Brother Robert

Thirteenth century

Active during the first half of the thirteenth century, produced in 1226 a Norwegian translation of Thomas's Tristan entitled Tristrams Saga. This translation, the only complete version of the Thomas-branch of the legend, influenced the dissemination of Tristan material in Scandinavia and especially exerted influence on Iceland, where a ballad, "Tristram kvæði", and a prose adaption, Saga of Tristram ok Ísodd, were produced. Robert's name also appears in Elis saga (a translation of Elie de St. Gille, a chanson de geste).

Scholars have associated Robert with the Norwegian translations of several Arthurian works made during King Hákon's reign (1217-63): Ívens saga and Percevals saga (based on Chrétien de Troyes's Yvain and Perceval), Möttuls saga (a version of the fabliau Le Mantel mautaillié), and Strengleikar (a collection of twenty-one lais).

His nationality is unknown, but his name suggests Anglo-Norman origins. Given theties with England during Hákon's reign, Brother Robert may have been a cleric associated with Norwegian monasteries, at Lyse or Hovedoya, which maintained close ties with England. Although the scope of Robert's known translations is modest, his activity attests the importance of Hákon's interest in French romance and is crucial to the transmission of Arthurian material in Scandinavia.