The Service of Ladies: An Autobiography (First Person Singular) [Paperback]

Ulrich von Liechtenstein (Author), J. W. Thomas (Translator), Kelly DeVries (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: First Person Singular | Publication Date: October 2004

Ulrich von Liechtenstein's extraordinary account of his adventures as a knight-errant is one of the most vivid images of chivalric life to have come down to us. His knightly autobiography was written in the mid-thirteenth century, and gives an account of the 'journey of Venus' which he undertook in 1226 in honour of his lady, in which he claimed to have broken 307 spears in jousts against all comers in the space of a month. Some of it is obviously quietly exaggerated, written for his friends' entertainment many years later, and he is not above a sly dig at the conventions of courtly love, but he completely accepts its basic ideas. It is full of lively episodes and good stories, as well as verses in honour of his lady; if the tale has been polished up for effect, it is nonetheless a thoroughly entertaining account of how a knight saw his ideal career in the jousting field. If the name is unexpectedly familiar to modern readers, it is because it was borrowed by the hero of the film 'A Knight's Tale'; Ulrich would have certainly approved of his exploits. Introduction by KELLY DEVRIES.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A charming and entertaining account of chivalric life and courtly love in the thirteenth century, punctuated with delightful love songs and letters.... A ripping good yarn! MEDIEVAL HISTORY

Product Details

• Paperback: 189 pages
• Publisher: Boydell Press (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843830957
• ISBN-13: 978-1843830955
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,119,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4.0 out of 5 stars A lovely ancient poem, January 14, 2012

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This review is from: The Service of Ladies: An Autobiography (First Person Singular) (Paperback)

I am looking forward to really sitting down and reading this book. I skimmed a bit of it and it's the embellished story of Ser Ulrich Von Lichtenstein's adventures in poem form. Looks like it will be a quick read. I'd recommend this for anyone who has even the slightest interest in courtly love and knights.