The Lais of Marie de France is a series of Breton lais (short poetic narratives about chivalric romances) by Marie de France written in the 12th century. Influenced by the Greco-Roman tradition, the lais are intended to be both entertaining and moralistic. All deal with the theme of love in a vividly poetic manner, but offer warnings against certain misfortunes of love and applaud other types of love that are noble, courtly or directed towards the people.