Read Jean Froissart's chronicles. Froissart, Jean

Date: 06/28/2013 at 02:46

A large-scale translation project - M. decided to give the Russian reader the most complete translation of the work of the greatest French chronicler, covering three quarters of the 14th century.

Each volume contains translations of the earliest edition of Froissart's work - the Amiens manuscript, the latest - the Roman manuscript, and the most significant versions of the remaining manuscripts. Extensive applications also allow you to familiarize yourself with Froissart's sources and other documents of the era.

It is very funny to compare two versions of descriptions of the same events - for example, how the elderly Froissart moves from a young and enthusiastic pro-English position to an anti-English one, and begins to characterize the English as a whole. For me, this confirmed a long-standing hypothesis that it was the catalyst for the emergence of European nationalism, the understanding of national differences and their mutual opposition.

In general, the opportunity to compare two and sometimes more versions of events from the pen of the same historian is an extremely valuable experience both for students and for readers interested in history.

Very interesting events are described - the coup of Isabella of France in England, the wars of the English with the Scots, the beginning of the Hundred Years' War, the activities of Jacob van Artevelde, the War of the Breton Succession, and finally the Battle of. Of course, I knew that on the part of the French this was not the pinnacle of military art, but I did not know that it was to that extent. The French, on the march, without any formation or order, attacked the British positions, despite the fact that it was just before sunset and a thunderstorm had begun. Strictly speaking, it was not even a poorly conducted battle - it was a stupid raid that turned into a meat grinder.

But the most interesting things from Froissart - descriptions of the battle of Poitiers, Jacquerie, the uprising of Etienne Marcel and much more - are yet to come. I look forward to the next volumes.

I also recommend another publication by M.V. Anikeeva: Chronicles and documents from the Hundred Years' War/ Transl., comp., preface, note, index, general. table, maps by M.V.Anikiev; Ed. Yu. P. Malinina. - St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg Publishing House. University, 2005

Quote:

How the kings of England and Scotland concluded a preliminary truce among themselves and disbanded their troops

Meanwhile, prudent and wise knights on both sides, together with two bishops - Winchester from the English and St. Andrew from the Scots, tried to conclude a short truce between the two kings for the release of the Earl of Moray, who was a prisoner of the English, as well as the Earl of Salisbury and Earl of Suffolk, who were prisoners of the King of France and were in Paris. Because of these three captives, the kings and the most prominent lords in both armies were inclined in their hearts to conclude a truce and make an exchange - a stranger for their own. After all, the prisoners there had influential friends and relatives who would be glad to see them released. And besides, they were captured in the war, faithfully serving their lords, because of which these kings and those who participated in the negotiations agreed to this more willingly.

In the end, they agreed and agreed that a truce would be concluded for a period of two years, if King Philip of France gave his consent to this, for the King of Scotland was bound to him by such strong allied obligations that he could not conclude either peace or a truce without his approval. . And in the event that the king of France did not want to agree to this, the truce should have lasted until St. Christopher's Day with the condition that the king of England should not provide any support or assistance to those English who captured and held two powerful castles - Roxburgh and Stirling . In addition, it was promised to release the Earl of Moray from captivity without any ransom, if only the King of Scotland could convince the King of France to release the Earl of Salisbury from captivity, also without ransom, and for the Earl of Suffolk he would set a reasonable price, which should be set for a noble man without burdening him too much. And all this had to be discussed before the coming feasts of St. James and St. Christopher 5.

So, as you heard, this truce was agreed upon and approved.

The King of Scotland dismissed his people, giving everyone permission to return to their own lands until he called them again. Then he immediately sent quite representative ambassadors to France, to King Philip, such as the Bishop of St. Andrew and Alexander Ramsay.

The King of England returned back to Berwick and gave leave to all his people; and they dispersed to their own ends.

About how King Edward, while in the city of Berwick, remembered the Countess of Salisbury and struggled with his desires

The King of England stayed at Berwick for about eight days. As you have already heard, he disbanded his entire army and remained there with a small retinue, consisting only of his closest courtiers. Having paid attention to the castle and the city fortifications, he urgently asked Monsignor Edward Baliol, who was commandant on his behalf, that he would deign to show diligence in order to avoid any reproach or damage. For he, the king, would be very angry if the Scots suddenly captured and took away the castle from him due to carelessness and lack of good guards. Sir Edward said to him in response: “Monsignor, if God pleases, this will not happen! I will be as vigilant in the future as I have been to this day!” And the king told him that he fully relied on him.

While the King of England was in Berwick, he very often returned in his imagination to the Countess of Salisbury, for he was so much in love with her that he could not get rid of these thoughts. Sometimes he told himself that on his way to England he would stop at Salisbury Castle, but he immediately began to contradict himself. Then he again firmly decided that he would do this, and since, on parting with the lady, he did not find her as accommodating as he would have liked, he must direct his speeches in a more suitable direction. And perhaps by his return she will come to her senses, and he will find her more welcoming than before.

So the king argued with himself. At some times he was sad, at others he was happy. At one time, Honor and Loyalty reproached him for allowing such a treacherous desire to take root and establish itself in his heart - to dishonor such a good knight as the Earl of Salisbury, who had always served him very faithfully. But then Love embraced him with renewed vigor and inspired him, with the help of the great fervor with which he was filled, that for some king to fall in love with such a noble, graceful, sweet and beautiful lady, and even in his own kingdom, was not at all vile and not dishonest. For the knight became who he is thanks to him, and therefore can trust him more than anyone else outside his kingdom. And besides, if he is in love, then this is only good for him, for his country and for all the knights and squires, for this will make him more cheerful, fervent and warlike, and will begin to arrange more jostras and buhurts than before, feasts and balls, and this will make him more enterprising and zealous in his wars, and will become more dear and close to his people, and more formidable to his enemies.

This is how the king reasoned and reflected. At some hour he told himself that he was creating madness by thinking about this, and that the lady, because of whom these attacks were coming upon him, was very firm in her decision and would rather allow herself to be killed than commit an act that would bring blasphemy on her and dishonor.

Then the king said: “However, even if she does not want and does not deign to love me, I still want to think about her and love her with perfect love, for this gives me great pleasure.”
So the king entered into this internal struggle, which did not stop in him for a long time, as you will learn later in this story. However, then prudence prevailed in him. Fearing to spoil and lose what he did not have at all, the king did not dare return to Mrs. Salisbury, but pulled himself together and turned to her through her nephew, Monsignor William Montague. The king said to him: “William, tell the countess, your aunt, that she should rejoice, for she will soon find her husband at her side again.” And the knight answered him: “Sire, willingly!”

Author of the famous “Chronicles” - the most important source on the history of the initial stage of the Hundred Years' War.

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Biography

Information about Froissart's life is limited to what he himself indicated about himself in the text of the Chronicles.

The years of his life remain the subject of debate. Froissart in his narrative spoke about two dates of his birth - 1333 and 1337.

The first version refers to the place in the Chronicle where Froissart states that in 1390 he was 57 years old. Baron Kerwin de Lettenhove, one of the main publishers and commentators of Froissart in the 19th century, was inclined to believe this date.

However, at the end of Book IV, the author recalls that he was 24 years old when he attended the farewell of Queen Philippa and the Prince of Wales at Berkwemstead, in 1361. This reference dates his birth to 1337.

Froissart was a Walloon by birth and came from Valenciennes in Hainaut (Gennegau). His father was probably an artisan who made noble coats of arms.

In his youth (before 1359), Froissart was a merchant for some time, then got a job as a clerk in Prague under King Charles IV of Luxembourg, where he met Petrarch, who lived there after Milan and before moving to Venice. ;

By the age of 24, he already had a recommendation from the king of [[Bohemia] Charles IV of Luxembourg), who certified him as a court poet, and served as a chronicler (historian) at the court of the English Queen Philippa, wife of Edward III.

Anikeev M.V. names a later date of death - this is 1410, explaining this by the fact that it was from 1410 that the trace of the author was lost and his historical narrative stopped.

Creation

Chronicles

"Chronicles" consists of 4 books. Of particular interest to researchers is “Book I,” known for several editions. There are three main editions: “Amiens Manuscript”, “A/B Family Manuscript” and “Roman Manuscript”. The Amiens Manuscript has reached us only in one copy, which was made by an unknown copyist no later than 1491. The “Manuscript of the A\B family” has been preserved in several dozen lists that have not yet been systematized. The “Roman manuscript” has come down to us in only one copy. In 1860, Kerwin de Lettenhove discovered it in the Vatican Library and prepared its first scientific edition. The time frame of the manuscripts is also highly debatable. Anikeev M.V. believes that the “Amiens Manuscript” covers the time period from 1325 to 1378, A.D. Lyublinskaya. also speaks of the period 1326-1370. Also, in medieval studies there are still debates about which edition of “Book I” is earlier.

The central plot of the Chronicles is the Anglo-French conflict of the Hundred Years' War. The vast majority of chapters are devoted to descriptions of the main battles, smaller battles and simply small skirmishes during the Hundred Years' War. A special place in his narrative is occupied by Flanders, which is the knot of contradiction between England and France. It was Flanders that was one of the causes of the Hundred Years' War and played an important role in it. Thus, Froissart describes the policy of England and France in alliance with Flanders. For example, in one of the chapters of “Book I” the case of the concluded alliance between Edward III and the inhabitants of Flanders is described. Edward III proposed to "attack France and march through Touraine and the castellations of Lille and Douai." But the inhabitants of Flanders refused, since they had an agreement with the Pope that if they started a war against France, they “would be subject to a huge fine and excommunication. At the council, it was decided that if Edward III wants to be the king of France, then let him place the coat of arms of France on his heraldic shield and be called the king of France in the charters. Then they will respect him as a king and will obey him.” This way they avoided a monetary fine. The agreement was concluded.

In addition to political alliances and military actions, the author's attention is drawn to political events: the birth and death of royalty, peace negotiations, embassies, elections of Popes, ceremonial entries into the city and holidays; in addition, popular movements and urban uprisings do not escape Froissart's pen. Quite a lot of chapters in his narrative are devoted to urban topics. Many pages of his Chronicles are devoted to the story of the uprising of the cities of Flanders, the unrest in Paris in 1383.

Froissart deservedly received the title of “singer of chivalry” and “the best of the medieval historians of France.” He himself emphasized that the motivation for writing the Chronicle was the desire to talk about “glorious military deeds and exploits in France, England and neighboring countries.” The heroes and participants are valiant knights and high-born lords.

L'Horloge amoureux- a voluminous treatise on love, which is constructed, like most works of this era, as a series of frame structures: coherent series of ballads are built into a didactic discourse, subordinate to a dream, which is introduced by the type of meeting.

Froissart is also the author of the last poetic chivalric novel Meliador ( Meliador), adjacent to the Arthurian cycle. He specially altered it in order to include in it, in the most favorable light, about eighty lyrical poems of his patron, the Duke of Luxembourg.

JEAN FROISSARD

CHRONICLES OF ENGLAND, FRANCE, SPAIN AND NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES

FROM THE END OF THE REIGN OF EDWARD II TO THE CORONATION OF HENRY IV

FOREWORD BY THE TRANSLATOR

Translation was carried out according to the edition:

Froissart, J., Chronicles of England, France, Spain and the adjoining countries: from the latter part of the reign of Edward II to the coronation of Henry IV, Translated from the French, with variations and additions, from many celebrating MSS by Thomas Jones, Esq. New York: Leavitt & Allen, 1857.

This is the 2nd American edition of Jones's translation. Jones's translation itself was first published in London in 1803-1810 and was reprinted many times in English-speaking countries (until the 1980s), becoming the classic English translation of the Chronicle. It is based on the first English printed translation of the Chronicle, made by Lord Berners (J.B.) in 1523-25. Berners's translation was corrected by Jones from the manuscripts and printed copies he had and translated into modern English.

translation by Sauvage (Denis Sauvage), 1st French printed edition 1574,

on the work of Barnes (Barns) "History of Edward III",

as well as Rymer or Foedera - a collection of acts and treaties of England, decrees of kings, etc. (all the leagues, treaties, alliances, capitulations, and confederacies, which have at any time been made between the Crown of England and any other kingdoms, princes and states")_ – Foedera, Conventiones, Litterae et Cujuscunque Acta Publica, etc., ed.Thomas Ryme, 16 vol, 1704-13

Froissart's Chronicle consists of 4 books (often the first book is divided into 3 or 5 parts, but in this edition there is no such breakdown). The division into chapters is arbitrary, since in this regard no two manuscripts are identical. This breakdown was done by Jones himself. Chapter headings appear only in printed editions; they were absent from manuscripts. So the titles of the chapters in this edition were also compiled by Esquire Jones.

Since no two manuscripts are completely identical, Esquire Jones's translation is a kind of average fictionalized text compiled from many manuscripts, the so-called “A/B family.” In total, the Chronicle has 3 main versions - the so-called Amiens Manuscript, the Roman Manuscript and manuscripts of the A/B family. The first and second are known in only one copy each and were first published in the middle of the 19th century, that is, after Jones's translation. There are several dozen manuscripts of families A/B, which are divided into families A and B with their own subfamilies. Several of these manuscripts were burned in the Jones house fire, so when in several cases Jones's text differs from any of the surviving manuscripts (there are publisher's notes about this), then it is obviously based on the text of the burned ones.

The Russian translation, begun in 2008 (St. Petersburg University Publishing House), is based on the French translation of the Amiens and Roman manuscripts, which differ very significantly from each other and from the “A/B family.” The translation of the manuscripts of the A/B family is presented in the Russian edition only in separate fragments, and they differ markedly from the Jones translation (although much closer to it than the Amiens and Roman manuscripts). Thus, I think that this translation may be one of the 3 main versions of the Chronicle, complementing the other two.

(for details on the classification of manuscripts, see the Russian edition of the “Chronicles of Fraussard” 2008, vol. 1)

Regarding the vocalization of proper names and geographical names:

All options have their drawbacks. I accepted it this way: I read English names in English, French ones in French. An exception is made for those cases where the spelling has already been established according to tradition; this mainly concerns the names of reigning persons, for example, Count Louis Flanders, but sir Louis d'Harcourt.

In some cases it is possible to read it both ways. For example, Sir Walter Manny (Walter Manny, Walter de Manny, Manney, Walter Mauny, Walter the Mawnay), was from the town of Mony in Hainault and it would be more correct to call him Sir Gaultier de Mauny (as it is written in Russian translations Le-Bel 2005 and Froissart 2008). But in this case, I proceeded from the fact that this knight came to England in his adolescence, grew up there and achieved everything he achieved, which is why I write his name in the English manner. In some cases, there is similar confusion in Jones' translation. For example, he follows Froissart (who wrote all the names in French) and writes in French the names of captains who turn out to be actually English, and as a result the names are distorted beyond recognition. In any case, the original names and titles are given in parentheses. It should also be taken into account that the English name of many places is different from the French (or has been somewhat distorted since the beginning of the 19th century, when the translation was made). The same titles could differ slightly from each other in different places in the book. I tried, if possible, to check on a modern map, and in many cases modern names are given that differ from the French transcription in the text of the book.

(c. 1337 - c. 1405)

Great Soviet Encyclopedia: Froissart (Froissart) Jean (about 1337, Valenciennes, in the Netherlands, now in France - after 1404, Chimay, Hainaut department), French chronicler and poet. Son of a small burgher. First he served at the English court. king, and then among the large feudal lords of France. From a young age, he composed poetry and poems in the spirit of knightly courtly poetry, but gained fame as a historian of English military exploits. and French knights, their tournaments, feasts and robberies. In his Chronicles he describes events (mainly the Hundred Years' War) for the period 1327-1400. To collect material, F. made trips to England, France, Spain, and Italy. When covering events before 1361, he used the chronicles of the Liege chronicler J. Lebel. Loyal to those who paid him, F. more than once changed his political orientation in accordance with the interests of high patrons. The first edition of the Chronicle reflected his pro-English. orientation; after revision by the author (who switched from 1370 to the service of the French feudal lords), the second and especially the third editions received pro-French. coloring (initially F. used the testimony of England's allies, and for the new editions - its enemies). Admiring the exploits of knights of any nationality, F. is hostile and full of contempt for the common people; He either condemned the Parisian uprising of 1357-58, the Jacquerie and other popular movements or passed over in silence. The advantages of the Chronicles, which ensured them enormous success among their contemporaries and descendants: figurative language, lively dialogues, portraits of knights, artistic descriptions of landscapes, an abundance of facts collected from eyewitnesses and participants in the events. From the end of the 15th century. The Chronicles were published many times and translated from French. languages ​​into Latin and new European languages; had a great influence on chronography (especially English) of the 15th-16th centuries.

Biography

Information about Froissart's life is limited to what he himself indicated about himself in the text of the Chronicles.

The years of his life remain the subject of debate. Froissart in his narrative spoke about two dates of his birth - 1333 and 1337.

The first version refers to the place in the Chronicle where Froissart states that in 1390 he was 57 years old. Baron Kerwin de Lettenhove, one of the main publishers and commentators of Froissart in the 19th century, was inclined to believe this date.

However, at the end of Book IV, the author recalls that he was 24 years old when he attended the farewell of Queen Philippa and the Prince of Wales at Berkwemstead, in 1361. This reference dates his birth to 1337.

Froissart was a Walloon by birth and came from Valenciennes in Hainaut (Gennegau). His father was probably an artisan who made noble coats of arms.

In his youth (before 1359), Froissart was briefly a merchant, then took a job as a clerk in Prague under King Charles IV of Luxembourg, where he met Petrarch, who was residing there after a stay in Milan and before moving to Venice.

By the age of 24, he already had a recommendation from the King of Bohemia, Charles IV of Luxembourg, who certified him as a court poet, and served as a chronicler (historian) at the court of the English Queen Philippa, wife of Edward III.

After the death of Philippa (Froissart), Froissart came under the patronage of Joanna, Duchess of Brabant, who rewarded his labors with an estate in Hainaut; the income from the estate allowed him to travel in search of materials for the chronicles at his own expense.

In addition to historical research, he continued to write poetry until the end of his life. In 1395, Froissart returned to England, but was disappointed by the changes that had taken place there and the fading spirit of chivalry during the war years.

The date of his death, like the date of birth, is disputed. A.D. Lyublinskaya and E.Yu. Akimova agree that the year of his death is th. M.V. Anikeev gives a later date of death - 1410, explaining this by the fact that starting from 1410, traces of the author are lost and his historical narrative stops.

Creation

Chronicles

"Chronicles" consists of 4 books. Of particular interest to researchers is “Book I,” known for several editions. There are three main editions: “Amiens Manuscript”, “A/B Family Manuscript” and “Roman Manuscript”. The Amiens Manuscript has reached us only in one copy, which was made by an unknown copyist no later than 1491. The “Manuscript of the A\B family” has been preserved in several dozen lists that have not yet been systematized. The “Roman manuscript” has come down to us in only one copy. In 1860, Kerwin de Lettenhove discovered it in the Vatican Library and prepared its first scientific edition. The time frame of the manuscripts is also highly debatable. Anikeev M.V. believes that the “Amiens Manuscript” covers the time period from 1325 to 1378, A.D. Lyublinskaya. also speaks of the period 1326-1370. Also, in medieval studies there are still debates about which edition of “Book I” is earlier.

The central plot of the Chronicles is the Anglo-French conflict of the Hundred Years' War. The vast majority of chapters are devoted to descriptions of the main battles, smaller battles and simply small skirmishes during the Hundred Years' War. A special place in his narrative is occupied by Flanders, which is the knot of contradiction between England and France.

It was Flanders that was one of the causes of the Hundred Years' War and played an important role in it. Thus, Froissart describes the policy of England and France in alliance with Flanders. For example, in one of the chapters of “Book I” the case of the concluded alliance between Edward III and the inhabitants of Flanders is described. Edward III proposed to "attack France and march through Touraine and the castellations of Lille and Douai." But the inhabitants of Flanders refused, since they had an agreement with the Pope that if they started a war against France, they “would be subject to a huge fine and excommunication. At the council, it was decided that if Edward III wants to be the king of France, then let him place the coat of arms of France on his heraldic shield and be called the king of France in the charters. Then they will respect him as a king and will obey him.” This way they avoided a monetary fine. The agreement was concluded.

In addition to political alliances and military actions, the author's attention is drawn to political events: the birth and death of royalty, peace negotiations, embassies, elections of Popes, ceremonial entries into the city and holidays; in addition, popular movements and urban uprisings do not escape Froissart's pen. Quite a lot of chapters in his narrative are devoted to urban topics. Many pages of his Chronicles are devoted to the story of the uprising of the cities of Flanders, the unrest in Paris in 1383.

Froissart deservedly received the title of “singer of chivalry” and “the best of the medieval historians of France.” He himself emphasized that the motivation for writing the Chronicle was the desire to talk about “glorious military deeds and exploits in France, England and neighboring countries.” The heroes and participants are valiant knights and high-born lords.

More than a hundred illuminated manuscripts of his Chronicles have survived, the most famous being made in