The chivalric romance was a type of narrative that became the most popular literary genre among the European aristocracy during the High and Late Middle Ages. Unlike the earlier heroic epics, which focused on the collective survival of a tribe or nation, chivalric romances centered on the adventures of a single knight and his adherence to the code of chivalry. This code emphasized virtues such as bravery, honor, loyalty to one's lord, and 'courtly love'—a highly idealized and often unattainable devotion to a noble lady. Arthurian legends, featuring King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, provided the most fertile source for these stories. The romances often included supernatural elements, such as wizards, enchantments, and mythical beasts, which the knight had to overcome to prove his worth. While these stories were primarily intended for entertainment, they also served to reinforce the social values and identity of the noble class. Chivalric romances were often performed aloud by troubadours or read in private by a growing literate elite, eventually influencing the development of the modern novel through their focus on individual character and personal growth.