Enrico Caterino Davila - Histoire des guerres civiles de France, sous les règnes de François II. Charles IX. Henri III. & - 1757

DAVILA (Enrico Caterino)

History of the Civil Wars of France, under the reigns of Francis II, Charles IX, Henry III, and Henry IV.

Amsterdam, At Arkstee & Mercus, 1757

3 volumes in-4 (25.5 x 20 cm), purple calf (binding of the period), spine with raised bands ornamented, title and volume labels in morocco, triple gilt rule framing the boards, double gilt rule on the edges, marbled edges, [4]-lxiv-502; vi-579; [8]-617-142 pages (complete).
Corners and headpieces rubbed, some scuffs on the boards (no serious), occasional foxing. Good overall condition.

First edition of the translation by Mallet and Grosley. This history was first published in 1630 in Venice in Italian. It had wide diffusion and circulation throughout Europe. It describes one of the most painful periods in the History of France. The work is at once a history of the religious wars in France, a political history, a chronological history of the actions of the principal actors, and finally a history of the League and the ligueurs. This edition of this great classic of the history of France is notable for its critical apparatus by Grosley. From this viewpoint it is the most complete of the old editions. The history of Henry IV and the wars against the ligueurs constitutes a separate chapter, the editor has given it a particular pagination. It is illustrated by 7 vignettes and a drop cap engraved on copper, by Aliamet and Le Mire after Eisen.

Enrico Caterino Davila (Piove di Sacco, 1576-Vérone, 1631) held numerous political positions between France and Italy and was a protagonist of certain military campaigns. He lived for 16 years in France; he thus witnessed the end of the Wars of Religion. Gifted with remarkable political intuition, with a clear and realistic view, he was able to illuminate in a very empirical way the political intrigues and the individual ambitions of the different figures of that era who found themselves in the various religious camps.

A pleasant copy.