Editing Christine de Pizan (section)

=== Civil war (1405–1430) ===
In the beginning of 1405, France was on the verge of a full-scale civil war.{{sfn|Willard|Willard|2010|p=3}} In 1407 [[John I of Burgundy]], also known as John the Fearless, plunged France into a crisis when he ordered the assassination of Louis of Orléans.{{sfn|Green|2010|p=6}} The Duke of Burgundy fled Paris when his complicity in the assassination became known,{{sfn|Willard|Willard|2010|p=3}} but was appointed regent of France on behalf of Charles VI in late 1408 after his military victory in the [[Battle of Othee]].{{sfn|Willard|Willard|2010|p=3}}{{sfn|Whetham|2009|p=61}} It is not certain who commissioned Christine to write a treatise on military warfare,{{sfn|Green|2010|p=13}} but in 1410 Christine published the manual on [[chivalry]], entitled ''Livre des fais d'armes et de chevalerie'' (''The Book of Feats of Arms and of Chivalry'').{{sfn|Goodman|1998|p=147}} In early 1411, Christine was paid 200 [[French livre|livres]] from the royal reasury for the book.{{sfn|Willard|Willard|2010|p=5}} In the preface Christine explained that she published the manual in French so that it could be read by practitioners of war not well versed in Latin. The book opened with a discussion of the [[just war theory]] advanced by [[Honoré Bonet]]. Christine also referenced classical writers on military warfare, such as [[Vegetius]], [[Frontinus]] and [[Valerius Maximus]].{{sfn|Whetham|2009|pp=62–63}} Christine discussed contemporary matters relating to what she termed the ''Laws of War'', such as capital punishment, the payment of troops, as well as the treatment of [[noncombatants]] and [[prisoners of war]]. Christine opposed [[trial by combat]],{{sfn|Willard|Willard|2010|p=7}} but articulated the medieval belief that God is the lord and governor of battle and that wars are the proper execution of justice. Nevertheless, she acknowledged that in a war "many great wrongs, extortions, and grievous deeds are committed, as well as raping, killings, forced executions, and arsons".{{sfn|Whetham|2009|pp=62–63}} Christine limited the right to wage war to sovereign kings because as head of states they were responsible for the welfare of their subjects.{{sfn|Willard|Willard|2010|p=6}} In 1411 the royal court published an edict prohibiting nobles from raising an army.{{sfn|Green|2010|p=13}}

After civil war had broken out in France, Christine in 1413 offered guidance to the young dauphin on how to govern well, publishing ''Livre de la paix'' (''The Book of Peace'').{{sfn|Allen|2005|p=654}} ''Livre de la paix'' was to be Christine's last major work and contained detailed formulations of her thoughts on good governance.{{sfn|Green|2010|p=4}}  The period was marked by bouts of civil war and failed attempts to bring John the Fearless to justice for assassinating his cousin. Christine addressed Louis of Guyenne directly, encouraging him to continue the quest for peace in France.{{sfn|Green|2010|p=6}} She argued that "Every kingdom divided in itself will be made desolate, and every city and house divided against itself will not stand".{{sfn|Green|2010|p=7}} Christine was acquainted with [[William of Tignonville]], an ambassador to the royal court, and referenced Tignonville's speeches on the [[Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War]].{{sfn|Green|2010|p=7}} Christine drew a utopian vision of a just ruler, who could take advice from those older or wiser. In arguing that peace and justice were possible on earth as well as in heaven, Christine was influenced by [[Dante]],{{sfn|Green|2010|p=24}} whom she had referenced in ''[[Le Chemin de long estude]]''.{{sfn|Green|2010|p=25}} Christine encouraged the dauphin to deserve respect, by administering justice promptly and living by worthy example. Christine urged young princes to make themselves available to their subjects, avoid anger and cruelty, to act liberally, mercifully and truthfully. Christine's interpretation of the virtuous Christian prince built on the advice to rulers by [[St Benedict]], [[Peter Abelard]] and [[Cicero]].{{sfn|Green|2010|p=28}}

[[File:Christine de Pisan and Queen Isabeau detail.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Christine de Pizan presents her book to [[Isabeau of Bavaria]], Queen of France.]]
In 1414, Christine presented Queen Isabeau with a lavishly decorated collection of her works (now known as ''British Library Harley 4431'').{{sfn|Green|2010|p=11}} The bound book contained 30 of Christine's writings and 130 miniatures.{{sfn|McGrady|1998|p=195}} She had been asked by the queen to produce the book. The work is noted for its quality miniature illuminations; Christine herself and her past royal patrons are depicted. As a mark of ownership and authorship the opening frontispiece depicts Queen Isabeau being presented with the book by Christine.{{sfn|McGrady|1998|p=203}}

In 1418, Christine published a consolation for women who had lost family members in the [[Battle of Agincourt]] under the title ''Epistre de la prison de vie Humaine'' (''Letter Concerning the Prison of Human Life'').{{sfn|Allen|2005|p=654}} In it, Christine did not express any optimism or hope that peace could be found on earth; instead, she expressed the view that the [[soul]] was trapped in the body and imprisoned in [[hell]]. The previous year she had presented the ''Epistre de la prison de vie Humaine'' to [[Marie of Berry]],{{sfn|Green|2010|p=27}} the administrator of the [[Duchy of Bourbon]] whose husband was held in English captivity.{{sfn|Adams|2014|p=169}}

Historians assume that Christine spent the last ten years of her life in the Dominican convent of Poissy because of the civil war and the occupation of Paris by the English.{{sfn|Allen|2005|p=654}} Away from the royal court her literary activity ceased.{{sfn|Schaus|2006|p=133}} However, in 1429, after [[Joan of Arc]]'s military victory over the English, Christine published the poem ''Ditié de Jehanne d'Arc'' (''[[The Tale of Joan of Arc]]'').{{sfn|Allen|2005|p=654}} Published just a few days after the coronation of [[Charles VII of France|Charles VII]], Christine expressed renewed optimism. She cast Joan as the fulfilment of prophecies by [[Merlin]], the [[Cumaean Sibyl]] and [[Saint Bede]], helping Charles VII to fulfill the predictions of [[Charlemagne]].{{sfn|Green|2010|p=27}}

Christine is believed to have died in 1430, before Joan was tried and executed by the English.{{sfn|Schaus|2006|p=133}} After her death the political crisis in France was resolved when Queen Isabeau's only surviving son [[Charles VII of France|Charles VII]] and John the Fearless' successor as Duke of Burgundy, [[Philip the Good]], signed the [[Treaty of Arras (1435)|Peace of Arras]] in 1435.{{sfn|Green|2010|p=6}}