Charles d'Orléans (Charles of Orléans) is one of the rare poets of the Middle Ages who not only had his birth date recorded but also had his horoscope cast: he was born under a lucky star. As grandson of Gian-Galeazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan, and godson as well as nephew and future son-in-law of Charles VI, King of France, good fortune might have been expected for him. In fact, however, he was unlucky and often, during his seventy years, frustrated and disappointed. The poetry that he composed when, perhaps, more-worldly pleasures and triumphs eluded him, reflects his experience. Although many of his most anthologized poems illustrate the refinement and extravagance of courtly life, his long imprisonment in England fostered an introspection that produced his characteristic psychological allegories and motivated his cultivation of nonchaloir (indifference).

Charles's father, Louis of Orléans, the much-indulged younger...