The Gesta Guillelmi of William of Poitiers (Oxford Medieval Texts) [Hardcover]

William of Poitiers (Author), the late R. H. C. Davis (Translator), Marjorie Chibnall (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 5, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0198205538 | ISBN-13: 978-0198205531

William of Poitiers became a chaplain in the household of William the Conqueror, and was able to give a first-hand account of the events of 1066-7. The Gesta Guillelmi, his unfinished biography of the king, is particularly important for its detailed description of William's campaigns in Normandy, the careful preparations he made for the invasion of England, the battle of Hastings, and the establishment of Norman power after the Conquest. It is a mine of information of military tactics and the conduct of war in the eleventh century. Though written from the point of view of the Norman court, it gives what is probably the most authentic account of these momentous events. This edition, by the late R. H. C. Davis and Marjorie Chibnall, with facing-page English translation of the Latin text, provides the first complete English translation, as well as a full historical introduction and detailed notes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Chibnall has produced an excellent edition and translation of a valuable source." International History Review

`this new edition would fill a gap even if Raymond Foreville's excellent edition of 1952 were not out of print. It is a first-class work of scholarship in every way. The fifty-page introduction, a monograph in itself, is a model of clarity and completeness ... This is an edition that continues the tradition of high scholarly standards of the OMT series and is a delight to use.' Peter Damian-Grint, Medium Aevum, Vol 67, no. 2

`This new edition now offers another ten (inspired) amendments, but its principal justification lies with its elaborate annotation and its provision of a parallel English translation ... Chibnall has discharged her responsibilities as editor with commendable thoroughness' D.J.A. Matthew, University of Reading, EHR, June 1999

Language Notes

Text: English, Latin
Original Language: Latin

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 5, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198205538
• ISBN-13: 978-0198205531
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,708,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Chronicle And Biography Of King William I, June 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gesta Guillelmi of William of Poitiers (Oxford Medieval Texts) (Hardcover)

This is the the one and only living memoir of William The Conqueror. Although laden with some historical inaccuracies of pre-Norman England, this chronicle is perhaps the only memoir of William I during his lifetime. It was written by William I's own chaplain, William Of Poitiers(WP) who knew him personally. WP was a knight before becoming a priest in his king's court. His descriptions of the Battle of Hastings is perhaps the most valuable historical information about battle tactics in the eleventh century. Unfortunately WP was unable to finish his chronicle for unknown reasons. Speculations indicated that he fell out of favor in William I's court. This text in its original Medieval Latin was unfortunately preserved in only one manuscript. This original manuscript is now lost, probably disintegrated by a fire. Fortunately it was edited once by Duchesne in the 17th century. The edited text is used as a basis for the present edition we have today.