Villon

Villon, Francois (1432–1463), translated by Kline, A. S. (contact-email)

François Villon, also known as François de Montcorbier, was a poet of the late Middle Ages, whose lifetime spanned the mid-15th century. Educated at the University of Paris, he earned a Bachelor of Arts by age 21. Initially, Villon enjoyed the carefree life of a bohemian student in the Latin Quarter. However, at 24, he killed a priest in a brawl and had to flee the city. He was granted amnesty but faced exile again following a theft at the College of Navarre. His subsequent attempt to establish himself at Charles of Orléans’ court in Blois was unsuccessful, leading to a vagrant and impoverished existence. Villon was later imprisoned in Meung-sur-Loire and released upon Louis XI’s rise to power. After another arrest and a death sentence that was commuted to exile, he disappeared from the historical record.

This edition principally concerns The Testament and The Ballad of Hanged Men. The former begins as a mock-will that evolves into deep reflections on social injustices and the transient nature of life and death. The work is laced with Villon’s trademark dark and incisive humour, and was potentially crafted to secure patronage. The latter, Villon’s most acclaimed poem, incorrectly referred to as his epitaph, is unique in its narration from the perspective of the executed, seeking compassion and divine mercy. The poem was purportedly written whilst Villon was detained following the Ferrebouc affair.

Author Details

François Villon, also known as François de Montcorbier or François des Loges, was a French poet born circa 1429, possibly in Paris. His exact date and place of birth are unclear. Villon was a student at the University of Paris, achieving a master’s degree in the Faculty of Arts by the age of 21.

His early life was a mixed record of academic achievement and unruly behaviour typical of a student from the Latin Quarter. At 24, however, Villon’s life was thrown into disarray when he killed a priest, Philippe Chermoye or Sermoise, in a brawl, and was forced to flee Paris. He received legal amnesty but was forced into exile again following a burglary at the Navarre college.

Villon temporarily found refuge at the court of Charles of Orléans in Blois, but failed to establish a career there. His life subsequently became one of itinerant wandering and financial hardship. Villon was imprisoned in Meung-sur-Loire but released upon Louis XI’s accession to the throne. After approximately six years of exile, he returned to Paris, only to be arrested again during a brawl and sentenced to hanging. On appeal, his sentence was commuted to a ten-year banishment. After this episode, aged approximately 31 years old, he vanishes from the historical record.

Villon’s work gained significant posthumous recognition. His poetry, including “The Lais” and his masterpiece “Le Grand Testament,” was first published in 1489. His writing style, rich in double meanings and antiphrases, requires careful interpretation due to its archaic language and references to contemporary Paris.

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Kline, A. S.

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