‘Il est bien des manières d'aborder aujourd'hui une œuvre littéraire’ (Ja37 p. 15). Jacques Ribard's observation rings especially true in the ears of Chrétien scholars contemplating the ways their author is read today. This is not entirely new. Thus, the outline of the diverse and multifarious topics in the 1976 Bibliography (Cb9) is still correct by and large, although there has been a proliferation of approaches beyond what was then apparent. To be sure, adjustments and additions have been necessary, but there is no need to revise or rethink it radically. Specific local changes are commented on in the introductions to the sections in which they appear.

Chrétien de Troyes's name and works appear everywhere today. His influence is still recognized as immense. His romances are a standard reference – indeed, they seem to fix a norm – not only for studies on French romances, but on romances in other medieval languages as well. The norm is only now beginning to be questioned as study of epigonal romances grows in importance (Cb27). Much of Chrétien scholarship in the coming years will doubtless probe the place, influence, and originality of his achievements in the broad, intertextual contexts of twelfth- and thirteenth-century romance. Students will assess Chrétien's writing in the context not only of the Matter of Britain but also of other works familiar to his publics (see Fe30(C), Lc4). Shall we not better understand medieval reception when we can say, like the author of the Roman du Hem, ‘Oï avés des Troiiens / Et du remant que Crestiiens / Trova si bel de Perceval […]’ (Pa65 v. 474–76)?