The Age Of Chivalry

Step back in time to an era when knights roamed the land, dragons lurked in forests, and chivalry was an actual thing rather than a misguided attempt at dinner etiquette. Arthur Bryant’s "The Age Of Chivalry," published in 1963, is a dapper foray into the medieval mindset, complete with all the pomp and circumstance you might expect from a book that looks more like a dusty artifact than a leisurely read. This hefty tome is like a time capsule, except instead of bringing back ancient relics, it’s just a pile of words that somehow got lost between the ages of gallant duels and the rise of the telephone.

In a world where chivalry was a knight’s version of being a well-mannered gentleman, Bryant takes us on a droll adventure through castles, quests, and the occasional romantic entanglement, all while maintaining a stiff upper lip that would make any Victorian parent proud. You might be asking yourself: is there a hint of irony in the very idea of knights being noble? Well, buckle up your breastplate because Bryant is not shy about poking fun at the absurdities of knighthood. Prepare yourself for a narrative that gallops through the fields of gallantry and tumbles into the occasional mud puddle of mockery.

As you leaf through the pages, you might find yourself enraptured by tales of valiant knights and fair maidens, only to be interrupted by the brusque reality of their questionable life choices. Did Sir Lancelot really think that sneaking around with a married woman was a good idea? And what of the endless jousts? It’s almost as if these chivalrous fellows had nothing better to do than poke each other with sticks while wearing heavy armor—an early medieval version of a pub brawl, perhaps? One can’t help but ponder whether the lack of Wi-Fi contributed to their questionable decisions.

It’s also worth noting that this edition, published by Collins, is a prime example of mid-century design, featuring a cover that could possibly serve as a conversation starter (or stopper) at your next book club gathering. The illustrations, if one can call them that, are reminiscent of both old-timey manuscripts and the sort of doodles one might find in the margins of a bored student’s notebook. You’ll be left wondering whether the artist had a firm grasp on anatomy or merely enjoyed abstract interpretations of knights in shining armor.

As you immerse yourself in this literary journey, expect to encounter an array of characters who, much like the book itself, are a little worse for wear—think of it as the medieval equivalent of a pub crawling through history. The knights are noble, the ladies are lovely, and the jesters are, well, just confusing. And in a delightful twist of fate, the reader may discover that the age of chivalry was perhaps more about the pageantry than the ethics, much like many modern-day awards shows.

Condition: This book is used and, much like the knights it describes, it bears the scars of time. The pages are slightly yellowed, with a few creases here and there, adding to its charm. The spine is intact but may require some encouragement to fully open, suggesting that it has been lovingly thumbed through by previous owners who were probably just as bemused by its contents as you are likely to be. The cover might have seen better days, but then again, haven’t we all?

So rally your inner knight, don your metaphorical armor, and prepare for a literary experience that’s anything but boring. "The Age Of Chivalry" is not just a book; it’s a relic of a bygone era that allows you to chuckle at the follies of knights while simultaneously immersing yourself in an age that might seem utterly baffling to the modern reader. An oddity for your shelf? Perhaps. A conversation starter? Absolutely. And if you dare to journey into this quirky narrative, you could even impress your friends with tales of gallantry that are as dubious as they are entertaining. Available now at Crappy Old Books, where the past is always a little crappier than you remember.

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