Oton de Grandson, lord of Sainte-Croix, Cudrefin, Grandcour, Aubonne, and Coppet, was a well-known figure at courts throughout Europe during the second half of the fourteenth century. His reputation as an exemplary knight and lover is preserved in several texts written by contemporaries, such as Epistre au Dieu d'Amours (Letter to the God of Love, May 1399) by Christine de Pizan, who called him “Le bon Othe de Grançon le vaillant, / Qui pour armes tant s'alia traveillant” (The good and valiant Oton de Grandson, / who tirelessly devoted himself to feats of arms), and praised him highly as “Courtois, gentil, preux, bel et gracieux” (courteous, good, noble, brave, handsome and gracious).

Although best known to his contemporaries for his military exploits, Grandson participated actively in the literary culture of the period. He occupies a transitional role as perhaps the first prince-poet of the late Middle Ages, continuing the...