Enguerrand de Monstrelet

Background

Enguerrand de Monstrelet was born about 1400, in Picardy, France, most likely into a family of the minor nobility.

Career

Little is known about the life of Monstrelet. Monstrelet was in the service of John of Luxembourg, who besieged Compiègne before Joan of Arc’s capture; and, though he did not see Joan captured, he witnessed her later interview with Philip the Good, duke of Burgundy.

Monstrelet wrote a Chronique, which extends to two books and covers the period between 1400 and 1444. The chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet contain an account of the cruel civil wars between the houses of Orleans and Burgundy, of the possession of Paris and Normandy by the English, their expulsion thence and of other memorable events that happened in the kingdom of France, as well as in other countries.

Enguerrand de Monstrelet died on July 20, 1453.

Achievements

• Enguerrand de Monstrelet is remembered for his chronicle, which is valuable because of the many authentic documents used and the credibly accurate speeches it records, of the final stages of the Hundred Years’ War.