Reynard

Reynard, or Reynard the Fox, is the central figure in a medieval European cycle of beast fables and satirical tales known as the Reynard Cycle. In these narratives, Reynard is an anthropomorphic fox who uses wit, cunning, and social maneuvering to survive at a royal court and to outsmart rivals. The stories are noted for their blend of humor, political satire, and social commentary.

The tales originated in medieval Europe, with the earliest versions in Old French in the 12th and 13th centuries, often collected under the title Roman de Renart. Over time the cycle was adapted and expanded in other languages, including Middle Dutch (Renart de Vos), Middle High German (Reynke de Vos), and English translations and retellings. The cast of characters typically includes the lion king Noble or similar sovereigns, Ysengrin the wolf, Bruin the bear, Tibert the cat, and other animal figures who embody various social roles. Different versions offer varying episodes, but Reynard’s triumphs and deceits recur as a throughline.

Themes in the Reynard tales center on power, legitimacy, and court intrigue, with the fox’s cleverness often contrasting with the pride or folly of other characters. The cycle is widely regarded as early satire of feudal society, clerical and noble pretensions, and was influential in shaping the European trickster archetype in literature. Some later editions and adaptations, however, contain antisemitic stereotypes common to certain medieval texts, a point of modern scholarly caution.

Today, Reynard remains a significant figure in folklore studies as a foundational example of the animal fable and the trickster figure, with a long legacy in literature, theater, and visual arts across Europe.