Aucassin et Nicholette is a medieval French sung fable, most possibly from the 13th century. Aucassin, a Christian count's son, and Nicolette, a Saracen slave girl, urgently want to marry, but the count denies it and incarcerates the lovers, who ultimately flee. After many romantic and occasionally absurd escapades, Nicolette is discovered to be a Saracen princess and the lovers get married.