The Last Duel
Now a major film starring Matt Damon, Adam Driver and Jodie Comer
Published on 17. October 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
256 pages
978-1-78475-712-0 (ISBN)
Description
The gripping, atmospheric true story of the "duel to end all duels" in medieval France: a trial by combat pitting a knight against a squire accused of violating the knight's beautiful young wife.
In 1386, a few days after Christmas, a massive crowd gathered at a Paris monastery to watch the two men fight a duel to the death - a trial by combat meant to 'prove' which man's cause was right in God's sight. The dramatic true story of the knight, the squire, and the lady unfolds during the tumultuous fourteenth century, a time of war, plague, and anarchy, as well as of honour, chivalry, and courtly love. The notorious quarrel appears in many histories of France, but no writer has recounted it in full, until now.
In 1386, a few days after Christmas, a massive crowd gathered at a Paris monastery to watch the two men fight a duel to the death - a trial by combat meant to 'prove' which man's cause was right in God's sight. The dramatic true story of the knight, the squire, and the lady unfolds during the tumultuous fourteenth century, a time of war, plague, and anarchy, as well as of honour, chivalry, and courtly love. The notorious quarrel appears in many histories of France, but no writer has recounted it in full, until now.
Reviews / Votes
'a genuinely suspenseful and well written piece of narrative'. - The Spectator 'succeeds brilliantly in combining page-turning intensity with eye-opening insights' Sunday Times 'Jager knows his territory well; we learn a good deal about medieval armor and weaponry, fashion and custom, the legal system and sexual ideas, court politics and religion. His skilful prose quickly ensnares readers in the web of the characters' invention, allowing no escape until very near the end- Sex, savagery, and high-level political maneuvers energize a splendid piece of popular history.' Kirkus Reviews 'A riveting account that will satisfy general readers and historians alike.' Publishers Weekly'As enthralling and engrossing as any [story] about a high-profile celebrity scandal today.' Booklist (starred)More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Cornerstone
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
32
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
181 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78475-712-0 (9781784757120)
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
Person
An award-winning professor of English at UCLA, Eric Jager holds a Ph. D. from the University of Michigan and has also taught at Columbia University. He is the author of two previous books, including The Book of the Heart (a study of heart imagery in medieval literature).