First English translation of the chivalric biography of the foremost knight of the late Middle Ages. Jacques de Lalaing (c.1421-53) was undoubtedly the most famous knight at the court of the Burgundian duke, Philip the Good, one who was celebrated in his own lifetime for the dazzling feats of arms that he performed in jousts across Europe during the 1440s. Serving the duke first as a councillor and ambassador to launch a new crusade and then as a fearless military leader on a campaign to put down a revolt by the town of Ghent, Lalaing tragically met his death at the siege of Poeke at a relatively young age. The chivalric biography of Lalaing, written in the early 1470s, offers an entertaining and informative account of the life of a late medieval knight. Drawing on a variety of sources, it was designed not only to commemorate Jacques's deeds for posterity but also to encourage other young noblemen to imitate his shining example, with lavishly illuminated copies being made for members of his own family and other noble readers. This first English translation of the text, accompanied by an introduction and extensive notes based on new research into both archival and literary sources, aims to offer the reader an in-depth portrayal of Lalaing in the context of the chivalric, dynastic and political culture of his day.

About the Author
Rosalind Brown-Grant is Professor of Late Medieval French Literature at the University of Leeds. Mario Damen is Senior Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Amsterdam.

Reviews
The scholarship on display in the apparatus accompanying the text is formidable. A Chivalric Life is a highly-accomplished edition of an important fifteenth-century text, with particular relevance for those interested in the history of the later medieval aristocracy, tournaments and warfare. * DE RE MILITARI *
Translated into English for the first time, A Chivalric Life offers new readers the opportunity to engage with this fine example of a knight's biography . . . Rosalind Brown-Grant and Mario Damen's translation is accessible and engaging. -- Sebastian Dows-Miller * Times Literary Supplement *
In contrast to previous editions and translations of the text, almost all of the countless names from the Burgundian nobility are identified here and consistently documented from the literature and common detection instruments. The included maps help you understand the text and the historical-geographical situation of Lalaing's life. Im Unterschied zu den bisherigen Ausgaben und UEbersetzungen des Textes werden hier so gut wie alle der zahllosen Namen aus dem burgundischen Adel identifiziert und konsequent aus der Literatur und gangigen Nachweisinstrumenten belegt. Dem Verstandnis des Textes und der historisch-geografischen Situierung von Lalaings Lebensweg dienen die beigegebenen Karten. * H-Soz-Kult *
Without a doubt this publication will delight those who are attracted by the chivalric culture of the late Middle Ages or who study it. Sans aucun doute cette publication fera le bonheur de ceux et celles qui sont attires par la culture chevaleresque de ce Moyen Age finissant ou qui l'etudient. * FRANCIA RECENSIO *



Book Information
ISBN 9781783277216
Author Prof Rosalind Brown-Grant
Format Hardback
Page Count 390
Imprint The Boydell Press
Publisher Boydell & Brewer Ltd
Weight(grams) 1g