chanson de geste

[ shahn-sawn duh zhest ]

noun

, plural chan·sons de geste [shah, n, -saw, n, d, uh, , zhest].

1. (in medieval French literature) an epic poem written in assonant verse or rhyme about historical or legendary events or figures.

chanson de geste

/ ʃɑ̃sɔ̃ də ʒɛst /

noun

1. one of a genre of Old French epic poems celebrating heroic deeds, the most famous of which is the Chanson de Roland

Word History and Origins

Origin of chanson de geste¹

1865–70; < French: literally, song of deeds; chanson, gest

Word History and Origins

Origin of chanson de geste¹

literally: song of exploits

Example Sentences

What these bald statements mean the chanson de geste can tell us better.

From Project Gutenberg

The French chanson de geste of Huon de Bordeaux dates from the first half of the 13th century, and marks the transition between the epic chanson founded on national history and the roman d’aventures.

From Project Gutenberg

The habit of private wars and of insurrection against the sovereign supply the motives of the chanson de geste, the love of gallantry, adventure and foreign travel those of the romances Arthurian and miscellaneous.

From Project Gutenberg

But it is in the crowd of looser and later poems, less fully characterized, less steeped in the individuality of their authors, that we can best study the form of the typical chanson de geste.

From Project Gutenberg

William Short Nose is also from the chanson de geste of that hero.

From Project Gutenberg