Marie de France

Marie de France was a 12th-century poet and the first known woman writer in the French language. Likely of Anglo-Norman descent, she is best known for her "lais," narrative poems that often explore themes of love, chivalry, and adventure, often featuring elements of folklore and the supernatural. Her works, including "Bisclavret" and "Eliduc," highlight female agency and the complexities of human relationships. Marie's contributions significantly influenced medieval literature and she remains a prominent figure in the study of medieval women's writing.