Duc de Rohan - MÉMOIRES - 1646

HENRI DE ROHAN. MEMOIRS
Memoirs on the events that occurred in France since the death of Henry the Great, up to the peace made with the Reformers in the month of June 1629.
Second enlarged edition of a fourth book and of various political discourses by the same author, heretofore not printed.
No place (Leiden), No publisher (Elzevir), 1646
Important collection of political speeches and memoirs relating to the religious troubles of the reign of Louis XIII, notably including a response to the Cahier of the Protestant Assembly of Saumur; an important testimony by a leading figure of the Protestant party.
Small 12mo, 6.7 x 12.4 cm, period binding, full brown calfskin, spine with raised bands, compartments with old gilt decoration (stylized fleur-de-lis and repeated finials), title piece in red morocco MEMOIRES DE ROHAN
Separate pagination for each of the three parts: title page “à la sphère” [10]-496-146-135p.
Weight: 280 g.
Condition: spine worn, headcap damaged with loss, hinges weakened and cracked, corners rubbed, inner paper sound, in good condition.
This work presents several major advantages:
Leading author — Foundational historical text — Second enlarged edition (preferred to the first) — Authentic old binding — Sought-after small format — Good working copy, not rebound — This is not a deluxe copy, but a fine specimen from a respectable scholarly library.
The cousin and friend of King Henry IV, son-in-law of Sully, Henry of Rohan (1579-1638) “Huguenot of pen and sword,” becomes the leader of the Protestant party and the main opponent of Cardinal Richelieu after the assassination of Henry IV. Despite his gallantry and that of his brother, the Duke of Soubise, the Protestant uprisings will end in the capture of La Rochelle and the military defeat of the Protestants. They must accept in 1629 the Peace of Alès, which overturns the gains of the Edict of Nantes. These Memoirs, written in exile in Venice, recount the military operations of the Protestants, Rohan’s attempts to obtain England’s support, the siege of La Rochelle, the war in Languedoc, and provide an engaged insight into the intrigues and divisions of the Protestant party. Although the preface proclaims: “I leave them to posterity, so that after my death the truth of the things I have seen may not remain obscured by the fables of flatterers, and by the invectives of persecutors; I bring no disguise nor passion to them, and leave to each the freedom to judge as he pleases,” these Memoirs are an endeavour at justification; but the candor and assurance of their author, who was a participant and well informed, make them a testimony of first importance on the reign of Louis XIII.” These Memoirs constitute a major source on the political and military history of France.