Chretien de Troyes

A 12th Century French poet celebrated for his Arthurian romances. He spent a lot of time in the court of Marie de Champagne (daughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine), her patronage possibly influencing him to write based on the Anglo-Saxon Arthurian tales. Works known to be written by him include:

• Erec and Enide (c. 1170),
• Cliges (c. 1176)
• Yvain, (1177 to 1181)
• Lancelot (1177 to 1181)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chr%E9tien_de_Troyes