Full title: L’Authorité episcopale deffendue contre les nouvelles entreprises de quelques Reguliers Mendians du Diocese d’Angers sur la Hierarchie Ecclesiastique A polemical theological–canonical treatise published in Angers in 1658, defending episcopal authority against claims advanced by certain mendicant regulars (friars) in the diocese of Angers. The book belongs to a well known early modern conflict in France between bishops (the secular hierarchy) and exempt regular orders, especially the mendicant friars (Franciscans, Dominicans, Carmelites, Augustinians, etc.), over who could preach, hear confessions, and exercise pastoral functions in parishes; whether regulars needed episcopal approval (the “Ordinary’s” authorization) to do so; and also the scope of papal privileges of exemption versus the bishop’s ordinary jurisdiction in his diocese. In Angers, this dispute became concrete when local mendicants challenged or circumvented episcopal ordinances. Bonichon’s work is explicitly framed as a defence of the bishop’s authority and of the ecclesiastical hierarchy against what he presents as “new enterprises” (innovations / encroachments) by some regulars. Full calf with seven raised panels to spine. Gilt and titles to spine and board edges. Marbled end papers. Armorial crest of an unknown Bishop to the inside board. The binding has private locator numbers on paper to the spine. A little rubbing / bumping to the edges and corners of the boards. Internally a beautiful copy. Clean and tidy printing. The last few pages have a light water stain to one corner. François Bonichon (d. 1660), was a French Oratorian priest who had already published related tracts in the mid‑1650s; this 1658 volume is the major, systematic work of that series. [xxviii], 776 pages. 25 x 17 cm.