Illuminated illustrations of Froissart; Selected from the ms. in the British museum.Froissart, Jean
History
Illuminated illustrations of Froissart; Selected from the ms. in the British museum.
Froissart, Jean
Froissart, Jean, 1338?-1410? Chroniques -- Illustrations; Illumination of books and manuscripts -- Specimens
The siege of Africa having failed, as it was thought partly in
consequence of the pride and obstinacy of the Duke de Bourbon, and the
army having fruitlessly remained sixty days before the place, suffering
much loss, as well by the heat of the weather as in an attempt to take
the town by storm, it was determined that they should re-imbark, and
return to Europe, which they did.
In the picture, the Duke de Bourbon, in gilt armour, is seen following
his standard-bearer into a boat; in the middle distance is the camp,
about to be broken up; and farther off is seen the town, of course a
mere imagination of the Flemish artist, for it represents all the
characteristics of a Flemish town of the period. It is, however,
beautifully pencilled, and reminds one of backgrounds of Flemish
pictures of the best period.
[Illustration: Tournament held at Sᵗ. Inglevere near Calais where three
French Knights defend the lists for thirty days against all comers from
England, and elsewhere.]
PLATE VI.
TOURNAMENT HELD AT ST. INGLEVERE, NEAR CALAIS, WHEN THREE FRENCH KNIGHTS
DEFENDED THE LISTS FOR THIRTY DAYS, AGAINST ALL COMERS FROM ENGLAND AND
ELSEWHERE.
Sir John Holland, half brother to king Richard the Second, and many
English knights, went over to Calais to accept the challenge of the
French knights at this tournament. Three rich vermilion-coloured tents
were pitched near to the lists, and in front of which were suspended two
targets, for peace or war, emblazoned with the arms of each lord. It was
ordered that such as were desirous of performing any deed of arms,
should send to or have touched one or both of these targets according to
their pleasure, and they would be tilted with according to their
request. The following is Froissart’s account of one of the encounters,
each of which he describes minutely.
“Sir Henry Beaumont” (an Englishman) “then came forward, and sent to
have the target of Sir Boucicaut” (one of the French knights) “touched,
who was instantly ready to reply to the call, having not dismounted from
the tilts with Lord Clifford. The Lord Beaumont did not manage his lance
well, and hit Boucicaut on the side, but Sir Boucicaut struck him so
full in the middle of his shield, that it drove him to the ground, and
continued his course. Lord Beaumont was raised up by his attendant and
remounted. The Lord de Saimpi” (another of the French knights) “then
presented himself, and they tilted two courses very handsomely, without
hurt to either.”
The king of France was present in disguise at this tournament, and
returned each evening after the tilting to an inn at Marquise; the
English returned each evening to Calais; while the three French knights
and their attendants were lodged at the convent of St. Inglevere.
This illumination shows extremely well the disposition of the lists, &c.
&c., and the bearing of the knights in running a course.
[Illustration: The attack on Sir Oliver de Clisson by the followers of
Sir Peter de Craon.]
PLATE VII.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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