The Take of Alexandria is a rhymed narrative which recounts the exploits of Peter I of Lusignan, kingof Cyprus and Jerusalem, new Godefrey of Bouillon ; it was written by Guillaume de Machaut around 1370, justafter Peter’s murder; this murder moved deeply the French people, and the West, which was moreover in crisis.This chronicle, at the same time historical, epic, eulogistic, hagiographic, lyric, was wrotten by a known andrecognized author at the end of his life: this royal biography can be considered as his testament, a crowning ofhis works. The Take of Alexandria is the story of a crusade, a crusade not anymore on battlefields, but in royaland papal courts; not in acts anymore, but in words; a crusade which overshadows the trades exchanges too; thecrusade of a poet: Machaut composed here a real satire of his time.Through our study, we hope to discover or rediscover this underrated work; we will provide original text andtranslation, descriptions of the manuscripts, a biography of the author and a presentation of his work, a literaryreview and a linguistic study, critical notes, a glossary, an index, a list of proverbs, a count on historical events,and a comprehensive bibliography.
Edition and study of Guillaume de Machaut's The Take of Alexandria