Chroniques

352 x 223 mm.

Monstrelet, Enguerrand de. Chronicles of Enguerran de Monstrelet, gentleman formerly residing in Cambray in Cambresis. Containing the cruel civil wars between the houses of Orleans & Burgundy, the occupation of Paris & Normandy by the English, their expulsion, & other memorable events that took place during his time in this Kingdom & foreign countries.… The second volume… The third volume of Enguerrant de Monstrelet.Paris, Marc Orry, 1603.

One of the finest and rarest editions of the Chronicles of Monstrelet.Rare and sought after, it remained unknown to Brunet. Tchemerzine, IV, 869.

“The most complete edition of the Chronicles of Monstrelet is that of 1603, issued by Duchesne. A very rare book in original condition” (Bulletin du bibliophile, January, 10th series, no. 1804).

The chronicle of Monstrelet continues that of Froissart. It extends from 1400 to 1498.

“Monstrelet is thought to have written his history for the house of Luxembourg; he declares that he worked on the compilation of his book ‘in the noble city of Cambray, a city seated in the empire of Germany’.

The most conscientious of his editors, M. Douet d’Arcq, judges his work in these terms: “In this series of our ancient French chronicles, which opens with Villehardouin and ends with Philippe de Commines, Monstrelet will always hold an important place. He took care to collect—and has preserved for us in his Chronicle—a multitude of very instructive documents, so that his narrative is still, essentially, the surest guide for delving into the intricate details of the events that marked the first half of the 15th century”.

These facts are none other than the events of the civil wars between the houses of Orléans and Burgundy, the occupation of Paris and Normandy by the English, their expulsion from French territory, etc.

Monstrelet does not hide his attachment to the dukes of Burgundy, whom he followed at the siege of Compiègne in 1430.

The Chronicle of Monstrelet was consulted and followed by President Hénault, and put to use by historians of the modern school. Publicists such as Bayle, Moréri, Duverdier, Sorel, Lenglet-Dufresnoy had already praised the accuracy of the dates, the clarity of the facts, and the simplicity of the style. Our modern historians especially appreciate the usefulness of the countless supporting documents, the precious records that Monstrelet took care to gather and preserve.

“The Chronicle of Monstrelet is an important testimony to the history of the first half of the 15th century. It is an original narrative, in which the author skillfully blends written sources and oral testimonies. He crosschecks his various sources, verifies, criticizes, and adds his personal experience” (Gillette Tyl-Labory).

A very beautiful and precious copy, preserved in its original red morocco binding bearing the arms of Sully (1559–1641).

Of Protestant faith, Maximilien I de Béthune, Duke of Sully, baron, then marquis of Rosny (1559–1641) first served in the army of Henry of Bourbon, King of Navarre, who named him counselor of Navarre and ordinary chamberlain. Henry IV, whom he had long served with his sword, successively appointed him councilor of state and finances in 1594, superintendent of buildings and fortifications, chamberlain, Grand Voyer of France in 1597, superintendent of finances in 1598, master general of artillery in 1599, governor of the Bastille in 1602, ambassador to England and governor of Poitou in 1603. Sully, whose beneficent role is well known both in the reorganization of finances and in the development of agriculture, was involved in all affairs, both internal and external, and often even in the private life of Henry IV, of whom he was a personal friend; upon the death of this prince, he lost his political influence and resigned the superintendency of finances and the governorship of the Bastille in 1611; but although he had retired from affairs, his great political experience was sometimes called upon and Louis XIII made him Marshal of France in 1634. He died on December 22, 1641, leaving very important Memoirs for the history of Henry IV. (O. Hermal, pl.441).