Formal Medieval Combat and Performance

This book collects together all contemporary and near-contemporary accounts of the 1467 emprise, a particular performative feat of arms, between Anthony Woodville, Lord Scales—brother of Elizabeth Woodville, wife of King Edward IV of England—and Antoine, ‘Grand Bastard of Burgundy,’ natural son of Duke Philip ‘the Good’ of Burgundy. Held at Smithfield, London, this emprise has long interested historians of chivalry because of the detailed accounts of its organization and the commentaries on the combats held over two days. Despite its familiarity to readers of late-medieval English and European history, the accounts themselves have not historically been easily accessible, and several of them have never appeared in translation in English before now. This collection gathers those accounts, presents them in readable English editions, and gives historical contexts for their content.

Mark Geldof holds degrees in History and Library Studies from universities in Canada and the United Kingdom, where he completed his PhD. He has worked as a museum library manager and teacher of undergraduate history and writing. He has previously published in library and book history, martial culture, and historical violence. He currently lives and works in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.