A Knight's Own Book of Chivalry (The Middle Ages Series)

by Geoffroi de Charny (Author), Elspeth Kennedy (Translator), Richard W. Kaeuper (Introduction)

15 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0812219098

ISBN-10: 0812219090

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On the great influence of a valiant lord: "The companions, who see that good warriors are honored by the great lords for their prowess, become more determined to attain this level of prowess."
On the lady who sees her knight honored: "All of this makes the noble lady rejoice greatly within herself at the fact that she has set her mind and heart on loving and helping to make such a good knight or good man-at-arms."
On the worthiest amusements: "The best pastime of all is to be often in good company, far from unworthy men and from unworthy activities from which no good can come."

Enter the real world of knights and their code of ethics and behavior. Read how an aspiring knight of the fourteenth century would conduct himself and learn what he would have needed to know when traveling, fighting, appearing in court, and engaging fellow knights.

Composed at the height of the Hundred Years War by Geoffroi de Charny, one of the most respected knights of his age, A Knight's Own Book of Chivalry was designed as a guide for members of the Company of the Star, an order created by Jean II of France in 1352 to rival the English Order of the Garter.

This is the most authentic and complete manual on the day-to-day life of the knight that has survived the centuries, and this edition contains a specially commissioned introduction from historian Richard W. Kaeuper that gives the history of both the book and its author, who, among his other achievements, was the original owner of the Shroud of Turin.

A Knight's Own Book of Chivalry (The Middle Ages Series)

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Product Details

Series: The Middle Ages Series
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press (May 12, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0812219090
ISBN-13: 978-0812219098
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.3 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #974 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > History
- #1715 in Books > History > Europe

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Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful

The most Precise manual on this subject

By Captain Sternn on November 21, 2007

Format: Paperback

Written by one of the truest exponents of this martial philosophy, this book stands out amongst others in its clarity. Geoffroi De Charny was a veteran of the Hundred Years War, he died in battle at Poitier. Although a tragic end, De Charny most certainly perceived this the idealized conclusion to a life in arms. To his contemporaries, De Charny was the embodiment of the code of conduct upon which he expounded so thoroughly in these pages.
In this manual of Chivalry, De Charny begins by defining a "scale of valor", a standard for prowess in battle. We receive an insight into the Medieval perception of what combat experiences warranted the greatest honor, beginning with demonstation of one's skill at Tournament, in local wars, in wars abroad, and ultimately in search of the most honorable course of action.
Divided into a succession of brief articles on various subjects of morality, good and bad virtues, and responsible conduct, this text is not only an historical insight into Medieval ideals, but a worthy guideline for our own age.

A serious student of military history realizes that not all warriors adhered to the commonly held idealized higher standards of their profession, for their time and place. Real people are more complex than that. Some did indeed make such achievement. Some sincerely tried, ...but failed. Comparing the known record of deeds long ago, with more recent events, we will always find examples where our ancestors surpassed us, ...and where we have surpassed our ancestors. We need a revival of Chivalric conduct in our own time. A fighting-man without honor is often capable of any action, ...except the right action.

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

I love this book!!

By Kimdkus on September 20, 2011

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

If you're a fan of medieval times, then this book is for you!! I ran into problems with history books as they are at the mercy of the historian. He puts his opinions into the historical documents, bringing in a slant that can be misleading. So I went straight to the source and what a source!!

Sir Geoffrey not only brings Chivalry to life, but he also brings in the philosophy and history behind it without the annoying slants. I kinda wish this stuff never went out of style.

Also Fantasy writers, don't poo-poo this book as it can be helpful when your world building revolves around medieval times. There's a lot of cool stuff in this book that you can 'borrow'. :)

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15 of 18 people found the following review helpful

Chivalry: The Code of Greatness for the Less than Good

By Theodore E. Kogod on January 6, 2009

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

This book by Geoffry de Charny has left its mark on history. Indeed, shortly after writing it, de Charny showed his own chivalry, sacrificing himself for country and king in the Battle of Poitiers, when he fell slain while fighting with his king's standard in his hands. This book, written by the French knight during the Hundred Years' War, covers what it was to be chivalrous at the time, and elaborates on the beliefs of a knight of the era.

The reality is that the Hundred Years' War was not a time of knights in shining armor doing great deeds. It was a time of pillaging the countryside, English archers killing en masse and being tortured when they were caught, French raiders defiling the English coasts, and the survivors being raped, robbed, and ruined. In such a time as this, the idea of a code of goodness seems nigh impossible to grasp, and in the words of Geoffry's own king, Jean the Good, "The Christian faith has withered and commerce has perished and so many other wickednesses and horrid things have followed from these wars that they cannot be spoken, numbered, or written down."

Yet, de Charny speaks of a form of goodness all its own, the pursuit of greatness. As he explains, the pursuit of greatness is the pursuit of goodness, and so the pursuit of men-at-arms is the pursuit goodness, because one is attempting great feats in battle. Simply put, but trying to do great things in combat, one proves their greatness in the eyes of God.

de Charny then goes on to try and categorize these different forms of greatness which a knight might pursue, in the ascending scale.Read more ›

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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

Outstanding Primary Source

By J. Webb on June 7, 2012

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

Sir Geoffroi De Charny's book, A Knights Own Book of Chivalry, translated by Elspeth Kennedy, is an outstanding primary source document from one of the most honored and famed knights of the Medieval period. This work gives us deep insight into the ideals of chivalry as it was lived by Sir Geoffroi during Medieval France, rather than the common misconceptions that exist today as passed down from Victorians. Contained in the pages of Sir Geoffroi De Charny's book is real chivalry as documented by a real Medieval knight. This book is highly recommended for the reader who is interested in learning some key points of the knightly profession as well as what it meant to live by the Code of Chivalry as it was in Medieval Europe. This is a "five star" book composed by a knight that lived his life to the end in accordance to his beliefs. Likewise, the introduction composed within this book is extremely informative in its own right, and Richard W. Kaeuper is to be highly commended for his introduction. Whether a historian or simply someone who enjoys the topic of knighthood or things Medieval, this book is a must have for the personal library.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Five Stars

Great insight into the lives of chivalry.

Published 8 months ago by Neicy

A wonderful compilation of writings that fortunately survived the...

I am a history buff, I get this from my mom. Because of her, I grew up with a healthy appreciation for history. Read more

Published 15 months ago by Nicholas A. Dial-Product Reviews International

Geoffroi de Charny is the French counterpart of the English medieval...

If you are really interested in the values and ideals of medieval chivalry this is a must read. De Charny wrote with a passionate sincerity and simplicity which has great charm..

Published 21 months ago by Mrs. M. Cochrane

One of the Best Books on the topic

If you want to know what Chivalry really was, not the romanticised Victorian hokum that people today try to pass off as chivalry, then this is the book for you. Read more

Published 22 months ago by Erik White

Great read

This is one of my favorite books. None of that "self-help" stuff. I recommend this book to all men and women.

Published 23 months ago by Sandor

Must read on true manhood. Life changing!

Wow. This is the bible on how to be a man. I feel like I've wasted the first 41 years of my life, but I won't waste the next 41. Read this book and follow it. Read more

Published on December 1, 2013 by armydray13

Chivalry isn't what women tell you

Folks today tell men chivalry means being nice, bending over backwards for women and taking s*** off chicks. It's a lie. Read more

Published on November 26, 2012 by tom young

be noble be true

this book was a gift fer a co-worker who once went to one of my medieval battles and wanted her to know what a knights codes were back in the day and she really was happy

Published on August 12, 2012 by Tom Brooks

A Knight's Own Book of Chivalry (The Middle Ages Series

great book! the book was in a very good shape! It came very quickly, nothing to add, perfect product and very interesting

Published on December 4, 2011 by Sandra Rellier

A Knights own book of Chivalry

This is an excellant book, written by one of the most respected Knights of his time. If you are interested in Chivalry and Knights, this is a must read!

Published on February 22, 2011 by SKAJ

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