To 'reproduce the forms of ancestors': The Conception(s) of Medieval Romance

My doctoral research will generate the first book-length study of the theme of conception in Old French, Middle
French, and Middle English romances. Today, conception is seen as the essential yet fleeting moment which
begins each of our lives. However, in the Middle Ages conception was more than a biological process: not only did
it enable the structures of inheritance which underpinned medieval hierarchies, but through the Immaculate
conception it became the narrative structure upon which Christianity was built, thus shaping the religious and social
landscape of Europe. The importance of conception is displayed through its familiar, frequently-problematic, and
undoubtedly-influential presence across medieval romance. These works show that conception extends beyond a
productive sexual encounter: it is a romance mechanism with the potential to enhance and even change our
understanding of texts in which it features. This subject offers unique insights into the genesis of medieval life and
literature.