Like many an author of earlier days, Jean Froissart (about 1337-1405) is best known for the production of a very significant work, though his life story is somewhat obscure. Early historians often used Froissart's writings, especially his poems, as a basis for his biography. Modern historians consider them "pseudo-autobiographical." That is, the "voice" of the poems is not necessarily Froissart's own.

    Born sometime around 1337 in the French town of Valenciennes, by 24 he went into the service of Philippa of Hainault, queen to the English King Edward III. (Philippa was also from Valenciennes. There was much intermarriage of French and English royals in those days.) This fortunate connection brought Froissart to England, which at that time was engaged with France in the 116-year conflict inaptly called the "Hundred Years War" (1337-1453). As a French-speaking member of the English court, Froissart was perfectly placed to write his magnum opus, now called "Froissart's Chronicles" (though he started it after Philippa's death, when he was again a free agent).

    The "Chronicles" had three main sources: older chronicles that predated Froissart's involvement; interviews of eyewitnesses; and Froissart's own experience. Froissart himself wrote (in translation): Wherever I went I enquired of old knights and squires who had shared in deeds of arms, and could speak with authority concerning them.

    His account continues up until 1400, and comprises around a million and a half words, making the multi-volume work one of the longest French works of the late Middle Ages.

    Lest one think that the "Chronicles" were just some fusty old account of a war, we should realize that it is also one of the primary sources of what is now known as "chivalry," the court manners of knights and ladies that has become such a mainstay of literature and films about the period. This in itself, in addition to the battle scenes, makes Froissart's work exciting to read even today.

    Vocabulary: Which word above means:

    1. false

    2. poorly, inappropriately

    3. old-fashioned, out-of-date

    4. people who have seen something themselves

    5. one who is not under contract to anyone

    6. marriage between members of two different social, national, or racial groups

    7. little-known

    8. something that is the chief part of something else

    9. came before

    10. in case (of something bad), for fear that

    ANSWERS: 1. pseudo 2. inaptly 3. fusty 4. eyewitnesses 5. free agent 6. intermarriage 7. obscure 8. mainstay 9. predated 10. lest