The social norms of the European Middle Ages are incredibly different when juxtaposed with those of the times modern. However, when looking at social norms, there are many similarities, including the public perception of adultery. Cheating on one's husband/wife has always been considered an egregious act, yet The Lais of Mary of France and The Lion in Winter accept adultery as an inherent act, but for different reasons. In Lais, adultery is permitted when the initial relationship is hostile and can be replaced by a "proper love affair", while in the film The Lion in Winter, adultery is permitted when the relationship is purely political . In this essay, the term “proper love” will be defined as a relationship that exists solely on love and without ulterior motives. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get the original essay In The Lion in Winter, King Henry goes unpunished for his sexual relations with Alais, despite being married to the Queen Eleanor. In fact, the opening scene is a conversation between Henry and Alais, who is worried about her arranged marriage to one of Henry's sons. When Eleanor asks him if he ever loved her, he responds in the negative and reveals later in the film that he only married Eleanor for her dowry, which included the strategic land of Aquitaine. After Henry marries, he takes another lover with whom his feelings are of true love. However, this affair ends tragically when the woman meets her death. After her death, he meets Alais, who had been promised to marry his son Richard, who then falls in love with Henry and their affair begins. Adultery is not considered a sinful act in the film. His position as King of England gives him immunity since no one dares threaten his power. He constantly exerts his power over the rest of the characters, whether through wit, vocal intimidation, or combat. This allows him to pursue other romantic adventures and remain unpunished and his actions remain unquestioned. While it's not a perfect ending, Henry is also not harshly reprimanded for his actions. The film shows how adultery is accepted and never criticized due to the political nature of King Henry's relationship with Eleanor and his political stature. Similarly, in the short stories written by Marie de France in the Middle Ages, many royal figures go unpunished after taking another lover due to the horrible conditions they were initially exposed to. In “Yonec,” a knight appears in the tower of a castle in which rests a beautiful queen, trapped by her selfish king. When the queen sees the knight, who appears as a raven flying through the window, she responds by "saying that she would make him her lover, provided he believed in God, which would make their love possible" (Marie de France , 88). . He quickly agrees and they begin their secret affair. Their relationship is soon revealed to the king, but the story nevertheless ends happily for the queen. The knight and son of the queen, Yonec, beheads the king, who had previously killed the knight. The message is clear: correct love replaces an apathetic relationship. A person can get away with committing adultery if their initial relationship is not “proper love,” as outlined in the Rules of Courtly Love. Similarly in “Milun”, the love story takes place between Milun and his Lady. However, while she is not married, she becomes pregnant and entrusts the child to a trusted woman. Milun leaves to seek glory as a mercenary and returns to find his wife,.