The Book of Peace: By Christine de Pizan

by Karen Green, Constant J. Mews, Janice Pinder

Overview

Christine de Pizan, one of the earliest known women authors, wrote the Livre de paix (Book of Peace) between 1412 and 1414, a period of severe corruption and civil unrest in her native France. The book offered Pizan a platform from which to expound her views on contemporary politics and to put forth a strict moral code to which she believed all governments should aspire. The text’s intended recipient was the dauphin, Louis of Guyenne; Christine felt that Louis had the political and social influence to fill a void left by years of incompetent leadership. Drawing in equal parts from the Bible and from classical ethical theory, the Livre de paix was revolutionary in its timing, viewpoint, and content.

This volume, edited by Karen Green, Constant J. Mews, and Janice Pinder, boasts the first full English translation of Pizan’s work along with the original French text. The editors also place the Livre de paix in historical context, provide a brief biography of Pizan, and offer insight into the translation process.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780271033976
Publisher:	Penn State University Press
Publication date:	08/15/2008
Series:	Penn State Romance Studies , #5
Pages:	360
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Karen Green is Associate Professor in Philosophy at Monash University.

Constant J. Mews is Professor of History at the School of Historical Studies at Monash University.

Janice Pinder is Research Associate at the School of Historical Studies at Monash University.

Table of Contents

Contents

Acknowledgments

List of Abbreviations

Introduction

Karen Green

Sources of Le Livre de paix

Constant J. Mews

Description of the Manuscripts

Tania van Hemelryck

Note on the Text

Janice Pinder

The Book of Peace

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Le Livre de paix

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Appendix: Table of Sources

Bibliography

Index

Editorial Reviews

An impressive work of erudition and collaborative scholarship. There is much to admire here.”

—Roberta Krueger, Hamilton College

“Penn State Press is to be congratulated for producing this affordable and attractive volume.”

—Nadia Margolis, Speculum: A Journal of Medieval Studies

From the Publisher