Roger Bontemps is semi-mythical French figure who personifies a state of leisure and freedom from care. According to

Pierre-Jean de Béranger Pierre-Jean de Béranger (19 August 178016 July 1857) was a prolific French poet and chansonnier ( songwriter), who enjoyed great popularity and influence in France during his lifetime, but faded into obscurity in the decades following his deat ...

, Roger Bontemps is the epitome of "Never say die".

Literary origins

The figure first appears as a literary character in ''Le Livre du Cuers d'Amours Espris'' (The Book of the Love-Smitten Heart) attributed to

René of Anjou René of Anjou ( it, Renato; oc, Rainièr; ca, Renat; 1409–1480) was Duke of Anjou and Count of Provence from 1434 to 1480, who also reigned as King of Naples as René I from 1435 to 1442 (then deposed as the preceding dynasty was restored t ...

(1409–1480), also known as "Good King René". In this allegory of love, written ca. 1457–77, "Rogier Bon Temps" is the only character who refuses to surrender his heart to the God of Love.

Roger de Collery

"Roger Bontemps" is said to have been the nickname of Roger de Collery (c. 1470–1540), who was a priest and secretary of the Bishop of

Auxerre Auxerre ( , ) is the capital of the Yonne department and the fourth-largest city in Burgundy. Auxerre's population today is about 35,000; the urban area (''aire d'attraction'') comprises roughly 113,000 inhabitants. Residents of Auxerre are r ...

. He was famous for his jovial personality, and presided over a convivial society at Auxerre, earning the facetious title the "Mad Abbot". He left some writings in prose and verse, which are known from 1536 and were reprinted in 1856 by Charles Héricault.''Roger de Collerye'', in Marie-Nicolas Bouillet and Alexis Chassang (eds), ''Dictionnaire universel d'histoire et de géographie'', 1878

Later literature

Roger Bontemps appears several times in French literature, such as in a play by

André Rivoire André Rivoire (5 May 1872 – 19 August 1930) was a French poet and playwright whose work was defined by the delicate precision of his observation. Life and work Rivoire was born in Vienne, Isère, in eastern France. He studied at the Lycée ...

. The figure also appears in a poem by

William Makepeace Thackeray William Makepeace Thackeray (; 18 July 1811 – 24 December 1863) was a British novelist, author and illustrator. He is known for his satirical works, particularly his 1848 novel ''Vanity Fair'', a panoramic portrait of British society, and t ...

, first published in his

1852 Events January–March * January 14 – President Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte proclaims a new constitution for the French Second Republic. * January 15 – Nine men representing various Jewish charitable organizations come tog ...

anthology ''

The Paris Sketchbook ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

''. :Vous riches, desireux; :Vous, dont le char dévie :Après un cours heureux; :Vous, qui perdrez peut-être :Des titres éclatans, :Eh! gai! prenez pour mâitre :Le gros Roger Bontemps. :Ye poor, with envy goaded; :Ye rich, for more who long; :Ye who by fortune loaded, :Find all things going wrong :Ye who by some disaster :See all your cables break, :From henceforth for your master :Bluff Roger Bontemps take.

Notes

{{Authority control Culture of France Personifications