Les grandes chroniques de France (6/6)

This medieval chronicle brings to life the early years of King John II’s reign, opening with his solemn coronation in 1350 and the lavish festivities that followed in Paris. The narrative details the creation of new knights, the elaborate robes and customs of courtiers, and the bustling streets of the capital as the new monarch makes his triumphant entry. Readers hear the clang of swords, the rustle of silk‑lined tartars, and the bustling chatter of craftsmen and merchants, all rendered in the vivid language of contemporary chroniclers.

Beyond the pageantry, the work moves swiftly into the political currents that shaped the kingdom. It records the return of the constable Raoul, Count of Eu and Guînes, from English captivity, his brief imprisonment in the Hôtel de Nesle, and the tense atmosphere among the king’s advisors and nobles. The chronicle offers a window into the social hierarchy of 14th‑century France, painting a portrait of a realm poised between grandeur and uncertainty.