Jean de Venette
Encyclopedia
Jean de Venette was a French
chronicler
and a Carmelite friar born at Venette
, near Compiègne
. He was referred to as a "Fillions", author or translator of a long poem circa 1357. In 1339, he became prior
of the Carmelite convent
in the Place Maubert, Paris
, and was provincial
of France
from 1341 to 1366. In 1368 he was still living, but probably died within a year or two of that date. His Latin Chronicle, covering the years 1340 to 1368, was published by Achery (Spicilegium, vol. iii) with the continuations of the chronicle of William of Nangis.
A more recent translation, The Chronicle of Jean de Venette, by Jean Birdsall, late Associate Professor of History Vassar College, Edited by Richard A. Newhall, Brown Professor of European History Williams College, states that Guillaume (William) de Nangis is neither the primary chronicler nor the Second Continuator, so, although there is a conflicting opinion as to the later authorships, there is no controversy over Jean de Venette being the primary chronicler. The facts seem to indicate a dual authorship from 1340 to 1368. During the years 1358-1359 the entries were contemporary with the events recorded; the earlier portion of the work, if it was begun as early as 1340, was subjected to revision later.
s. This is no doubt that his own humble beginnings allowed him a unique understandings of their trials in everyday life. His work covers many important events of the fourteenth century including, The Black Plague
and The Hundred Years' War
. He had a master in theology from the University of Paris and spent a great deal of his time promoting study among the younger members of the Carmelite Order, and he gathered information on the earlier history of the Carmelite Order going all the way back to Elijah, its Founder. Venette regarded ignorance as the cause of many of the problems of his time, including the Black Death, and his peasant background shows an unique understanding of the hardships endured by his class during that time and in fact, througout his writings.
were ravaging the different towns and cities, pillaging and raping. Of that time he states: "...Thus discord and all three estates abandoned the task they had begun. From that time on, all went ill with the kingdom and the State was undone. Thieves and robbers rose up everywhere in the land. The Nobles despised and hated all others and took no thought for usefulness and profit of lord and men. They subjected and despoiled the peasants and the men of the villages. In no wise did they defend their country from it's enemies; rather did they trample it underfoot, robbing and pillaging the peasants' goods. The regent, it appeared, clearly gave no thought to their plight. At that time the country and the whole land of France began to put in confusion and mourning like a garment, because it had no defender or guardian..." .
, he also states that the Sisters of the Hôtel-Dieu
"... who, not fearing to die, nursed the sick in all sweetness and humility" and many of them died themselves.
) in France. In one particular account, he tells of how a ragtag group of French peasants, led by Guillaume l'Aloue soundly defeated the English in several skirmishes due to the actions of an incredibly strong and ferocious peasant-turned warrior named Grandferre. It was said that Grandferre singlehandedly killed more than twenty-five English soldiers before finally succombing to a terrible fever.
. No matter who the person or what the circumstances, he did not deviate from his religious beliefs and criticised anyone who was Excommunicate
or otherwise not following the teachings of God. As did others in his time, Venette combines his religious belief with astronomical events. He quotes and agrees with the interpretation of of Master Jean de Murs and others made before and during this time but it is clear that he, (as did other monastic chroniclers and monastic astronomers) attribute these signs as a "warning" from God that punishment was coming for Man's sinful nature. He speaks of a comet
, likely the 21P/Giacobini–Zinner comet and its accompanying Giacobinid meteor showers
which appeared in that year rather than Haley's Comet which did not appear until 1378 and previously appeared in 1301, before his birth. This same comet is also mentioned in 1340 by Augustine of Trent, a friar eremite of St. Augustine who, in his writings, sees it as a warning of the disease and pestilence of disease happening in Italy, and blames the physicians' for their ignorance of astronomy. Due to his many references in the Chronicle, it is almost certain that de Venette agreed with Augustine.
Venette also refers to passages from the Book of Revelations
to try to understand and explain the chaos in and around him.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
chronicler
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
and a Carmelite friar born at Venette
Venette
Venette is a village in northern France, close to Compiègne. It is designated municipally as a commune within the département of Oise.The city is located along the Oise River. Its inhabitants are called Venettiens. There are about 2800 inhabitants ....
, near Compiègne
Compiègne
Compiègne is a city in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune within the département of Oise.The city is located along the Oise River...
. He was referred to as a "Fillions", author or translator of a long poem circa 1357. In 1339, he became prior
Prior
Prior is an ecclesiastical title, derived from the Latin adjective for 'earlier, first', with several notable uses.-Monastic superiors:A Prior is a monastic superior, usually lower in rank than an Abbot. In the Rule of St...
of the Carmelite convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
in the Place Maubert, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, and was provincial
Provincial superior
A Provincial Superior is a major superior of a religious order acting under the order's Superior General and exercising a general supervision over all the members of that order in a territorial division of the order called a province--similar to but not to be confused with an ecclesiastical...
of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
from 1341 to 1366. In 1368 he was still living, but probably died within a year or two of that date. His Latin Chronicle, covering the years 1340 to 1368, was published by Achery (Spicilegium, vol. iii) with the continuations of the chronicle of William of Nangis.
A more recent translation, The Chronicle of Jean de Venette, by Jean Birdsall, late Associate Professor of History Vassar College, Edited by Richard A. Newhall, Brown Professor of European History Williams College, states that Guillaume (William) de Nangis is neither the primary chronicler nor the Second Continuator, so, although there is a conflicting opinion as to the later authorships, there is no controversy over Jean de Venette being the primary chronicler. The facts seem to indicate a dual authorship from 1340 to 1368. During the years 1358-1359 the entries were contemporary with the events recorded; the earlier portion of the work, if it was begun as early as 1340, was subjected to revision later.
His time and his work
What is noteworthy and perhaps unique about Jean de Venette's work is his divergence from the more common form of writing used by medieval and monastic chroniclers of his time in that he showed great understanding and sympathy for the peasantPeasant
A peasant is an agricultural worker who generally tend to be poor and homeless-Etymology:The word is derived from 15th century French païsant meaning one from the pays, or countryside, ultimately from the Latin pagus, or outlying administrative district.- Position in society :Peasants typically...
s. This is no doubt that his own humble beginnings allowed him a unique understandings of their trials in everyday life. His work covers many important events of the fourteenth century including, The Black Plague
Black Death
The Black Death was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, peaking in Europe between 1348 and 1350. Of several competing theories, the dominant explanation for the Black Death is the plague theory, which attributes the outbreak to the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Thought to have...
and The Hundred Years' War
Hundred Years' War
The Hundred Years' War was a series of separate wars waged from 1337 to 1453 by the House of Valois and the House of Plantagenet, also known as the House of Anjou, for the French throne, which had become vacant upon the extinction of the senior Capetian line of French kings...
. He had a master in theology from the University of Paris and spent a great deal of his time promoting study among the younger members of the Carmelite Order, and he gathered information on the earlier history of the Carmelite Order going all the way back to Elijah, its Founder. Venette regarded ignorance as the cause of many of the problems of his time, including the Black Death, and his peasant background shows an unique understanding of the hardships endured by his class during that time and in fact, througout his writings.
The Hundred Years' War
De Venette is known as a child of the people, and though, until later in his life, he acknowledged the power of the monarchy, he does not hesitate to criticise the nobles for their failure to protect the people, particularly after the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 at which time the King of France and his son were taken hostage and held for an enormous ransom and many of the "Companies"Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
were ravaging the different towns and cities, pillaging and raping. Of that time he states: "...Thus discord and all three estates abandoned the task they had begun. From that time on, all went ill with the kingdom and the State was undone. Thieves and robbers rose up everywhere in the land. The Nobles despised and hated all others and took no thought for usefulness and profit of lord and men. They subjected and despoiled the peasants and the men of the villages. In no wise did they defend their country from it's enemies; rather did they trample it underfoot, robbing and pillaging the peasants' goods. The regent, it appeared, clearly gave no thought to their plight. At that time the country and the whole land of France began to put in confusion and mourning like a garment, because it had no defender or guardian..." .
The Plague
The Black Plague, the Black Death, or the Plague refers to the devasting disease which first appeared in Europe in 1358. Where it originated from is still debated but it appeared in Florence when ships of death and sick shipmen landed there and then quickly spread to Paris and surrounding areas where, according to de Venette and others, within a short time, over 500 dead per day were being buried. It lasted approximately one year. While Jean writes how many "timid" priests did not do their religious duty to visit the dying and administer the Last SacramentsAnointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick, known also by other names, is distinguished from other forms of religious anointing or "unction" in that it is intended, as its name indicates, for the benefit of a sick person...
, he also states that the Sisters of the Hôtel-Dieu
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
"... who, not fearing to die, nursed the sick in all sweetness and humility" and many of them died themselves.
The Peasant's War
Jean de Venette also speaks about the Peasant’s War (part of the Hundred Years' WarHundred Years' War
The Hundred Years' War was a series of separate wars waged from 1337 to 1453 by the House of Valois and the House of Plantagenet, also known as the House of Anjou, for the French throne, which had become vacant upon the extinction of the senior Capetian line of French kings...
) in France. In one particular account, he tells of how a ragtag group of French peasants, led by Guillaume l'Aloue soundly defeated the English in several skirmishes due to the actions of an incredibly strong and ferocious peasant-turned warrior named Grandferre. It was said that Grandferre singlehandedly killed more than twenty-five English soldiers before finally succombing to a terrible fever.
The formulation of his beliefs and writings
Venette first and foremost followed the teachings of the PopePope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
. No matter who the person or what the circumstances, he did not deviate from his religious beliefs and criticised anyone who was Excommunicate
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
or otherwise not following the teachings of God. As did others in his time, Venette combines his religious belief with astronomical events. He quotes and agrees with the interpretation of of Master Jean de Murs and others made before and during this time but it is clear that he, (as did other monastic chroniclers and monastic astronomers) attribute these signs as a "warning" from God that punishment was coming for Man's sinful nature. He speaks of a comet
Comet
A comet is an icy small Solar System body that, when close enough to the Sun, displays a visible coma and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena are both due to the effects of solar radiation and the solar wind upon the nucleus of the comet...
, likely the 21P/Giacobini–Zinner comet and its accompanying Giacobinid meteor showers
Draconids
The October Draconids, in the past also unofficially known as the Giacobinids, are a meteor shower whose parent body is the periodic comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. A Draconid meteor shower is expected to happen in early October of 2011, and the best nights for viewing are expected to be October...
which appeared in that year rather than Haley's Comet which did not appear until 1378 and previously appeared in 1301, before his birth. This same comet is also mentioned in 1340 by Augustine of Trent, a friar eremite of St. Augustine who, in his writings, sees it as a warning of the disease and pestilence of disease happening in Italy, and blames the physicians' for their ignorance of astronomy. Due to his many references in the Chronicle, it is almost certain that de Venette agreed with Augustine.
Venette also refers to passages from the Book of Revelations
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
to try to understand and explain the chaos in and around him.
The Chronicle
The Chronicle is a narrative of several historical events spanning the years of 1340 and 1368, written as early as 1340, until Jean de Venette’s death at or soon after the year 1368. When it was first published in the Spicilegium, vol. 3, it was published with another chronicle by William of Nangis. The Chronicle was later translated into English by Jean Birdsall, and was published under the same title in 1953. As many of the portions were recorded contemporaneously and in a chronological fashion, it gives a very reliable first hand account of several historical events.The Three Marys or Maries
The Three Marys or Maries is a long poem written circa 1357 by Jean de Venette in the form of a Manuscript on vellum from the mid-fifteenth century, containing 232 pages written in letters in columns. The titles are in red, and the letters painted in gold & turners in color. It is decorated with seven miniatures that are in monochrome gray. The three Maries spoken of are: Mary, Mother of Our Lord, Mary Cleophas and Mary Salome of St. Palaye.External links and Further Reading
- "Jean de Venette," LoveToKnow Free Online Encyclopedia, Sep 2006, 20 Feb 2008,
- John Aberth, The Black Death: The Great Mortality of 1348-1350,(Bedford/St. Martin's, 2005) 82-83.
- P.M. Rogers, Aspects of Western Civilization,(Prentice Hall, 2000), 353-365
- "Peasants at War in France: Guillaume l'Aloue in 1359," De Re Militari: The Society for Medieval Military History, ed. Peter Konieczny, 23 Feb 2008,
- "Jean de Venette," LoveToKnow Free Online Encyclopedia, Sep 2006, 20 Feb 2008,
- John Aberth, The Black Death: The Great Mortality of 1348-1350,(Bedford/St. Martin's, 2005) 82-83.
- P.M. Rogers, Aspects of Western Civilization,(Prentice Hall, 2000), 353-365
- "Peasants at War in France: Guillaume l'Aloue in 1359," De Re Militari: The Society for Medieval Military History, ed. Peter Konieczny, 23 Feb 2008,