Dictionary.net

The greatest of the early French romancers; 12th century. Though he won high fame as a lyrist, his renown is based on his epic compositions, especially on his stories of King Arthur and the Round Table. His epic of "King Marcus and the Fair Ysault" is lost; but these remain: "Irec and Enid" "Cliges"; "The Knight of La Charette"; "The Knight with the Lion"; "Perceval the Welshman". The last is his most considerable work, but it does not come from his hand alone, being continued and completed by Gautier de Denet and Menassier. In this piece are wrought into one story the legend of the Holy Grail and that of Arthur, which thereafter were not divorced. His language and versification were models for troubadours and romancers for a long time; and from him the Arthurian poets to the end of the 13th century borrowed episodes, themes, situations, characters, and all manner of poets' devices. Chretien was a master of invention, fashioned for himself a competent literary vehicle, and made most effective use of his large knowledge of men and manners.