage, while Fenice remained untouched.
Later, she devised another potion that placed Fenice into a death-like sleep, allowing Cligés to rescue her from the specially constructed tomb prepared by John.
When physicians examined the apparently dying empress, Thessala cleverly deceived them by substituting the urine of a genuinely terminally ill woman for that of her mistress, reinforcing the illusion that Fenice was beyond recovery.
Literary Significance#
Thessala belongs to a long tradition of learned nurses and wise women in medieval romance. Like Brangien in the legend of Tristan and Isolde, she acts as the confidante and protector of the heroine. Yet her role extends beyond that of a faithful attendant: her medical knowledge, ingenuity, and unwavering loyalty make her indispensable to the success of Cligés and Fenice’s plans.
the success of Cligés and Fenice’s plans.
Through Thessala, Chrétien also reflects medieval ideas about the close relationship between medicine, natural philosophy, and enchantment, a distinction that was often less sharply drawn than it is today.
Sources#
Cligés | Chrétien de Troyes, late 12th century
