BRANTOME AND THE MEANING OF HISTORY by Anne GRIMALDI

BRANTOME AND THE MEANING OF HISTORY by Anne GRIMALDI - Éditions A.-G. Nizet (3 place de la Sorbonne, Paris) - 1971 - 268 pages The author recalls that the work only aims to try to discover the nature of the relationships that are established between a human element (Brantôme) and the evolution of his different environments. Brantôme, a writer, courtier, and soldier obsessed with military exploits and aristocratic values, his life is also punctuated by failures. Military failure first. Brantôme is indeed a man of war, but he was born too late to participate in the Italian Wars. Political failure as well, because, although he is an assiduous courtier, he chooses masters who die too soon. His break with Henri III in 1581, especially the death of the Duke of Alençon in 1584, definitively bury his ambitions. Finally, marital failure, because his numerous gallant adventures will never lead him to the altar. Ultimately, Brantôme's real success is his literary work. Published after his death from 1665, it is a testimony of his time, on his time. Sometimes misunderstood and for a very long time reduced to their 'light' character, his writings are also an exploration of the aristocratic mentality, offering the reader the keys to understanding how the nobility of the 16th century lived and thought about love, marriage, infidelity, gallantry, chastity, virtue, and military glory. Contents: - Introduction - 1st part: Pierre de Bourdeille, Vassal without Lord - 2nd part: The Lord of Brantôme, Mercenary of the West. - 3rd part: The retirement of the Abbot of Brantôme - Conclusion - Bibliography