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A Knight's Own Book of Chivalry
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Geoffroi de Charny
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Translated by:
Elspeth Kennedy
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Preface by:
Richard W. Kaeuper
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2013
About this book
On the great influence of a valiant lord: "The companions, who see that good warriors are honored by the great lords for their prowess, become more determined to attain this level of prowess."
On the lady who sees her knight honored: "All of this makes the noble lady rejoice greatly within herself at the fact that she has set her mind and heart on loving and helping to make such a good knight or good man-at-arms."
On the worthiest amusements: "The best pastime of all is to be often in good company, far from unworthy men and from unworthy activities from which no good can come."
Enter the real world of knights and their code of ethics and behavior. Read how an aspiring knight of the fourteenth century would conduct himself and learn what he would have needed to know when traveling, fighting, appearing in court, and engaging fellow knights.
Composed at the height of the Hundred Years War by Geoffroi de Charny, one of the most respected knights of his age, A Knight's Own Book of Chivalry was designed as a guide for members of the Company of the Star, an order created by Jean II of France in 1352 to rival the English Order of the Garter.
This is the most authentic and complete manual on the day-to-day life of the knight that has survived the centuries, and this edition contains a specially commissioned introduction from historian Richard W. Kaeuper that gives the history of both the book and its author, who, among his other achievements, was the original owner of the Shroud of Turin.
Author / Editor information
Geoffroi de Charny (1304?-56) was considered the quintessential knight of his age by his contemporaries. He was killed at the Battle of Poitiers. Richard W. Kaeuper is Professor of History at the University of Rochester. He is the author of a number of books, including Chivalry and Violence in Medieval Europe. Elspeth Kennedy is Sometime Fellow at St. Hilda's College, Oxford University.
Reviews
"Kaeuper and Kennedy have done scholars a tremendous service in their publication of the excellent 1996 edition. . . . This slimmed-down version now provides teachers of chivalry, warfare, and gender with an excellent resource for the classroom."
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"Of exceptional interest for the light shed on the ethos, style, and tastes of the secular aristocracy of the later Middle Ages. Charny's book offers an exploration and explanation of the values and proper manner of life for Christian knights and men at arms by someone who was a knight himself. . . . A real boon to the historian."
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Frontmatter
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Contents
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Historical Introduction to the Text
1 - The Book of Chivalry
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1-2. Introduction
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3. The Scale of Prowess and Types of Men-at-Arms
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4. Deeds of Arms at Tournaments
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5. Deeds of Arms in Local Wars
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6. Deeds of Arms in Local Wars
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7-8. Deeds of Arms in War Are the Most Honorable
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9. Men-at-Arms Who Undertake Distant Journeys and Pilgrimages
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10. Deeds Performed Outside One's Locality for Pay or Other Rewards
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11. Deeds Undertaken for Rewards
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12. Deeds Undertaken for Love of a Lady
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13. Men Who Spend Recklessly to Perform Deeds of Arms
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14. Sacrifices Made by Men-at Arms Whose Deeds Remain Unknown
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15. Those Who Are Brave But Too Eager for Plunder
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16. How the Highest Standard in Deeds of Arms Is Achieved
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17. How to Study the Art of War
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18. The Great Influence of a Valiant Lord
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19. The Heavy Responsibilities of Men of Rank and Prowess
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20. The Lady Who Sees Her Knight Honored
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21. A Good Man-at-Arms Should Not Pamper His Body
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22. Good Men-at-Arms Have No Fear of Discomfort
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23. Advice on Conduct Toward Friends and Enemies
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24. The Role of Fortune
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25. The True Function for Which Rulers Were Created
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26. The Good Rulers Contrasted with the Unworthy
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27. The Scale of Qualities in a Man of Worth: Simplicity of Heart
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28. Those Who Present Themselves Outwardly as. Generous and Devout
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29. Those Who Act Loyally and Serve God
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30. Those Who Are Too Ingenious and Over Subtle
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31. Those Who Are Truly Wise
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32. Those Who Have Courage and Skill But Are Thoughtless
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33. Those Who Perform Great Deeds But Do Not Lead or Advise
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34. The True Men of Worth, Brave and of Good Counsel
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35. The Men-at-Arms of Supreme Worth
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36. The Knighting Ceremony
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37. The Order of Marriage
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38. The Monastic Orders
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39. The Order of Priesthood
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40. The Rigors of the Order of Knighthood
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41. Those Unworthy To Be Men-at-Arms
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42. The Orders of Priesthood and Knighthood Compared
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43. What Young Ladies Should Wear
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44. A Good Man-at-Arms Can Be Pleasing to God
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Notes to the Translation
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Suggestions for Further Reading
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Acknowledgments
117
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
March 1, 2013
eBook ISBN:
9780812208689
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
Main content:
128
eBook ISBN:
9780812208689
Keywords for this book
medieval chivalry code; knighthood in the middle ages; 14th century knighthood; chivalric values; hundred years war history; Geoffro De Charny; medieval warfare tactics; knights; men at arms; company of the star order; medieval aristocracy; code of honor; french; ideals; gender; military history; weapons; primary source; France; humanities
Audience(s) for this book
For universities and colleges of further and higher education
