The Troubadour's Song: The Capture and Ransom of Richard the Lionheart - Hardcover

Boyle, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802714595 ISBN 13: 9780802714596

Publisher: Walker and Company, 2005

Synopsis

On his long journey home from the Third Crusade, Richard the Lionheart--one of history's most powerful and romantic figures--was ship-wrecked near Venice in the Adriatic Sea. Forced to make his way home by land through enemy countries, he traveled in disguise, but was eventually captured by Duke Leopold V of Austria, who in turn conveyed him to Henry VI, the Holy Roman Emperor. Henry demanded a majestic ransom, and Richard's mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, raised the historic sum--one quarter of the entire wealth of England--and Richard was returned. But a peculiar legend followed him--that a troubadour named Blondel, a friend of Richard's, had journeyed across Europe singing a song he knew Richard would recognize in order to discover his secret place of imprisonment.

David Boyle recreates the drama of the Third Crusade and the dynamic power politics and personalities of the late 12th century in Europe, as well as the growing fascination with romance and chivalry embodied in the troubadour culture. An evocation of a pivotal era, The Troubadour's Song is narrative history at its finest.

About this title

About the Author

David Boyle is the author of The Sum of Our Discontent and is a contributor to a wide range of newspapers and magazines. He lives in London, England.

Reviews

British author Boyle retells the story of the medieval English king who, in 1192, was captured and imprisoned during his long journey home from the Third Crusade. Legend has it that Richard the Lionheart was found by the troubador Blondel, who sought the king by singing their favorite song at castle after castle across Europe until he heard Richard sing in reply. Boyle says the legend has been relegated to "children's books and romantic novels," but he attempts to rehabilitate it as serious history by retelling the saga with important historical details—though, as he admits, a lack of documentation makes a complete historical reconstruction impossible. Boyle discusses the crusade, the role of the troubadours in medieval Europe and, having written previously about money (Funny Money), offers economic history, too, putting Richard's unprecedented ransom (amounting to one-fifth of the total wealth in England) in the context of the introduction of silver coinage: "It was a new economy of coins and money rather than hereditary obligation," Boyle writes, "and it was a source of regret to some who saw the old world beginning to disappear in a welter of silver pennies and rising prices." 31 illus., maps.
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Richard I spent less than a year of his reign in England, did not speak English, and was really a French-Norman feudal lord. Nevertheless, his character and adventures have become the stuff of English legend. On his way back from the Third Crusade, Richard was captured by the duke of Austria and held for ransom. Legend has it that Richard's faithful friend, the traveling minstrel Blondel, traversed Europe singing under castle walls until he located Richard's place in captivity. Boyle examines the legend and strives to weave a credible narrative utilizing fragmentary historical sources. Many of his conclusions are speculataive and cannot be verified, but this is a rich and engrossing piece of popular history. He writes beautifully, re-creating a lost world of brutality and beauty as endemic fedual wars rage alongside an emerging twelfth-century renaissance characterized by a renewed interest in learning, the growth of universities, and the glittering courts of French nobles. General readers will find this tapestry of medieval life both informative and enjoyable. Jay Freeman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Walker and Company
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0802714595
• ISBN 13: 9780802714596
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 400