FROISSART.

SIR JOHN FROISSART was born at Valenciennes, about 1337, and subsequently became canon and treasurer of Chimay, in the diocese of Liege, in Hainault. But he is chiefly known to posterity by a general history of France and Spain, with other parts of Europe, and particularly of England, from the year 1326, to 1400. Though born a Frenchman, he spent the greater part of his youth in the court of our Edward III. and many years after was familiarly conversant in that of Richard II. He wrote in French, his native language, in his time the court language of England.

...His writings were much corrupted by transcription; and even the printed copies which were taken on the introduction of printing, were chargeable with equal and similar faults, which consisted chiefly in names and numbers.

His work was translated into English by sir John Bourchier, lord Berners, 'deputy of Calais, at the command of Henry VIII. and printed by Pinson, in 1523. In this English edition, many of the errors alluded to are corrected.

Froissart died about 1402, having ended his life and his story almost at the same time.

The Author's Prologue.

Chap. 1.

To the intent that the honourable and noble aventures of feats of arms done and atchieved by the wars of France and England, should notably be enregistered and put in perpetual memory, whereby

the prewe and hardy may have ensample to encou rage them in their well doing, I, sir John Froissart, will treat and record a history of great louage' and praise. But or I begin, I require the Saviour of all the World, who of nothing created all things, that he will give me such grace and understanding, that I may contrive and psever in such wise, that whoso this process readeth or heareth may take pastaunce3, pleasure, and ensample. It is said of truth, that all

! louange, praise.

2 persevere.

3 pastime.

1

buildings are masoned and wrought of divers stones; and all great rivers are gurged and assembled of divers surges and springs of water. In likewise all sciences are extraught and compiled of divers, clerks. Of that one writeth, another peradventure is ignorant. But by the famous writing of ancient authors, all things ben knowen in one place or other.

Then to attain to the matter that I have enprized. I will begin first, by the grace of God, and of the blessed virgin, our lady, St. Mary, from whóm all comfort and consolation proceedeth; and will take my foundation out of the Chronicles, sometime compiled by the right reverend, discreet, and sage master John la Bele, sometime canon in St. Lanbartis, of Liege, who with good heart and due diligence did his true devoier in writing this noble Chronicle, and did continue it all his life days, in following the truth as near as he might, to his great charge and cost, in seeking to have the perfect knowledge thereof.

He was also in his life days well-beloved, and of the secret council with the lord sir John of Hainault, who is often remembered (as reason requireth,) hereafter in this book: for of many fair and noble aventures, he was chief causer; and by whose means the said sir John la Bele, might well know and hear of 2 extracted.

1 1 gorged.

many divers noble deeds, the which hereafter shall be declared. Truth it is, that I who have enterprized this book to ordain for pleasure and pastaunce, to the which always I have been inclined, and for that intent I have followed and frequented the company

of divers noble and great lords, as well in France, England, and Scotland, as in divers other countries, and have had knowledge by them. And always to my power justly have enquired for the truth of the deeds of war, and aventures that have fallen; and specially since the great battle of Poitiers, whereas1 the noble king John of France was taken prisoner; as before that time I was but of a young age or understanding. Howbeit, I took on me as soon as I came from school, to write and receive the said book, and bare the same compiled into England, and presented the volume thereof to my lady Philippa, of Hainault, noble queen of England, who right amiably received it, to my great profit and avancement. And it may be so, that the same book is not as yet examined nor corrected, so justly as such a case requireth: for feats of arms dearly bought and atchieved, the honour thereof ought to be given and truly divided to them that by prowess and hard travail have deserved it. Therefore to acquit me in that behalf, and in following the truth as near as I can, I John Froissart, have enterprised this history, on the foresaid

I whereat.

ordinance and true foundation, at the instance and request of a dear lord of mine, sir Robert of Namur, knight, lord of Beaufort; to whom entirely I owe love and obeisance. And God grant me to do that thing that may be to his pleasure. Amen.

Of the Manners of the Scots in the 14th century, particularly in War.-Chap. 17.

These Scotsmen are right hardy, and sore travailing in harness and in wars: for when they will enter into England, within a day and a night, they will drive their whole host twenty-four mile: for they are all a horseback, without it be the truandals1 and laggered of the host, who follow after a foot. The knights and squires are well horsed; and the common people and others on little hackneys and geldings; and they carry with them no carts nor charytes for the diversities of the mountains that they must pass thro' in the county of Northumberland. They tokes with them no purveyance of bread nor of wine for their usage and soberness is such in time of war, that they will pass in the journey a great long time with flesh half sodden, without bread, and drink of the river water, without wine; and they nother care for pots 4 neither.

truants, stragglers. 2 chariots. 3 take.