The Murder of Charles the Good

by Galbert de Bruges, James Bruce Ross (Translator)

"And it should be known that I, Galbert, a notary, though I had no suitable place for writing, set down on tablets a summary of events... and in the midst of so much danger by night and conflict by day. I had to wait for moments of peace during the night or day to set in order the present account of events as they happened, and in this way, though in great straits, I transcribed for the faithful what you see and read."-From "The Murder of Charles the Good"

On March 12, 1127, Charles the Good, Count of Flanders, was slain in the church of Saint Donatian in Bruges in a plot devised by an embittered noble family. Known for creating laws to protect and help the poor, Charles the Good's assassination sent ripples throughout Europe, affecting the balance of power between England, France, and the Holy Roman Empire. It also threw Flemish society into chaos as this prosperous region became engulfed in a brutal struggle for power. With a journalistic eye, Galbert of Bruges, a notary and cleric, presents a riveting portrait of the day-to-day political and social unrest that followed in the wake of Charles's murder and the military battles to control Flanders.

Historians have long recognized "The Murder of Charles the Good" as a remarkable point of entry for understanding the most important political, legal, and social issues that confronted medieval Europe: definitions of freedom and servility; the competing claims of national and royal sovereignty; and the rise of the bourgeoisie.

Genres: History, Medieval, Nonfiction, Classics, Medieval History, Belgium, Academic

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1128

Reviews

[Erik Thibaut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Game of Thrones, maar dan in het echt. Een ooggetuigen mverslag uit de 12de eeuw, aangevuld met een goede historische inleiding. Verrassende vaststellingen: (i) hoe de mensen toen dachten en handelden is vaak gelijkend aan nu (hebzucht, streven naar vrijheid ...), (ii) grote verschillen met nu: geweld combineren met oprechte godsdienstigheid doen me de beweegredenen van kruistochten beter begrijpen, (iii) de kleinschaligheid van oorlogen (vaak belegering van een een huis, of 'veldslag' met enkele tientallen in elk kamp, of Brugge met klein kapelletje en amper stenen huizen en een zeer beperkte (of geen?) omwalling) vond ik frappant

[Hot Diggity Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely compelling and well ordered chronicle. The translation is a little rote at times, leaning more toward the literal than I would prefer. The Latin probably has much more imbued meaning that the editor effectively mutes with rote phrasology like "in order that" for "ut". Any intermediate Latinist will share that gripe.

As for the history, it is a remarkably complex feud between rival Flemish factions in the 12th century and makes for an excellent resource in the study of regional vs. local feudal ordering--particularly in respect to its Flemish context, and the Low Lands' later affinity for republican democracy.

All in all, one of the best primary sources I read in all of college.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This eyewitness account was like reading an early 12th century Nicholas Cage movie. Battles, treachery, witches burnt, siege, and the eponymous martyr of the ruling count. Perhaps the liveliest, and most engaging history I've ever read.
So good!

[Ryan Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating account of the civil war in Flanders in 1127-1128, by a notary who was in a position to observe much of the action, at least at Bruges. We get a real sense of the inherent violence of medieval society, even as efforts were made to crack down on it or channel it. We also see the real value of a castle, or even of a fortified house, as the murderers of Charles hole up and withstand a siege with very few numbers against a whole town. This is a valuable source for studying the challenge of taming the feudal aristocracy in the High Middle Ages, as well as the development of a corporate civic identity by the various townsfolk of Flanders.

[Emily Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read this 3 times to understand. Used it for a paper in college.

[Russell Sigler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting glimpse into 12th century life.

[Julia Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summed up in a word: Chaos. It's a good translation though!

[Jake Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

About as interesting as a medieval chronicle can get - there's a reason it's so widely studied and taught.

[JJ Waggy]

Towards the very beginning of this book, Galbert apologizes (falsely, I believe, as humility tropes are very popular) for the dryness of his writing--he's just trying to write things as he knows them, and facts are sometimes uninteresting.

Yes. Yes they are. And until I actually have to teach this (so far, I've escaped doing so), I will be content with reading the half that I have finished and just being interested by the summary of the rest of it. Because dry doesn't even begin to cover what could have been a fascinating story if only Galbert hadn't set out to write a hagiography.

[Morena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone writing fiction or nonfiction about middle ages should read Galbert.
"I [Galbert] say these things in keeping with the feeling of the crowd and the rage of those who would have hanged the captive Walter right away or torn him to pieces by some new and unheard-of means of death, if the count had allowed them to do so."

[Chrism485 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's thorough but I found that much detail exhausting. Very informative in terms of learning about how people lived in Bruges in the 12th century.

[Frans]

Prachtig book. Na wat historische duiding leest de bewerking van het verhaal van Galbert als een echte thriller