CHRISTINE DE PISAN 



castle, and uses this mediaeval fancy, itself 

 borrowed from the classics (Met. ii. 5. 770), 

 to give what is really a history of the world 

 as she knew it, written to demonstrate the in- 

 stability of all earthly conditions. 



Once again, with her versatile gifts, she turns 

 from philosophy to a treatise on military tactics 

 and justice, Le Livre des faits (farmes et de 

 chevalerie. However devoid of interest, except 

 as a landmark in the history of military strategy 

 and customs, this work may be to-day, it was 

 thought of sufficient importance in the reign 

 of our Henry the Seventh for the king to com- 

 mand Caxton to translate and print it (1489) 

 with the title of The Book of Faytes of Arms^ 

 a book still sought after by our bibliophiles. 

 It was further honoured by being quoted as an 

 authority in the reign of Henry the Eighth. 

 Considering the nature of its contents, this 

 seems quite an extraordinary tribute to the 

 judgment and ability of the writer. 



But the misery of France is ever increasing. 

 Ceaseless civil war and foreign invasion im- 

 poverish the people, and make desolate the 

 land. The dissolute Court is extravagant and 

 filled with discord. Christine, fired with 

 patriotic fervour, once more makes an effort, 

 which proves to be her final one, to arouse the 

 pleasure-loving nobility to some sense of its 

 obligations to the nation. Le Livre des trots 

 vertues, and Le Livre de la paix^ appear one 

 after the other. In the former, which she 



