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Geoffroi de Charny

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Sir Edward:
So I just got my hands on the writings of de Charny this weekend. I can't believe it took me this long. :)  I've seen references and excerpts before, but didn't have a copy.

It's very cool to see writings on knighthood and chivalry written from the standpoint of an actual medieval knight. He lived slightly after the period I'm going for with my 13th C kit (1306?-1356), but he describes things as being very well established, coming from "ancient times".

He was a French knight, not English. I'm guessing that things were at least very similar between the two countries since they interacted heavily, and this period is roughly the beginning of the Hundred Years War.

I haven't read much yet, but I did look at the knighting ceremony right away. I believe this is one of the only period references that includes the white belt that the SCA uses as their symbol of knighthood. In the book, it's used as one of many symbols in the ceremony but doesn't contain any mention of it being used beyond that.

It's pretty cool reading from the point of view of a knight from nearly 700 years ago.

Sir Edward:
Oh yes, here's the detail on the version I have:

A Knight's Own Book of Chivalry
Geoffroi de Charny
Introduction by Richard W. Kaeuper
Translation by Elspeth Kennedy

(c) 2005 University of Pennsylvania Press

ISBN: 0-8122-1909-0

Sir Edward:

I'm reading this book very slowly (a couple pages here and there), and I'm nearing the end. It's only 107 pages, and the first third is the introduction. The intro was quite informative, setting the scene of when and where this was written, and the state of France at the time.

The book was written by Charny to help invigorate a new generation of knights and men-at-arms in an age when France was getting its ass handed to it by the English. The Hundred Years War was underway. Charny spends an enormous amount of time describing what is worthy of praise and honor, and what isn't. He compares knighthood to priesthood, and makes it clear that he doesn't like people falling into fashion trends, and being distracted by luxuries when there's important work to be done. He goes so far as to complain about those who wear clothes so close-fitting and short that one can't sit down without showing one's "shame" in the front or the rear. :) He complains about those who would rest on their laurels, earn themselves a big gut, and then try to hide it by wearing tight-breastplates that no longer allow them to breath or sit down.

At a time when the clergy felt that a knight should be chaste, he instead says that the love of a woman can inspire men to great deeds, so he basically says to love the ladies, but be discreet. No boasting or bragging.

It's a very interesting read, to see his thoughts on how one should conduct oneself in a life of arms.

Sir Martyn:
I've also been reading this (did you finish Sir Edward?  Any ensuing off-line discussion with others here about it?) and have found it quite enlightening.

It seems to me that de Charny was making a call in his time not unlike what MC is doing now - reminding those willing to listen of the need to uphold/defend ideals of enduring value.  I was also struck by the fact that he put as much emphasis - if not more - on prowess (or skill in combat) as much as any other value in genuine chivalric code.

Sir Edward:

I did, but it was 5 years ago, so I'm forgetting the details. I might need to read it again. :)

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