What term describes stories told by medieval storytellers that involve heroic virtues?

The term that best describes stories told by medieval storytellers that involve heroic virtues is legends. Legends are traditional narratives that often highlight the adventures and moral values associated with historical or semi-historical figures. They typically focus on heroic deeds and virtues, embodying the cultural ideals and values of the society from which they originate.

Fables, on the other hand, are short stories that typically convey a moral lesson, often featuring animals as characters, rather than emphasizing human heroes. Folktales encompass a broader category that includes a variety of tales from the oral tradition, which may include everyday characters and situations rather than distinct heroic virtues. Myths usually explain the origins of natural phenomena, cultural practices, or involve gods and supernatural events rather than focusing solely on heroic figures.

Thus, legends are specifically aligned with the idea of heroism and virtues, making them the most appropriate term in this context.