- Paperback - Number of Pages: 368 pages
- Dimensions: 127 x 193.04 x 17.78mm - 249.47g
- Publication date: 31 Jan 1974
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
- Imprint: PENGUIN CLASSICS
- Publication City/Country: London, United Kingdom
GEOFFREY OF VILLEHARDOUIN was born in around 1150 in the county of Champagne, east of Paris. In 1185 he was appointed to the office of marshal of Champagne, a post that nurtured both his administrative and military expertise. Having taken a crusade vow in 1199 he was subsequently appointed as an envoy and was privy to crucial decisions made by the leaders of the Fourth Crusade, which ended in the conquest of Constantinople from its Greek Christian rulers in April 1204. Villehardouin was appointed as marshal in the Latin empire of Constaninople. It was probably in late 1207 that he began dictating The Conquest of Constantinople, his only know written work and perhaps the earliest example of historical writing in French prose. He died between 1212 and 1218, in circumstances that remain obscure. JOHN OF JOINVILLE was born in 1224 or 1225 into a family prominent in the county of Champagne. In 1233 he inherited the office of seneschal of Champagne that would igive him a l...