Nine Worthies

A literary theme popular in the later middle ages. The Nine Worthies are nine princes or rulers, who displayed exemplary courage and chivalric values. They are divided into three sets of three. The three pagans Worthies were Hector, Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. The three Jewish Worthies were Joshua, King David and Judas Maccabeus. The three Christian Worthies were King Arthur, Charlemagne and Godfrey of Bouillon.

Bibliographic References:

Wim van Anrooij, Helden van weleer: de Negen Besten in de Nederlanden (1300–1700) (Amsterdam: Amsterdam university press, 1997).

Occurrences:

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