Pseudo-Turpin, the crisis of the aristocracy and the beginnings of vernacular historiography in France
Gabrielle M. Spiegel
The opening decades of the thirteenth century witnessed birth historical writing in Old French prose, marking a decisive evolution tastes lay aristocracy, whose interest past had until then been satisfied by chanted verse histories and chansons de geste. earliest products movement toward vernacular prose historiography were first translations Pseudo-Turpin chronicle, which no fewer than six independent versions made within confines realm between 1200 1230. translation Pseudo-Turpin, with it creation historiography, was work small group Franco-Flemish lords circulating orbit count Flanders. This extreme chronological geographical concentration suggests that general, particular, addressed itself special urgency to needs aristocracy at moment crisis historiographical innovation was, least part, response changes taking place social political conditions noble life experienced moment. substitution for verse, history legend, would seem be product an ideological initiative on part dominance society being contested rise royal power during very period historiography. By appropriating inherent authority Latin texts adapting historicization aristocratic literary language, emerges as literature fact, integrating level experience expressive language proper aristocracy. No longer expression shared, collective image community's past, becomes instead partisan record intended serve interests particular inscribes, nature its linguistic code, ideologically motivated assertion aristocracy's prestige medieval society.
Journal of Medieval History