He fought in the crusades and many times throughout the war with england. The translation of charnys original writing is clear and accessible to the average reader. Kaeuper is professor of history at the university of rochester. He prepared the book of chivalry as a guide for members of the company of the star, a new but shortlived order of knights created by jean ii of france in 52 to rival the english order of the garter. Paper of exceptional interest for the light shed on the ethos, style, and tastes of the secular aristocracy of the later middle ages. Elspeth kennedy here edits the original french text of charny and provides a facingpage translation for the modern reader.
He is the author of a number of books, including chivalry and violence in medieval europe. The treatise is intended to explain the appropriate. A considerable number of treatises on chivalry were written during the medieval period, but it was charnys astute practicality and realistic understanding of the warrior mentality and duty that set his work apart from other treatises. In the formal themes that give his book of chivalry structure and in his many tangential comments and asides, charny proves a rich source for investigating questions about the political, military, religious, and social history of the later middle ages. One of the most famous french knights of his age, charny s book of chivalry was written in an age when his country was facing political crisis and defeat. Every knight who does well in military vocation should be prized and honored, and one should observe those who are best and learn by listening to them. This gentlemans virtue includes the love of god, loyalty.
The treatise is intended to explain the appropriate qualities for a knight, reform the behavior of the fighting classes, and defend the chivalric ethos against its critics, mainly in clerical circles. From a knights own book of chivalry even though many ancient and contemporary sources contributed to the formation of chivalry now, we consider it an authentic code of chivalry evolved from medieval traditions. Kaeuper, 1996, university of pennsylvania press edition, in english. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
It was written about 52 to the knights of the order of the star which sir geoffroi founded. Ultimately, this attempt at reforming chivalry was a failure. The goal of our book is to present charny to a wide range of readers. Geoffroi discusses many subjects but above all he values skill at arms over all other knightly virtues and war over all other forms of contest at arms. The treatise is intended to explain the appropriate qualities for a knight, reform the behavior of. A knights own book of chivalry the middle ages series. In this book he shared his great skill and knowledge of combat. Throughout his life he fought many battles for france.
He prepared the book of chivalry as a guide for members of the company of the star, a new but shortlived order of knights created by jean ii of france in 52 to rival the english order of the. Edited and with a historical introduction by richard w. As a member of the knightly elite, as an insider, he had to play a double game. Coming from an illustrious family of french knights, he served king jean ii and provided the theoretical foundation the order of the star, meant to improve the combat reputation of french knights after the disaster of crecy in 46.
A considerable number of treatises on chivalry were written during the medieval period, but it was charny s astute practicality and realistic understanding of the warrior mentality and duty that set his work apart from other treatises. From a knights own book of chivalry even though many ancient and contemporary sources contributed to the formation of chivalrynow, we consider it an authentic code of chivalry evolved from medieval traditions. The translation of charny s original writing is clear and accessible to the average reader. The book reveals other interesting aspects of the medieval french warrior mindset. A knights own book of chivalry the middle ages series 9780812219098. Chivalry project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read. Sir geoffroi was born of an important french family. His most famous book was a knights own book of chivalry. In response to these problems, king jean ii founded the order of the star, for which the book was written, in the hope that by returning to the chivalric ideals of loyalty and prowess, honour and victory could be restored. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. He was always loyal to his king, jean ii, king of france and died at the battle of poitiers protecting him.
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