A Chivalric Life
The Book of the Deeds of Messire Jacques de Lalaing
Boydell Press
Published on 16. August 2022
Book
Hardback
390 pages
978-1-78327-721-6 (ISBN)
Description
First English translation of the chivalric biography of the foremost knight of the late Middle Ages.
Jacques de Lalaing (c.1421-53) was undoubtedly the most famous knight at the court of the Burgundian duke, Philip the Good, one who was celebrated in his own lifetime for the dazzling feats of arms that he performed in jousts across Europe during the 1440s. Serving the duke first as a councillor and ambassador to launch a new crusade and then as a fearless military leader on a campaign to put down a revolt by the town of Ghent, Lalaing tragically met his death at the siege of Poeke at a relatively young age.
The chivalric biography of Lalaing, written in the early 1470s, offers an entertaining and informative account of the life of a late medieval knight. Drawing on a variety of sources, it was designed not only to commemorate Jacques's deeds for posterity but also to encourage other young noblemen to imitate his shining example, with lavishly illuminated copies being made for members of his own family and other noble readers.
This first English translation of the text, accompanied by an introduction and extensive notes based on new research into both archival and literary sources, aims to offer the reader an in-depth portrayal of Lalaing in the context of the chivalric, dynastic and political culture of his day.
Jacques de Lalaing (c.1421-53) was undoubtedly the most famous knight at the court of the Burgundian duke, Philip the Good, one who was celebrated in his own lifetime for the dazzling feats of arms that he performed in jousts across Europe during the 1440s. Serving the duke first as a councillor and ambassador to launch a new crusade and then as a fearless military leader on a campaign to put down a revolt by the town of Ghent, Lalaing tragically met his death at the siege of Poeke at a relatively young age.
The chivalric biography of Lalaing, written in the early 1470s, offers an entertaining and informative account of the life of a late medieval knight. Drawing on a variety of sources, it was designed not only to commemorate Jacques's deeds for posterity but also to encourage other young noblemen to imitate his shining example, with lavishly illuminated copies being made for members of his own family and other noble readers.
This first English translation of the text, accompanied by an introduction and extensive notes based on new research into both archival and literary sources, aims to offer the reader an in-depth portrayal of Lalaing in the context of the chivalric, dynastic and political culture of his day.
Reviews / Votes
Translated into English for the first time, A Chivalric Life offers new readers the opportunity to engage with this fine example of a knight's biography . . . Rosalind Brown-Grant and Mario Damen's translation is accessible and engaging. -- Sebastian Dows-Miller * Times Literary Supplement * This edition will appeal not only to those who enjoy accounts of violent jousts and grand celebrations, but to those interested in the history of the Burgundian territories, the ideals and practices of late-medieval chivalry and knighthood, and the evolution of literary genre in this period. The supporting apparatus will make this a valuable resource for newcomers as well as scholars in a range of disciplines. * SPECULUM * The scholarship on display in the apparatus accompanying the text is formidable. A Chivalric Life is a highly-accomplished edition of an important fifteenth-century text, with particular relevance for those interested in the history of the later medieval aristocracy, tournaments and warfare. * DE RE MILITARI * In contrast to previous editions and translations of the text, almost all of the countless names from the Burgundian nobility are identified here and consistently documented from the literature and common detection instruments. The included maps help you understand the text and the historical-geographical situation of Lalaing's life.Im Unterschied zu den bisherigen Ausgaben und UEbersetzungen des Textes werden hier so gut wie alle der zahllosen Namen aus dem burgundischen Adel identifiziert und konsequent aus der Literatur und gaengigen Nachweisinstrumenten belegt. Dem Verstaendnis des Textes und der historisch-geografischen Situierung von Lalaings Lebensweg dienen die beigegebenen Karten. * H-Soz-Kult * Without a doubt this publication will delight those who are attracted by the chivalric culture of the late Middle Ages or who study it.
Sans aucun doute cette publication fera le bonheur de ceux et celles qui sont attires par la culture chevaleresque de ce Moyen Age finissant ou qui l'etudient. * FRANCIA RECENSIO *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Woodbridge
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Boydell & Brewer Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
3 Karten
3 Maps
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
746 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78327-721-6 (9781783277216)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2022
1st Edition
Boydell & Brewer Ltd
€72.99
Available for download
Rosalind Brown-Grant | Mario Damen
A Chivalric Life
The Book of the Deeds of Messire Jacques de Lalaing
E-Book
08/2022
1st Edition
De Gruyter
€72.99
Available for download
Persons
Rosalind Brown-Grant is Professor of Late Medieval French Literature at the University of Leeds. Mario Damen is Senior Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Amsterdam.
Content
Introduction
Note to the Translation
The Book of the Deeds of Messire Jacques de Lalaing
Bibliography
Index
Note to the Translation
The Book of the Deeds of Messire Jacques de Lalaing
Bibliography
Index