With Spurs of Gold: Heroes of Chivalry and their Deeds

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25651

Title

With Spurs of Gold: Heroes of Chivalry and their Deeds

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This historical romance introduces young readers to the heroic deeds of medieval knights, blending factual history with romantic legends. The text enlives turbulent Middle Ages through vivid sketches of figures like Roland, the Cid, Godfrey, Richard Cœur-de-Lion, and Sir Philip Sidney, emphasizing noble virtues over modern moral judgments.

Summary up to 500 words

Written primarily for young people but accessible to adults, *With Spurs of Gold: Heroes of Chivalry and their Deeds* by Frances Nimmo Greene and Dolly Williams Kirk aims to enliven the study of history by providing romantic details often omitted from standard textbooks. The authors portray knights and their deeds with accuracy and impartiality, acknowledging the distinction between medieval ideals and twentieth-century morals. They emphasize noble character and great deeds rather than ignoble traits, striving to depict the fine virtues that won admiration in the Middle Ages. The narrative spans several pivotal eras, beginning with the Moors in Spain. It details the arrival of the Moors under Tarik in 711 A.D., their rapid conquest of Spain, and the subsequent seven hundred years of intermittent warfare between Christians and Muslims, which ended only with the fall of Granada in 1492. The book then transitions to the Age of Charlemagne, describing how the Franks, led first by Charles Martel and later by Charlemagne, halted the Moorish advance at the Battle of Tours in 732. Charlemagne is celebrated not only as a conqueror but as a wise ruler who founded schools and promoted education across his vast empire. The text explores the Crusades, focusing on Godfrey de Bouillon, the first ruler of Jerusalem. His piety is highlighted by his refusal to wear a crown of gold in the Holy Sepulchre, choosing instead the title of "Defender." The narrative includes the tragic heroism of Gerard of Avesnes, who faced death bravely rather than surrender, and Godfrey's own death in Jerusalem. The authors also incorporate the troubadour tradition and legendary tales of Roland and the Cid. Significant attention is given to Richard Cœur-de-Lion, who was married as a child but became a great warrior skilled in arms and literature. The final and most extensive section focuses on Sir Philip Sidney. The book details his chivalric training, his service in the Netherlands under the Earl of Leicester, and his heroic defense of Axel and Zutphen. Sidney's bravery at Zutphen, where he rescued comrades and fought until mortally wounded, exemplifies the book's theme of noble sacrifice. In his final moments, he gave his water to a dying soldier, embodying the ideal of selfless service. Sidney is portrayed as the "last flower of knighthood," whose life and death teach how to live and die nobly even as the old chivalric order fades. The text utilizes first-person narration for legendary speeches and includes vivid illustrations to bring these historical sketches to life.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25651.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg25651.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-03 23:16 UTC

Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction