[Froissart, Sir John] Bourchier, John (2nd Baron Berners) / [Provenance: Edward Hume Townsend / Henrietta Murray Townsend].

The Antient [Ancient] Chronicles of Sir John Froissart, of England, France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Brittany and Flanders, And The Adjoining Countries; Translated From the Original French, at The Command of King Henry The Eighth by John Bourchier, Lord Berners. With The Names of Places and Persons Carefully Corrected, And The Obsolete Words Modernized. With A Copious Index.

In Four Volumes [complete set]. London, For J.Davis, Military Chronicle Office, 1814 – 1816. Octavo (15,5 cm wide x 24 cm high). Pagination: Volume I: VIII, 693 pages / Volume II: 651 pages / Volume III: III, 663 pages / Volume IV: 615 pages. Hardcover / Original 19th century full-leather with gilt lettering and ornament to spine. Some of the original leather – spine detaching. The bindings firm and overall in very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Exlibris of E.H.Townsend [Edward Hume Townsend (1803 – 1880) and the manuscript-name in ink, of his daughter Henrietta Murray Townsend (died 1869) inside the cover of all four Volumes. Edward Townsend was educated in Clonakilty and later worked for the East India Company. There is plenty of information on the interesting life of Edward and his daughter Henrietta available within “The Townsend Family Records” [online].

Jean Froissart, (born 1333, Valenciennes, Brabant—died c. 1400, Chimay, Hainaut), medieval poet and court historian whose Chronicles of the 14th century remain the most important and detailed document of feudal times in Europe and the best contemporary exposition of chivalric and courtly ideals.

As a scholar, Froissart lived among the nobility of several European courts. In England he served Queen Philippa of Hainaut, King Edward III, and his sons the Black Prince and the Duke of Clarence. He became the chaplain of Guy II de Chatillon, comte de Blois, under whose auspices he was ordained canon of Chimay. He travelled to Scotland, Italy, France, and the Iberian Peninsula.

The main subject of Froissart’s Chronicles was the “honourable adventures and feats of arms” of the Hundred Years’ War. He used his privileged position to question central figures and observe key events. The firsthand narrative covers weddings, funerals, and great battles from 1325 to 1400. Book I was based on the work of the Flemish writer Jean le Bel and later rewritten. Book II concerns the events in Flanders and the Peace of Tournai. Book III concerns Spain and Portugal. Book IV is based on the Battle of Poitiers and a final visit to England, where he was shocked by the weakness of the royal government.

Froissart cites exact dialogues and all available facts, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. The splendour and pageantry are emphasized, however, according to the courtly traditions of his patrons, while the victims and causes of suffering are overlooked. A didactic moral tone urges readers to aspire to the ideals of chivalry. While the Chronicles contain historical errors and lapses of judgment, they are the best information available to modern readers interested in the 14th century.

Froissart’s allegorical poetry celebrates courtly love. L’Horloge amoureux compares the heart to a clock, and Méliador is a chivalrous romance. His ballades and rondeaux expose the poet’s personal feelings. Despite his fame during his lifetime, Froissart apparently died in obscurity. (Source: Encyclopedia Britannica)

• Keywords: Chivalry · English History · English History – Rare · English History in the 14th century · European History – Rare · European History in the 14th century · French History · French History of the 14th century · French History Rare · Hundred Years’ War · Provenance · Townsend, Edward Hume [Provenance] · Townsend, Henrietta Murray [Provenance]
• Language: English
• Inventory Number: 31501AB

EUR 1.250,-- 

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