Burgundy: The Splendid Duchy. Stories and Sketches in South Burgundy

Burgundy: The Splendid Duchy. Stories and Sketches in South Burgundy

Although the history of Burgundy is intimately connected with that of Englandthe policy of the Valois Dukes, for example, affected profoundly our national destinies during the hundred years' warthe average English reader's knowledge of the subject is contained within the four corners of a wine list. He knows Beauneknows the name well, as that of a drinkable brand, may have blessed it in his heart, when a ray from the shaded lamp shot through its ruby depths. If by any chance he loves Meredith, he may, even, under its kindly influence, have whispered to his fair partner, Dr. Middleton's phrase: "Burgundy has great genius; Burgundy sings the inspired ode." But should his lady slip in a question concerning this ruddy heartener of man, he could not answer; he would stumble between the Cte d'Azur and the Cte d'Or. Not another town of Burgundy could he name. Dijon he knows, and remembers; because there he scalded his throat with hot coffee, gulped down, at three in the morning, on the way home from the Riviera; or, bound for Switzerland, he may have passed through the town. But he does not know Dijon as a Burgundian Capital, nor as a proud city of royal palaces and unrivalled sculpture. At most, when he hears the duchy named, there floats through his mind a shadowy memory of Henry V., or of King Lear.[1] Yet Burgundy was the scene of events vital in the making of Europe. It was one of the strongholds of Roman civilization. It saw the genesis of a religious movement that was the greatest feature of eleventh and twelfth century history. Cluny was a nursery of popes; Citeaux became a breeding ground of saints; their abbots lorded it over mighty kings; they dictated to potentates and princes; they bent all western Europe beneath their sway. Bernard's eloquence fired three nations with enthusiasm for the second crusade. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 46689
Author: Allen, Percy
Release Date: Aug 26, 2014
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Illustrator: Nash, Marjorie