Renaud of Montauban: First Done Into English By William Caxton
by Robert Steele, edited by George Monk
2020
ebook available from Amazon
Renaud of Montauban is a story of kingship and dissent. Renaud and his brothers, the Four Sons of Aymon, were at first welcomed into Charlemagne’s court as young men and knighted by the king. A series of events draw the sons into conflict with Charlemagne.
The war between the armies of Renaud and Charlemagne persist for years as each side temporarily gains the upper hand and as Charlemagne in his obstinacy refuses overtures for peace.
As the story puts it: “Full hardly shall it hap with them, and afterwards many ladies shall abide widows without husbands, and many gentlewomen unwedded; many churches shall be destroyed, and many lands burned and wasted; pity shall it be to see them.”
Renaud of Montauban is Robert Steele’s translation and abridgement of this popular medieval romance. Steele used William Caxton’s translation into Middle English from a French original.
The Kindle book presents the text of the 1897 edition of Renaud of Montauban with all of its illustrations by Fred Mason. Chapter divisions based on Caxton’s have been added. A note with information about Caxton’s and French late fifteenth century printed editions is included.
The Coverlet
She had one last thing to do, the embroidered coverlet for her lover's bridal bed. In a few days time Sir Gruron and his bride, La Coudre, The Hawthorn Tree, would come home after their marriage.
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