Dictionary entry

Chanson de geste

Webster's Dictionary 1913

‖Chan′son″ de geste″ (?). Any Old French epic poem having for its subject events or exploits of early French history, real or legendary, and written originally in assonant verse of ten or twelve syllables. The most famous one is the Chanson de Roland.

Langtoft had written in the ordinary measure of the later chansons de geste. Saintsbury.