Brenton Lai is also known as narrative lay or just a lay. The first Brenton Lais that have survived until today were written by a French composer Marie de France, who lived in England in the court of Henry II. These were written in the late 1100s and early 1200s. From these Lais we know that first Bretan Lais were sung by Breton minstrels. Unfortunately these have not survived. First written Breton Lais were written in old French dialects, but some English lais from 13th and 14th centuries have also been discovered. Breton lais have introduced fairies into Continental Europe.
Old French Lais include The Lays of Marie de France, and eleven Anonymous Lais buy disputed authors. Middle English Lais like „Sir Orfeo“, Sir Gowther“, „Sir Degare“ and „Emare“ by anonymous authors. Geoffrey Chaucer and Thomas Chestre are also known English artist who have written Breton Lais among their other work.