VILLEHARDOUIN, Geoffroy de

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VILLEHARDOUIN, Geoffroy de
Histoire de Geoffroy de Ville-Hardouin, maréchal de Champagne et de Romanie, de la conqueste de Constantinople, par les barons français associez aux venitiens, depuis l'an 1198 jusqu'en 1204, d'un costé en son vieil langage, et de l'autre en un plus moderne et intelligible par Blaise de Vigenere Paris, Abel Langelier, 1584. In-4 (220 x 163 mm) of [13] ff. 186 ff. Red morocco, Duseuil-style decoration on the boards with gilt coat of arms in the center, ornate ribbed spine, gilt inner lace, gilt edges on marbling (Hardy-Mesnil) ORIGINAL EDITION AND FIRST ISSUE AT THE DATE OF 1584 of this chronicle of the Fourth Crusade, from the preaching of Poulques de Neuilly in 1198 to the death of Boniface de Montferrat, by one of the most important actors and witnesses of his time, the Marshal of Champagne, who had Boniface de Montferrat accepted as the leader of the Crusade. It is "one of the great books of the Middle Ages, both as a literary work and as a historical source" (A. Pauphilet, Historiens et chroniqueurs du moyen-âge), presenting opposite the French manuscript of the 12th century and the modern French version of the 16th century established by Blaise de Vigenère. What will make say to Brunet (V, 1238) that the work is "precious under the double historical and grammatical report". "The Conquest of Constantinople is the work of a sagacious, wise and courageous mind. All that we glimpse of Villehardouin's character is designed to give us confidence. As a knight, he knew and practiced the virtues of his state. It was out of piety that he had joined the crusade, and it was in good faith that he thought, whatever happened, that he was serving the interests of the Church. His irreproachable conduct gives him the right to judge others, and thus his book appears, not only as a book of history, but as a moral testimony". (Robert Bossuat, Villehardouin. The conquest of Constantinople). "This chronicle is the first account of the taking of Constantinople in 1204 by the French and Venetian crusaders [...] It is the basic source for our knowledge of the fourth crusade, written by a participant in one of the most tragic events in Byzantine history. In itself it is a classic account of the reality of French medieval chivalry" (Blackmer). Superb copy of this important work on the conquest of Constantinople, with large margins in a luxurious binding by Hardy-Mesnil. Restoration in the lower margin and faded signatures on the title, tiny hole on 2 leaves, tiny stain on the lower cover. Ex-libris Albert Pascal.
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