A Knight's Own Book of Chivalry
A Knight's Own Book of Chivalry
GEOFFROI DE CHARNY
Introduction by Richard W. Kaeuper
Translation by Elspeth Kennedy
Series: The Middle Ages Series
Copyright Date: 2005
Published by: University of Pennsylvania Press
Pages: 128
https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt3fj2vg
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Book Info
A Knight's Own Book of Chivalry
Book Description:

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.

eISBN: 978-0-8122-0868-9
Subjects: History
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  1. Front Matter
    Front Matter (pp. i-iv)
  2. Table of Contents
    Table of Contents (pp. v-vi)
  3. Historical Introduction to the Text
    Historical Introduction to the Text (pp. 1-46)
    Richard W. Kaeuper

    Geoffroi de Charny (c.1306–1356) was the chivalric embodiment of his colorful and violent age. His adult life coincided with the opening phase of the series of Anglo-French conflicts we call the Hundred Years War (traditionally 1337–1483). He was also intensely pious and, in fact, was the first documented owner of the Shroud of Turin. A close look at this man’s lively career as a knight and his unusual treatises about his profession offer fascinating insights. Charny opens up to us the set of ideas and practices that by his time dominated the lay elite and guided all who...

  4. The Book of Chivalry
    The Book of Chivalry (pp. 47-108)

    1 Because I am minded to examine the various conditions of men-at-arms, both of the past and of the present, I want to give some brief account of them. And it is right to do so for all such matters are honorable, although some are honorable enough, others more honorable on an ascending scale up to the most honorable of all. And always the noblest way rises above all others, and those who have the greatest heart for it go constantly forward to reach and achieve the highest honor, and for this reason we must start by speaking of these...

  5. Notes to the Translation
    Notes to the Translation (pp. 109-114)
  6. Suggestions for Further Reading
    Suggestions for Further Reading (pp. 115-116)
  7. Acknowledgments
    Acknowledgments (pp. 117-117)
    R. W. Kaeuper
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