DU BELLAY, Martin - Les Mémoires de Mess. Martin du Bellay Seigneur de Langey. Contenans le discours de plusieurs - 1569

DU BELLAY, Martin

The Memoirs of Mess. Martin du Bellay, Lord of Langey. Containing the account of several events that occurred in the Kingdom of France, from the year 1513 until the death of King Francis I, to which the Author has added three books and some fragments of the Ogdoades by Mess. Guillaume du Bellay, Lord of Langey, his brother.

Paris, at the Olivier de P. l'Huillier, 1569. 1 vol. in-folio. Full 17th-century brown binding, spine with raised bands ornamented, mosaic shield of olive morocco with three gold stars and a central black star at the center of the boards, with the monogram F.B in gold at the top, blind-ruled border in a Renaissance style surrounding the shield, blind-ruled borders and lines around the boards, traces of lacing ties, gilt edges.

RARE ORIGINAL EDITION.

Fine printer's mark of the Olive on the title page. Beautiful initials and decorative headings.

Edition prepared by René Du Bellay, who signs the epistle.

Undoubtedly the most important chronicle of the reign of François I by important actors and witnesses of the time; the Du Bellay brothers were indeed in the king's service as soldiers.

These memoirs cover the period from 1518 to 1547 and recount the battles in which Martin Du Bellay took part, from the end of Louis XII's reign to the death of François I.

Guillaume du Bellay signs Books 5, 6 and 7 of this collection. He had begun to write a history of France, most of which was lost. His brother Martin, who survived him until 1559, gathered what remained of the original manuscript and began to complete it. Thus he produced memoirs that run from 1518 to 1547.

"Montaigne made about twenty-five borrowings from this work. Several quote entire sentences." Villey, Les lectures de Montaigne.

Good internal condition. Large-margin copy.
The arms may have been added later.
The monogram on the second board has been scratched.
Light stains on pages 69 and 70.
Binding damaged with a split at the upper hinge, tips missing, corners heavily worn and leather of the boards epidermized.
Corners very worn, with partially exposed edges.
Brunet, I, 747 - 748.