Taylor explores the work of Francois Villon and his relationship to his predecessors and contemporaries.

Jane Taylor is a fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, and lecturer in French at Oxford University.

Preface; Introduction; 1. Painted eloquence and serious games; 2. 'Dancing in a maske': constructing identity in the Testament; 3. Spoken by men of old: the Ballades du temps jadis; 4. Love well weighed up: Villon's Belle Hëaulmiere; 5. Keenness of observation: Les contredictz de Franc Gontier; 6. The name of a man: La Ballade de la Grosse Margot; 7. Pomegranates in flower: Ballade pour Robert d'Estouteville; Conclusion; Too many Villons; Notes; Bibliography; Index.