Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "French Literature" to "Frost, William" / Volume 11, Slice 2

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

37736

Title

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "French Literature" to "Frost, William" / Volume 11, Slice 2

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume offers a comprehensive survey of French literature from its 11th-century origins through the epic traditions of the *chansons de geste*, alongside encyclopedic entries on physics, history, and biography. It blends philological analysis with historical narrative, presenting a rich tapestry of cultural and scientific knowledge from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Summary up to 500 words

The Eleventh Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica presents a comprehensive overview of French literature, tracing its evolution from the 9th century when the vernacular language began to supplant Latin as a medium for literary expression. Early monuments, such as the Oaths of Strasbourg and the Life of St Leger, demonstrate the gradual construction of a literary instrument from a blend of Latin, Celtic, Iberian, Teutonic, and Oriental elements. By the 11th century, the *chansons de geste* emerged as the premier literary development, characterized by assonanced verses arranged in *laisses* and centered on historical French events involving figures like Charlemagne. The *Chanson de Roland* stands as the foremost example of this genre, while the works of *trouvères* and *jongleurs* facilitated the oral transmission of these vast epics, which eventually declined in favor of Arthurian romances. Beyond literature, the volume serves as a dense repository of general knowledge, offering detailed entries on scientific concepts such as friction in physics, which explains the resistance between surfaces and its dependence on pressure rather than area. Historical accounts include the political fluctuations of the Swiss canton of Fribourg, detailing its transition from patrician rule to radical liberalism and back again. The text also profiles Governor Frontenac of New France, highlighting his decisive leadership during the Iroquois conflicts and his eventual death in 1698. Additionally, biographical sketches cover notable figures like chemist Charles Friedel, who pioneered the artificial formation of minerals, and painter William Edward Frost, an English artist renowned for his mythological subjects and association with the Royal Academy. Through this combination of literary criticism, historical analysis, and scientific data, the work functions as an extensive encyclopedia of arts, sciences, and general information.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37736.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg37736.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-08-13 22:57 UTC

Categories

• Encyclopedias and dictionaries