Hist. 2B: World History, 1000-1700 CEW17/Instructor: Joseph Figliulo-RosswurmWeek 3: Papal Monarchy and the CrusadesBertran de Born, “The Joys of War”(From: Trobador Poets: Selections from the Poems of Eight Trobadors, trans. Barbara Smythe (Cambridge, Ontario: In Parentheses Publications, 2000), pp. Bertran de Born (d. 1185) was a knight in the service of the bishop of Périgueux, in southern France. He is one of the most famous of the troubadours, chivalric poets of loveand war in 12th-century France. The poem starkly illustrates the lifestyle and values of medieval Europe’s military elite, the group that would lead crusading expeditions.“The Joys of War”I love the spring-tide of the yearWhen leaves and blossoms do abound,And well it pleases me to hearThe birds that make the woods resoundWith their exulting voices.And very well it pleases me Tents and pavilions pitched to see,And oh, my heart rejoicesTo see armed knights in panoplyOf war on meadow and lea [open ground]I like to see men put to flightBy scouts throughout the countryside,I like to see, armed for the fight,A host of men together ride;And my delight’s unbounded When castles strong I see assailed,And outworks [defenses] smashed, whose strength has failed,And near the walls, surroundedBy moats, and by strong stakes enrailed,The host that has the ramparts scaled.And well I like a noble lordWhen boldly the attack he leads,For he, whenever he wields his sword,Inspires his men by his brave deeds,Their hearts with courage filling.When tide of battle’s at the flood,Each soldier then in fighting mood,To follow should be willing,For no man in accounted goodTill blows he’s given and withstood.Hist. 2B: World History, 1000-1700 CEW17/Instructor: Joseph Figliulo-RosswurmAxes and swords and spears and darts,Shields battered in with many a blowWe’ll see when first the battle starts, And clash of arms as foe meets foe;The steeds [warhorses] of dead and dyingWildly will rush throughout the field,And all who wish to be revealed As brave will ever be tryingHow best their axes they may wield,For they would rather die than yield.Not so much joy in sleep have I,Eating and drinking please me lessThan hearing on all sides the cry“At them!” and horses riderlessamong the woodlands neighing.And well I like to hear the callOf “help!” and see the wounded fall,Loudly for mercy praying,And see the dead, both great and small,Pierced by sharp spear-heads one and all.Barons, without delaying,Pawn every city, castle, hall,And never cease to fight and brawl.Papiol [a friend of de Born’s], make no staying,Lord Yea-and-Nay [de Born’s lord, the king of England] go rouse and call,Tell him this peace on me doth pall [the peace makes de Born
View Full Document
Unlocking...