23 Aucassin and Nicolette is a 13th century courtly story in French. It is composed in alternating prose and songs, and believed to be a pastiche of the excesses of courtly love. The story tells of how Aucassin, the son of Count Garins of Beaucaire, loves Nicolette, a Saracen captive. The Count opposes their love and imprisons them. They escape, and after many adventures, they are married.