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French Chapter 4 Study Guide

A Little History
Crusades, Cathedrals, and Calamities
For a long time, Christians would, when they could, make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the city where Christ died.
This pilgrimage, said the priests, procured the forgiveness of sins and guaranteed paradise. But since the Turks
who were Muslim, took the Holy Land (the area now called Israel), they attack the pilgrims, stole from, and even
killed them often.
That's when Pope Urban II in France preached of a great expedition that would start to free Jerusalem from the
hands of Muslims. It was in 1095. The people were enthusiastic. At the cry of <Dieu the veut!>, crowds of pilgrims
left for the long journey to the Holy Land. Among them, there were nobles well equipped, but also many poor
people. There are even children. All stitched a cross of red cloth on their shoulders: They are the Crusaders and
their expedition was a crusade. Many died of hunger on the road, or thirst, or sickness, or they were attacked by
people in countries they crossed. The first wave of Crusaders was massacred, others followed, who would live to
see the sun shining domes of Jerusalem.
The First Crusade succeeded in taking Jerusalem. Its leader, Godfrey of Bouillon, was crowned king, and the
Frankish kingdom of Jerusalem lasted nearly a hundred years. In all, and for nearly two hundred years, there were
eight Crusades, led by kings and emperors of Europe, especially the king of France, Saint Louis (1214-1270).
It is appalling battles, during which the Crusaders lost and finally returned back the city of Jerusalem. Thousands of
people died in these wars. Finally St. Louis died of the plague, and it was the end of French involvement in the
Crusades. Tired, Europe abandoned the Holy Land from the Muslims.

The Consequences of the Crusades

The Crusaders had discovered a new world, and the Eastern civilization, richer and more luxurious than their
country. The Crusades brought more refined taste: silks, rich brocades, carpets, are now among their possessions.
They have tasted the spices like pepper, cinnamon, cloves, which will become one of the most valuable
commodities in the Middle Ages. Why? Because they are tasteful, of course, but also because, in the absence of
refrigeration, they help to preserve food, especially meat. They discovered new fruits such as orange and apricot,
new vegetables, like artichoke. They also report the almond. They made contact with new ideas, and most
importantly, they learned the benefits of a union between neighbors for a joint venture.

The Cathedrals (XI-XII Centuries)

It was an age of faith, and during this period, in France (as well as other countries of Western Europe) the amount
of built churches and cathedrals we still admire today. In the south, are the cathedrals and churches ballads,
characterized by round arch, in the north they are Gothic, characterized by broken arch or Gothic.
They are splendid monuments, covered with carvings. To the people who cannot read, they tell the Bible in stone
figures: Old Testament, and then the life of Jesus, his apostles and his death. The stone is gray now, but in the
Middle Ages, all the sculptures were painted in bright colors: red, green, blue, gold. The vault of the Gothic
cathedrals was immense, and the walls are largely replaced by stained glass windows that, too, telling stories of
the Christian religion. Among the many cathedrals of France, admired especially those of Reims, Notre-Dame de
Paris and Notre-Dame de Chartres.
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The Terrible 100 Years War (1337-1453)

Throughout this period, England, which already owned part of Normandy, had continued to acquire, through
marriage, other French provinces. In 1328, when the King of France died without direct male heir, the young king
of England, Edward III, who was the son of a French princess, asked the crown of France.
There is no legal reason to refuse it. But the French barons did not intend the <donner> France to England. Then,
they invoke a very old law (which dates from the time of the ancestors of Clovis!) And they pretend to believe that
the law prohibits giving the crown to a women, or descendants of this woman. It's the Salic Law.
Then a war between France and England began to possession of the throne of France. This war only conducted on
French territory, is disastrous for the country. The soldiers of both armies to great victories such as Crecy (1346)
and Agincourt (1415). There are also plagues, famines and even more appalling. The country is hungry and afraid.
In 1429, the English were a big part of France, including Paris. The King of France, Charles VI, long mad, had died.
His daughter married the King of England, Henry V. It is crowned King of France in Notre-Dame de Paris. Was there
still hope for France?

Jeanne d’Arc (1412-1431)

It was then that Joan of Arc. This is a girl of seventeen years, born in Domremy in Lorraine. She is very pious, and
one day, keeping her sheep, she hears voices that say of the France issue. She hears the voice very often, and it is
certain that they are those of St. Michael and St. Catherine, patron saint of young girls. <Va, Jeanne, will deliver
the France>, repeat the vote. This is easier said than done. However, Jeanne gets a troop of men and goes in
Chinon on the Loire or the resident of Dauphin, age nineteen.
He is the son of the defunct king. Normally, he would be crowned king instead of his father, but there are doubts
about its legitimacy. And then, the English take Paris, and their king is seated on the throne of France. The
Dauphin, who is shy, penniless, abandoned by almost everyone is afraid of being victim of a conspiracy.
So, to try Jeanne, he is hiding among his courtiers. But Jeanne, without hesitation, found. She has never seen, but
she acknowledges, kneels before him and said: <God sent me to deliver the France>. Faced with such courage and
faith advisors Dauphin agree to give an army to Joan. It delivers Orleans, and goes from victory to victory. Finally,
she led the timid Dauphin to Reims where the kings are crowned from Clovis. There he was crowned King of
France under the name of Charles VII. During the ceremony, Joan is standing at his side his standard white.
Alas, one day she was wounded and taken prisoner by a soldier, an ally of the English, who sold to the English.
They keep it in prison for a year, and eventually the judge as a witch and heretic. It is a completely unfair trial. But
condemned to death, she was burned alive in Rouen at the age of nineteen years (1431). 'We have burnt a saint!>
exclaims a British soldier, terrified. After the death of Joan of Arc, the French victories continued. The cycle of
defeats was broken, and we can dir, in 1453, the Hundred Years War is over. Charles VII is only king of France.

A New Idea: Patriotism

The France is saved. More importantly, perhaps, is that with Joan of Arc appears a new feeling: patriotism. Instead
of themselves as residents of various provinces, often hostile to each other, the French now see France as a
reality, a spiritual person, he must protect and save at any price.

Life and Literature

Farce de Maitre Pathelin (anonymous author, 1464)
Despite the horrors of war, plague and famine, the good people of the Middle Ages loved to laugh and laugh. Their
jokes are pieces of comic theater, where they mock occupations (Like the merchant, lawyer, and the judge) and
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above all authority. The jokes are played outdoors before a popular audience but well aware of human
shortcomings.
Farce de Maitre Pathelin is one of the most popular farces of the Middle Ages. Master Pathelin is a lawyer, and
you'll see how he deceived everybody. Everyone? Not exactly. Read this abbreviated version of La Farce de Maitre
Pathelin.

Setting
This morning, the clothier has sold six meters of cloth right to counsel Pathelin, who left without paying. But he said to
the clothier: <Come home with me, I’ll give you your money>. You leave, the clothier arrives at Master Pathelin ask for
his money. Guillemette: He is in fine shape to buy the cloth! Alas,
poor man, he will do more and do it out of him dressed
Scene 1 in white, feet first. Do not you understand? He will die.
Before the house of Master Pathelin, then inside. (We hear the voice of Master Pathelin, inside the house)
Le Drapier: (He arrives.) Ho, ho, Master Pathelin! (He sees Pathelin: (in bed, moaning) Guillemette, drink, drink,
Guillemette at home.) give me some water, a skin of water a pity. I'm dying.
Guillemette (his wife): Alas, sir, for God's sake! If you speak Le Drapier: I hear it. It is there.
to me, lower your voice, I beg you. Guillemette: True. But what a state!
Le Drapier: God bless you, ma'am, where is your husband? Pathelin: (He pretends to wander.) Oh, hunting all these
Guillemette: Further down below, the poor, Where do you people around me, they all want to kill me! Send them
want it? away! This is a black cat flying take it is the devil. These
Le Drapier: Who are you talking about? physicists have killed me with their drugs. This is very
Guillemette: Forgive me, I’ll speak softer. I think he sleeps. He little as we do!
is almost unconscious, poor man. Guillemete: Alas, come see. I think it's the end.
Le Drapier: Who? But who? Le Drapier: I tell you he is sick since returning from the
Guillemette: My husband, Master Pathelin. market where I sold him six ells of fine cloth? And I want
Le Drapier: Oh really? Is it not come for six meters of cloth at my money, Master Pathelin!
the moment? Pathelin: (He pretends to take the clothier for a doctor.)
Guillemette: Who? Him? But it is impossible! These three pieces blank and sharp you name it pills?
Le Drapier: But if he just there less than a quarter of an hour. They broke my teeth! Do not make me take more. They
And I want my money without losing more time is nine francs made me vomit. And no more bitter.
for me. Le Drapier: I need nine francs at once, for my six meters
Guillemette: Ah, not joking, I pray because I do not mind of fine cloth.
laughing. Guillemtte: As you are torturing the poor man! How can
Le Drapier: Are you crazy? I said nine francs, and on time. I'm you be so hard? He wanders, it takes you to the doctor.
tired of your nonsense. Bring Master Pathelin here. Three months, almost dead in his bed!
Guillemette: Ah, sir, but the poor man is in such a state, Pathelin: (He pretends to wander.) Do I hear a donkey
almost dead. He has not left his bed for three months. (She bray? My cousin, my cousin help me. We must expel all
cries.) And now I pray you, will you leave the house? those misleading. Danda ha oul, oul in ravezeie. Corfa in
Le drapier: You tell me to whisper! But you, madam, you Neuf, Corfe in Neuf ... (he is making up words to seem
scream! crazy)
Guillemette: (She cries.) That's because you, you stay here, Guillemette: (She wipes her eyes.) God help you, dear
and you quarrel with me! husband!
Le Drapier: You talk about four times higher than me. I Pathelin: Huis oz or Droncit our bes ... Badou
demand that you pay me. Le Drapier: What? What did he say? It is truly lost! It is
Guillemette: But to whom did you give this sheet? the cry of a duck. This is not a language! The devil
Le Drapier: But your husband himself. speaks! I see that I will not have my money. It is better
that I left before he dies.
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Scene 2 (In the clothier’s house)

The clothier called Thibaut, the shepherd keeps his sheep. He is furious because
Le Drapier: Yourthe shepherd
Honor, wasboy
that this killed and eaten
I raised many
as a son. It
LeofDrapier:
his sheep.
Everybody steals. It took my sheet without paying keeps my sheep, but I discovered he has eaten more than
me. And here the shepherd. This is another thief, but this is thirty.
the last day that makes fun of me. Come here, Thibaut. We go Le Juge: Berger, are you employed?
to the judge. Pathelin: Certainly, by law (Pathelin hides her face. He
Le Berger: May God give you a good day. And a sweet evening hides his face so he will not be recognized by the clothier)
my good sir. Le Drapier: What? Is that you? You're the thief!
Le Drapier: Ah, there you are, bad boy. Good for nothing, Le Juge: As you hold the upper hand. Do you have a
stealing sheep! toothache, dear master?
Le berger: Have mercy on me, Monseiur. A man in strange Pathelin: Yes, they make me suffer so much that I dare not
clothes came to me. I do not understand. The Master wants to look up. But, by God, he continues.
see, he said. He speaks of trial in prison, to go before the Le Juge: (to the clothier) Go, go on to plead. Quick, to your
judge. But why? conclusion.
Le Drapier: (He mixes his problems.) You pay me for these Le Drapier: (to Pathelin) Is to you that I sold six meters of
sheep. And six meters of cloth, I mean, all those sheep that cloth, Master Pathelin.
you have stolen and eaten. Le Juge: (to Pathelin) What did he say? Six meters of cloth?
Le Berger: Ah, you are very angry, my dear sir! But what have I I thought it was sheep.
done? Le Drapier: Yes, it's you that have taken my cloth!
Le Drapier: Before the judge we go and he will decide. I'm Pathelin: These are just inventions. He means, I think his
tired of thieves. Nine francs here, ten sheep here, justice will herdsman sold the wool makes the cloth of my dress.
finally be myself. Le Drapier: You have my six meters!
Le Berger: My god, sir, I am surprised. I beg you, do not argue. Le Juge: Peace. You wander. Let us return to our sheep.
Le Drapier: We plead. I am sure that the good judge will Where are they?
decide in my favor. Le Drapier: He took six meters of sheep for nine francs!
Le Berger: My god, sir, God bless you! (aside) I must defend Pathelin: We are wasting our time. Consider the
myself. I'll get a lawyer. defenseman.
Le Juge: You're right. Approach, Thibaut.
Scene 3 (The court house) Le Berger: Bee
On leaving the clothier, Thibaut shepherd will ask Master Le Juge: What? I think you goat?
Pathelin to be his lawyer. Pathelin asked: Did you really eat the Le Berger: Bee
sheep? More than thirty three years says the shepherd. Le Juge: Dost thou mock me?
Pathelin advised him to answer only "Bee" to all questions Le Berger: Bee
from the judge. The judge may think him stupid, too stupid to Pathelin: Think he is crazy or stupid, or he feels among his
steal sheep. animals.
Le Juge: If there is any case, go fast. Do not waste time. I'm Le Drapier: (to Pathelin) You, you, and not another, who
anxious to go home. have taken my sheet. Your Honor, he is a thief!
Le Drapier: My lawyer is late. He will be here in a while. Expect Le Juge: Shut up. Are you stupid? This is a case of sheep.
it. Come to the point.
Le Juge: Well hell, I'm in a hurry! I have other cases to hear. Le Drapier: Your Honor, I was given six meters, not my
Are you not the plaintiff? sheep. The lawyer ... My shepherd, who is dishonest, I
Le Drapier: Yea promise he will bring me nine francs. But he has eaten!
Le Juge: Where is the defender? Is he in person? He's here, The sheep thief, yes, he ate my sheet, your honor, my
who said nothing? Go, plaintiff, submit your case. sheep ... and the lawyer does not pay me...
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Le Juge: But while you mix. I do not understand. He ate the

cloth? money? And sheep, where are they?
Le Berger: Bee
Pathelin:
Pathelin: (mad) Bee, Bee, this time I swear I'll put in
Le Berger: Bee
prison.
Pathelin: It is simple minded. We still get nothing. Send it to
Le Berger: (Runs away and escapes) Bee Bee Bee
keep his animals.
Le Juge: Clearly they are both crazy. Returns to test sheep
Berger. The case is heard. Enter all of you.
Le Drapier: (the judge) Give, grace, another day to try my
case.
Le Juge: Another date? What for? (the shepherd) Return to
your animals. (to Pathelin) Come dine with me, dear
master?
Le Berger: Bee
Pathelin: (the shepherd) Enough Bee. Say thank you to
judge.
Le Berger: Bee
Now Pathelin is alone with the herder and asks for his pay.
Pathelin: You see, we won
Le Berger: Bee
Pathelin: What? It's over, I tell you. You can talk. Are you
satisfied with my work for you?
Le Berger: Bee
Pathelin:
Your opponent has left. No more Bee. This is no time. 'I
played a trick? Do I not well advised?

Le Berger: Bee
Pathelin: Well, I must go away. Give me the money you owe
me.
Le Berger: Bee
Pathelin:Iindeed you are very well played your role. They
thee well taken for an idiot because you knew not to laugh.
Le Berger: Bee
Pathelin: What? Bee yet? You must not say. Pay me now
quickly.
Le Berger: Bee
Pathelin: Enough Bee. Pay me and I'm going home.
Le Berger: Bee
Pathelin: More bleating, got it? I swear: You pay me my
money, I want my money.
Le Berger: Bee
Pathelin: I see the game you want to play. (aside) I thought
to be the master of deceiving here and elsewhere, crooks,
and then people who give words in payment. A shepherd is
smarter than me! (the shepherd) Oh, if I could find a good
police officer would make you stop.
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The Ballad of the Hanged (François Villon (1431 - died after 1463)
François Villon is a poet, but also a bad boy in Paris. He drinks, chases girls, steals a purse on occasion. One day
after a brawl in a tavern, Francis was sentenced to death. He will be hanged at Montfaucon, where they hang the
condemned. There they leave the corpses hanging (5 of 6) to serve as examples and let the birds eat them and the
rain wash them.
While awaiting execution, Francis wrote The Ballad of the Hanged, a poem full of sorrow. You will see the horror of
physical death and also the terror of hell.

Fellow human beings, after which we live,

Do the heart hardened against us,
For pity if we have poor,
God will sooner you thank you

You see us here attached, five, six:

As for the flesh, we fed,
It is already eaten and rotten,
And we, the bones become dust and ashes.

Our bad nobody laugh;

But pray God that we all want to absolve!

The rain has washed and rewashed,

And the sun dried and blackened;
Magpies and crows have eaten the eyes
And tore his beard and eyebrows.

Never no time we are seated;

Here and there, as the wind changes,
his pleasure constantly carries us,
More pecked of birds than thimbles.

Do not be in our guild;

But pray God that we all want absourdre (he was not executed in the end he was just banished from Paris)!
Le Pèlerinage- pilgrimage 7

Prêcher- to preach
Se moquer- to make fun of
Les Foules (f)- crowds, multitudes
Le Marchand drapier- cloth merchant
Parmi- among
L’Avocat (m)- lawyer
Cousu- sewed
Les Défauts (m)- faults, shortcomings
La Croix- cross
Tromper- to cheat
Le Tissu- cloth
Le Berger- shepherd
Les Croisés (m)- crusaders
Les Aulnes (m)- old French measure of length
La Vague- wave
(about 1 meter)
La Peste- plague
Parlez plus bas- lower your voice
Les Goûts (m)- tastes
Mais si- yes he did
La Soie- silk
Plaisanter- to joke
Les Brocards (m)- brocade
Esprit à rire- a mind to laugh
Le Tapis- carpets
Folle- crazy
Les Épices (f)- spices
Les Sottises (f)- foolishness
Le Poivre- pepper
Presque- almost
La Cannelle- cinammon
En état- in fine shape
Le Clou de girofle- cloves
Gémissant- moaning
Les Denrées (f)- commodities, goods
Divaguer- to be delirious
L’Amandier (m)- almond tree
Voler- to fly
Romanes- Romanesque
Le Diable- devil
Ogivale- gothic
Les Morceaux (m)- lumps
Les Murs (m)- walls
Pointus- sharp
Les Vitraux (m)- stained-glass windows
Les Pilules (f)- pills
Remporter- to win
Amer- bitter
Effroyables- horrifying
Dur- harsh
Fou- insane
L’âne (m)- donkey
Pieuse- lious, devout
Braire- to bray/braying
Défunt- deceased
Les Trompeurs (m)- cheaters, decievers
Le Complot- plot
Méchant- wicked
Éprouver- put to the test
Le Procès- lawsuit
Les Courtisans (m)- courtiers
Le Mélange- confuses, mixes up
S’agenouiller- to kneel
Ne plaidons pas- let’s not go to court
L’étendard (m)- standard, flag
À part- aside
La Sorcière- witch
Le Tribunal- court(house)
Le Procès- trial
L’Affaire (f)- matter, business
Au lieu de- instead of
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Le Demandeur- plaintiff
Le Défenseur- defendant
Élevé- raised
La Figure- face
Mal aux dents- toothache
Les Corbeaux (m)- ravens/crows
Achever- to finish
Arraché- pulled out
La Laine- wool
Les Sourcils (m)- eyebrows
Le Chèvre- goat
Jamais nul temps- never ever
Taisez-vous- quiet! shut up
Charrie (charrier)- to push (us) around
Simple d’esprit- feeble-minded
Becquetés- pecked at
Le Tour- trick
Les Dés à coudre (m)- thimbles
Ne t’ai-je pas bien conseillé- didn’t i advise you well ?
La Confrérie- brotherhood
(Le) Bêlement (Bêler)- baaing, bleating
D’ailleurs- from elsewhere Les
Escrocs (m)- crooks
Malin- clever
Se sauve en courant- runs away and escapes
Les Pendus (m)- hanged men
Courir- to chase
La Bourse- purse
La Rixe- fight
Alors qu’il attend- while awaiting
L’Enfer (m)- hell
Endurci- hardened
Le Merci- forgiveness
Quant à la chair- as for the flesh
Nourrie- fed, nourished
Pourrie- ashes
La Poudre- dust
Le Mal- plight
Personne ne s’en rie- laughs
Veuille absoudre- kindly forgive us
Desséchés- dried (us) up
Les Pies (f)- magpies
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Grammar
Object Pronouns
Le/la/l’/les are the direct object pronouns. They replace the name of a person or object.
Je lis le journal: Je le lis.
Tu regardes la télévison: Tu la regardes.
Nous attendons l’autobus: Nous l’attendons.
Vous aimez vos parents: Vous les aimez.

Lui/leur are indirect object pronouns. They replaces “à + name of a person”.

Je parle à ma mère: Je lui parle.
Je téléphone à mes amis: Je leur téléphone.

Me/te/nous/vous can be indirect or direct objects.

Direct:
Est-ce que vous nous trouvez remarquables?
Nicolas dit à sa fiancée “J