Concerned principally to situate Hartmann's works in their social and cultural historical context, Jackson's carefully constructed and lucidly written book will be required and compelling reaading at every level of interest, from undergraduate student to specialist scholar. It expounds knighthood as the major theme of Hartmann's varied oeuvre, reflected and refracted through the prism of different genres, fictional material and narrative positions. Jackson's unrivalled grasp of the historical evidence for the material, social and ideological dimensions of chivalry in the twelfth century is...