The Chanson d'Antioche: an Old-French account of the First Crusade - 22

The Old-French Chanson d'Antioche has long intrigued historians and literary scholars.

Unusually among epic poems, it follows closely a well documented historical event ? the First Crusade ? and appears to include substantial and genuine historical content.

At one time it was believed to be based on an account by an eye-witness, 'Richard the Pilgrim'.

Carol Sweetenham and Susan Edgington have combined forces to investigate such claims, and their findings are set out in a comprehensive introduction which, firstly, examines the textual history of the poem from its possible oral beginnings through several re-workings to its present form, achieved early in the thirteenth century.

A second chapter assesses the Chanson's value as a source for the crusade, and a third considers its status as a literary text.