Chroniques de J. Froissart, tome 09/13

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

78074

Title

Chroniques de J. Froissart, tome 09/13

Language

fr

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume chronicles the tumultuous years 1377–1380, capturing the final campaigns of the Hundred Years' War and the death of Charles V. Froissart's vivid narrative details the English chevauchées, the fall of Bergerac, the Scottish capture of Berwick, and the tragic end of the great captain Bertrand du Guesclin. Written with the immediacy of a contemporary witness, this edition offers an authentic glimpse into medieval chivalry, political intrigue, and the shifting fortunes of France and England.

Summary up to 500 words

Spanning the volatile years from late 1377 to September 1380, this volume of Jean Froissart's *Chroniques* captures the Hundred Years' War at its most turbulent. The narrative opens with French successes, including the capture of Bergerac and Duras, before shifting to the Scottish seizure of Berwick in November 1378, a significant blow to English interests. Froissart details the relentless English *chevauchées* through the Loire valley and into Brittany, where King Charles V skillfully maneuvers to prevent English alliances with the Duke of Brittany. A dramatic highlight occurs at the castle of Thori in the Beauce, where the French squire Gauvain Micaille challenges the English knight Janekin Kator to a tournament. Despite initial hesitation and chaos, the French squire emerges victorious, exemplifying the chivalric code Froissart admired. The text also explores the complex politics of the Low Countries, describing the rivalry between the families of Jean Yoens and Gilbert Mahieu in Ghent, the murder of bailiff Roger d'Auterive, and the eventual rebel capture of Ypres. In France, the focus turns to the devastating raids of the Great Companies in Auvergne and Limousin, alongside diplomatic maneuvering involving the King of Navarre and the Castilian court. The volume culminates in the tragic death of Bertrand du Guesclin, the 'Black Knight,' who falls before Châteauneuf-Randon in July 1380, marking a turning point for the French cause. Shortly thereafter, the text records the passing of Charles V at Beauté-sur-Marne, leaving the realm to his son Charles VI and his mother, Joan of France. Froissart's account, enriched by his access to multiple manuscripts, preserves the voices of knights, commoners, and kings, offering a rich tapestry of medieval life, warfare, and human emotion.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Europe