FROISSART, JEAN

(1338-c. 1410), Fr. chronicler; 6. Valenciennes; s. of a Set or armorial bearings; visited mgland, 1356; Avignon, 1360; and in 1361 returned to England to push his fortunes at court of Queen Philippa, bringing with him a book of verse chronicles, his first attempt at hist. composition. F. enjoyed queen’s bounty several years, his verses and romances being much applauded. During this time he wandered freely in Scotland, Britt any, France, Italy, gathering information for his chronicles. He far excelled older generation of historians in picturesque detail and literary genius, but lacked precision and exactne ; recorded brilliant tournaments, fétes, and banquets of Edward’s court, and the exploits of Eng. knights, in courtly language, viewing nations and individuals from point of view of chivalry and glorifying chivalric ideals. After death of Philippa he found a patron in French loving Wenceslaus of Brabant, and became curé of Lestines. Subsequently he became chaplain to Gui, Count of Blois, and Canon of Chimay. That he visited Flanders is clear from lengthy account of Flemish troubles in his chronicle. He visited 8. France, 1389, and was welcomed as a chronicler by Count of Foix. After his return to Valencien nes, Count Robert of Namur became his patron. He revisited England, c. 1406. He is said to have died in poverty at Chimay, As a critical historian F. stands condemned, but as a painter of the life and manners of his age he is unsurpa ed. Fr. artist and writer; excelled in N. African subjects; partly autobiographical novel, Dominique.