. The dukes of Burgundy, Philip the Bold (1342-1404), John the Fearless (1371-1419), Philip the Good (1396-1467), and Charles the Bold (1433-1477), all exhibited great interest in history not only by collecting historical writings but also by appointing official court chroniclers and serving as patrons to writers who wrote historical accounts. These numerous writers approached their task with differing degrees of objectivity. Some were admitted propagandists, while others set out to alter the truth while appearing serious and competent. Some were excellent writers, while others became bogged down in artificial rhetoric. As a group, they left an invaluable record of the Burgundian court, which has given this time and place prestige, importance, and influence; and the style and comprehensiveness of their writings have influenced subsequent chroniclers and historians.
Froissart traced the beginnings of the power of the house of Burgundy, and the future chroniclers of Burgundy imitated and claimed to continue his work. The first was Enguerrand de Monstrelet, a native of Picardy, whose ac-counts cover the years 1400-44. Although present at the meeting between Philip the Good and Jeanne d’Arc, he did not record any of the conversation, claiming a lapse of memory. Matthieu d’Escouchy, from Hainaut, continued the narrative to 1461. Slightly livelier and less partisan, he describes spectacular feasts and celebrations, including the famous Pheasant Banquet (1454).
The most renowned of these chroniclers, Georges Chastellain received his appointment as official historiographer of the Burgundian court from Philip the Good in 1455. In the prologue to his chronicle, Chastellain defined for himself the role of historian, aiming for impartiality and objectivity. Sincere, independent, and truthful, he nevertheless tried to dwell on the strong points of the reigning family while minimizing the weak ones. He documented his accounts thoroughly from contemporary works and from personal contact with those who were making history. His narrative begins with the murder of John the Fearless at Montereau in 1419 and ends, uncompleted, in 1474. Chastellain’s official successor was Jean Molinet (1433-1507), who assumed the title of official historiographer in 1475, having worked with Chastellain for many years. In his chronicle, which covers the years 1474-1506, he also attempts objectivity but obviously favors his patron.
Although Olivier de La Marche (1425-1502), friend and colleague of Georges Chastellain, was never appointed official historiographer, his memoirs cover the years 1435-88. He witnessed both the grandeur and dismemberment of the empire acquired by the dukes. He organized many entertainments at court, including the Pheasant Banquet. He was particularly talented at describing feasts, tournaments, customs, and clothing.
Among the other chroniclers of the house of Burgundy are Edmundus de Dynter, Le Fevre de Saint-Remy, Jacques du Clercq, Jean de Wavrin, Jean de Haynin, Hugues de Tolins, and Philippe Wielant.
Deborah H. Nelson
[See also: CHASTELLAIN, GEORGES; DU CLERQ, JACQUES: FROISSART, JEAN; HISTORIOGRAPHY: LA MARCHE, OLIVIER DE; MOLINET, JEAN; VOW CYCLE]
Doutrepont, Georges. La litterature frauQaise a la cour des dues de Bourgogne. Paris: Champion, 1909.
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