Abrégé de l’Histoire de l’Ordre de S. Benoist

2 volumes quarto, red morocco, triple gilt fillet framing the covers, gilt-stamped coat of arms at the center, fleur-de-lys at the corners, spine richly decorated and fleuronated, decorated edges, inner gilt roll, gilt edges over marbling. Armorial and fleuronated binding of the period.

261 x 186 mm.

Bulteau, Louis (1623-1693). Abridged History of the Order of St. Benedict where the Saints, illustrious Men, the Foundation, and the main events of the Monasteries are discussed.
Paris, 1684.

First edition of one of the best histories of the Order of Saint Benedict published in 1684.

This is the work of Louis Bulteau, who held the position of royal secretary for fourteen years, a post he gave up in 1661 in order to live completely separated from the world.

He first retired to the Abbey of Jumiéges and from there to St-Germain-des-Prés, where he reduced himself to the humble position known as commis clerc, and committed by a civil contract, dated May 1^st, 1672, to devote his entire life to the service of religion, under the condition of enjoying all the privileges of the religious, without abandoning secular ecclesiastical dress, although he was not in holy orders. Bulteau was particularly devoted to the study of monastic history. In 1678, he published, in octavo, the history of the East, under the modest title of Essay; this history is highly regarded. In 1684, he published the Abridged History of St. Benedict and the monks of the West, 2 volumes in quarto.

According to the 265^th pope, Benedict XVI, Saint Benedict "set before his disciples as the fundamental and even sole objective of existence, the search for God." As the latter is considered universal and eternal, this quest led the order to undertake tasks such as: evangelization and clearing of Europe, preservation and transmission of classical culture throughout the Middle Ages, compilation and translation of the works of the Church Fathers starting in the 17^th century, education, etc. On at least two occasions, the founder’s rule even suggests that monks’ activities should not force them to leave their monastery:

"The monastery should, as far as possible, be arranged so that everything necessary—water, a mill, a garden, and workshops for various crafts—is found inside the enclosure. This way, the monks will not need to wander outside, which is by no means advantageous for their souls."

The first monastery was established on Mount Cassino around 529 by Benedict of Nursia, who created his rule there. Benedictine monasteries then spread throughout Europe and gave rise to several famous congregations. The reform work of Abbot Benedict of Aniane in the 8^th century was essential to the development of the Benedictine order in Europe, initiating the true spread of the Rule of Saint Benedict. The Council of Aachen of July 10, 817, gave Benedict of Aniane authority over all the Benedictine monasteries of the Frankish Empire.

Precious and beautiful copy bound in red morocco with the arms of the Duchess of Montpensier, known as La Grande Mademoiselle (1627-1693).

"The Duchess of Montpensier, La Grande Mademoiselle, is generally known only for the rather tumultuous role she played in the events of the Fronde; but alongside the heroine who competed in chivalrous exploits with Madame de Longueville and the Princess of Condé, to impose herself at sword-point upon her cousin Louis XIV, the royal husband of her dreams, there was another woman of delicate and tender spirit, devoted to literature, passionate about beautiful things, and whose carefully chosen books represent one of the most remarkable collections of her time.

Anne-Marie-Louise d'Orléans was born at the Louvre in May 1627. She was the daughter of Gaston d'Orléans and his first wife, Marie de Bourbon, Duchess of Montpensier, who died five days after her birth, and was raised by a respected and pious governess.

The Duchess of Montpensier’s books rarely appear in public sales, and only a few are known among collectors; but the National Library has gathered in its Reserve a rather significant number, among which should be noted two copies of the first edition of the Collection of Portraits, printed solely for the princess’s friends, and now so rare that Nodier believed he possessed the only existing copy, and proclaimed it worthy of a royal collection.

The books of La Grande Mademoiselle are strongly bound with a simplicity that does not exclude elegance" (Ernest Quentin Bauchart, 1886)