The first complete English translation of three chansons de geste inspired by the Romance epic, the Song of Roland. The success of the eleventh-century Song of Roland gave rise to a series of around twenty related chansons de geste, known collectively as the Cycle of the King. In addition to reworkings of the Song of Roland in Old French and other medieval languages, these poems are devoted to the numerous military campaigns of Charlemagne against the Muslims before and after the tragic Battle of Roncevaux. These texts provide valuable insights into the medieval reception of the Roland material, exemplifying the process of cycle formation and attesting to the diversity of the Romance epic. Far from presenting a simplistic view of the clash of civilizations, these chansons de geste display a web of contradictions, offering both a glorification and a critique of hatred and violence. This volume offers English translations of the three epic poems whose action directly precedes the events of the Song of Roland. Gui of Burgundy extends the period of time spent in Spain by Charles and his army from seven to twenty-six years, which gives the sons of the Twelve Peers the opportunity to reach adulthood and come to the rescue of their fathers. Roland at Saragossa, composed in Occitan, takes place in the days immediately preceding the decisive defeat and relates in an heroi-comic manner how Roland sneaks into Saragossa at the request of the pagan Queen Braslimonda, who has been enraptured by his strength and beauty. Finally, Otinel tells of a Saracen envoy who comes to Paris to challenge Charlemagne on behalf of the Emir Garsile, who has his capital in Lombardy. The action takes place in France and northern Italy in a lull between the capture of Pamplona and the defeat at Roncevaux. The translations are presented with notes, and the volume includes an introduction placing the poems in their wider historical and cultural contexts.

The cultural agenda of Philippe de Vigneulles, translator of the Lorraine epic cycle into Middle French prose. Over fifty chansons de geste were reworked into prose between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries for patrons and audiences who demanded updated, de-rhymed versions of heroic songs. While most prose translations were commissioned by noble patrons, Philippe de Vigneulles (1471-1527), a cloth merchant of Metz, operated outside the system of patronage on self-imposed projects with a pronounced civic bias. His translation of the monumental Lorraine epic cycle into Middle French prose afforded him an opportunity to reconfigure the city's legendary past and validate the concerns of a prosperous merchant class. The craft of mise en prose is examined in the context of the author's larger cultural agenda as he weaves the epic legend into his civic, personal and aesthetic preoccupations. This perspective illuminates a previously neglected sphere of medieval literary production, revealing fundamental assumptions about the epic tradition and the power of prose in urban culture. CATHERINE M. JONES is Associate Professor of French and Provencal at the University of Georgia.

"Intelligent, insightful, and superbly researched. Jones has succeeded especially well in presenting so many texts and recounting their stories with clarity, brevity, and a light hand."--William Calin, author of "The French Tradition and Literature of Medieval England" "An essential introduction to the Old French chanson de geste tradition, from basic texts to critical considerations of the genre including later versions in Europe and some lesser-known texts. Provides background for aspiring medievalists in many fields and engages readers with its lively presentations of critical discussions."--Leslie Zarker Morgan, coeditor of "Approaches to Teaching the "Song of Roland"" "An indispensable research tool for students and scholars of Old French literature. Its nuanced readings, informed by Jones's admirable command of both previous and current scholarship, not only set the major French epics in a rich literary, social, and historical context but also reveal the continuing relevance of the ethical issues raised by these medieval poems. This book will make the teaching of "La Chanson de Roland" (and other French epic texts) a less daunting task for those of us who are not specialists. A welcome addition to my library "--Elizabeth W. Poe, author of "Compilatio" Loosely based on French history but often embellished in fantastical ways and written to be performed by minstrels and jongleurs, ""chansons de geste are one of the most important traditions of the French Middle Ages.
With an overview of the principal epic cycles, their literary and historical analogues, close readings, contemporary versions and allusions, notes on dates and versification, and a glossary of key terms, Catherine Jones makes these poems accessible to students and any reader interested in learning more about this lively genre. She presents an essential survey of traditional scholarship, such as debates about sources and elements of style, and raises intriguing contemporary questions related to alterity, gender, and genre. With its many critical layers, this book is ideal for undergraduates and teachers alike.

This book provides research summaries from a number of different focuses in this important field, as well as compiles biographical sketches of top professionals in the field of biochemistry research.

This book provides research summaries from a number of different focuses in this important field, as well as compiles biographical sketches of top professionals in the field of biochemistry research.

This book provides research summaries from a number of different focuses in the field of biochemistry research.

Old French epic poems, or chansons de geste, are one of the most important traditions of the French Middle Ages. Consisting of approximately 120 poems including the famous Song of Roland, these tremendously popular songs were based on French history but often embellished in fantastical ways and written to be performed by minstrels. With an overview of the principal epic cycles, close readings of six major poems, and a glossary of key terms, Catherine Jones makes the chansons de geste accessible to students and any reader interested in learning more about this lively genre. She also presents an essential survey of traditional scholarship, such as debates about sources and elements of style, and raises intriguing contemporary questions related to alterity, gender, and genre. With its many critical layers, this book is ideal for undergraduates and teachers alike.

This book compiles biographical sketches of top professionals in the field of biochemistry research, as well as research summaries from a number of different focuses in this important field.

While most English-language readers are familiar with Old French epic poetry, or chansons de geste, through the Song of Roland and its tale of gallant martyrdom, this volume provides a broader and richer view of the tradition by introducing songs devoted to the exploits of a different sort of hero-the brave and blustery William of Orange. An Old French Trilogy provides an updated English translation of three central poems from the twelfth-century Guillaume d'Orange cycle. In The Coronation of Louis, the hero saves both king and pope from would-be usurpers and earns the nickname "Short-Nosed William" after a fierce, disfiguring battle with a Saracen giant. In A Convoy to Nimes and The Conquest of Orange, William conquers two important cities and wins the love of the Saracen Queen Orable. Tremendously popular in the Middle Ages, these works stand the test of time, and the accessible translations capture the sense of the original Old French decasyllabic verse without attempting to preserve or imitate its formal properties. The introduction to the volume discusses literary devices and motifs; historical context; issues of religious conflict, otherness, and gender roles; and themes such as loyalty and courage.