Jean Froissart was one of the most important French writers in the Middle Ages. He wrote Chronicles –colourful accounts of what he saw- that have become one of our most important sources of information for 14 th Century Europe.
Although his first job was as a merchant , he soon became a clerk and showed ability in writing. At that time, not many people could read and write. At the age of 24 he became a court poet and the official historian for Philippa of Hainault, the wife of Edward 3 of England.
The following passage describes an event during the Hundred Years War between France and England. Although it is reporting an event, it was designed to be read out aloud to entertain Queen Philippa and her court.