Antoine de La Sale
Antoine de La Sale was a notable figure born around 1385 near Arles, France, recognized for his service to the dukes of Anjou and his contributions to medieval literature. As the illegitimate son of Bernard de La Sale, he began his career as a page in the Anjou court in 1402 and participated in significant events, including a campaign against the Moors in 1415 and an expedition to Naples in 1420. La Sale is particularly known for his writings, including "La Salade," which serves as an educational treatise for princes, cleverly playing on his name to suggest a collection of diverse, valuable lessons. His works often reflect the cultural contexts of his time, such as skepticism towards legends, particularly regarding the goddess Sibilla, and the complexities of courtly love.
Among his most famous contributions is "Le Petit Jehan de Saintré," which blends themes of chivalry and romance, ultimately satirizing the courtly love tradition. La Sale's writings are valuable for understanding the educational norms of young rulers during the Middle Ages, as well as the evolving literary landscape of that era. His influence and the themes he explored provide insights into the cultural and societal dynamics of medieval Europe, making his works relevant for both historical and literary studies.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Antoine de La Sale
Writer
- Born: c. 1385
- Birthplace: Near Arles, Provence, France
- Died: c. 1461
Biography
Antoine de La Sale was probably born near Arles, France, in 1385. He was the illegitimate son of Bernard de La Sale. He spent his life primarily in service to the dukes of Angevin. He began his career as a page at the Anjou court in 1402. Subsequently, he apparently served in the entourage of Louis II, the duke of Anjou. In 1407, La Sale accompanied Louis II to Messina when he traveled there to insist on his right to Sicily. In 1415, La Sale was among the participants in the campaign against the Moors under the leadership of John I of Portugal. In 1420, he was in the employ of Louis III, duke of Anjou, going with him on an expedition to Naples. While he was in Italy, he made a trip from Norcia to Monte della Sibilla and Lago Pilato (Lake Pilate). In 1426, Louis III returned to Arles in Provence and La Sale probably returned with him.
In 1434, René I, successor to Louis III, appointed La Sale as tutor to his son Jean d’Anjou, duke of Calabre. La Sale wrote La Salade for him. The book is a treatise on the kind of education that a prince should receive. The interesting title of the book is obviously a play on words based on La Sale’s own name. La Sale, however, said the title was to emphasize the book’s structure. Just as a salad includes many different good herbs, his book contained many diverse good chapters.
One of the most interesting chapters recounts his trip to Monte della Sibilla and Lago Pilato. The chapter also discusses the legend of the goddess Sibilla who dwelt in the mountain. Since Sibilla was regarded as the goddess of witches in the Middle Ages, La Sale wisely expressed his skepticism about the legend and concluded the chapter in terms acceptable to the Church.
La Sale spent 1439 to 1442 at the castle of Capua with his pupil Jean. He then became tutor to Louis de Luxembourg’s sons. In 1451, he wrote La Sale, a moral work. In 1456, he completed his famous Le Petit Jehan de Saintré. The work recounts the education of the perfect knight, and appears to be a courtly romance until one reaches the ending, wherein it resembles the ribald fabliaux and seems to satirize courtly love.
La Sale has been suggested as the author of two well-known anonymous medieval works, Les Quinze Joyes de Mariage and the Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles, because of the subject matter of the Le Petit Jehan de Saintré and his treatment of it. La Sale’s pedantic works are significant as a source of information on the education given a young ruler. His Le Petit Jehan de Saintré is important for understanding the Middle Ages, as it brings together the courtly love theme of the high medieval period and the erotic tales of the period’s waning years.