The political significance of Christine de Pizan's third estate in the Livre du corps de policie
Tracy Adams
Although the general historical context of Christine de Pizan's Livre du corps policie (LCP), Orleanist-Burgundian feud occasioned by periodic insanity King Charles VI, has long been recognised, precise argument that author wages through her unique configuration third part body politic not explored. This essay reads LCP as an intervention into escalating struggle for power between VI's brother, duke Orleans, and his cousin, Burgundy. Christine's purpose emerges most clearly in peculiar arrangement politic, le peuple, where two points bear particular consideration: inclusion University division ‘merchants’ across separate categories, a repartition which seems to refer contemporary distinction highly-placed merchants Paris butchers. be arguing if were make common cause with ruling burghers well-placed merchants, they could force submission their more restless brothers sisters, butchers thuggish followers, whom Burgundy would finally convince rise up 1413 what become known Cabochian Revolt.
Journal of Medieval History