Peter Basset facts for kids

Peter Basset (active between 1415 and 1437), also known as Petrus Bassetus, was an English soldier and writer. He wrote about the life of Henry V of England, a famous king. Peter Basset also helped write a history of England's actions in France during part of the Hundred Years' War. This war lasted a very long time! His writings covered events from the capture of Harfleur in 1415 to the end of the siege of Orléans in 1429. Sadly, many of his historical books and biographies are now lost, and none of his original handwritten works have survived to today.

Who Was Peter Basset?

Peter Basset was an important English soldier who served in France for 35 years. He fought under King Henry V of England and other leaders like John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford. He was known as an "esquire," which was a title for a gentleman who served a knight or a lord.

Basset's military service is recorded in different places. For example, in 1426, he helped a friend get out of prison in France. He was also sent to help defend the English garrison (a military base) in Alençon in 1429. Later, he joined other soldiers at Essay in 1431 and fought in the siege of Saint-Célerin in 1432. He returned to Alençon in 1434 and stayed there until at least 1437.

What Did Peter Basset Write?

Peter Basset was not just a soldier; he was also a historian and a biographer. A biographer writes about someone's life.

Writing About King Henry V

Many historians believe Basset was a close friend and even the "chamberlain" (a high-ranking official in a royal household) to King Henry V. It's said that he wrote a detailed and interesting book about the king's life called Acta Regis Henrici Quinti. This title means "Deeds of King Henry the Fifth."

Another historian, Thomas Tanner, said Basset wrote another historical book. This book was about the "Deeds of Arms and Conquests of the Kingdom of France," including areas like Normandy and Anjou. He wrote this for a famous knight named John Fastolf.

Lost Works and Mentions

Edward Hall, a chronicler (a writer of historical accounts) from the 1500s, mentioned "Ihon Basset" as one of the English writers he used for his own history. This was almost certainly Peter Basset, even though Hall got his first name wrong. Hall quoted Peter Basset as his source for saying that King Henry V died of a "plurisis," which was a lung illness.

Another old manuscript, or handwritten document, was titled Petri Basseti et Christophori Hansoni adversaria. This suggests that Peter Basset and Christopher Hanson worked together on some writings.

Where Were His Books?

Some historians believed Basset's original writings were kept at the College of Arms in London. However, when people looked for them, they couldn't find any clear mention of his specific works there.

One incomplete history of King Henry V's wars in France, written in French and kept at the College of Arms, might possibly be one of Basset's works. However, other sources clearly state that Basset's history of Henry V was written in English. It's likely that Edward Hall, the chronicler, used a lot of information from Basset's work when he wrote his own famous history.

See also

• Einhard, a 9th-century historian who wrote a famous biography of Charlemagne