Sunday Bouvines, written by Georges Duby, and published by Gallimard in 1973, is a true classic we should no longer have to submit, and it is presumptuous to dare present . But as it is good to try to explain why some books are just classics, I'm starting.
To listen to an audio file, click below.
Three things (at least) to remember here.
1) First, in the approach There is a side tour de force ": the chief historian of the Annales school focuses on a historical event, and not just any, the premier event, presented by generations of historians as the founding of the French monarchy. Now the school or the new anal story are built precisely on the rejection of the event, its illusions, and prefer to study the changes in long-term study of social change in attitudes. There is something fascinating to see Duby Bouvines dismantle dismantled as an alarm clock and look like it says in the preface Pierre Nora to "plant the flag of the new story on the Anapurna battle in history."
2) Next, on the bottom . After stating the facts - Sunday, July 27, 1214, King Philippe Auguste of France won in Bovines, near Lille, a landslide victory over the armies of the German Emperor Otto IV of Brunswick and its allies, especially John landless England - Georges Duby focuses on what the event says of his time, the worldview of those who were its protagonists. We learn what a "war" in the twelfth century, the role played by money (because the first war plays a vital economic function, it moves wealth, they get rich by capturing enemies against ransom, and not to exterminate anyone is: to die in war for example, is almost unthinkable, is a modern invention). Gradually, Duby illuminates both the mental and social context of this battle.
The event confirms and crystallizes trends that go well beyond. The progress of the weapons have changed the concept of courage, conviction of war by the church leads to considerable changes. The nobles are engaged in idle tournaments to train and "keep control". At the same time the chivalrous ethic begins to form, gain autonomy vis-à-vis the religious ethics. At the same time the ranks of armies are losing a number of fighters who want no more pious endorse the profession of arms. And to replace them, the knights watched as a new population of mercenaries, rogues deemed unworthy of warfare among the people of birth, and driven only by greed, ignorant of the meaning of honor. A
Bouvines, two conceptions of combat conflict: the 'old' promoted by Philippe Auguste, and that of "modern". Bouvines victory is the victory of the former: it has to calcify the first effect of three levels of the imaginary feudal (nobility, clergy, third condition), to solidify the relationship between the French monarchy and the Church of Rome. As noted by Georges Duby, the triumph of Philip Augustus already preparing the glorious place to be that of her granddaughter, Louis IX, Saint Louis.
3) Finally, on form, one is struck by the fluidity of writing style quick, simple, clear, that is the hallmark of true scholars.
In the same spirit, we can read the little book by Alain Corbin on key dates in history France. A series of articles confronts image d'Epinal of the great dates of national history (Marignan The Battle of Poitiers) with the latest work of historians of these periods. It is always fruitful to do this work of confrontation, of what collective memory wants to retain what has actually happened. Duby also explores how the Sunday Bouvines was sometimes forgotten, sometimes celebrated, for various reasons throughout history (or to dramatize opposition to the Germans, or to lambast English. Today, in a Europe reconciled, there may be more room for memories Bouvines). So it's a good lesson: contrary to the popular formula "to be overtaken by events" in history we learn that these are events that are often overwhelmed by the changes they reflect, for posterity by intentions of various nations. Without seeking to deny the events and their role, be aware that these are also constructions, it never hurts to deconstruct. It is in this masterly exercise that invites us on Sunday from Bovines. See also
here.
Bouvines Sunday, Georges Duby, in the collection " The days that made France ", Editions Gallimard.
