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 Champange (daughter of elenor of aquitane), her patronage possibly influencing him to write based on the anglosaxon arthurain 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