In The Invention of Literary Subjectivity, Michel Zink traces the rise of subjectivity in the lyrics of the French medieval period and examines both biographies and histories written by Abelard, Raymond Lulle, and Joinville. Between the realms of allegory and the claims of royal privilege, between the spiritual inheritance of scriptures and the secular appeal of epics and songs, Zink observes, a literature emerged that delighted in expressing personality and points of view.