Description

MEMOIRS OF THE REIGNS OF FRANCIS II. AND CHARLES IX. OF FRANCE CONTAINING A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF THE THREE FIRST CIVIL WARS RAISED AND CARRIED ON BY THE HUGUENOTS IN THAT KINGDOM. WHEREIN THE MOST REMARKABLE PASSAGES IN THE REIGNS OF KING HENRY VIII OF ENGLAND, QUEEN ELIZABETH, AND THE UNFORTUNATE MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS, ARE SET IN A TRUE LIGHT.; "Done into English by a Gentleman, and publish'd for his Benefit" Author: Castelnau, Michel Title: MEMOIRS OF THE REIGNS OF FRANCIS II. AND CHARLES IX. OF FRANCE CONTAINING A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF THE THREE FIRST CIVIL WARS RAISED AND CARRIED ON BY THE HUGUENOTS IN THAT KINGDOM. WHEREIN THE MOST REMARKABLE PASSAGES IN THE REIGNS OF KING HENRY VIII OF ENGLAND, QUEEN ELIZABETH, AND THE UNFORTUNATE MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS, ARE SET IN A TRUE LIGHT.; "Done into English by a Gentleman, and publish'd for his Benefit" Publication: London. Unknown, 1724 Edition: First Edition in English Description: Leather-bound. 1st edition in English. Large 4to. Full Contemporary polished leather, 13 1/2 in. x 9 in. Both boards double-ruled in gilt, within, a surrounding border, tooled in blind. Gilt decorated spine. 6 raised bands (seven compartments) , with fine gilt motif to all, except second (title) panel down, gilt lettering on brown ("Memoires De Castelnau"). Some scuffing to boards, and rubbing to extremities, primarily to corners, several of which are bumped and/or showing. Printer's red speckling to all edges. 2 preliminary leaves, 426 pages 36 cm. Exceptionally clean and fresh internally, well-printed on large paper with wide margins. Astonishingly, the brightness of the pages and clarity of the printing, generously margined, on high-quality paper, appear nearly as if off the Press yesterday, which they assuredly were/are not! Lovely head-and-tailpieces, and initials. 426 pp. Good example of a certain type of confessional: The "Royal Tell-All", recounted by those who were in a position to know, which in its most innocent of forms -- this one perhaps -- serves to lay out the evolutions of royal thought which led to certain historical decisions/actions, etc. Castelnau was a French soldier and diplomat, entrusted with the most sensitive and delicate diplomatic missions. He was sent by the king, Henry II, to Scotland with dispatches for Mary Stuart, then betrothed to the Dauphin (afterwards Francis II). After the death of Francis II he accompanied the queen, Mary Stuart, to Scotland, and remained with her a year, during which time he made several journeys into England in an attempt to bring about a reconciliation between Mary and Queen Elizabeth. The wise and moderate counsel that he offered to Mary was unheeded. Apparently these memoirs "...fell into the hands of Monsieur J. Le Laboureur, who was Prior of Juvigny, and Counsellor and Almoner to the King of France. This Gentleman purlished an Edition of them at Paris in the Year 1659, dedicated to the Marshal de Castelnau, the Author's Grandson... Monsieur Laboureur, In his Preface, gives the following Character of them: "...'As to the Memoirs (Says he) of Michael de Castelnau, I shall only say thus much in their Favour; That truth is his Master-piece, and no Man has given a more Candid and Exact Account of the Affairs of France, from the year 1559, to the Year 1570, than he has done: His style is plain and succinct, his Notions are fine and just; In them you have Truth without Disguise, Learning without Ostentation, and Experience without Pride or Vanity." (from Preface of this edition) Castelnau's Mémoirs rank very high as an original authority since he was at the center of French, Scottish, and English events for a very long time. They were written during his last embassy in England and they possess the merits of clearness, veracity and impartiality. Near Fine Textblock in Very Good Binding. "By Michael De Castelnau, Lord of Mauvisiere and Concressant, Baron of Joinville, Earl of Beaumont Le Roger, &c. Who was Ambasdsador for Ten Years at the Court of Queen Elizabeth, and principallly concern'd in the Secret Transactions of those Times." DONE INTO ENGLISH BY A GENTLEMAN, AND PUBLISH'D FOR HIS BENEFIT. Seller ID: 80700 Aardvark Rare Books Eugene, OR We work hard to make your Bookbuying Experience safe, easy and fun. Aardvark Books is a proud member of the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America) and IOBA, Independent Online Booksellers Association. Ezra is also an accredited and Qualified Appraiser of Books and Manuscripts, with a designation from the ASA (American Society of Appraisers), with considerable Archive experience as well. Shipping All books shipped to US destinations are sent via the US Postal Service. Faster shipping is available, please ask before paying. We will combine shipping on items purchased at the same time in order to help reduce costs. International shipping is also available. Please inquire for a shipping quote before ordering. This listing was created by Bibliopolis.