Perion de la Forêt

Melicent

Melicent and Perion are passionate lovers, bound by deep romantic devotion and longing across trials.

Demetrios

Demetrios is Perion's fierce rival, often clashing over honor, power, and Melicent's affections.

Ambrogio Bracciolini

Ambrogio is a loyal friend and companion to Perion, offering wit and support in his adventures.

Orestes

Orestes is a steadfast ally and fellow warrior to Perion, sharing bonds of brotherhood in arms.

Ahasuerus

Ahasuerus is a mysterious and antagonistic figure who opposes Perion, driven by ancient grudges.

Callistion

Callistion is a trusted confidante and helper to Perion, often aiding him with counsel and care.

Ayrart de Montors

Ayrart de Montors is a fellow knight and colleague of Perion, sharing martial duties and courtly obligations.

King Helmas

King Helmas is a sovereign who employs Perion as a knight, with a formal hierarchical relationship.

Comte de la Forêt

Comte de la Forêt is Perion's father, a familial bond marked by duty and lineage.

Cardinal de Montors

Cardinal de Montors is a high-ranking church official who interacts with Perion in matters of faith and politics.

Melicent

Melicent and Perion are passionate lovers, bound by deep romantic devotion and longing across trials.

Melicent

Melicent and Perion are passionate lovers, bound by deep romantic devotion and longing across trials.

A Preface

The ideal knight whose image Melicent cherishes; his philosophy and love are central to the preface's argument.

Critical Comment

Mentioned as the stubbornly desiring protagonist of Nicolas's Tale of Melicent.

Domnei

Central figure in the exploration of domnei and chivalric devotion.

Part I: Perion

The protagonist, tormented by his love for Melicent and willing to risk his life.

How Perion Was Unmasked

Confesses his true identity as an outlaw and impostor to Melicent, revealing he stole the Vicomte de Puysange's identity to evade capture.

How the Vicomte Was Very Gay

Disguised as the Vicomte de Puysange, he laughs and mingles at the feast, inwardly gloating over the hunt for himself and despairing of Melicent's hatred.

III: How Melicent Wooed

Tormented by his past sins and unworthiness, he refuses Melicent's love and writes a letter proclaiming his innocence.

IV: How the Bishop Aided Perion

Guided by the bishop to escape, he is driven to challenge de Montors after hearing slander against Melicent, then stunned to discover the bishop is Melicent in disguise.

How Melicent Wedded

Pledges his love to Melicent and accepts her wedding vow, then departs alone.

How Melicent Sought Oversea

Captured by Demetrios and enslaved; seen by Melicent carrying logs in chains at Nacumera.

VII: How Perion Was Freed

Perion is freed from chains and set ashore near Megaris, where he receives emeralds and a taunting message from Demetrios, vowing to return for Melicent.

IX: How Time Sped in Heathenry

Perion is reported to have come with a Cypriot fleet to rescue Melicent, but the fleet is repulsed at sea. Melicent speaks proudly of his valor and swordsmanship.

Part III: Demetrios

Perion is portrayed as eager and lion-hearted in his pursuit of Melicent, unhorsed by his rival.

How Time Sped with Perion

Ransomed from heathenry, ennobled as Comte de la Forêt, continues his duel with Demetrios, joins Theodoret's crusade, and kills a lord who insults Melicent.

XII: How Demetrios Was Taken

Captures Demetrios in single combat, sets Melicent as ransom, and swears an oath to protect Demetrios from Theodoret.

XIII: How They Praised Melicent

Praises Melicent as a heavenly masterwork, finding joy in rendering love and service to her; speaks of her beauty in idealistic terms and vows to set new armies afield tomorrow.

XIV: How Perion Braved Theodoret

Braves King Theodoret, demanding Demetrios's life to ransom Melicent, choosing hell fire over riches and honor.

How Perion Fought

Strikes Demetrios to test his resolve, then fights alone against Duke Sigurd's men, is wounded and captured.

XVI: How Demetrios Meditated

Perion is the object of Demetrios's hatred and jealousy; Demetrios believes Perion has been killed or captured.

How a Minstrel Came

Imprisoned in the Castle of San' Alessandro and condemned to be torn apart by horses; Demetrios comes to rescue him.

XVIII: How They Cried Quits

Released by Demetrios; reluctantly allies with him to protect Melicent, sacrificing his beloved ring.

How Flamberge Was Lost

Accepts Flamberge from Demetrios but later casts it into the sea, choosing to rely on God rather than magic.

How Perion Got Aid

Wanders in the Forest of Columbiers, meets Mélusine, and accepts her aid.

How Demetrios Held His Chattel

Perion is discussed by Demetrios, who admires his courage and skill, and Melicent's affection for him is evident.

XXII: How Misery Held Nacumera

Perion is mentioned as having married Mélusine and fathered two children, Bertram and Blaniferte, and now enjoys the opulence of Brunbelois.

XXIII: How Demetrios Cried Farewell

Revealed to have been the Frankish captain who fatally wounded Demetrios, and to have remained faithful to Melicent throughout.

How Orestes Ruled

Mentioned as near to Melicent in spirit, single of purpose and filled with love.

XXV: How Women Talked Together

Mentioned by Melicent as her beloved, described as eagle-like and resolute.

How Men Ordered Matters

Besieging Nacumera with his Free Companions; Orestes plans to trap and kill him.

XXVIII: How Perion Saw Melicent

Kneels in the grass, sees Melicent, and sings a waking-song to her, risking death.

XXIX: How a Bargain Was Cried

Mentioned as a lord peerless in battle, but trapped by love; Ahasuerus plans to have him outflanked.

How Melicent Conquered

Perion defeats Orestes in the Court of Stars, then meets Melicent and experiences a transformative realization about love and change.

The Afterword

One of the two lovers whose story is concluded in the fragmentary chronicle.

II

Lover of Melicent, with earlier relations to Mélusina mentioned but not detailed.

III

Melicent figures toward Perion as an intermediary in the service of domnei.

Bibliography

Referenced in titles such as 'Perion und Melicent' and 'Los Negociantes do Don Perion'.