The Days Of Chivalry Or The Legend Of Croquemitaine

THE story which I am about to relate happened (if it ever did happen) in the time of the famous Emperor Charlemagne. There is no necessity, in speaking of that remarkable epoch, to invent facts. The truth is so astounding that it will make you open your eyes quite wide enough. What marvellous doings of fairies, ogres, or demons, can compare with the deeds of Charlemagne? and what magic ring could be as potent as his sword? But before I proceed further it will be as well to sketch for you, in a few lines, the portrait of this hero. He was eight feet in height, according to the measurement of his own feet, which historians allege with fervour were of remarkable length. His eyes were large and piercing. When he was enraged you could almost have fancied they flashed fire. His face was broad and ruddy, his hair brown, and he wore a beard that was innocent of the barber's shears. Although he measured eight feet round the middle, his figure was wellproportioned. He devoured with ease at one repast a quarter of mutton, or a goose, or a ham, or a peacock. He was moderate in the matter of wine, which he used to take with water. His strength was so enormous that it was mere child's play to him to straighten with his naked hands three horse-shoes at a time. He could lift at arm's length, on the palm of his hand, a knight in full armour; and lie could cleave in twain, with one blow of his sword, a horseman in panoply of war—aye, and his horse into the bargain. This was mere sport to him, and often, with a charming complaisance which was peculiarly his own, he would take pleasure in thus giving those about him an ocular demonstration of his superhuman strength. His anger was as terrible as the thunder, for it was as ready to burst forth and to strike. He carves out a kingdom, with the compassion of a Titus, the sound judgment of a Solomon, the piety of a Joseph, the magnificence of a Sardanapalus, and the wisdom of an Æsop, he united two qualities more rare than all these put together? when he spoke he meant what he said, and when others spoke to him he took time for reflection, in order to make sure that he thoroughly understood their meaning. The dominion which his father bequeathed him did not suit the largeness of his views, so he carved out for himself a kingdom which was more in harmony with his gigantic instincts.

DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "The Days of Chivalry; Or, The Legend of Croquemitaine" by Quatrelles. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

First complete publication in over 90 years. Original quarto size of English edition, with full size illustrations -facsimile of the original English version. In addition to currently available oversized paper edition and the trade hardbound edition coming in July there will also be, in July, a limited edition of 100 numbered copies in gilt stamped hand bound premium bonded leather with cover stamping reproducing that of the 19th Century British edition from which the text is taken. You may pre-order now for July delivery. Christendom and the West meet the Saracens and allegorical "Fear" in this nineteenth century fanciful telling of the tales of Charlemagne and his twelve knights (including Roland) and of their 8th and 9th century adventures with the Saracens and the "Fortress of Fear," with some of, we believe, the best work of one of the greatest engravers of the 19th century, Gustave Dore. Ernest L'Epine's The Days of Chivalry, or The Legend of Croquemitaine appeared in France in 1863, the Ton Hood translation appeared in England in 1867. Enjoy!