Roman de la Rose

The Roman de la Rose is a late medieval French work of fiction in allegorical dream form. It was written in two stages: the first, by Guillaume de Lorris[?] circa 1230, describes the attempts of a courtier to woo his beloved. This part of the story is set in a walled garden, the interior of which represents romance, the exterior everyday life. The rose of the title represents the lady's love. The work was completed by Jean de Meun[?] circa 1275, with a more philosophical discussion of love.

Part of the story was translated into Middle English as The Romaunt of the Rose, which had a great influence on English literature.