chanson de geste

A kind of epic poem composed in Old French mostly in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, focusing on the heroc deeds of Charlemagne and other feudal lords. Literal meaning "songs of deeds," chansons de geste such as the Song of Roland share many characteristics with classical epics.

Chan`son" de geste" (?). [F., prop., song of history.]

Any Old French epic poem having for its subject events or exploits of early French history, real or legendary, and written originally in assonant verse of ten or twelve syllables. The most famous one is the Chanson de Roland.

Langtoft had written in the ordinary measure of the later chansons de geste. Saintsbury.

© Webster 1913.