Byles, Alfred Thomas Plested, ed., The Book of Fayttes of Armes and of Chyualrye (Early English Text Society Original Series 189, 1932 [Rpt. 2002]). ISBN: 859916901
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Text name(s): The Book of Fayttes of Armes and of Chyualrye

Number of pages of primary source text: 291

Medieval Author(s): Caxton, William Christine de Pizan

Dates: 1450 - 1492

Archival Reference:

Original Language(s): English - Middle English;

Translation: Original language included.

Translation Comments:

Geopolitical Region(s): England;

County/Region:

Apparatus: Index Glossary Appendices Bibliography Introduction

Comments:

This is William Caxton’s Middle English translation of Christine de Pizan’s French text, printed in 1490. Christine de Pizan wrote a treatise on military strategy, which is largely a compilation from the works of Vegetius, Frontinus, Valerius Maximus, Honoré Bonet, and a contemporary anonymous authority on sieges; books three and four, in the form of questions and answers, are based on Bonet’s “L’arbre des batailles.” This edition presents the text in Middle English, with modern English notes in the margin which summarize the text. The book has two appendices: a list of the contents of Vegetius’ Epitoma res Militaris, and a table of sources for Christine’s questions and answers. There is also an index of persons and places and a glossary.

Introduction Summary:

The introduction (61 pp.) provides a brief biography of Christine de Pizan and a bibliography (now very outdated) of works about her. Byles then describes the manuscripts and the early printed editions of this text, followed by a description of the printed versions in English. He discusses Christine’s sources, and which portions of this work are her own original contributions. He describes Caxton’s style and method as translator, and his own method of editing this text.

Cataloger: MK