tydeus links

[And the conte says that Vulcan forged the sword, who reigned at the time of Adrastus who was king of Greece, who for many days had it in his treasure. Tydeus the son of the king of Calidonia had this sword the day that he brought the message to King Etiocles of Thebes, [Tydeus] who for Polynikes his brother-in-law had great pain.]
(Vulgate Merlin)
This passage refers to the early events of the Roman de Thèbes (another conte that does not mention a Marmiadoise). When Polynikes and Etio-cles inherit Thebes from their father and brother Oedipus, they agree to each rule the city in alternating years. While waiting for his turn, Polynikes meets Tydeus on a rainy evening in Argos. They fight almost to the death over Adrastus's dry porch; having thus proved their worth, they marry his daughters (11. 944-1205). Etiocles soon refuses to give up Thebes, and Tydeus travels there to inform him that Polynikes intends to claim his rightful inheritance (11. 1288-463). As Tydeus returns to Ar-gos, fifty of Etiocles's barons attack him (Il. 1558-671). Through Tydeus, then, Polynikes challenges royal authority, just like Hercules and Rion.
Unlike Hercules, however, Polynikes fails to enforce his interpretation of legitimate law. Etiocles also fails to maintain his authority, and is killed during the siege. The fratricidal conflicts that permeate the Roman de Thèbes expose once again the relative dangers of Greek history.

Not only do Polynikes and Etiocles wage war to their respective deaths, but Tydeus only arrives in Argos because the Calidonians have exiled him for fratricide (11. 750-55). His sword, a gift from his father (11. 1672-
75), signifies the principle of filiation he has violated with this murder.
Indeed, the entire history of Thebes, which Marmiadoise inherits, turns on families who cannot keep their differences in order: patricide and fratricide extinguish filial lines, while incest ties genealogical linearity in circular knots.

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[Galant the smith forged it and Sir Vulcan carved it; there were three goddesses to temper it and three fairies to carve it. Never on account of any blow will it bend, nor will it ever be burned by rust, nor will there ever be a man hurt by it who will heal from the wound.]
(Roman de Thebes)


History on the Edge-Excalibur and the Borders of Britain, 1100-1300, By Michelle R. Warren