‘Bons Bretons et Bons Francoys’: The Language and Meaning of Treason in Later Medieval France
Michael Jones
‘Men dred tresson wher they it finden’ wrote an anonymous fifteenth-century translator of the Song Roland , earliest and greatest all chansons de geste which take treason as their major theme. In later medieval France men did not have far to search before found evidence justifying concern with that particular topos. Treason was often associated its sister sedition in contemporary chronicles, memoirs, pamphlets, sermons political allegories, even figurative representations betrayal, most notorious men, by Judas his Lord. The long war England naturally posed delicate problems over loyalty allegiance many involved conflict through no choice own. Aspects what happened when individuals changed sides whole provinces bent force majeure recognizing a new sovereign, thereby incurring stigma rebellion against former lord, recently been much discussed. Plots deliver castles towns are without number. Siege warfare, so characteristic period, encouraged such behaviour. Surviving interrogations reveal both serious improbable schemes over-throw royal authority, great provincial princes were implicated. Thousands letters pardon recite, frequently graphic words guilty, extent innumerable individual acts treachery towards French crown. use spies informers, coded cryptic messages, poisoning, assassination, torture, bribery blackmail, pre-arranged meetings mysterious figures also invocation intangible occult forces, sorcery, divination black magic, attain ends, these integral cases treachery.
Transactions of the Royal Historical Society