A Monk of Fife Read online




  Transcribed from the 1896 Longmans Green and Company edition by DavidPrice, email [email protected]

  A MONK OF FIFEBeing the Chronicle written by Norman Leslie of Pitcullo, concerningmarvellous deeds that befell in the realm of France, in the years of ourredemption, MCCCCXXIX-XXXI. Now first done into English out of theFrench by Andrew Lang.

  TO HENRIETTA LANG

  My Dear Aunt,--To you, who read to me stories from the History of France,before I could read them for myself, this Chronicle is affectionatelydedicated.

  Yours ever,

  ANDREW LANG.

  PREFACE

  Norman Leslie of Pitcullo, whose narrative the reader has in his hands,refers more than once to his unfinished Latin Chronicle. That work,usually known as "The Book of Pluscarden," has been edited by Mr. FelixSkene, in the series of "Historians of Scotland" (vol. vii.). To Mr.Skene's introduction and notes the curious are referred. Here it maysuffice to say that the original MS. of the Latin Chronicle is lost; thatof six known manuscript copies none is older than 1480; that two of thesecopies contain a Prologue; and that the Prologue tells us all that hashitherto been known about the author.

  The date of the lost Latin original is 1461, as the author himself avers.He also, in his Prologue, states the purpose of his work. At the biddingof an unnamed Abbot of Dunfermline, who must have been Richard Bothwell,he is to abbreviate "The Great Chronicle," and "bring it up to date," aswe now say. He is to recount the events of his own time, "with certainother miraculous deeds, which I who write have had cognisance of, seen,and heard, beyond the bounds of this realm. Also, lastly, concerning acertain marvellous Maiden, who recovered the kingdom of France out of thehands of the tyrant, Henry, King of England. The aforesaid Maiden I saw,was conversant with, and was in her company in her said recovery ofFrance, and till her life's end I was ever present." After "I was everpresent" the copies add "etc.," perhaps a sign of omission. The monkishauthor probably said more about the heroine of his youth, and this thecopyists have chosen to leave out.

  The author never fulfilled this promise of telling, in Latin, the historyof the Maid as her career was seen by a Scottish ally and friend. Nordid he ever explain how a Scot, and a foe of England, succeeded in beingpresent at the Maiden's martyrdom in Rouen. At least he never fulfilledhis promise, as far as any of the six Latin MSS. of his Chronicle areconcerned. Every one of these MSS.--doubtless following their incompleteoriginal--breaks off short in the middle of the second sentence ofChapter xxxii. Book xii. Here is the brief fragment which that chaptercontains:--

  "In those days the Lord stirred up the spirit of a certain marvellousMaiden, born on the borders of France, in the duchy of Lorraine, and thesee of Toul, towards the Imperial territories. This Maiden her fatherand mother employed in tending sheep; daily, too, did she handle thedistaff; man's love she knew not; no sin, as it is said, was found inher, to her innocence the neighbours bore witness . . . "

  Here the Latin narrative of the one man who followed Jeanne d'Arc throughgood and evil to her life's end breaks off abruptly. The author does notgive his name; even the name of the Abbot at whose command he wrote "isleft blank, as if it had been erased in the original" (Mr. Felix Skene,"Liber Pluscardensis," in the "Historians of Scotland," vii. p. 18). Itmight be guessed that the original fell into English hands between 1461and 1489, and that they blotted out the name of the author, and destroyeda most valuable record of their conqueror and their victim, Jeanne d'Arc.

  Against this theory we have to set the explanation here offered by NormanLeslie, our author, in the Ratisbon Scots College's French MS., of whichthis work is a translation. Leslie never finished his Latin Chronicle,but he wrote, in French, the narrative which follows, decorating it withthe designs which Mr. Selwyn Image has carefully copied in black andwhite.

  Possessing this information, we need not examine Mr. W. F. Skene'slearned but unconvincing theory that the author of the fragmentary Latinwork was one Maurice Drummond, out of the Lennox. The hypothesis is thatof Mr. W. F. Skene, and Mr. Felix Skene points out the difficulties whichbeset the opinion of his distinguished kinsman. Our Monk is a man ofFife.

  As to the veracity of the following narrative, the translator finds itminutely corroborated, wherever corroboration could be expected, in thelarge mass of documents which fill the five volumes of M. Quicherat's"Proces de Jeanne d'Arc," in contemporary chronicles, and in MSS. morerecently discovered in French local or national archives. Thus CharlotteBoucher, Barthelemy Barrette, Noiroufle, the Scottish painter, and hisdaughter Elliot, Capdorat, ay, even Thomas Scott, the King's Messenger,were all real living people, traces of whose existence, with some oftheir adventures, survive faintly in brown old manuscripts. Louis deCoutes, the pretty page of the Maid, a boy of fourteen, may have beenhardly judged by Norman Leslie, but he certainly abandoned Jeanne d'Arcat her first failure.

  So, after explaining the true position and character of our monkishauthor and artist, we leave his book to the judgment which it has tarriedfor so long.

 

    Astounding Stories, March, 1931 Read onlineAstounding Stories, March, 1931Astounding Stories, February, 1931 Read onlineAstounding Stories, February, 1931Futuria Fantasia, Spring 1940 Read onlineFuturia Fantasia, Spring 1940The King's Daughter and Other Stories for Girls Read onlineThe King's Daughter and Other Stories for GirlsUncanny Tales Read onlineUncanny TalesMasters of Noir: Volume Two Read onlineMasters of Noir: Volume TwoWitty Pieces by Witty People Read onlineWitty Pieces by Witty PeopleSylvaneth Read onlineSylvanethSpace Wolves Read onlineSpace WolvesHammerhal & Other Stories Read onlineHammerhal & Other StoriesThe Fantasy Fan, March, 1934 Read onlineThe Fantasy Fan, March, 1934Astounding Stories of Super-Science, August 1930 Read onlineAstounding Stories of Super-Science, August 1930Astounding Stories,  August, 1931 Read onlineAstounding Stories, August, 1931The Burden of Loyalty Read onlineThe Burden of LoyaltyReturn to Wonderland Read onlineReturn to WonderlandAnthology - A Thousand Doors Read onlineAnthology - A Thousand DoorsThe Fantasy Fan, October 1933 Read onlineThe Fantasy Fan, October 1933Astounding Stories, June, 1931 Read onlineAstounding Stories, June, 1931Southern Stories Read onlineSouthern StoriesAstounding Stories of Super-Science, May, 1930 Read onlineAstounding Stories of Super-Science, May, 1930The Fantasy Fan December 1933 Read onlineThe Fantasy Fan December 1933Adventures in Many Lands Read onlineAdventures in Many LandsThe Fantasy Fan February 1934 Read onlineThe Fantasy Fan February 1934The Fantasy Fan November 1933 Read onlineThe Fantasy Fan November 1933Astounding Stories,  April, 1931 Read onlineAstounding Stories, April, 1931Fame and Fortune Weekly, No. 801, February 4, 1921 Read onlineFame and Fortune Weekly, No. 801, February 4, 1921Astounding Stories of Super-Science, November, 1930 Read onlineAstounding Stories of Super-Science, November, 1930Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1931 Read onlineAstounding Stories of Super-Science January 1931A Monk of Fife Read onlineA Monk of FifeAstounding Stories of Super-Science September 1930 Read onlineAstounding Stories of Super-Science September 1930Astounding Stories of Super-Science July 1930 Read onlineAstounding Stories of Super-Science July 1930Astounding Stories of Super-Science, June, 1930 Read onlineAstounding Stories of Super-Science, June, 1930Astounding Stories of Super-Science, October, 1930 Read onlineAstounding Stories of Super-Science, October, 1930Astounding Stories of Super-Science, March 1930 Read onlineAstounding Stories of Super-Science, March 1930The Fantasy Fan January 1934 Read onlineThe Fantasy Fan January 1934The Fantasy Fan September 1933 Read onlineThe Fantasy Fan September 1933Astounding Stories of Super-Science February 1930 Read onlineAstounding Stories of Super-Science February 1930Astounding Stories, May, 1931 Read onlineAstounding Stories, May, 1931Strange Stories of Colonial Days Read onlineStrange Stories of Colonial DaysGolden Age of Science Fiction Vol IX Read onlineGolden Age of Science Fiction Vol IXAstounding Stories of Super-Science, December 1930 Read onlineAstounding Stories of Super-Science, December 1930Evolutions: Essential Tales of the Halo Universe Read onlineEvolutions: Essential Tales of the Halo UniverseGood Stories Reprinted from the Ladies' Home Journal of Philadelphia Read onlineGood Stories Reprinted from the Ladies' Home Journal of PhiladelphiaDragons! Read onlineDragons!Murder Takes a Holiday Read onlineMurder Takes a HolidayLegacies of Betrayal Read onlineLegacies of BetrayalSTAR WARS: TALES FROM THE CLONE WARS Read onlineSTAR WARS: TALES FROM THE CLONE WARSStrange New Worlds 2016 Read onlineStrange New Worlds 2016Lippincott's Magazine, August, 1885 Read onlineLippincott's Magazine, August, 1885Golden Age of Science Fiction Vol X Read onlineGolden Age of Science Fiction Vol XHot Stuff Read onlineHot StuffSanta Wore Spurs Read onlineSanta Wore SpursParanormal Erotica Read onlineParanormal EroticaTangled Hearts: A Menage Collection Read onlineTangled Hearts: A Menage CollectionSweet Tea and Jesus Shoes Read onlineSweet Tea and Jesus ShoesThe Journey Prize Stories 25 Read onlineThe Journey Prize Stories 25Wild Western Tales 2: 101 Classic Western Stories Vol. 2 (Civitas Library Classics) Read onlineWild Western Tales 2: 101 Classic Western Stories Vol. 2 (Civitas Library Classics)(5/15) The Golden Age of Science Fiction Volume V: An Anthology of 50 Short Stories Read online(5/15) The Golden Age of Science Fiction Volume V: An Anthology of 50 Short Stories(4/15) The Golden Age of Science Fiction Volume IV: An Anthology of 50 Short Stories Read online(4/15) The Golden Age of Science Fiction Volume IV: An Anthology of 50 Short StoriesTen Journeys Read onlineTen JourneysThe Boss Read onlineThe BossThe Penguin Book of French Poetry Read onlineThe Penguin Book of French PoetryGolden Age of Science Fiction Vol VIII Read onlineGolden Age of Science Fiction Vol VIIIHis Cinderella Housekeeper 3-in-1 Read onlineHis Cinderella Housekeeper 3-in-1The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction - July/August 2016 Read onlineThe Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction - July/August 2016PYRATE CTHULHU - Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos (vol.2) Read onlinePYRATE CTHULHU - Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos (vol.2)Tales from a Master's Notebook Read onlineTales from a Master's NotebookApril 1930 Read onlineApril 1930New Erotica 6 Read onlineNew Erotica 6Damocles Read onlineDamoclesThe Longest Night Vol. 1 Read onlineThe Longest Night Vol. 1The Golden Age of Science Fiction Volume VI: An Anthology of 50 Short Stories Read onlineThe Golden Age of Science Fiction Volume VI: An Anthology of 50 Short Stories(1/15) The Golden Age of Science Fiction: An Anthology of 50 Short Stories Read online(1/15) The Golden Age of Science Fiction: An Anthology of 50 Short StoriesEye of Terra Read onlineEye of TerraONCE UPON A REGENCY CHRISTMAS Read onlineONCE UPON A REGENCY CHRISTMASNexus Confessions Read onlineNexus ConfessionsPassionate Kisses Read onlinePassionate KissesWar Without End Read onlineWar Without EndDoctor Who: Time Lord Fairy Tales Read onlineDoctor Who: Time Lord Fairy TalesGotrek and Felix: The Anthology Read onlineGotrek and Felix: The AnthologyWESTERN CHRISTMAS PROPOSALS Read onlineWESTERN CHRISTMAS PROPOSALSThe Journey Prize Stories 27 Read onlineThe Journey Prize Stories 27The Silent War Read onlineThe Silent WarLiaisons Read onlineLiaisonsEllora's Cavemen: Tales from the Temple IV Read onlineEllora's Cavemen: Tales from the Temple IVEllora's Cavemen: Tales from the Temple II Read onlineEllora's Cavemen: Tales from the Temple IISome of the Best From Tor.com, 2013 Edition: A Tor.Com Original Read onlineSome of the Best From Tor.com, 2013 Edition: A Tor.Com OriginalUrban Occult Read onlineUrban OccultFractures Read onlineFracturesThe Stories: Five Years of Original Fiction on Tor.com Read onlineThe Stories: Five Years of Original Fiction on Tor.comThe Penguin Book of Modern British Short Stories Read onlineThe Penguin Book of Modern British Short StoriesMortarch of Night Read onlineMortarch of NightThe Portable Nineteenth-Century African American Women Writers Read onlineThe Portable Nineteenth-Century African American Women WritersThe Golden Age of Science Fiction Volume VII: An Anthology of 50 Short Stories Read onlineThe Golden Age of Science Fiction Volume VII: An Anthology of 50 Short StoriesHoly Bible: King James Version, The Read onlineHoly Bible: King James Version, TheEight Rooms Read onlineEight Roomssanguineangels Read onlinesanguineangelsDarkNightsWithaBillionaireBundle Read onlineDarkNightsWithaBillionaireBundleCasserole Diplomacy and Other Stories Read onlineCasserole Diplomacy and Other StoriesHow I Survived My Summer Vacation Read onlineHow I Survived My Summer VacationAlfred Hitchcock Presents: 16 Skeletons From My Closet Read onlineAlfred Hitchcock Presents: 16 Skeletons From My ClosetLords, Ladies, Butlers and Maids Read onlineLords, Ladies, Butlers and MaidsThe B4 Leg Read onlineThe B4 LegEllora's Cavemen: Tales from the Temple I Read onlineEllora's Cavemen: Tales from the Temple I2014 Campbellian Anthology Read online2014 Campbellian AnthologyThere Is Only War Read onlineThere Is Only WarObsidian Alliances Read onlineObsidian Alliances12 Gifts for Christmas Read online12 Gifts for ChristmasScary Holiday Tales to Make You Scream Read onlineScary Holiday Tales to Make You Scream25 For 25 Read online25 For 25The Plagues of Orath Read onlineThe Plagues of OrathAnd Then He Kissed Me Read onlineAnd Then He Kissed MeStar Trek - Gateways 7 - WHAT LAY BEYOND Read onlineStar Trek - Gateways 7 - WHAT LAY BEYONDLaugh Your Head Off Again and Again Read onlineLaugh Your Head Off Again and AgainThe Balfour Legacy Read onlineThe Balfour LegacyGolden Age of Science Fiction Vol XI Read onlineGolden Age of Science Fiction Vol XI(3/15) The Golden Age of Science Fiction Volume III: An Anthology of 50 Short Stories Read online(3/15) The Golden Age of Science Fiction Volume III: An Anthology of 50 Short StoriesShas'o Read onlineShas'oAstounding Science Fiction Stories: An Anthology of 350 Scifi Stories Volume 2 (Halcyon Classics) Read onlineAstounding Science Fiction Stories: An Anthology of 350 Scifi Stories Volume 2 (Halcyon Classics)Twists in Time Read onlineTwists in TimeMeduson Read onlineMedusonThe Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction - August 1980 Read onlineThe Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction - August 1980The Journey Prize Stories 22 Read onlineThe Journey Prize Stories 22The Book that Made Me Read onlineThe Book that Made MeAngels of Death Anthology Read onlineAngels of Death AnthologyAsk the Bones Read onlineAsk the BonesEmergence Read onlineEmergenceBeware the Little White Rabbit Read onlineBeware the Little White RabbitXcite Delights Book 1 Read onlineXcite Delights Book 1Where flap the tatters of the King Read onlineWhere flap the tatters of the KingThe Journey Prize Stories 21 Read onlineThe Journey Prize Stories 21Tales of the Slayer, Volume II Read onlineTales of the Slayer, Volume IIGlass Empires Read onlineGlass EmpiresGolden Age of Science Fiction Vol XII Read onlineGolden Age of Science Fiction Vol XII(2/15) The Golden Age of Science Fiction Volume II: An Anthology of 50 Short Stories Read online(2/15) The Golden Age of Science Fiction Volume II: An Anthology of 50 Short StoriesFairytale Collection Read onlineFairytale CollectionAngels! Read onlineAngels!Golden Age of Science Fiction Vol XIII Read onlineGolden Age of Science Fiction Vol XIII