From Chronique de Du Guesclin, Collationnée sur L’Edition originale du XVe Siècle, et sur tous les Manuscrits, avec une Notice Bibliographique et des Notes, par M. Fr. Michel: Paris, Bureau de La Bibliothèque Choisie; 1830, pp. 33-46.
The Chronicle of Du Guesclin
Here begins the romance1 of Bertrand of Guesclin formerly constable of France and born in the nation of Brittany, and numbered with the number of the Brave.
At the time, also, Philip the king of France reigned, son of Charles, count of Valois, brother of Philip the Good, king of France and of Navarre, who in his lifetime fathered three sons, who one after the other after the death of the said Philip the Good, their father, were crowned kings of France through the succession of the next in rank; and from whom the realm descended and fell to the said Philip of Valois, oldest nephew of the said Philip.
[Chapitre I]
Au temps et regne Phelippe le roy de France, filz de Charles, comte de Vallois, frere de Phelippe-le-Bel, roy de France et de Navarre, qui en son vivant engendra troyz filz, lequelz l’ung après l’aultre, depuis le trespassement dudit Phelippe-le-Bel, leur pere, furent couronnez roys de France par la succession du derrain; et desquelz le royaulme descendit et escheut audit Phelippe de Vallois, nepveu ainsné dudit Phelippe.
In this time there was in Brittany a knight named Regnaud of 34 Guesclin, lord of the Fort of Bron, a strong castle and well situated at six leagues from Rennes.
En ce temps estoit en Bretaigne ung chevalier nommé Regnaud du 34 Guesclin, seigneur de La Mote de Bron, ung fort chastel et bien seans a six lieues de Regnes.
The knight was gallant, loyal and just towards God and the world, renowned by great prowess and by hardihood. Above everything he loved the church on account of reverence for our Lord, from whom all good comes, he comforted the poor and gave them alms.
Le chevalier fut preudons, loyal et droicturier envers Dieu et le monde, renommé de grant prouesse et de hardement. Sur toutes riens aimoit l’eglise pour la reverence de nostre Seigneur, de qui tous biens viennent; confortoit les povres et leur faisoit aulmosnes.
True it is that from this knight and his wife, whose most holy life was also well renowned in their country, issued three sons, of whom the oldest was named Bertrand, on whose account in his days such great renown ran through all the lands, both Christian and Saracen, that he was feared and dreaded.
Vray est que de celluy chevalier et de sa femme, qui moult de saincte vie estoit et bien renommée en son païs, yssirent trois filz desquelx l’ainsné eut nom Bertrand, dont en ses jours courut tant de renommée par toute terre et chrestienne et sarrazine, que il fut craint et redoubté.
The second was named William. who was much valued, but was short-lived.
Le second eut nom Guillaume, qui moult valut, mais peu vesquit.
And the third was named Oliver, who now reigns Count of Longueville.
Et le tiers eut nom Olivier, qui ores regne conte de Longueville.
To the high prowess of this Bertrand, no one was able to compare in his lifetime, so that Charles, king of France retained him as his constable and chief of all his wars.
A la haulte prouesse d’icelluy Bertrand, ne se peut nul comparer en son vivant, dont Charles, roy de France, le retint son connestable et chief de toutes ses guerres.
Now, because 35 young knights desire to hear and willingly to relate great feats of valor, here the deeds of this Bertrand are remembered, from the time of his youth until his death, according to that which is found in the facts which are written in the facts of the kings of France, in the church of my lord Saint Dennis, in France.
Mais pour 35 que les chevaliers de jeunesse desirent grandes vaillances ouyr et voulentiers racompter, sont cy les faiz d’icelluy Bertrand ramentevez depuis le temps de sa jeunesse jusques a son trespassement, selon ce que trouvé est en ses faiz qui sont escriptz ès faiz des roys de France, en l’esglise de monseigneur sainct Denis, en France.
Bertrand of Guesclin, oldest son of Regnaud of Guesclin, was of medium stature; brown face, flat nose, green eyes, broad of shoulders, long arms and small hands.
Bertrand du Guesclin, ainsné filz de Regnaud du Guesclin, fut de moyenne stature; le visaige brun, le nez camus, les yeulx vers, large d’espaules, longz bras et petites mains.
Now because he was not full of great beauty, he was little prized in his youth, and oftentimes it happens that a child less prized in his youth, receives in his days advancement and great honor.
Mais pour ce que de grant beaulté n’estoit-il pas plein, fut pou prisé en sa jeunesse, et souventes fois advient que l’enfant moins prisé en sa jeunesse, reçoit en ses jours avancement et grant honneur.
It chanced that at a feast of the Ascension that to the Fort of Bron came a converse,a, then youthful, she had been and still was, of great learning.
Il advint a une feste de Ascencion que a La Mote de Bron, vint une converse, qui jeune, avoit esté et estoit de grant science.
This converse often resided in the house of the lord of Bron, who kindly received her, and at that day he sat her 36 at his table.
Celle converse reparoit souvent en l’ostel du sire de Bron, qui debonnairement la recevoit, et a ce jour la fit asseoir 36 a sa table.
So the converse noticed that at the second table, the three children were seated, and at the very end was seated Bertrand, who was the oldest; but the knight held him of little account and less than the others.
Si regarda la converse, que a la table seconde estoyent assis les trois enfans, et tout au dernier bout estoit assiz Bertrand, qui estoit l’ainsné; mais pou de compte et moings que les aultres en tenoit le chevalier.
She considered and marked the manner of Bertrand, and on getting up from the table, she took the child who was at the age of six years, and after that, when she had regarded his hands and seen his physiognomy,2, she demanded of the knight and of his lady why they held him so churlishly.
Elle considera et advisa la maniere de Bertrand, et au lever de la table, print l’enfant qui estoit en l’aage de six ans, et, après ce qu’elle luy eut regardé les mains et veu sa philozomie2, elle demanda au chevalier et a la dame pourquoy on le tenoit si villainement.
The lady responded, “Fair friend, in truth, this child is so rough, malicious and wayward at heart, that never his equal was seen, for already a man, of soever high lineage he may be, can neither strike him nor can he speak to him of his displeasure, that immediately he might be hit by him, well are we, my lord and I, saddened on account of the grief that he does to other youths of the country, for he will never cease 37 to make them assemble in order to do combat, and he himself fights with them, therefore we, my lord and I, often desire his death, or that he was never born.”
La dame respondit: Belle amie, en verité, cest enfant est tant rude, malicieux, et divers en couraige, que oncques son pareil ne fut veu, car jà homme tant soit de hault lignaige ne luy fera ou dira son desplaisir, que tantost il ne soit par luy frappé, bien sommes, monseigneur et moi, souventes fois doulens pour les griefz qu’il fait aux aultres enfans du païs car jà ne cessera 37 de les faire assembler pour les faire combattre, et luy mesmes combat avecques eulx, dont monseigneur et moy desirons souvent sa mort, ou que oncques ne fut né.
To this speech, responded the nun: “Madame, I do affirm to you that over this child I see such a sign, that by him only the realm of France shall be exalted, neither of his time nor of that to come will anyone be able to compare to him in chivalry.”
A celle parolle respondist la converse: Madame, je vous afferme que sur cest enfant je voy ung tel signe, que par lui seulement le royaulme de France sera essaulcié, ne de son temps ne sera nul qui puisse estre a luy comparé de chevalerie.
With this, the lady began to rejoice, and from then on held him most dear.
De ce se commença la dame a esjouyr, et d’illec en avant le tint plus chier.
So Bertrand grew, then he came to the age of nine years, he took, also, a custom in which he assembled the youth and divided them by battalions, and often they made combat so long, that many of the youths repented of it, and from it they returned wounded into their houses, and there he himself was hurt and his robes torn to pieces.
Tant creut Bertrand, qu’il vint en l’eage de neuf ans, et print une coustume qui assembloit les enfans et les partissoit par batailles, et souvent les faisoit combattre si longuement, que plusiers des enfans s’en repentoyent, et s’en retournoyent navrés en leur maison, et luy mesmes y estoit blecié et ses robbes desrompues.
When the lady saw Bertrand thus behave, she was much saddened, and she said to him: “Wretch, poorly is it called to your mind of the high honor to which 38 the converse told you that you ought to come; more certainly, she saw you wrongly, for, in truth, I cannot believe it.”
Quant la dame veoit ainsi Bertrand demener moult estoit dolente, et luy disoit: Maloustru, maulvaisement vous souvient du hault honneur a quoy vous 38 dit la converse que vous devez venir; mais certes, elle vous advisa mal, car, en verité, je ne le pourroye croyre.
Of this Bertrand took no account, rather he forced the children to perform quintaines and jousts, also a form of the tourneys, according to the perception of them that he might have heard reported: for then the people performed tourneys throughout the realm of France.
De ce ne tint compte Bertrand, ainçois fit fait quintaignes et joustes d’enfans, et maniere de tournois, selon le sentement qu’il en pouvoit avoir ouy racompter: car adoncques l’on faisoit tournois parmi le royaulme de France.
So Bertrand behaved himself until at this the people of the country made complaint to the lord of Bron of his son, who waged war on their children in such a manner.
Ainsi se maintint Bertrand jusques a ce que les gens du païs firent plainte au sire de Bron de son filz, qui leurs enfans guerroit en telle maniere.
Then the lord of Guesclin and of Bron did cry, that no one must allow their children to go with Bertrand.
Adonc fit crier le sire du Guesclin et de Bron, que nul ne laissast aller leurs enfans avec Bertrand.
When Bertrand saw and perceived that no child was willing to follow him any more, he found them and made them fight with him against their will.
Quant Bertrand vist et apparceut que nul enfant ne le vouloit plus suyr, il se prenoit a eulx, et les faisoit combattre a luy oultre leur gré.
Then the fathers of the children returned to the lord of Bron, to make their complaint of his son, whom he imprisoned.
Adoncques retournerent les peres des enfans devers le sire de Bron, faire leur plainte de son filz, lequel il fit emprisonner.
So it chanced that one evening a chambermaid carried a meal to Bertrand, thus as she opened the doors of the prison, Bertrand issued out of it 39 and took the keys away from her and locked her within, afterwards he went away by night into one of the houses of his father and there took a mare and took himself to Rennes.
Si advint que ung soir une chamberiere portoit a menger a Bertrand; ainsi comme elle ouvrist l’uys de la prison, Bertrand en yssit 39 et luy osta les clefz, et l’enferma dedens, puis s’en alla de nuit en l’une des maisons de son pere, et là print une jument et s’en alla a Regnes.
The lord of Bron had a sister at Rennes, married to a knight of great honor, who dwelled at Rennes.
Le sire de Bron avoit une suer a Regnes, mariée a ung chevalier de grant honneur, qui a Regnes demourit.
There Bertrand betook himself,3 and when the lady perceived his disgrace she was very glad,4 by his arrival, because she had already heard talk of his behavior, and she said to him: “Ha! fair nephew, you ill resemble the race whence you are come, since you behave so churlishly.”
Là se trahit3 Bertrand, et quand la dame son hante l’apparceut, elle fut moult liée4 de sa venue, pour ce que desjà avoit ouy parler de son maintien, et luy dit: Ha! Beau nepveu, mal resemblez la rasse dont vous estez yssu, qui ainsi vous demenez villaynement.
Then was the knight vexed by the lady, who said to her: “Lady, allow Bertrand to rid himself of youthfulness.”
Là estoit le chevalier marry de la dame, qui luy dist: Dame, laissez a Bertrand soy acquiter de jeunesse.
Afterwards he said to Bertrand: “Fair nephew, our house is yours.
Puis dist a Bertrand: Beau nepveu, l’ostel de ceans est vostre.
Then Bertrand thanked him most graciously.
Dont Bertrand le mercia moult debonnairement.
At Rennes, dwelled Bertrand with his uncle a long time and he changed much in his manners, afterwards his father was appeased towards him and he returned into his house.
A Regnes demoura Bertrand avec son oncle longuement et moult changea de ses manieres; puis fut son pere appaisé envers luy et retourna en son hostel.
And 40 Bertrand grew so much that he was at the age of twelve years.
Et tant creut 40 Bertrand qu’il fut en l’eage de douze ans.
Then the lord of Guesclin gave him horses and harness and from then on he followed the jousts, feats of arms, and tournaments; and he was so generous in making gifts and presents to men of gentle birth who passed through the land of his father, that in a short time, he was known by the knights and renowned for generosity.
Adonc luy bailla le sire du Guesclin chevaulx et harnois, et d’illec en avant il suyvit les joustes, armes et tournoyments; et tant fut large et faisant dons et presens aux gentilz hommes qui par la terre de son pere passoyent, que en brief temps fut acointé des chevaliers et renommé de largesse.
And among his other manners he held by the custom that anyone poor asking alms of him, if he did not have silver, he took off and gave his robe for the love of Our Lord: then his father held him much more dear than any of the property that was his own.
Et entre ses aultres manieres avoit de coustume que se aulcun povre querant l’aumosne, s’il n’avoit argent, il se devestoit et donnoit sa robbe pour l’amour de Nostre Seigneur: dont son pere l’avoit moult chiere plus que de nulle chose qui fust en lui.
Now it happened that the barons of Brittany held at Rennes some very great jousts and with the enterprise was the lord of Guesclin, father of Bertrand, and with him Bertrand who was most eager to joust; now because he was too young, his father willed that he should not joust at all.
Or advint que les barons de Bretaigne tindrent a Regnes unes bien grans joustes et de l’entreprise fut le sire du Guesclin, pere de Bertrand, et avec luy Bertrand qui moult desirant estoit de jouster; mais pour ce que trop jeune estoit, son pere ne voulut point qu’il joustast.
At the day of the jousts the knights, of many countries, armed themselves at Rennes.
Au jour des joustes se armerent chevaliers, de plusieurs contrées, a Regnes.
Here 41would be held a great feast, and there it would be held by ladies and by damsels, by burghers and by burgesses.
Là 41 eust grant feste et y eust des dames et des damoyselles, des bourgoys et des bourgoyses.
The knights came upon the place of the jousts, who were come from the empire and all the knights and squires were received.
Les chevaliers vindrent sur la place des joustes, qui de l’empire estoient venus et furent receuz tous chevaliers et escuyers.
And over all who fought well that day the lord of Guesclin was given the prize.
Et sur tous ceulx qui bien feroyent la journée donnoit le pris le seigneur du Guesclin.
It happened that among those from abroad, jousted a squire a relation of the lady of Guesclin and very well and long he behaved at the joust, afterwards he returned into the house where Bertrand was lodged who the squire knew.
Il advint que par ceulx de dehors jousta ung escuyer parent de la dame du Guesclin et moult bel et longuement se maintint a la jouste, puis retourna en l’ostel ou logié estoit Bertrand qui l’escuyer congnoissoit.
And Bertrand followed him into the chamber where he wished to disarm and he knelt down before him, and begging of him that he might wish to lend to him his harness in order to joust: then the squire who recognized him responded to him gently: “Ha! fair cousin, this you ought not to request, but to take all as yours.”
Et le suyvit en la chambre où desarmer se vouloit et se agenoilla devant luy, en luy requerant qu’il luy voulsist prester son harnoys pour jouster: dont l’escuyer qui le congnoissoit luy respondit doulcement: Ha! beau cousin, ce ne devés pas requerre, mais tout prendre comme le vostre.
Then was Bertrand most joyful.
Dont fut moult joyeux Bertrand.
Afterwards the squire armed Bertrand most secretly, afterwards he gave into his keeping the horse from the jousts and the valet in order 42 to serve or to guide him.
Puis arma l’escuyer Bertrand moult secretement, puis luy bailla cheval de joustes et varlet pour le 42 servir ou gouverner.
Joyously, came Bertrand upon the field of battle and when he saw himself upon the range, he struck his horse with the spurs, openly against a knight, and the knight against him.
Joyeusement vint Bertrand sur le champ et quant il se vit sur les rans, il ferit son cheval des esperons appertement contre ung chevalier, et le chevalier contre luy.
Bertrand who until now had never jousted struck the knight over the helm with such force, that he thrust it off his head.
Bertrand qui oncques mais n’avoit jousté ferit le chevalier par le heaulme de telle force, qu’il luy mist hors de la teste.
By this blow fell the knight and his horse killed.
De ce coup cheut le chevalier et son cheval occiz.
When the heralds saw the rough blow that he had made, this one that none recognized, also they did not know what cry to call out, they all commenced to cry: “To the Squire Adventurous!”
Quant les heraux virent le rude coup que fait avoit celluy qu’on ne congnoissoit, et ne savoyent quel cry crier, ils commencerent tous à crier: A l’escuyer adventureux.
Then Bertrand pricked his horse, riding over the range, and he so acted that day that there would be none, of those from within, who would ever hope to meet him just as, too, they never knew who he was.
Adoncques piqua Bertrand, chevauchant les rans, et tant fist ce jour qu’il n’y eust nul de ceulx de dedans qui ne doubtassent le rencontrer et si ne savoyent qu’il estoit.
When the lord of Guesclin who all day long,5 had held the prize perceived the behavior of those within, he struck the horse with spurs and directed himself against 43 Bertrand his son, who recognized his father by his apparel.
Quant le sire du Guesclin qui toute5 jour avoit eu le pris apparceut la contenance de ceulx de dedens, il fiert cheval des esperons et s’adressa contre 43 Bertrand son filz, lequel congneut son pere a ses paremens.
Then Bertrand allowed his lance to fall.
Adonc laissa Bertrand sa lance cheoir.
The lord of Guesclin who did not recognize his son marveled because he had refused the joust with him; and then he assembled with his other companions, he demanded of them if they knew who he was, or, if not, how they might be able to discover it.b
Le sire du Guesclin qui son filz ne congnoissoit s’esmerveilla dont il luy avoit la jouste reffusé; et lors s’assembla avec ses aultres compaignons, en leur demandant s’ils savoyent qu’il estoit, ne comment ilz le pourroyent savoir.
By the counsel of the sire of Guesclin, it was said that one of the knights from within should go against him and he should take pains to dis-helm him and by that one would be able to recognize him.
Par le conseil du sire du Guesclin, fut dit que l’ung des chevaliers de dedens yroit contre luy et mettroit peine de le desheaulmer et par ce le pourroit on congnoistre.
Then set out a squire, who was of great prowess and of great power, and he came against Bertrand and there dis-helmed him.
Dont partit ung escuyer, qui de grant prouesse estoit et de grant vertu, et vint contre Bertrand et le deshaulma.
Then was Bertrand known by those of his lineage and by his father, who were made most joyous about this, and above all those who rejoiced in it, the lord of Guesclin, on account of the good which he saw in his son, was most joyful.
Lors fut Bertrand cogneu de ceulx de son lignaige et de son pere qui moult joyeux en furent, et sur tous ceulx qui joie en firent, le sire du Guesclin, pour le bien qu’il vit en son filz, fut moult joyeux.
That day, he loved him in such wise that from then on he hold him most dear, and left him all his land.
Celle journée, l’ayma tellement que d’illec en avant le tint moult chier, et luy habandonna toute sa terre.
When the Lady of Guesclin heard 44 this news of Bertrand her son, to whom the prize was given in the jousts of Rennes, she asked nothing more so she received him in great joy.
Quant la dame du Guesclin ouyt 44 ces nouvelles de Bertrand son filz, a qui le pris fut donné des joustes de Regnes, ne demanda nul si elle le receust a grant joye.
Then came to mind the words of the converse to her.
Adonc luy souvint des parolles de la converse.
At the breaking up of the jousts, the lord of Guesclin went to the Fort of Bron with his son, on whom he bestowed great wealth in order to follow jousts and tournaments.
Au partir des joustes, s’en alla le sire du Guesclin a La Mote de Bron avec son filz, auquel il bailla grand estat pour suyr joustes et tournoyemens.
Shortly so acted Bertrand, that of him was current great renown in the duchy of Brittany.
Briefvement tant fit Bertrand, que de lui courut grant renommée en la duchié de Bretaigne.
In this time the good duke Jean reigned in Brittany, who in all his days was a good Frenchman, a man of moral and intellectual excellence and joyful and loyally had served the king Philip of Valois.
En ce temps regnoit en Bretaigne le bon duc Jehan, qui en tout son temps fut bon françois, preudhons et joyeux, et loyaulment avoit servi le roy Phelippes de Valloys.
Against the king Philip the king Edward of England waged war, who so acted by the aid of the Flemings, Germans, Welsh, Hainaulters,6 Brabanters and the people of many nations allied to him, that he placed the siege before the city of Tournay.
Contre le roi Phelippes guerreoit le roy Edoart d’ Angleterre qui tant fit par l’ayde des Flammans, Alemans, Galloys, Hunyers,6 Brebansons et gens de plusieurs nacions a luy alliez, qu’il mist le siège devant la cité de Tournay.
When the king Philip knew it, he summoned the princes of his realm.
Quant le roy Phelippes le sceut, il manda les princes de son royaulme.
At the command of the king, 45 the good duke Jean of Brittany went in great harness, accompanied by his barons, and shortly the king assembled four hundred lances, and set out in order to go against Edward.
Au mandement du roy, 45 alla le bon duc Jehan de Bretaigne a grant harnois, accompaigné de ses barons; et briefvement le roy assembla quatre cens lances, et s’en partit pour aller contre Edoard.
He rode for so many days that he came to Mons in Hainault.
Tant chevaucha par ses journées qu’il vint a Mons en Hainault.
When the countess of Hainault, who was a widow, and through devotion had been rendered abbess of Fontanelles, knew that the king Philip her brother was coming, and the king Edward whom her daughter had wed, the lady so exerted herself, in all ways, that truces were undertaken7 between the kings in the hope of peace.
Quant la contesse de Henault, qui vefve estoit, et par devocion s’estoit abaisse de Fontanelles, sceut que le roy Phelippes son frere venoit, et le roy Édoard qui sa fille avoit espousée, tant se peyna la dame que toutesvoyes7 furent prinses entre les roys treves en esperance de paix.
Then the siege was lifted, and the kings returned, each to his country, and when the king Philip had returned into France, he gave leave to his princes and thanked them much for their support.
Adonc fut levé le siège, et s’en retournerent les roys, chascun en sa contrée; et quant le roi Phelippes fut returné en France, il donna congié a ses princes et moult les mercya de leur secours.
And above all the others the good duke was honored and feasted; afterwards he took leave of the king and he returned into Brittany where he was received most honorably.
Et sur tous les aultres le bon duc fut honnoré et festoyé; puis print congié du roy et s’en retourna en Bretaigne où moult fut receu honnorablement.
46For the great renown which of Bertrand was current in Brittany, the good duke Jean much desired to see him, and for this he summoned him and he came to him.
46Pour la grant renommée qui de Bertrand couroit en Bretaigne, desiroit moult le bon duc Jehan a le veoir, et pour ce le manda et il vint devers luy.
There the good duke Jean received him in his service, and in all the journeys that he made for the king, he brought him with him and into his company.
Là le receut le bon duc Jehan a son service, et, en tous les voyages qu’il fit pour le roy, le mena avec luy et en sa compaignie.
He did not remain a long time because the good duke Jean passed away, whence the country was much damaged.
Ne demoura pas longuement que le bon duc Jehan trespassa, dont le païs fut moult endommagié.
1 The word romance was not taken in the past in the sense that one attributes to it today: it signified any work whatsoever written in the romance language.
1 Le mot roman n’était pas pris autrefois dans le sens qu’on lui attribue aujourd’hui: il signifiait un ouvrage quelconque écrit en langue romane
2 Face.
2 Lisez: physionomie.
3 Trahir, in modern French, means to betray, or give away, reveal. Earlier in the history of the language, se trahir meant to withdraw, or retire, according to Michel and to Toynbee. — Elf.Ed.
3 Se retira.
4 Lié, in modern French, can mean friendly, or close to, or bound, tied to Earlier in the history of the language, li— or lie had two different meanings, from two different words. One could mean joyful, joyous, glad, cheerful, pleasant, buxom, etc., the other is from lier meaning to tie or bind, according to Michel, Toynbee, Cotgrave and Pope, and the modern Collins Gem French Dictionary. — Elf.Ed.
4 Joyeuse. En liesse.
5 It should be, it seems to me, tout le jour. So Michel thinks, and that expression is still current for all daybut in Toynbee, in the dialect of Picardy, in about 12th and 13th century, is the expression tote jor, which he says means all day long.
5 Il faudrait, ce me semble, tout le jour.
6 Or rather Hennuyers, the Hainaulters, inhabitants of Hainault.
6 Ou plutôt Hennuyers, habitants du Hainaut.
7 Toutefois, which Michel believes is meant, is translatable as however. There is an old word voye, in Cotgrave, which can mean manner, mean, method, etc. So by any means, or in all ways, seems to fit better here, and is in accordance with the history of the event as seen in Froissart. — Elf.Ed.
7 Toutefois.
a “Converse: f. A nunne (that formerly hath beene of loose behauior, or hath, in her time, beene a good one.” Cotgrave. — Elf.Ed.]
b This sentence cannot be translated literally and make sense. Bill Thayer, native French speaker and savant, wrote me and explains:
“He asked them if they knew who he was, or how they could find out.
“The ne (nor, where one expects or) is interesting; underlying it is a negative answer to the first question. The thought process is — He asked them, ‘You don't know who he is, do you? nor how to find out.’
“This kind of psychological rather than strictly grammatical construction is an important feature of medieval French.”.