chanson de geste

American  

[shahn-sawn duh zhest] / ʃɑ̃ sɔ̃ də ˈʒɛst /

noun

plural

chansons de geste

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

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chanson de geste British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of chanson de geste

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

Example Sentences

His sense of conduct had the enameled air of a chanson de geste; by turning himself into an Arthurian legend he could sublimate the horror of war.

From Time Magazine Archive

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 Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 8 "Hudson River" to "Hurstmonceaux" by Various

It is supposed that this chanson de geste was first composed in the thirteenth century; but the version which has come down to us must have been written shortly before the discovery of printing.

From Legends of the Middle Ages Narrated with Special Reference to Literature and Art by Guerber, H. A. (Hélène Adeline)

A chanson de geste must be written in verses either of ten or twelve syllables, the former being the earlier.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 2 "French Literature" to "Frost, William" by Various

This is the famous episode of the burning of Origny in the chanson de geste “Raoul de Cambrai.”

From Medieval English Nunneries c. 1275 to 1535 by Power, Eileen