The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry (Paperback)

by Christine de Pizan (Author), Sumner Willard (Author), Charity Cannon Willard (Author, Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
It is unexpected in any era to find a woman writing a book on the art of warfare, but in the 15th century it was unbelievable. Not surprisingly, therefore, Christine de Pizan's "The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry", written around 1410, has often been regarded with disdain. Many have assumed that Christine was simply copying or pilfering earlier military manuals. But, as Sumner Willard and Charity Cannon Willard show in this English translation, "The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry" contains much that is original to Christine. As a military manual it tells a great deal about the strategy, tactics and technology of mediaeval warfare and is an important source for early gunpowder weapon technology. It also includes a fascinating discussion of Just War. Since the end of the 15th century, "The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry" has been available primarily through Antoine Verard's imprint of 1488 or William Caxton's 1489 translation, "The Book of the Order of Chivalry". Verard even suggested that the work was his own translation of the Roman writer Vegetius, making no mention of Christine's name. Caxton attributed the work to Christine, but it is impossible to identify the manuscript he used for his translation. Moreover, both translations are inaccurate. The Willards correct these inaccuracies in a clear and easy-to-read translation, which they supplement with notes and an introduction that will greatly benefit students, scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 027101881X
• ISBN-13: 978-0271018812
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #788,087 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Military strategy according to a 15th century female author, January 8, 2001

By A Customer

This book from 1410 consists of two main parts. The first part deals with military strategy (mostly based on Vegetius), and the second (mostly based on Bonnet's tree of battles) with laws of war, and the concept of just war. I found this work much more enjoyable than Macchiavelli's Art of War, for one thing Christine doesn't dwell so much on the supposed superiority of the Romans in all things, and she adds some interesting original material, such as detailed lists of fortification and siege equipment (up to sizes and amounts of timber, nails, etc.). This book is unique, being the only military classic written by a female author. The translation to english is very readable.

3.0 out of 5 stars OK, but not great., July 17, 2009

By	Poleaxe "T.D." (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews

Contemporary accounts and chronicles of certain periods have always fascinated me. Many manuscripts and works are unknown to me and I am always on the lookout for new ones. Most I aquire and read are referenced in others books about that particular mind. That is how I discovered this particular work.
Much is made that a book containing strategic warfare during the Middle Ages was written by a woman. Today, not such a big deal, but at the time groundbreaking and unusual. It seem to me that Ms. Pizan just loved writting and was very prolific with it. After one gets into this work a bit, one sees that it probably was not a mammoth effort on her part to produce this book.
The book begins a little dryly but should be held in the context that you are exploring the mindset of someone who lived over 600 years ago, which in itself, lends itself valuable to the study of that period's mindset.
She then begins to recount various strategems and tactics used by the Ancients and Romans during their respective campaigns and battles. By far the most interesting and readable part of the book.
The latter half of the book I found tedious as she imparts upon the reader an imaginary discussion she has with Honore Bonet, the author of The Tree of Battles. If you have read The Tree of Battles, they prepare to read some of it again. It is nearly verbatum and covers no new ground.
I gave this book 3 starts for historical ambiance value and overall counsel.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Of intrest to armchair or minimumal historians too, August 18, 2002

By	Colonel Jenna (Overland Park, Kansas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry (Hardcover)

I first read about this book in the forward to another book by Christine De Pisan (Treasure of the City of Ladies.) I became wild to own several of her writings, and am glad to own this one. I find it interesting reading even though I am not really a scholar of military history, at least not in the usual sense.

As a member of an historical re-creation society I take particular enjoyment in this book, as I have stood on the sidelines of our "battles" and know a very little about field tactics from watching. As the organizer of our medieval version of the USO Canteen, I really, REALLY liked the parts about how to feed an army before battle!