THE BOOK OF THE FEATS OF ARMS, AND OF CHIVALRY. THIS book was written by Christina, who was born at Pisa, in Italy; hence she is commonly called Christina of Pisa; but removing with her father to Bologne, in France, she wrote in the language of that country. She florished about the year 1400. Her book was translated into English, and printed by Caxton, fol. in 1489. It was collected from Frontinus, Vegetius, and the Arbre of Battles; to which she added " many other things requisite to war," &c. At the end, Caxton says that this book "was delivered to him by that prince (Henry VII.) in his palace of Westminster, the 23d of Ja nuary, in the fourth year of his reign, who desired and willed him to translate it into English, and put it into print, that every gentleman born to arms, and all manner of men of war, &c. should have knowledge how to behave themselves in feats of war, &c. "This book is divided into four parts.—1. The first part deviseth the manner that kings and princes ought to hold, in the feats of their wars and battles, after the order of books, dicts of the most preu and noble conquerors of the world; and how and what manner feats ought, and the manners that they ought to keep and hold in their offices of arms.-2. Item, The second part speaketh after Frontin, of cautles and subtleties of arms; which he calleth stratagems of the order and manner to fight and defend castles and cities, after Vegece and other auctors; and to make war and give battle in rivers and in the sea.-3. Item, The third part speaketh of the droits and rights of arms, after the laws and droits written.-4. Item, The fourth part speaketh of the droits of arms in the feats of safe conducts, of the tryewes of mark, and after of champ of battle, that is, of fighting within lists.” 1 sayings. 2 prudent. 3 field. Of these four parts, the first is divided into 29 chapters; the second into 38, or rather 39, cap. 25, being numbered twice; the third into 28; the fourth into 17. To those who object to this lady, that the handling of her distaff and spinning-wheel, are occupations more suitable to a woman than concerning herself with the feats of arms, and the battles of heros-she replies, by citing in her Prologue, the example of Minerva, whom she addresses in the following high-flown strain of panegyric: O Minerva, goddess of arms and of chivalry! which by virtue of high entendment', above all other women, foundest and institutest, among the other noble arts and sciences which of thee took their be ginning, the usage to forge of iron and steel armours, and harness, ppice and covenable to cover and targe3 the body of man against the strokes of darts, noyous shot and spears in battle; feats of arms, helms, shields, targes and other harness defensible; fro the destiny. 3 shield ? There must be a misprint here. |