Writings Of Agnes Of Harcourt - The Life of Isabelle of France and the Letter on Louis IX and Longchamp

AGNES OF HARCOURT IS AN IMPORTANT though little known thirteenth-century author. Born into a leading Norman noble family, she became an abbess at the new royal Franciscan abbey of Longchamp, founded just outside of Paris by Isabelle of France, sister of Louis IX. In the 1280s Agnes wrote a substantial biography of Isabelle of France, as well as a brief letter detailing Louis IX's involvement with the abbey. These texts were based on Agnes's first-hand observations and contained many lively stories about their royal subjects. Agnes's writings provide a fascinating window on religious life at the court of St. Louis and on the lives of some of the most interesting and powerful men and women of the day. More significantly, they preserve one of the very few female perspectives we have for this period, and, in The Life of Isabelle, offer what is probably the first biography of one woman by another in French. Based on new research into the surviving archives of Longchamp, The Writings of Agnes of Harcourt presents the first English translation of her texts, and the first substantial introduction to her life and work. This critical edition includes both the old French and English versions of the texts.

About the author

Sean L. Field is assistant professor of history at the University of Vermont.

Summary

An abbess in the Franciscan abbey of Longchamp, Agnes of Harcourt wrote a biography of Isabelle of France and a letter detailing Louis IX's involvement with the abbey, both of which provide a window on 13th-century religious life. This translation also contains an introduction to her life and work.

Product details

• Authors: Field, Agnes of Harcourt
• Assisted by: Sean Field (Editor), Sean L. Field (Editor), Sean L. (Assistant Professor of History Field (Editor), Sean L. Field (Assistant Professor of History USA) (Editor), Sean Field (Translation), Sean L. Field (Translation), Sean L. (Assistant Professor of History Field (Translation), Sean L. Field (Assistant Professor of History USA) (Translation)
• Publisher: University Of Notre Dame Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 16.09.2003
• EAN: 9780268044046
• ISBN: 978-0-268-04404-6
• No. of pages: 120
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 229 mm x 7 mm
• Weight: 187 g
• Series: Notre Dame Texts in Medieval C; Notre Dame Texts in Medieval Culture; Notre Dame Texts in Medieval C; Notre Dame Texts in Medieval Culture
• Subject: Humanities, art, music > History > Middle Ages