A Knight's Own Book Of Chivalry

by Charny, Geoffroi de

• ISBN13: 9780812219098
• ISBN10: 0812219090
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-05-12
• Publisher: Ingram Pub Services

Summary

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 Chivalrywas 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 Biography

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.

Table of Contents

Historical Introduction to the Text by Richard W. Kaeuper	1	(46)
Reading Charny and Understanding Chivalry	1	(2)
Charny's Career	3	(11)
The Revitalization of Chivalry	14	(8)
Prowess and Honor	22	(4)
The Knight and Piety	26	(5)
The Knight and Pious Independence	31	(4)
Forming the Perfect Worthy Man	35	(6)
A Note on the Manuscripts Used	41	(1)
Notes	42	(5)
The Book of Chivalry translated by Elspeth Kennedy	47	(62)
1-2 Introduction	47	(1)
3 The Scale of Prowess and Types of Men-at-Arms	47	(1)
4 Deeds of Arms at Tournaments	48	(1)
5 Deeds of Arms in Local Wars	49	(1)
6 Deeds of Arms in Local Wars	49	(1)
7-8 Deeds of Arms in War Are the Most Honorable	49	(1)
9 Men-at-Arms Who Undertake Distant Journeys and Pilgrimages	50	(1)
10 Deeds Performed Outside One's Locality for Pay and Other Rewards	51	(1)
11 Deeds Undertaken for Rewards	52	(1)
12 Deeds Undertaken for Love of a Lady	52	(2)
13 Men Who Spend Recklessly to Perform Deeds of Arms	54	(1)
14 Sacrifices Made by Men-at-Arms Whose Deeds Remain Unknown	54	(1)
15 Those Who Are Brave But Too Eager for Plunder	55	(1)
16 How the Highest Standard in Deeds of Arms Is Achieved	55	(2)
17 How to Study the Art of War	57	(2)
18 The Great Influence of a Valiant Lord	59	(1)
19 The Heavy Responsibilities of Men of Rank and Prowess	60	(6)
20 The Lady Who Sees Her Knight Honored	66	(2)
21 A Good Man-at-Arms Should Not Pamper His Body	68	(1)
22 Good Men-at-Arms Have No Fear of Discomfort	69	(1)
23 Advice on Conduct Toward Friends and Enemies	70	(3)
24 The Role of Fortune	73	(3)
25 The True Function for Which Rulers Were Created	76	(3)
26 The Good Rulers Contrasted with the Unworthy	79	(1)
27 The Scale of Qualities in a Man of Worth: Simplicity of Heart	80	(1)
28 Those Who Present Themselves Outwardly as Generous and Devout	80	(1)
29 Those Who Act Loyally and Serve God	80	(1)
30 Those Who Are Too Ingenious and Over Subtle	81	(1)
31 Those Who Are Truly Wise	81	(1)
32 Those Who Have Courage and Skill But Are Thoughtless	81	(1)
33 Those Who Perform Great Deeds But Do Not Lead or Advise	82	(1)
34 The True Men of Worth, Brave and of Good Counsel	82	(1)
35 The Men-at-Arms of Supreme Worth	83	(8)
36 The Knighting Ceremony	91	(2)
37 The Order of Marriage	93	(1)
38 The Monastic Orders	93	(1)
39 The Order of Priesthood	94	(1)
40 The Rigors of the Order of Knighthood	95	(1)
41 Those Unworthy To Be Men-at-Arms	96	(1)
42 The Orders of Priesthood and Knighthood Compared	97	(6)
43 What Young Ladies Should Wear	103	(2)
44 A Good Man-at-Arms Can Be Pleasing to God	105	(4)
Notes to the Translation	109	(6)
Suggestions for Further Reading	115
Acknowledgments	111