ULDEUICUS GUERNICH, PHOTO-TV POGRAFHUS, PARISI1S, 14G1).
ANNALS
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT
EARLIEST' TYPOGRAPHICAL ESTABLISHMENTS
OF
AND
NOTICES AND ILLUSTRATIONS
OF THE
MOST REMARKABLE PRODUCTIONS
OF THE
(Rotfttc
COMPILED PRINCIPALLY TO SHEW
ITS GENERAL CHARACTER; AND ITS PARTICULAR INFLUENCE
UPON
************************
BY THE REV. WILLIAM PARR GRESWELL,
//
LONDON :
PRINTED FOR CADELL AND DAVIES; LONGMAN AND CO.; LACKINGTON AND CO,
R. H. EVANS ; AND J. AND W. LOWNDES, BOOKSELLERS.
MDCCCXVHl.
R. & W. Dean, Printer?, Manchester.
XI
ULDERICUS GUERNICH PROTO-TYPOGRAPHUS PARISIIS 1469.
ULDERICUS GUERNICH natione Germanus unus ex primi*
Typographis, qui adhuc vivus multas eleemosynas hujus domiis
pauperibus erogaverat, tandem suo Testamento legavit ipgi
Pauperum communitati, anno Domini 1510, mediam suorum
bonorum partem, ti{ debitorum tertiam ; ex qud pecunid empta
est villa Dannet sita juxta fluvium Matronam. Emptte sunt
quoque domus de Veseley, qua pars est hujus Collegii protensa ii
media Areas parte ad Collegium Dim Michaelis usque, #
cedificatce sunt Grammaticorum Classes"
It thus appears that GERING bequeathed to the COLLEGE
DE MONTAIGU* the half of his property, and the third part of
his debts, amounting together to upwards of 25000 limes o
* In the year 1496, Erasmus became a pensioner or scholar
of this college. "'Fun'" (he facetiously says) " Lutetite in
collegio, cui cognomen ab aceto:" and by his account, it was
then a miserable place of residence indeed ! His wretched
apartment was in a most disgusting situation. He was fed on
rotten eggs and sour wine. The discipline was as cruel as the
diet was abominable and he is said to have contracted there a
diseased habit of body, which continued during the remainder of
his life. See his Colloq. intitled " Icthyophagia," which
contains many strange particulars concerning this college, and
its then regent " Joannes Standoneus" and more particularly
the elaborate " Vie d'Erasme par M. Burigni," (2 torn. 12.
Par. 1757) a work probably of very rare occurrence: and
of which Dr. Jortin could not obtain a sight till he had nearly
finished the impression of his "Life of Erasmus." Fid. vol. 2,
p. 1 10, edition in 3 vols. Svo. Lond. 1808.
Xll
turn sufficient to purchase, not indeed a "village" (see
Mr. Dibdin's "Decameron," vol. 1, p. 23) but the estate or
farm of DANNET or ANNEX ; and in addition to that, " la
maison de VESELEY," adjoining the site of the college, where
they afterwards erected their " Grammaticorum classes"
The engraved MARKS or DEVICES with which this volume
is embellished, are sufficient in number and variety to shew
the general character of those ornaments of which (as far as
concerns the FRENCH GOTHIC PRESS) with few exceptions, may
be said : -
'' Fades non omnibus una ;
Nee diversa tamen :"
And they are perhaps almost the only specimens connected
with the earliest period of Parisian typography, which for
their rarity are worth the labour of imitation. The drawings
for the engraver were obligingly supplied by Miss REBECCA
MILLER, of Liverpool; a young lady equally distinguished
by her exquisite taste and ingenuity, and by her constant
readiness to perform acts of kindness.
" IMPRIMERIES" were established, according to Panzer, at
ABBEVILLE anno 1486 at CHABLITZ anno 1478 at CHAM-
EERY anno 1484 at LYONS anno 1476 at NANTES anno
1493 at ROUEN anno 1483 and at GENEVA anno 1478.
The early impressions of these places correspond closely in
character with those of Paris and many of them are incidentally
noticed in the following pages.
DBNTON, NEAR MANCHESTER;
AOGOST 15tb. 1818.
See page 32.
PREFACE.
J. T is expedient that I should lay before the reader an
ingenuous account of the origin and design of the present
work. Amongst those who are conversant with the HISTORY
OF PRINTING, and more particularly with that of early
CLASSICAL TYPOGRAPHY, few can be unacquainted with the
illustrious family of the ESTIENNES of PARIS and those
who have remarked with due admiration., the number, mag-
nificence, and perfection of their impressions, would not fail to
peruse with great satisfaction, any rational account which can
lie derived from authentic sources, of the personal history and
professional labours, at least of the most distinguished members
of that literary family. Upon such an interesting inquiry, much
of my own leisure has for a series of years been agreeably
IV
employed: and 1 have at length found myself in possession of
materials which would at least suffice for a moderate volume :
especially as it might be desirable to combine with the LIVES of
the ESTIENNES, a succinct account of several other learned
PRINTERS of PARIS who flourished in those remote times; and
of the origin and subsequent progress of the PARISIAN GREEK
PRESS.
Whilst I was occupied in digesting these materials, it
occurred to me that it might be useful to take a survey of the
Parisian press from the introduction of printing at Parts, to
that period when the first GREEK PRESS was established there;
in order to ascertain what advances had been made, during that
interval, in CLASSICAL LITERATURE; as well as in the other
branches of rational and liberal science. The prevailing character
of EARLY PARISIAN TYPOGRAPHY would I conceived, evince the
nature of those studies which were cultivated in the celebrated
UNIVERSITY of PARIS : and shew how far the revival of learning
in the more remote regions of Italy operated to influence their
inquiries, and to ameliorate their views. As the press was under
the immediate jurisdiction of the superiors of the University, its
productions would actually furnish a correct criterion of their
literary pursuits: and by minutely remarking from year to year
the EARLIER CLASSICAL IMPRESSIONS of PARIS, it might be
fairly judged what improvements in this species of literature
had actually been effected before the age of FRANCIS I. and
thence might be better estimated the services which accrued to
polite learning, from the liberal patronage of that monarch, and
the exertions of his celebrated IMPRESSORES REGII. The
recently published volumes of PANZER rendered such an
V
investigation more practicable and satisfactory -, than if could
possibly have been heretofore.
With this view, I began to note down the classical
impressions of Paris, without designedly omitting the most
inconsiderable of them. I noted also the biblical and principal
theological impressions : and of the rest, those which appeared
to me of most indigenous origin, most generally interesting, and
most characteristic of French genius, taste, and pursuits. I
soon discovered that their early press was by no means fertile
in classical productions. On the contrary the growth of them
seems rather to have degenerated than improved, for a con-
siderable period; even in that soil, where LEARNING was
supposed to have so long before chosen her seat, and taken up
her abode. But whilst the inquiry was carried on with those
views which I have mentioned, I was ' agreeably amused by the
national and romantic character of that literature which
actually presented itself and by degrees found myself still more
interested, by the comparison of our own EARLY TYPOGRAPHY
with that of France. Hence accidentally originated a new
object for my pursuit : which was to trace more exactly than I
conceived had hitherto been done, the actual conformity and
connection of early ENGLISH and FRENCH TYPOGRAPHY with
each other : and without losing sight of my original purpose, to
give to this little manual the additional recommendation of
exhibiting a kind of regular and methodical CONCORDANCE of
the early literature of both nations. These distinct materials
having thus enlarged themselves to their present magnitude ; I
resolved not only upon publishing what I had collected, on the
subject of the PARISIAN EARLY or GOTHIC PRESS, in the present
VI
separate form, but even to make this newly adopted object a
leading and principal characteristic (as the title expresses it to
be) of the present volume. Still however, its primitive one, of
being intended as an introduction to a future history of the
PARISUN GREEK PRESS, remains intire. The preliminary
matter prefixed to this volume actually consists of a portion of
those materials which I had originally prepared, as introductory
to the LIVES of the ESTIENNES : though, I flatter myself, as
inserted here, it will not be found less appropriate. It certainly
contains many particulars respecting the jurisdiction claimed by
the UNIVERSITY of PARIS, over its EARLY PRESS, and the
intolerance with which that jurisdiction was exercised ; without
the knowledge of which, many incidents of the lives and
transactions of the ESTIENNES cannot be perfectly understood.
I trust then that the PRESENT VOLUME will be found to
comprehend a tolerably complete enumeration of all the BIBLICAL
and CLASSICAL WORKS printed at PARIS, during the period
which it embraces : and with that, a very copious one of those
other MISCELLANEOUS WORKS, which appear at present most
strongly to engage the attention of the curious.* Of this last
* It may be here observed, that a very large proportion
of those precious specimens of EARLY ENGLISH and FRENCH
TYPOGRAPHY, for which such prodigious PRICES have been
recently paid, will occur to the reader's notice in the ensuing
pages. For such prices he may consult MR. HOKNE'S
" INTRODUCTION to the STUDY of BIBLIOGRAPHY/' (a work
replete with information both instructive and entertaining); the
Vll
mentioned description of works, it will be found, that by a
tpecies of venial anticipation, I have characterised very numerous
IMPRESSIONS, which were executed long after the period which
I had prescribed to my inquiries. The BIOGRAPHICAL and
LITERARY NOTICES have been selected with great diligence and
fidelity from the most authentic sources; and they are annexed
in conformity with an opinion which I have conceived; that
BIBLIOGRAPHY, whether to be useful or interesting as a study,
should not content itself with the barren enumeration of TITLES,
or with mere technical description only.
My obligations to the interesting pages of WARTON* will
be apparent in many parts of this work : and on the subject of
early FRENCH ROMANCES, I have derived much information
from MR. DUNLOP'S very curious and accurate volumes, ,f which
all admirers of early literature will peruse with pleasure. In
exhibiting the conformity between early specimens of French
and English typography, I have cited freely from the pages of
AMES & HERBERT ;$ but nothing from MR. DIBDIN'S work
now in the course of publication; both for other reasons which
are obvious, and because 1 consider the matter of those very
NINTH DAY of MR. DIBDIN'S " DECAMERON ;" and the priced
catalogues of the ROXBURGH and other celebrated SALES: from
which, those to whom the trouble would be a pleasure, may
transfer such prices to the margins of this volume.
* History of English Poetry, 3 vols. 4.
f History of Fiction, 3 vols. 12.
+ Typographical Antiquities, 3 vols. 4. Lond. 1785.
tiii
diligent bibliographers sufficiently accurate for my purpose.
The specimens of EARLY ENGLISH, m which the ancient
orthography has been scrupulously observed, may afford amusing
examples of the state of our own language ; at a period barren
indeed in productions of native genius: when our EARLY
PRESS could scarcely find any other matter to work upon, besides
that which was borrowed from our GALLIC NEIGHBOURS : and
when the renowned CAXTON, and a few other very moderately
learned printers, were almost the only persons who undertook to
invest works of foreign composition with an English dress : and
thus gave as it were, the standard of those times, to our
wretchedly imperfect tongue ; and furnished books, not only to
initiate in the first elements of reading, but even to form the
minds and entertain the leisure of our young princes and
nobility. Those assuredly were not days of triumph to English
literature. But that polite nation, to which our early formation
and manners owe so much, which gave us lessons of gallantry,
and formularies of devotion, will not be averse to own, that in
after times we have nobly vied with them in learning, in arts,
and in every other attainment worthy of national or individual
emulation and even evinced the truth of the ancient proverb,
IIoXXoi
The impression of this volume (with the exception of the
preface only) was finished before the termination of the last
year. The work might therefore have appeared more early,
had not the execution of the WOOD CUTS occasioned some
delay. Those specimens of the MARKS or DEVICES adopted by
early PARISIAN PRINTERS, which are here given, have been
accurately copied from originals in my own possession, by
IX
MR. ABRAHAM MOSSES of Liverpool, a meritorious artist, and
formerly a pupil of MR. HOLE. On the appearance of
MR. DIBDIN'S magnificent and highly entertaining " DE-
CAMERON," / was induced to relinquish the design of giving
more; having found my plan in this particular anticipated by
that author. MR. DIBDIN is indeed the CORYPHAEUS of
BIBLIOMANIACS if I may adopt a phrase in unison with his
own jocular language: and I would by no means have it
imagined, that my unassuming volume is in any respect intended
to rival his splendid productions. The present soarings of
BIBLIOMANIA far transcend my humble flights. It will not
appear from the following sheets that I entertain so much as a
predilection for the name of BIBLIOMANIAC but if it must
adhere to all those who meddle with book lore 7 would at
least presume, even in defiance of the lash of the VfiNUSlNE
BARD,
Jnsanire ratione, modoque.*
The portrait of ULRIC GERING, or as he appears to have
been otherwise denominated, ULDERicusGiiERNFCH, is accurately
imitated from that which is met with in very few copies only
of " LTHiSTOiRE DE L'IMPRIMERIE ET DE LA LIBRAIRIE" of
M. DE LA CAILLE. Par. 1689, 4. One of these singularly
rare copies, for the peculiarities of which see BRUNEI, is in
the possession of S. W. SINGER, ESQ. a gentleman conspicuous
in the literary circles for his very ingenious " RESEARCHES
INTO THE HISTORY OF PLAYING CARDS," and for other
* Hor. Lib. II. Sat. 3,271.
publications of high estimation. By MR. SINGER'S kindness
(through the intervention of MR. FORD of Manchester) 1 have
been enabled to superintend a drawing of the abovementioned
portrait ; which has been engraved in WOOD by MR. MOSSES
for the present volume. To evince the genuineness of the
original portrait (which has been thus imitated with all possible
fidelity) I shall cite from the additional matter contained in the
before-mentioned rare volume what relates to GERING his
donations to the COLLEGE DE MONTAIGU, and the original
PICTURE which was existing in M. DE LA CAILLE'S ft'me, " en
la haute Chapelle du dit College."
" Ce meme Ulric Gering (en Latin Uldericus Guernich*)
Jit encore de son vivant quantite d'Aumones aux pauvres
Ecoliers, fy particulierement a ceux du College de Montaigu ;
par son Testament de I'annee 1504, il leur donna la moitie de
ses biens fy la troisieme partie de ses dettes : ce qui montoit a
plus de vignt-cinq mille livres, qui etoit une somme ires-
considerable en ce temps la : duquel legs on a achete la Terre ou
Metairie de Dannet, sise pres la Riviere de Marne, $ la Maison
de Veseley, qui etoit entre le College de Montaigu, fy le petit
College de Saint Michel, ou furent basties les Classes des
Grammairiens, dont ce College fut aggrandi consider ablement, ce
qui se volt au bas de son Portrait represents cy-dessous, fy qui est
en la haute Chapelle dudit College de Montaigu, ou sont ces Mots :
* Chevillier, who also particularly notices this portrait,
and cites the words " qui sont peintes au bas," writes
" Udelricus Guerincg." Probably his transcript is most
accurate. Vid. " VOrigine de Plmpr." p. 89.
AN ACCOUNT
OF THE EARLIEST
Typographical Establishments
OF
J.T may probably be cqnsidered as a matter of surprise,
that the noble Art of PRINTING was not at a more
early period the invention of human ingenuity. Some
learned men have imagined that the germ of this im-
portant discovery is to be found in a passage of Cicero,
wherein the Stoic Balbus, reasoning with Velleius, an
Epicurean, speaks thus : " Non mirer esse quemquam,
qui sibi persuadeat, corpora quaedam solida et individua
vi et gravitate ferri, mundumque effici ornatissimum et
pulcherrimum ex eorum concursione fortuita ? Hoc
qiii existumat fieri potuisse, non intelligo cur non idem
putet, si innumerabiles unius et viginti formae literarum,
Vel aureae vel quales libet, aliquo conjiciantur, posse ex
his in terram excussis ANN ALES ENNII, ut deinceps legi
possint, effici : quod nescioanne in uno quidem versu pos-
sit tantum valere Fortuna." (a) It is clear that the Antients
understood and practised, at a very remote aera, the art
(a) De Ntur& Deor. Lib. II. cap. 37.
B
2
of cutting or engraving, not only figures, but also sen-
tences and legends, in the reversed order necessary for
communicating them by impression to other substances >
of which their medallic history alone may furnish a
sufficient testimony. Hence it seems but as it were
another step in the progress of discovery, to devise a
method .of engraving and arranging words in such a
manner, as, that by the application of a suitable fluid,
those words might be impressed on paper, or any sub-
stance of a correspondent nature; and copies multiplied
at pleasure. Mr. Chevillier cites from the Apophthegms
of Plutarch, an anecdote of Agesilaus, king of Sparta,
which comprehends much of the secret of this Art.
Willing by a stratagem to animate his soldiers to battle,
he wrote upon his hand the word i/ix^ (or victory) ; and
thence by pressure imprinted the same word upon
the liver of the slain victim. tTV f jc6tyff&v ol <TV
ygai*i*x?Q]v %#f'#X'f5j, are the words qf Plutarch.()
And the letters thus impressed became in the eye and
imagination of the superstitious multitude, a sure
pledge of success.
Yet it was not till the year 1 440, or about that period,
according to the most authentic accounts, that the
celebrated JOHN GUTTEMBERG discovered and practised
the Art of Printing by WOODEN BLOCKS : on which
were cut in a reversed order, and in relief, words, sen-
tences, or whole pages, at the pleasure of the inventor.
An author who is said to have written at a period not
very remote from that of Guttemberg's discovery, pre-
tends that he received the first idea of the art from an
impression taken in wax from the SEAL of his RING ; in
(6) Plutarchi Apophth. Lacon,
3
'which he accidentally observed some letters in relief.
Thus our author, who wrote in poetic numbers :
" RESPICIT archetypes auri vestigia lustrans,
" Et secum tacitus talia verba refert :
" Quam belle pandit certas haec orbita voces;
" Monstrat et exactis apta reperta libris."
He afterwards proceeds to remark, that the contem-
plation of a WINE PRESS suggested or assisted his first
crude conceptions of a machine proper for the exercise
of his newly discovered art :
" ROBORA prospexit dehinc torcularia Bacchi,
".Et dixit PRELI forma sit ista novi."( c )
But so rude and imperfect was the Art of Printing
by wooden blocks only ; so much did it seem to resemble
the inventions of past ages, and especially the methods
practised in China and Japan long before ; that many
are unwilling to allow to Guttemberg's invention (if
indeed it was his exclusively) the honour of such a
name. The contrivance of MOVEABLE TYPES, the fabri-
cation of PUNCHES and MATRICES, and the admirable
adaptation of all the other numerous and complicated
appendages which appertain to the modern Art of
Printing, were however, so speedily consequent to
those former rude and simple efforts, that it seems unjust
to separate them in our contemplation of the origin of
the Typographic Art. Experience shews that mankind
are generally slow in conceiving the first notions of
great and useful inventions : but when an idea has been
once conceived, or a hint however imperfect given, the
ardour for improvement being commonly proportionable
(c) Histoire de TOrigine et des premiers Progres de 1'Im-
primerie, 4. Haye, 1740.
to the usefulness of the discovery, arts of the greatest
value and importance to mankind advance most speedily
to perfection.
Whether the honour of compleating and perfecting
this great discovery, be due to the joint efforts of
GUTTEMBERG, FUST, and SCHOEFFER, or more espe-
cially as some pretend, to be attributed to the genius
of the latter ; or whether indeed some respect be due
to the claims preferred by others, it is not necessary at
present to inquire. It may suffice to observe, on the
authority of Maittaire, that PRINTING was very probably
first attempted by types cut on BLOCKS of WOOD, and
consequently not moveable : that MOVEABLE TYPES were
subsequently used, first wooden, afterwards metallic or
fusile. Rude specimens of the art are mentioned to
have been produced probably so early as the year 1450.
But, as Maittaire observes, it does not appear that any
work printed with moveable types, and bearing an un-
equivocal mark of date, or year of impression, is to be
found of a more remote age than that of the year 1457 :
but that FUST and SCHOEFFER printed at Mentz annis
1457 and 1459, is now an indisputable fact, (d)
PARIS was the first city of FRANCE which received
tliis noble art. In the year 1 470, which was the tenth
year of the reign of Louis XI. the Art of PRINTING
riv.i '-"" " ..--. i^-r. -...- - -.,.,.
(d) Probabile est Artem initio per typos in tabulis incisos et
immobiles tentatam; deinde typos mobiles usurpatos, ligneos
primiim denique fusiles ; et una tantum pagina imprimi coeptum*
donee utraque exeudendi ratio intellecta fuerit. Non constat
librum ullum typis mobilibus impressum annique notations
signatum ante annum 1457 prodiisse; at liquet FAUSTUM et
SCHOEFFERUM annis 1457 et 1459 MOGUNTL* libros edidisse.
" Annalea Typographies^ Tom. I. p. 32.
5
was begun there by ULRIC G BRING, a German, and a
native of Constance, and his two associates, MARTIN
CRANTZ and MICHAEL FRIBURGER. These Germans,
at the instance of GUILLAUME FICHET and JEAN DE LA
PIERRE, came to settle at Paris ; and had an establish,
ment assigned them in the college of the Sorbonne ; of
which society their two patrons were distinguished
members, (e)
CHEVILLIER enumerates eleven distinct books printed
by Gering, Crantz, and Friburger, in the Sorbonne,
annis 1470, 1471, and 1472. The list is increased by
PANZER to eighteen. These constitute what is called
the first series of Gering's impressions : of which Biblio-
graphers give the precedency to " GASPARINI PERGA-
MENSIS EPISTOLARUM OPUS." At present I shall confine
my observations to the technical peculiarities of these
impressions. They are generally without date; though
Panzer exhibits some exceptions. What is more re-
markable, none of them are printed in the Gothic
character. On the contrary, they are in a handsome
ROMAN letter, formed in imitation of the characters of
the Augustan age, as exemplified in the medals and
other monuments of those classic times. They are all
printed in the same large and bold Roman character,
with types cast from the same matrices. Some letters
indeed appear imperfect ; and some words but half
printed, and afterwards finished by the pen. There
are no capitals. The initial letter of each book or
chapter is omitted, such omissions being intended to be
supplied by the ingenuity of the illuminator. They
() " L'Origine de L'Imprimerie de Paris, par le
Andre Chevillier." 4. Par. 1694.
6
abound in abbreviations ; which is the case with antient
impressions in general. The paper is not of a fine
whiteness, but strong, and well sized. The ink is of a
glossy blackness: and some instances of the " lettres
rouges" occur occasionally. Some of these works
commence on the "folio verso."
They are all without title, cyphers, and signatures.
SIGNATURES, or alphabetical letters placed for the
binder's direction at the bottom of the page, according
to Chevillier, were first introduced anno 1476, by
ANTONIUS ZAIIOTUS, a printer of Milan, in a work
intitled " Platea de Usuris. " He says TITLES and
CYPHERS began to be employed anno 1477, and are
found in the second series of Gering's impressions.
There are no LITERS RECLAMANTES (reclames or catch-
words) in these early editions. The printers of Paris
did not adopt them till a period so late as 1520: though
they are found in the " Tacitus" printed at Venice by
SPIRA, circa 1468, and in a work intitled " Liliuni
Medicine" fol. Ferrar<e, 1486.
The REGISTRUM CHART ARUM, an invention also de-
vised for the convenience of the binder, is not found in
either of the two earliest series of Gering's impressions,
but was used by him towards the year 1499. This is
also of Italian origin. It is found in the " Summa
Alexandra de Ales" printed by GIOVANNI DE COLONNA,
Ven. 1475. The Registrum was generally placed at
the end of the book, and consisted of an assemblage of
all the signatures, in the order in which the sheets or
smaller divisions of the work were submitted to the
press j with the addition of such information as "omnes
sunt quaterniones," or "terniones," praeter R.etZ.quae
sunt duerniones," &c. At present the Registrum is
disused : the signatures at the bottom of the pages, the
cyphers at the top, and the reclamantes or catch-words,
being supposed to furnish ample direction to the careful
collator or binder.
Louis XI. having thus witnessed the introduction
into his own capital of an art so important to literature,
had afterwards the gratification of seeing it carried to a
considerable degree of perfection, by several industrious
and skilful Typographers, whom he honoured with his
special favour. Whatever might be the political cha-
racter of this monarch, he appears to have been a friend
and protector of learning. For literary works he en-
tertained also a particular predilection. He caused
to be brought from Fontainebleau to PARIS, all the
manuscripts which his predecessors CHARLES V. and VI.
had been at great pains in collecting. He established
in the LOUVRE a spacious and noble library, the super-
intendance of which he gave to ROBERT GAGUIN,
" General de 1'Ordre des Trinitaires." It became one
of the principal objects of his magnificence to augment
it as much as possible, both with manuscripts and printed
books. As a further proof of his zeal and earnestness
in such pursuits, it is recorded, that having been in-
formed that the gentlemen " de la Faculte de Medicine"
of Paris, had in their possession an original manuscript
of RASIS, a celebrated Arabian physician of the tenth
century, he directed that part of his silver plate should
be pledged as a security, in order to obtain permission
of having it transcribed.
The early TYPOGRAPHERS we are told, met with
great opposition in the commencement of their labours
at Paris from the scribes or copyists, whose gains were
likely to be diminished, or rather almost annihilated,
by the introduction of the new art. They encouraged
the most malignant and ridiculous charges against our
artists, even that of sorcery or magic. They also con-
trived to institute against them a vexatious legal process.
The affair was brought before the parliament, and that
tribunal, little more enlightened and liberal than the
credulous multitude, ordered their books an'd impressions
to be seized and confiscated. But to the honour of
Louis XL it is recorded, that upon this occasion he in-
terposed his royal authority in behalf of the printers.
He interdicted the parliament from taking further
cognisance of the affair, reserving it for his own special
decision and that of his privy council ; and it is scarcely
necessary to add, that the event was entirely favourable
to the typographers, and their books and copies were
ordered to be restored. (/)
Even at an earlier period than that of the introduction
of printing into Paris, it appears that CONRART HAN-
NEQUIS and PIERRE SCHOEFFER, printers and burgesses
of the city of Mentz, had established magazines for the
sale of books at PARIS, ANGERS, and some other places
in France. STRATTEN their agent happened to die in
that country ; and as he had never obtained any legal
instrument of naturalization, he had not the power of
disposing of his effects by will. Every thing belonging
to this stranger, or entrusted to his hands, was seized
and confiscated ; and amongst the rest, the works which
Hannequis and Schoeffer had placed at his disposal.
These we are told in the public document cited by
Lambinet, consisted of " plusieurs beaux livres singu-
liers et exquis, tant d'histoires, que de diverses heures,
&c." The German printers prevailed upon Frederick
III. king of the Romans, and the elector of Ment2, to
(/) Lambinet. Recherche* Histories, &c. p. 171. seqq,
9
interest themselves in their behalf; and Louis XL
moved not only by the considerations due to their
recommendation, but also by his own favourable dis-
position for the encouragement of such artists, and the
diffusion of useful learning, ordered plenary restitution to
be made. The indemnification claimed by Hannequis
and Schoeffer amounted to 2425 ecus and 3 sols tour-
nois, or about 1 100 francs of the present day. The
finances of this monarch would not conveniently admit
of the payment of so large a sum at once. He therefore
gave directions to JEAN BRIC,ONNF,T, his Receiver Ge-
neral, to pay to these printers annually the sum of
800 livres, till the whole claim should be discharged, (g)
It is generally asserted, that in the more immediate
infancy of the art, our ingenious artists did not scruple
to sell their impressions as manuscripts, (h) FUST in
particular, is said to have carried to Paris a considerable
number of coj>ies of his Bible printed in the year 1462.
These impressions being on parchment, and the initial
letters or capitals being splendidly decorated with
colours of blue, purple, and gold, the deception was
for some time successful. Naude had carefully in-
spected a particular copy of this edition of the Bible,
anni 1462, printed " sur membrane" and found it
so closely resembling those which had been written
in the fifteenth century, that the most discerning might
fail to detect the imposition ; especially as in such copies
both the date and subscription had been designedly
omitted. For each of those copies which met with the
earliest sale, FUST obtained not less than sixty crowns, or
: !
({} Lambinet. ut supra. (A) Naudl, Lambinet. &c,
10
about 550 livres of modern French currency ; but some
assert that they were sold at a much higher rate. He
afterwards reduced the price to forty, and ultimately
to twenty crowns. In the mean time the purchasers
finding that a great number had been sold ; and by a
comparison of their respective copies, discovering
their resemblance, and conformity with each other in
every particular, were at length led to the complete
discovery of the fraud. Prosecutions were instituted
against the German artist. He absconded in conse-
quence with all speed, directing his course in the first
place to Mentz ; but suspecting himself still insecure,
he proceeded to Strasburg. At this city FUST remained
some time; and it is said, instructed JOHN MENTELIN
in the new art. Yet we find it asserted that he actually
died at PARIS, of the plague, about the close of the
year 1466. (i).
(0 Lambinet. " Recherches, &c." p. 1 56. Chevillier relates
tins adventure thus: " Elle est rapportee par Walchius dans son
livre ' Decas fabularum generis humani" 1 imprime a Strasbourg
1609 in 4 to. p. 181. Ou il dit que Jean Faust en apporta
plusieurs exemplaires a Paris, dont il vendit les premiers
sexaginta coronatis, c'est a dire soixante ecus ; les autres,
cinquante ; les derniers, quarante, et m6me a plus bas prix.
Que ceux qui les avoient achettez admirerent d'abord que toutes
cea copies etoient si fort semblables, qu'il n'y avoit pas un
point ni une virgule dans Tune, qui ne fussent de meme dans
1'autre, Qu'aiant enfin reconnu que ces Bibles n'etoient point
ecrites la main, mais fabriquees par une nouvelle maniere,
qui coutoit moins de peine, moins de terns, et moins de dcpense,
et croiant que Faust les avoit vendues trop cher, ils lui firent
un grocee, pour lequel il fut oblige de s'enfui'r." Chev. p. 16.
11
in the year 1473, PIERRE C^ESARIS and JEAN STOL,
both also natives of Germany, and instructed by Gering,
established in the city of PARIS the SECOND PRESS: and
with him became the instructors of many other artists,
who in succeeding years exercised there the same
profession. In the same year, 1473, GERING and his
associates removed from the Sorbonne, and established
themselves in " la rue S. Jaques," at the sign of the
GOLDEN SUN. Of the second series of their impressions,
those of 1473 are considered as the earliest ; and the
latest are those of 1483. Amongst this series we find
" BIBLIA SACRA," in folio; which was the earliest im-
pression of the sacred Scriptures printed in the whole
realm of France. Panzer, by conjecture from its sub-
scription, fixes the date about the commencement of
the year 1476. The characters used in the second
series of Gering' s impressions are wholly different from
those employed in the first. Several of them exhibit
specimens of the Roman character, varying both in size
and degrees of elegance and beauty. Some of them are
in a character neither Roman nor Gothic, but which
exhibits a coarse imitation of the writing of those ages.
" C^est comme une ecriture a la main, mais ' stanned
manUy ainsi gu y Aide Manuce parle a la fin de la Phy-
sique Grecque d^Aristote, Fen. 1497," says Chevillier.
The Bible is of a character of this kind, " mais plus
gros" (k) Some few of those works which are executed
in the Roman letter will compare in the same bibliogra-
pher's opinion, with the finest specimens of JENSON, the
SPIRAS, and other most celebrated of the early Italian
printers.
(fc) " L'Origine dellinpr. d Paris" ut supra.
12
In those works which came forth subsequently to the
year 1477, GERING'S name appears alone. It is sup-
posed that Crantz and Friburger at this period returned
to Germany, as no mention is afterwards made of them.
But Gering passed the residue of his days at PARIS ;
formed new associations ; and published new works.
It is chiefly on this account that he has obtained the
appellation of the earliest Parisian printer ; for in the
impressions of the society, his name is not uniformly
found the first in order of mention ; but in some books
occupies the second place, and in others the third.
GERING is by some believed to have admitted his
scholars CLARIS and STOL into a participation of his
establishment. He afterwards associated himself with
BERTHOLD REMBOLT.
In 1483 GERING removed his INSIGNE and establish-
ment, once more, to a part of the city more immediately
in the vicinity of the Sorbonne. With the doctors of
this literary institution he maintained the strictest inti-
macy ; and consulted with them on the subject of those
works which might prove most worthy of being submitted
to the press. The learned body accorded to him the
" Privilege of hospitality ;" that is, of possessing apart-
ments in the college, and of a seat at the table of the
doctors. For these honours Gering made ample re-
compence in his life time, by liberally opening his purse
to relieve the occasional necessities of the foundation,
and by numerous charitable donations to poor students ;
and at his death (anno 1510) he further testified, by
an ample bequest, his great regard for that literary
society. (/)
<0 Ckevillier ut supra.
11
Thus, for a period of forty years, did GERING exercise
the profession of a typographer in the city of Paris.
Of the third series of his impressions, as given by
ChevilJier, the earliest date is 1489, and the latest 1508.
In those which bear the date of 1 494, and the subsequent
ones, the name of BERTH OLD HEM BOLT is united with
his. In the year 1509 Rembolt began to print in his
own separate name ; and continued the establishment
till 1519, in which year he died.
In several of the impressions of his third series, Gering
nsed the same bold and handsome Roman character
which was employed in the finer specimens of his second
series. But the greater part are printed in the Gothic
character, which Gering used more especially in works
of an ecclesiastical nature. It was not without reluc-
tance that this meritorious printer yielded so tar to the
prevailing fashion, as to exchange his fine Roman letter
for the clumsy and ill-favoured Gothic. The annals of
Maittaire and Panzer furnish a long enumeration of
early Parisian printers, the infancy of whose establish-
ments Gering had witnessed ; and who successively
were become the rivals of his art and industry. From
their presses various popular works were constantly
issuing, " en lettres Gothiques" and on that account
actually acquired additional favour, and a preference
with the public. It is not surprising that Gering should
at length, on some occasions, be induced to sacrifice
taste to interest, and comply with the perverse inclina-
tions and prejudices of the age.
Chevillier pronounces the GOTHIC CHARACTER to be
of German extraction ; and says it was used so early as
1471 in that country. The oldest specimen which he
had seen was a large volume of the " Decretalia,"
printed at Strasburg in that year. SchoefFer's im-
14
pressions arc not strictly of that kind, but a species of
SEMIGOTHIC, exhibiting an imitation of manuscript.
But such was the rage for the Gothic character, that the
celebrated Venetian printers, GIOVANNI Di COLONNA
and NICHOLAS JENSON, after ennobling the art in its in-
fancy by their elegant Roman letter, found it equally
with Gering, a matter of necessity to adopt the Gothic
in various impressions of a theological and scholastic
description. The example was followed in most of the
various typographic establishments of Italy, Germany,
and France; and the Gothic was the prevailing character
every where for more than a century ; and indeed in
Germany and England for a much longer period. So
much beauty or dignity was supposed to be inherent in
this distortion of the alphabet, that a treatise of one of
the schoolmen, printed at Venice by Giov. di Colonna
and J. Manthen, bears with it this commendation, that
it is executed " Sublimi liter arum effigie-" and the
<c Conciliator Medicine" anni 1483, has this subscrip-
tion, " Characters jucundissimo M. Joannis Herbort
Alemanni, cujus vis et ingenium facile supereminet
omnes" In a Gothic impression of the " Psalterium"
in fol. by Nicolas Prevost, at Paris, so late as anno 1525,
we read " Opus pulchro literarum charactere politissi-
mum" Chevillier is willing to subscribe to the epigram
in " Sexto Decretalium" Chevalon 1520, on the subject
of its fine " rouge et noir:
" CERTANTE MINIO purpurae rubedine,
" Superante corvos nigriores SEPIA."
But he justly asks, who can say of " un Livre
Gothique" that it is recommended
" POLITIORIBUS characterum typis."
Great however is the variety, which upon compari-
son, will be found to subsist between the " Lettres
15
Gothiques" of one press and those of another ; and if
this character is to be denied all claims to grace and
beauty, many at least are its shades and gradations of
deformity.
Another inconvenience of the Gothic impressions of
early times, arises from the numerous and continual
ABBREVIATIONS in which a great part of them abound.
But this disadvantage is not chargeable exclusively on
Gothic, but is sometimes found in early editions of the
Roman character. Chevillier particularizes an edition
of the " Logic of Ockham," Parisiis 1488, fol. printed
as he observes, in a handsome letter; but in which
scarce a single word is found unabbreviated. He adduces
for instance two lines taken at hazard from fol. 121.
They are printed in the following manner : " Sic hie
e fal sm qd ad simplr a e pducibile a Deo g
a e K silr hie a n e g a n e pducibile
a Do. 11 At length thus" Sicut hie est fallacia se-
cundum quid ad simpliciter. A est , producibile a Deo.
Ergo A est. Et similiter hie. A non est. Ergo A
non est producibile a Deo" (m)
Works on the civil and canon law, both printed and
manuscript, were peculiarly overcharged with abbre-
viations ; and that to such a degree, that a treatise
was printed to point out the method of reading such
perplexing works, intitled " Modus legendi Abbrema-
turas m utroque Jure" Parisiis, Jean Petit, 8. anno
1498, et variis annis.
To avoid Abbreviations, and at the same time not
too much to augment the size of the volume, ALDUS
MANUTIUS invented his CHARACTERES CURSIVI, or CAN-
(m) Chevillier ut supra, p. 110.
16
ELLA mi, which are an imitation of manuscript ; and
as some say, of the writing of Petrarch in particular
They are now well known by the name of the ALDINE
or ITALIC characters. Aldus obtained a brief from
Alexander VI. for their exclusive use ; and is supposed
to have employed them first about the year 1500.
Printing " en ROUGE ET NOIR" was more especially
appropriated to PSALTERS, BREVIARIES, and other works
relating to the ecclesiastical ritual. This mixture of
red and black, which gives a cheerful and pleasing
variety to the page, is found in the " Psalterium" of
Mentz, 1457, and the " Rationale Divinorum Officio-
rum " of 1 459 ; at the end of which we read this
subscription, " Prasens Codex venustate Capitalium
decoratus, Rubricationibusque sufficienter distinctus, 5Cc."
Gering occasionally used the " lettres rouges" in other
works; but in his " Psalterium," 4. 1494 his " Diur-
nale Ecclesiae," 8. 1495 his " Breviarium Camera-
cense," 8. 1497 his " Missale," fol. 1497 and his
" Horse B. Virginis," 8. 1498 and also in his " Cor-
pus Juris Canonici cum Glossis," 3 torn. fol. and similar
works, he employed the " Rouge et Noir" in every
page, in all its brilliancy. It is scarce necessary to
mention the use of these " rubriques" in the rituals of
the church. The name of RUBRIC is still given to those
directory sentences which are found in our Common
Prayer ; though the practice of distinguishing them by
the " lettres rouges" has been long discontinued.
Chevillier says that ANTOINE ZAROT was the first who
printed missals furnished with these distinctions, for the
convenience of the clergy. He had seen a copy of the
" Missale Romanum," printed by him with Rubrics
( u rubriques rouges") at Milan , 1478, in fol. with this
subscription:
It
" ANTONI, Patria PARMEXSIS, gente ZAROTE,
" Primus MISALES imprimis arte libros.
" Nemo repertorem nimium se jactet. In arte
" Addere plus tan turn quam peperisse valet."
The most magnificent and voluminous of all Gering' s
impressions, and that which was executed at the most
considerable expence, was the " CORPUS JURIS CANO-
NICI cum Glossis" before-mentioned: viz. " DECRETUM
GRATiANi,"l50l "DECRETALES," 1504 and "SEXTUS
DECRETALIUM," which has this subscription, " Anno
Gratis, 1500, Die 15 Octob. expensis Udalrici Gering
et Berchtoldi Rembolt, Sociorum, Kc." Each page is
filled with letter-press, arranged in five or six columns
of intermingled " Rouge et Noir." This work was
undertaken at the urgent solicitation of the canonists
and ecclesiastics: for though .Mentz, Rome, Padua,
Venice, and Strasburg had furnished editions of the
several component parts, in the infancy of printing,
all those editions had become scarce in France. JEAN
CHAPPUIS, a Parisian licentiate, had the principal
charge of this edition by Gering and Rembolt, and
each volume is furnished with commendatory epigrams,
the labours of his barren and prosaic muse. He flattered
himself that the work would survive to immortality.
Of the Gratian in particular, he says
" NON POSSET LIBER hie fulvo mercarier auro :
" Hoc perit, me nunquarn deperiturus erit."
But the copies which were at first bought up with
eagerness, have in succeeding times, been consigned to
the most obscure and dusty recesses of ancient libraries ;
and left in a great measure to perish, the victims of
accident, age, and neglect, (n)
: : ......
(n) Chevillier, jv 1 JO.
D
18
To the CORRECTNESS of their impressions the earliest
printers in general, and those of PARIS in particular,
appear to have been especially attentive. An impression
of " Virgil" from the press of Gering arid Rembolt,
anrii 1498, in 4. is particularly specified as a work of
great accuracy. It is in reality admitted, says Chevillier,
to be " une tres belle edition," printed in the finest
Roman character, and agreeably to the testimony at
the end of the volume, " Opus tersissime impressum."
In an epigram, of which Jean Auber a friend of the
editor P. Maillet, was the author, it is asserted that the
work is absolutely faultless :
" QITODQUE sub innumeris erroribus ante latebat,
" Ingenuum prim& fronte refulget opus.
" Hoc erne, quisquis amas tersum sine labe volumen :
" Nulla equidem toto corpore menda latet."
Another " Quadrain, " or Epigram, makes a similar
assertion respecting the " Corpus Juris Canonici" from
the press of Rembolt :
" QUOD nusquam in pulcbro divini Corpore Juris
" Foeda sedet menda, aut lubricus error obesf,
" Contulit hoc solers BERTHOLDI dextra sagacis,
" Qaae bene Pontificum nobile pressit opus."
These, and similar assertions found at the close of
other works specified by Chevillier, he is disposed to
consider as " jeux des verses" and " licenses Poetiques."
It is entertaining to follow him through an ample
chapter, in which, by the united testimony of authors,
editors, and typographers, he undertakes to prove, that
a book absolutely without errors of the press, is indeed
a " rara avis;" and next to an impossibility. He
admits however, that to Gering, Rembolt, and several
others of the earliest Parisian typographers, the praise
is justly due of great correctness and accuracy in their
18
publications. In works of the remotest dates, TABLES
of ERRATA are seldom, perhaps never found : but the
faults of the impression were corrected with the pen
previously to the dispersion of the work. This, as
Chevillier asserts, is exemplified in Gering's earliest
editions. A similar mode of correction appears to have
been adopted, so late as the year 1534, by the editor
of the " Discourses of Clictou." In his address to the
reader, he says : " Illos itaque (errores) potuissem qui-
dem, idque modico labore, in unum corigestos huic
extreme parti adjungere. Verilm existimavi multo
comrnodius ac expeditius unicuique vestrum fore, licet
nobis onerosius, impensiorisque operse, si singulis suis
locis calami cuspide transfodiantur : quod perfecimus."
This coincided with the sentiments of Erasmus, who in
one of his letters thus expresses himself: " Neque hi
mihi libros amare videntur, qui eos intactos ac scriniis
abditos servant, sed qui nocturna juxta ac diurna
contrectatione sordidant, corrugant, center unt : qui
margines passim notulis, hisque variis oblinunt : qui
mendi rasi vestigium, quam mendosam compositionem
malunt, &c." (o) But the labour of manual correction
was of short duration. Through the ignorance of
sordid printers, errors of the press soon became very
numerous, and to correct them with the pen was but
in other words to disfigure the volume throughout, and
make a disgusting display of its imperfections. The
custom was consequently adopted of affixing the most
important corrections under the title of " Errata/' at
the end of the volume. But this practice is also an
ancient one ; as an instance of it is found in an edition of
Juvenal with the Annotations of Merula, Venctiis, 1 478,
(o) Chevillier, Chap. iv. p. 155 et seqq.
20
If indeed the lapse of time had brought any alleviation
of this evil, the French bibliographer above cited would
not have found occasion of filling up a great part of a
chapter, with a kind of chronological enumeration of
quarrels which have taken place between scholars and
the contaminators of their lucubrations. He would not
have recorded the charge brought against the printers
of Geneva in particular, " execrable paper and in-
tolerable incorrectness," by which " ils ont ete les
premiers u, gaster une si belle invention de rirnpri-
merie." Joseph Scaliger particularizes the celebrated
" Lexicon Graecum" of Robert Constantino, as a work
so much abounding in typographical errors, that he
says " Lorsque j'etois jeune, je gageois qu'a Pouver-
ture du Livre, la ou je mettrois la main, a 1'oeil clos,
j'y trouverois faute, quod feci." (p) And, adds
Chevillier, it must be acknowledged that this work
has not fewer errors of the author, than of the printer.
Lastly, he relates that Cardinal Bellarmin was so much
offended by the inaccuracies which negligent printers
of his time had introduced into his controversial works,
that he determined to write out a copy of the whole,
so exactly, that not a single error should remain
uncorrected. This he performed, and transmitted to a
printer of Venice ; hoping at length to procure an
unperverted and perfect edition. But to his great
disappointment, he found this impression, when com-
pleated, more erroneous than any of the former, (q)
TYPOGRAPHY having been thus introduced into the
city of PARIS, was cultivated with so much zeal and
emulation, that in the opinion of Maittaire no other
(p) Scaligerana, p. 174 et 144. (g) Chevillier, Chap, iv.
21
city (Venice perhaps excepted) exhibited a more rapid,
and numerous increase of artists in that profession.
The SORBONNE claimed the merit of introducing
and fostering the art in its infancy. The University
possessed by various royal " diplomata" an extensive
JURISDICTION and control over every thing connected
with the profession : for indeed, from times very remote,
SCRIBES, BOOKSELLERS, BINDERS, and ILLUMINATORS
had been subservient to its regulations. It claimed,
and on many occasions rigidly exercised the privilege
of CENSURE : or of pronouncing upon the salutary or
dangerous tendency, whether religious or moral, of
every work ; of prohibiting and suppressing those which
were considered to be of an heretical, or otherwise
objectionable nature ; and of punishing by fines and
confiscations, those persons who were found in the act
of vending prohibited books ; or of carrying on the
trade in a manner not conformable to its regulations.
After the introduction of the art also, printers and book-
sellers, and even binders acknowledged the authority
of the University. They were not in general permitted
to exercise their several professions without first obliging
themselves, by a formal oath, to conform in all respects
to the statutes provided : and this oath they were bound
to renew as often as it was required. The University
also exercised the right of VISITING ; of inspecting
books sent for sale from other countries ; and of
regulating the PRICE of every work that was exposed
to sale.
This minute attention to the concerns of the profession
was generally delegated to four, or sometimes to two
individuals, selected out of the corporation or body at
large of " LIBRAIRES JURES." It was no less their
office to attend to the characters, paper, and correctness
22
of an impression, than to ordain the price at which it
should be distributed. Even the limits were defined,
beyond which no person was allowed to print or vend
books : and these limits were restricted to the vicinity
of the University, in order that any transgression of its
regulations might more easily be detected. It appears
however that a certain description of " Libraires non
Jures" were also tolerated, under particular restrictions.
These consisted in general of poor SCRIBES, who no
longer able to procure a livelihood by the pen, were
permitted to buy and sell books under a defined value ;
and to expose them in " Boutiques portatives" only,
near the public schools and churches, and other places
of general resort. Hence Chevillier takes occasion to
notice the great antiquity of BOOK-STALLS : adding,
that the University thus evinced itself at the same time
both rigorous and charitable. Its rigour was shewn in
the strict enforcement of its own salutary regulations :
its charity, in leaving to poor booksellers the means of
subsistence ; and to poor students, who were unable to
purchase from the booksellers of the University their
magnificent and richly ornamented works, a chance of
supplying their own literary wants, by a less specious
article, and at a humbler market. In process of time it
was found necessary to limit the number of " Libraires
Jures " to twenty-four ; and the restrictions before-
mentioned were in part greatly relaxed, and in part
disused, if not formally abolished, (r)
Our mention of the SCRIBE or STATIONARII, who
found their practice almost annihilated by the invention
of Printing, leads me to observe with Maittaire,(^) that
(r) Chevillier, p. 334. seqq. () Annal. torn. I. p. 192.
23
the persons known anciently by the denomination of
ILLUMINATORS, still for a long period at least, found
employment for their ingenuity. The early printers
did not consider their impressions as ready for sale, till
the INITIALS and other ornaments had been supplied
by their hands. But the eagerness of purchasers to
possess copies, or a desire to save additional expense,
soon occasioned an indifference to these adventitious
ornaments. This speedily led to the introduction of
the LITERS CAPITALES or MAJUSCULE, and those
known more particularly by the denomination of
" LITERS FLORENCES." M. Mentel says that capitals
were first used by the printers of Strasburg, about
thirty years subsequently to the invention of the Art.(/}
The " Literse Florentes," so called " a Florum jiguris
(/tabus erant intermixtte" were invented by ERHARDUS
RATDOLT, at Venice, about the year 1477. Plain
capitals were used about the same period.
Of the RIGHT of CENSURE, this University seems to
have made a tenacious, and frequently a severe and
inquisitorial use. In the exacerbation produced more
especially by the Reformation, it became in the hands
of bigotry and ignorance, an engine of tyranny and of
persecution. In the year 1 521 the FACULTY of DIVINES,
after many meetings held in the Sorbonne, drew up a
" CENSURE" of the heresies of LUTHER. It was solemnly
proclaimed, in a general assembly held on the 15th. of
April ; and IODOCUS BADIUS one of the sworn printers,
in virtue of his oath of obedience, was injoined to print
it with fidelity and exactness : all others of the profession
being interdicted from interfering with the impression
(0 DC vera Typograph. origine, p. 64. Par. 1650.
24
or sale, under pain of deprivation of their privileges.
When this censure was received in Germany, the
Lutherans were not sparing of their lampoons and
pasquinades. A production of this kind, attributed to
Philip Melancthon, " Adversus furiosum Parisiensium
Theologastrorum Decretum" gave particular offence.
These libels were privately dispersed in the University;
and the " Libraires" were consequently summoned to
give an account of such impressions and the distribution
of them.
About the year 1526 the Parisian divines published
also their " Censune" upon various passages of the
" Paraphrasis" of ERASMUS " in NovumTestamentum,"
and other parts of his works. It availed that scholar
little to complain in his " Declarations " or answer to
these " Censurae," that they were the production of
persons who had been influenced partly by private
enmity, partly by a zeal for religion without know-
ledge ; that the more judicious part of the doctors had
sanctioned them from fear, and not from conviction :
and that his friends were deterred from defending hirn,
lest they should be denominated by the opprobrious
name of Lutherans. He states also, that amongst other'
dreadful charges of heterodoxy, they had accused him
of maintaining the Arian heresy, on account of a typo-
graphical error which had crept into a second edition
of his Paraphrase before-mentioned, (v)
The liberality of FRANCIS I. was indeed happily,
for some time a counterpoise to the precipitate and
(t>) Matt. Ch. xvi. " Tu es Christus Filius Dei vivi, &c."
On these words Erasmus thus expressed himself: " Non sus-
picionem proferens, Bed certa et indubitata scienti& profitens,
25
anathematizing zeal of these bigotted divines. Francis,
though not wholly free from religious intolerance, was
a friend of letters and of learned men. Such was
the protection extended by him to Erasmus, that a
considerable period elapsed before the University dared
to publish their " CENSURE" of his works. Yet when
Louis de Berquin, a gentleman of Artois, who was
probably attached to the reformed opinions, presumed to
avow himself by his conversation and writings the
defender of Erasmus ; and brave in his behalf the fury
of the Sorbonne, with more warmth indeed than pru-
dence; not even the royal protection, though powerfully
exerted in his favour, was sufficient to shield him from
their vengeance ; and this unfortunate man was at
length, after a tedious process, condemned to expiate
his offence in the flames : and actually burned at Paris,
anno 1529. (w)
To these instances of the rigid and inquisitorial
temper, with which the theologists of Paris exercised
their " Jus Censurae" others might be added. Nor is
the mention of them foreign from our present purpose*
as they tend to elucidate the origin and motives of
those violent disputes which ROBERT ESTIENNE, the
most meritorious perhaps of all the Parisian printers,
was compelled to maintain with them for a series
ilium esse Messiam a prophetis promissum, singulari more filium
Dei." In FroberTs edition, anni 1524, Basilea, foL by an
error of the press, the word " amore" had been substituted fop
" more" and this was the occasion of the heretical stigma,
which was affixed to the passage. Vide Chemllier : and more
particularly " Erasmi Declarationes ad Censuras LutetfoJ*
Antwerp. 1532, p. 179.
(w) Chevillier, Chap, v. p. 169, se^q.
26
of years ; and on account of which he was at length
driven to the resolution of abandoning for ever bis
native city. Yet the following narrative will shew,
that in matters of mere morality, these zealous divines
exercised their censorial powers with more leniency.
SIMON de COLIN ES, in expectation of a lucrative sale,
had printed in a small form for the use of young stu-
dents, twenty-four thousand copies of the " Colloquia"
of Erasmus. The University, offended by some parti-
cular passages, censured this work also ; and forbade
the sale and perusal of it within the precincts of their
jurisdiction. The offensive passages are enumerated in
their " Censura," which commence in these terms :
" Subsequuntur nonnulla scandalosa et impia quae
continentur in libro qui dicitur Familiarium Colloquio-
rum opus, &c. In quo tanquam ethnicus homo, autor
illius religionem Christianam, & sanctas ejus cseremonias
et observationes ridet, subsannat, carpit, lacerat, et
nrutandas decernit.""* Erasmus, in his defence, slyly
compliments the vigilance of this religious faculty,
who evinced so anxious a regard for the morals of
youth : and after vindicating the innocence of his own
intentions, in furnishing a diverting manual for the
acquisition of the Latin tongue, observes " At mirum
est, illic lapidari Colloquia, ubi impund leguntur et
excuduntur Facetia Poggian& et Su*sticmsJ0co&g"(x)
With regard to the regulation of the PRICES of
BOOKS, from a very remote period the University of
Paris claimed such a right of estimation, that the
** Libraire" might have a reasonable profit, and that
" Declarations D. Erasmi Rot. ad Ceosuraa Lutetic
w ut supra, p. 09,
27
the purchaser might not pay too dear. For this
purpose, before the introduction of printing, they had
their " Taxatores Librorum." But when this noble
art was newly established, their interference was for a
time, judged to be no longer necessary, on account of
the unlimited multiplication of literary works, and the
comparative cheapness of their prices.
In the course of the fourteenth and the commence-
ment of the fifteenth century, manuscripts were so
highly rated, as to be conveyed or pledged like an estate
for a very valuable consideration, by formal deeds and
instruments. The " Speculum Historiale in Consue-
tudines Parisienses" was thus formally transferred, by
Geoffrey de S. Liger, to Gerard de Montagu, king's
advocate, for a sum equal to more than two hundred
francs of the present date, (j/) Even at the period
when Gering commenced printing at Paris, a manuscript
Concordance to the 'Bible was estimated at a hundred
crowns. A printed Concordance in the time of Robert
Gaguin would not be sold for more than ten francs. (#),
On. other occasions a few manuscript volumes were
deemed of sufficient value to form a considerable part
of a daughter's marriage portion. In 1447, a contract
in form had passed between a certain individual, and
the Procureur de PHotel-Dieu at Paris. The former
transferred to the latter for the perpetual use of the
Hospital, a manuscript copy of " Le Pelerinage de la
vie hurnaine," in return for which, out of the spiritual
treasure conferred by the pope on the said hospital,
(y) Naude Addition a L'Histoire du Roy Louis XI. Chap.
iv. & Lambinet, p. 173.
() Chevillier ut supra.
28
the donor was to be intitled to " the pardon of his sins,"
and his wife and children, his father, mother, friends,
benefactors, and especially " Nicole Ducar, late surgeon
to king Charles," who had bequeathed to him this
manuscript, were all to be included ; and " participans
es bons pardons, &c." (a) We find mention of a copy
of LIVY, valued in the time of Alphonsus of Arragon
at one hundred and twenty-five gold crowns. Poggio
sold a copy of the same historian for a sum sufficient to
purchase an estate in the vicinity of Florence. Tuscus,
one of the preceptors of Petrarch, provided for the
payment of his debts, by pledging two small manuscript
volumes of certain works of CICERO ; and Justus Lipsius
.assures us, that Leo X. gave five hundred pieces of
gold for the first five books of TACITUS, to the monks
-of a convent in Saxony.
The invention of Printing produced a wonderful
change in the valuation of these literary commodities.
Manuscripts had fallen in price so early as 1468, not
less than eighty per cent. And in proof of the moderate
prices assigned to printed works, writers on these sub-
jects are fond of citing the letter of GIOVANNI bishop
of ALERIA, to pope PAUL II. under whose patronage
the Art of Printing was commenced at Rome. In the
first volume of the " Epistolee Hieronymi" Romse,
1470, the aforesaid prelate thus addresses the pontiff
in a prefatory inscription :
" In your days, amongst other divine blessings which
the Christian world enjoys, it may congratulate itself on
the facility with which BOOKS may be purchased, even
by the poorest student. It reflects no small glory on
(a) Naudc et Lambinet. ut supra.
29
the reign of your HOLINESS, that a tolerably correct
copy of such a work as formerly cost more than a
hundred crowns, may now be purchased for twenty-
those which were heretofore worth twenty, for four at
most. It is a great thing, HOLY FATHER, to say, that
in your times the most estimable authors are attainable,
at a price little exceeding that of blank parchment or
paper. Some monarchs have gloried, not without
reason, that under their administration, the price of corn
hath scarcely exceeded that of the empty sack of
wine, that of the cask. With equal exultation I record
it for the admiration of posterity, that persons exquisitely
skilled in the TYPOGRAPHIC ART, first began to exercise
their calling at Rome, under the auspices of PAUL II.
the Venetian ; that by means of that super-eminent
pastor of the church, heaven gives us in these days, to
purchase books, for less than would formerly defray the
expence of the binding." (b)
(6) " Tuis certe temporibus ad reliquas Dei gratias hoc etiam
felicitatis orbi Christiano munus accessit, ut pauperrimi quique
parva pecunia bibliothccas poesint redimere. An parva est
hsc tuae Sanctitatis gloria, ut quae volumina vix centum aureis
emi poterant aliis temporibus, viginti hodie ac minoris, bene
exarata, et non mendosissime facta redimantur? Quae vix
viginti aureis lecturi mercabantur, quatuor et vilids etiam nunc
emantur?" Et infra. " Hoc quoque magnum est PATER
beatissime, quod tuo tempore non minus valet paene papyrus
vacua et nuda, pergamenave, quam hodie optatissimi libri eman-
tur. Gloriati non immerito sunt Principes nonnulli, quod saccus
non multo pluris, ipsis principantibus emeretur, quam triticum,
aut quam vinum inanis vehes. Ego posteris in his scriptis
constanter, semper admirationi futurum trado, pracstantissimos
characterum imprimendorum auctorea SUB PAULI SECUNM
30
In process of time however, when the booksellers
began to overcharge their commodities, the University
of PARIS thought proper to resume its power of Taxa-
tion. Four " Libraires Jures " were employed to
determine the price of every printed volume : and the
list or CATALOG UE of books on sale, with their authorized
prices, was ordered to be printed, or legibly written,
and hung up to public view in some conspicuous
situation, by every individual "Libraire." Many of
those catalogues of early Parisian printers and book-
sellers are still extant ; and several of them may be
found in the " Annales" of Maittaire, which evince
the very moderate rates at which books of great merit
and utility were offered to the public.
From these facts it appears, that early printers were
justified in the insertion of those frequent epigrams
which bespoke their own moderation, and the cheapness
of their impressions. ULRIC GERING, in his " Corpus
Juris Canonici," 3 torn. 1 500
" NE FUGITE ob PRETIUM : dives pauperque venite :
" Hoc opus excellens venditur JERE brevi."
VENETI PONTIFICATU, Romae artem exercere coepisse, tant'o
artificio et industria hominum, gratia nobis hac caelitus per
divinum Pastorem importata, ut minoris libri emi fere possint,
quam alias soleret redimi ligatura, &c." The earliest printers
at Rome were CONRADUS SVVEYNHEIM and ARNOLDUS PAN
NARTZ, natives of Germany, who having first tried their typo-
graphic skill in " MONASTERIO SUBLACENSI," began to practice
the art at Rome, circa 1467. Vid. Andiffredi, Cat. Roman.
Edit. A portion of the preceding epistle of the bishop of
Aleria is cited by Maittaire, sub anno 1468, with some varia-
tions. I have given the above from the " Museum Italicum^
of Mabillon et Germain, Tom. 1, pag. 64.
31
BERTHOLD REMBOLT subjoined to his edition of
" S. Bruno on the Psalms," 1509 , fol.
" ISTAS BERTHOLDUS merces non claudit avarus :
" EXIGUIS NUMMIS has, studiose geres."
And to his " Corpus Juris Canonici," fol. rouge et
noir, 1815
" Hoc TIBI praeclarum MODICO ptet JERE volumen:
" Abstersum mendis non sine Marte suis."
THIELMAN KERVER, JEAN PETIT, and various other
printers hold out invitations to purchasers of a similar
description. Sometimes editors, or scholars of known
eminence, address the public in the printer's behalf.
Thus in a work termed by Chevillier " Les Opuscules
du Docteur Almain," printed by CHEVALON and GOUR-
MONT, anno 1518, in fol. a certain dignified member of
the University condescends to address the reader :
" Gratias agant Claudio CHEVALON, et ^EGYDIO GOUR-
MONT, qui pulchris typis et characteribus impressum
opus hoc, mli dant pretio.
In further proof of the deference and submission
which early printers and booksellers paid to the UNI-
VERSITY of PARIS, it may be mentioned, that a great
part of them affected to add to their own names some
other epithets or designations, which might more
especially attest their close union and connexion with
that literary establishment. GERING denominated hinv
self " Imprimeur de Livres et Ecolier etudiant en
PUniversite* de Paris." REMBOLT termed himself
" Maitre Libraire" of the same University. PZERRB
CESARIS was one of its " Libraires Jurez" and " Ma-
gister in Artibus." PASQUIER BONHOMME was also a
" Libraire Jure*," and one of the four appointed " pouj
taxer le prix des Livres." Titles of a similar import
are almost as numerous as the name* of printers of
32
those early times. GUILLAUME EUSTACE, hi " les*
Grandes Chroniques de France," fol. 1514, terms him-
self " Libraire du Roi," and " Relieur" (pr binder)^
of the University. And PHILIPPE LE NOIR has the
double title of " Libraire" and " Relieur Jure de
rUniversite" in his impression of a French translation
of " Orosius" 1516, .fol.
In token of the above sanction and connexion, many
of these early printers exhibit the ARMS of the UNIVER-
SITY in the title pages of their impressions. WOLFGANG
HOPYL, JEAN PETIT, GUILLAUME LE ROUGE, and
especially the first HENRI ESTIENNE, placed these arms
at the head of their impressions. They are in reality
the Ecu or arms of FRANCE, with the addition of a
HAND which appears to issue from a cloud, and present*
a closed book. Others prefixed to their impressions
both the royal arms and those of the University. Thus
GALIOT DUPRE and JOHANNES CORNICULARIUS in their
" Collection des Conciles," 2 torn. fol. 1520, placed the
royal arms on the right side of the title, and those of
the University on the left : with these words " SICUT
LILIUM INTER SP1NAS SIC AMIGA MEA INTER FILIAS."
Others again prefixed to their impressions the arms of
France in the middle of the title, accompanied by those
of the University and of the city of PARIS. Thus did
ANDRE BROCARD to the " Figurse Biblicae" of Antoine
de Rampengolis, 1497, in 8. ; DAVID GERLIER to the
" Opuscula" of Robert Gaguin, which he printed in
connexion with Brocard, in 1498, 4. ; and to the
" Histoire de France" of the same author, printed
anno 1497, in fol. In the last mentioned work,
" Les trois ECUSSONS" occur " en rouge, " with these
lines
THE DEVICE OF ANDREA BOCARD OR BROCARD.
Vide p. 32, 164, 179.
33
HONNEUR AU ROI ET A LA COUR,
SALUT A L' UNIVERSITE,
DONT NOTRE BONHEUR PROGEDE ET SOURT;
DlEU GARDE DE PARIS LA ClTE.
And many others, particularized by Chevillier, followed
the same example.
The custom of certifying the place of their RESIDENCE,
common to the early printers of PARIS, was a further
indication of their subordination to the jurisdiction of
the University. " Tous ont marque" P ENSFJGNE & la
RUE ou etoient leurs Boutiques" says Chevillier : and
they were generally, as be fore- mentioned, in the quarter
of the University, till more extended limits were allowed
from necessity. The INSIGNE or " ENSEIGNE" gave
still further publicity to their conduct and transactions.
We have seen that GERING and REMBOLT adopted the
sign of le SOLEIL D'OK : ANTOINE VERARD that of
o
S. JEAN 1' EVANGELISTS : MICHEL LE NOIR, in his
edition of " le Jeu des Echecs moralise, ' y describes
himself as " demeurant a PImage NOTRE DAME:"
GEOFROY TORY, a " TENSEIGNE du POT CASSE:"
GUILLAUME MERLIN "ad Insigne HOMINIS SYLVESTRIS"
&c. JEAN CARCAIN, or CARCAGNI, in an impression
of the date of 1487, thus pleasantly describes his
<c Enseigne" arid place of residence, or that of his
bookseller
" PARISH Saneti PONS est MICHAELIS in urbe.
" Multse illic eedes ; notior una tamen.
" Hanc cano quaB sacri BAPTISTS fronte notata est :
" Hie respondebit Bibliopola tibi.
" Vis Impressoris nomen quoque nosse ; JOANNIS
v CARGAIN nomen ei est. Ne pete plura. Vale."
But besides these designations of a corporate or
municipal nature, early printers had also generally,
F
34
their own private and peculiar MARKS, REBUSSES, or
DEVICES ; the precise origin of which is not perhaps so
obvious.. Even in the early stages of the art, great com-
plaints were made of the frequent falsification, pirating
and forgeries of literary works. This evil gave occasion
to those PRIVILEGES of IMPRESSION which were granted
by kings, princes, and supreme pontiffs, in order to
guarantee to the industrious artist, the due reward of
his labour and enterprise. But these " Diplomata"
were often found a very inadequate remedy for the
injury. The case of JOANNES FROBENIUS, as described
by Erasmus, may represent those of many other meri-
torious printers, whose liberality and public spirit were
thus made to enrich the ignorant and worthless.
" Many are they who lie in wait for the man, and almost
have conspired for his ruin\ When any new work
appears which is likely to be saleable, one or other of
them surreptitiously procures a copy from his printing
house, prints, and sells it almost for nothing : whilst
FROBEN is at immense expense not only in remunera-
ting correctors but often in purchasing the original
manuscripts." (c) Such instances of the invasion of
literary property occurred even in those remote times.
Frequently whole works were clandestinely reprinted in
cities or countries remote from the place of their first
appearance ; and the author and original publisher were
thus defrauded of their just advantages. Sometimes
(c) " Plerique insidiantur homini, propemodum conjurati ut
ilium perdant. Ubi quid novi opens prodit, quod putant fore
vendibile, mox unus atque alter suffuratus ex ipsius officinfc
exemplar, excudit atque venditat minimo. Interim FROBENIUS
immensam pecuniam impendit in castigatores, frequenter et in
exemplaria, &c." " Erasmi Adagio." Art. " Festina Lente."
35
books were reprinted in an abridged and mutilated
form : and often with little attention to accuracy, or to
the credit and feelings of those authors or annotator-s
whose names they bore. Sometimes the price of
obscure and worthless publications was enhanced by a
false date, place, or subscription: for, as the art was
cultivated with superior accuracy in some cities of Italy,
and at VENICE more especially, the names of such
places appearing in the title, were found to give superior
sale and currency to the impression.
Whatever might be the original intention of such
particular MARKS and DEVICES, adopted by early printers,
after these literary frauds began to prevail, they became
at least so far useful, as to render such frauds less
practicable. BENEDICT HECTOR, a considerable printer
of Bologna, in his impression of " Justin" and " Florus"
anni 1 505, fol. thus addresses the purchasers " Emptor
attende, quando vis emere libros formates in Officina
mea excussoria, INSPICE SIGNUM quod in liminari
paginast ; ita nunquam falleris. Nam quidam malevoli
Impressores libris suis inemendatis et maculosis appo-
nunt nomen meum, ut riant vendibiliores ; quo pacto &
mihi & nomini doctissimi Philippi Beroaldi derogant,
vel potius derogare intendunt." In like manner IODOCUS
BADIUS of PARIS, in one of his impressions anni 1516
" Oratum facimus Lectorem ut SIGNUM inspiciat, nam
sunt qui titulum nomenque BADIANUM mentiantur, et
laborem suffurentur." (d) It was however by no means
impracticable for one printer to counterfeit the device
of another, in addition to the fraudulent assumption of
his name and designation. A ludicrous instance is
(d) Chevillier ut supra*
36
upon record, of such an attempt ; which betrayed itself
like a counterfeit coin, by the clumsiness and inaccuracy
of its execution. .Certain printers who were so disin-
genuous as to counterfeit a popular production of the
ALDINE press, were thus. exposed to public ridicule in
the preface to the Aldine Livy, 1518, 8. " Extremum
est ut admoneamus studiosissimum quemque, FLOREN-
TINOS quosdam Impressores, cum viderint se diligentiam
nostram in castigarido & imprimendo non posse assequi,
ad artes confugisse solitas ; hoc est Grammaticis Institu-
tibnibus ALDI in sua officina formatis, notam DELPHINI
ANCHORS INVOLUTI nostram apposuisse: sed ita egerunt
ut quivis mediocriter versatus in libris impressionis
nostrae animadvertat illos impudenter fecisse. Nam
ROSTRUM DELPHINI in partem sinistram vergit; cum
tamen nostrum in dexteram totam demittatur."
RENOUARD has also observed that many others of those
printers who were contemporary with the Aldi of Venice,
hoping by t this mark of the ANCHOR and DOLPHIN to
recommend their own impressions, were eager to avail
themselves of such an advantage. Some fraudulently
.counterfeited the mark itself, others invented something
analogous to it. Various Italian printers of considerable
eminence disgraced themselves by these disingenuous
artifices. But the printers of Lyons carried such
audacious forgeries to a far greater length than any
others, and Renouard has cited a particular memorial
drawn up by Aldus himself on the subject, and published
at Venice anno 1503. (e)
It can however be scarce pretended that this precau-
tionary use of the MARK was actually in the contemplation
(e) " Annales de Tlmprimerie des Aide," torn. ii. pp. 63,
& pp. 207,
of its original inventors. Some even of the impressions,
of FUST and SCHOEFFER, and other printers of the
earliest periods, have such marks subjoined to their
subscriptions. Those of Fust and Schoeffer are two
"ECUS" or shields, exhibiting the arms of these
respective artists; though as the author of " L'Histoire
de rimprimerie" (f) has shewn, Fabricius and others
have misinterpreted them. As many early printers have
omitted to subjoin their names to certain works, such
marks have enabled bibliographers to ascertain with
certainty their place and origin. Where both mark,
note of place, date, and printer's name have been
omitted, a like use has sometimes been made even of
the PAPER MARKS ; which appear to have been of an
usage perhaps almost as remote as the manufacture of
that article. Amongst other notices of this kind, the
reader may consult the work last mentioned.
The marks used by learned printers, afterwards
became more miscellaneous and general, and exhibited
an amusing display of the ingenuity, erudition, piety,
or, as we may venture to add, sometimes of the fanciful
caprice of the inventor. Thus JOHN the son of PETER
SCHOEFFER, who also printed at Mentz, adopted the
ARMS used by his father, but with a variety of whimsical
changes; for in the " champ" or field of the device,
he introduced SHEPHERDS with their dog and sheep, in
allusion to the name " SCHOEFFER," which signifies
shepherd, (g) The classical origin of the ANCHOR and
DOLPHIN of ALDUS is well known. It was borrowed
from a medal of the emperor Titus ; and the hierogly-
phic is supposed to correspond with that ADAGE which
(/) " AlaHaye1740,p.45.
(g) Hist de rimprim. ut supra, p. 49,
38
is said to have been the favourite motto of AUGUSTUS 1 !
" (TTcevSe Ppadeug." On the subject of this mark the
reader will find much entertainment in the " Adagia"
of Erasmus, under the title " FESTINA LENTE;" and
that scholar embraces the same opportunity of explaining
the REBUS or DEVICE of his favourite printer JOANNES
FROBENIUS, of Basil. " If, says he, princes on this
side the Alps would encourage liberal studies with as
much zeal as those of Italy, the SERPENTS of FROBEN
would not be so much less lucrative than the DOLPHIN
of ALDUS. The latter * lente festinans' has deservedly
gained for himself no less wealth than reputation. As to
FROBENIUS, whilst he constantly carries his " BACULUS"
or staff erect, with no other view than the public
advantage ; whilst he departs not from the SIMPLICITY of
the DOVE ; whilst he exemplifies the PRUDENCE of the
SERPENT not more by his device than by his actions; he
is rich rather in reputation than in an estate." (h) The
device of VINDELINUS RIHELIUS of Strasburg, which to
a superficial observer, might seem the offspring of mere
caprice, is in reality an emblematical representation of
NEMESIS, and may be classically illustrated by a
reference to the Epigram of Xenocrates :
WARN'D by the GODDESS, with her SQUARE and REIN,
Measure thy ACTIONS, and thy TONGUE restrain.
(A) Quod si pari candore principes Cisalpini prosequerentur
honesta studia cum Italis, FROBENIANI SERPENTES non tantum
abessent ab opibus DELPHINIS ALDINI. Hie " lente festinans"
non minus auri sibi peperit, quam nominis, utroque dignus.
FROBENIUS dum BACULUM semper erectum gerit, non alib
spectans, quam ad publicam utilitatem ; dum a COLUMBINA
SIMPLICITATE non recedit ; dum SERPENTUM prudentiam non
39
The HAND and COMPASSES of CHRISTOPHER PLANTIN?
with his motto " LABOR ET CONSTANTLY," include a
moral not less useful. The same thing may be said of
the fine image of TIME, conspicuous in the impressions
of SIMON COLINJEUS ; and in ROBERT ESTIENNE'S choice
of the apostolic emblem of the OLIVE TREE, with its
BROKEN and INSITITIOUS BRANCHES, and his motto
" NOLI ALTUM SAPERE, SED TIME," Maittaire discerns
an evidence of the humility and Christian piety which
characterized that distinguished typographer.
There is a work extant, by ORLANDI, iutitled
te NOTIZIA delle MARCHE degli Antichi e moderni
Impressori," which I have hitherto had no opportunity
of consulting, (i) But the author of " L'Histoire de
I'lmprimerie" before cited, gives no favourable account
of it. He says these notices are very ill executed : that
even the names are given in a mutilated and unintel-
ligible manner ; and that in the explanation of the
marks of printers, the author frequently falls into
ludicrous errors, of which the following instance is
given. In the two STORKS, the motto of CRAMOISY, of
which the younger is represented bearing food to the
parent bird, which even children might understand to
be an appropriate emblem of filial piety and affection,
this author discovers a battle of CRANES in the air,
without having paid the smallest attention to the motto ;
"HonoraPatrem tuum, & Matrem tuam, utlongsevus sis
magis exprimit insigniis suis quam factis ; fama potius dives est
quam re. Erasmi " Adagia." Art. " Festina Lente."
(i) Renouard also speaks of a " Recueil des Marques
typographiques" published by R. Scholtz, at Nuremberg, arm.
1730-32, fol, Annales, " ut supra, torn. ii. p, 63,
40
super terrain;" and to other emblems of kindred signifi-
cation, with which the angular points of the INSIGNL
are furnished. He refers to pages 237 and 24-2 of thi^
inaccurate work.
On the subject of MARKS I may presume to add, that
the earliest " Relieurs" or BINDERS, a race of men who
at these times probably considered their vocation of no
mean importance, affected also to distinguish themselves
by devices of a similar nature. Very rude and singular
designs cut on blocks of wood, and impressed upon the
exterior superficies of the volume, are sometimes found
on well preserved specimens of ancient binding; lo
which the names or initials of the ingenious artist are
annexed ; whence it evidently appears that ornament
was not the sole motive for using them. For various
and singular specimens of this nature, it may suffice
to refer the .reader to those libraries which abound
in early printed books, and to the cabinets of diligent
and curious collectors.
WITHIN the period of twenty years after the intro-
duction of PRINTING at PARIS, we find the number of
those who practised the art in that city, including
GERING and his associates, increased to thirty-five :
and the commencement of the succeeding century
witnessed the enlargement of this list in an almost triple
proportion. Of these artists, who varied greatly both
in the number and value of their impressions, several
distinguished themselves so eminently as to merit
our particular notice. Amongst these was PASQUIER
BONHOMME, whose earliest impression, " Les Grands
Chroniques de France'- in 3 vols.fol. bear* the date of
1476 : he was one of the four principal " LIBRAIRES >'
of the University : and assumed for his INSIGNE the
41
image of S. Christopher. The year 1480 exhibits the
name and commencement of ANTOINE VERARD, who
with respect both to the variety and curious description
of his impressions, may justly be considered as one of
the most interesting of all the early typographers of
Paris. Very numerous indeed were the impressions
executed by this zealous printer, separately or in
conjunction with others. De la Caille renders the
same testimony. fc VERARD," says he, " was one of
those who gave to the public the greatest number of
works ; and particularly of ROMANCES : of which" he
adds, " there are extant more than a hundred volumes,
printed upon vellum, ornamented with beautiful
miniatures, and exhibiting the most studied and exact
imitations of the manuscripts from which they were
copied." (k) Such very magnificent, ingenious, and
costly ornaments bestowed upon these Gothic produc-
tions of the French press, give a characteristic peculiarity
to them, perhaps above those of most other countries.
The letter indeed chiefly employed in them, though
often denominated by the general term Gothic, is
rather a species of semi-Gothic j and probably was cast
in imitation of the character usually met with in
exquisitely finished manuscripts which were of an
age not very remote from the invention of printing ;
at which period also, it is very probable that the art
of ILLUMINATING, and embellishing with miniatures in
gold and colours, was cultivated in its highest luxury.
The impressions of ANTOINE VERARD and of several
of his cotemporaries, having often been taken off on the
finest vellum, for the gratification of the rich ; and at
(fe) Hist, de PImpr. ut supra.
G
42
their liberal expence thus superbly ornamented ; exhibit
a most agreeable union between the labours of the PRIN-
TER, and of the SCRIBE and ILLUMINATOR. And since
the art of the latter has long been lost through disuse,
they are treasured up with the greatest care as monu-
ments of former national magnificence, and the only
remains of a species of art which was once so extensively
and ingeniously practised.
ANTOINE VERARD used for his DEVICE the ARMS of
FRANCE, under which in a compartment is a cypher,
probably intended to express the whole of his surname.
These with other minor ornaments are included in a
parallelogram, round the external margin of which we
read the following inscription in Gothic characters,
bounded also by double parallel lines :-^r
J. H. S,
POUR. PROVOCQUER. TA. GRANT. MISERICORDE.
D. TOUS. PECHEURS. FAIRE. GRACE. ET. PARDON.
ANTOINE. VERARD. HUMBLEMENT. TE. RECORDS.
Cfi. QUIL. A. IL TIENT. DE TOI. PAR. DON.
Of the name MARNEF, there were three brothers who
were associated together, at least on some occasions.
Their mark is thus rather confusedly described by la
Caille : " Des Grues qui font un nid en volant, un
Perroquet qui parle, un Pelican qui donne la vie a ses
petits, et trois hastens, sur lesquels sont les premieres
lettres de leurs noms, viz. GEOFFROY or GODEFROY,
ENGUILBERT, & JEAN." Their earliest impression,
according to Panzer, bears the date anni 1481.
JEAN DUPRE or JOANNES DE PRATIS or DE PRATO
commenced his zealous labours by the impression of
two " Missals" anno 1481 : NICOLAS DE PRATIS,
probably a brother of the former, by " P. Terentii
Comoedige" fol. 1483 : these were also distinguished
printers.
43
ANTOINE CAILLAUT began to exercise the profession
anno 1483, and continued to print anno 1505. In 1483
also GUIDO MERCATOR or Guy MARCHAND is said to
have commenced his typographic labours. His impres-
sions were numerous; but Chevillier has assigned to
him a distinguished place amongst the most ignorant
printers of the day. In reality a book was printed by
him anno 1493 with this title " Elegantiarum viginta
Praecepta ;" which title is reprinted on the second leaf;
and the volume thus concludes " Elegantiarum viginta
Praecepta." A copy was preserved in the library of
the Sorbonne. Instead of this printer's name, his
impressions sometimes have merely this notice " in
domo Campi Gaillardi." Some of them exhibit on
the reverse of the final page the representation of a
CORD WAIN ER at work, with all the implements of his
profession about him : which this printer may therefore
be supposed to have adopted as his whimsical device.
GEORGIUS MITTELHUS, DENIS JANOTV PHILIPPE
PIGOUCHET, SIMON VosTRE y JEAN BONHOMME the
brother of PASQUIER, and JEAN HrGMAN, a German,
began severally to print about the same period. The
motto of JANOT was " AMOR DEI OMNIA VINCIT. "
" AMOUR PAR TOUT, TOUT PAR AMOUR, PAR TOUT
AMOUR." ROBINET MACE, PlERRE LfiVET and JEAN
DRIARD were somewhat later. PIERRE le ROUGE
(Rubeus) and JEAN CARCAGNI commenced anno 1487 :
FELIX BALIGAUT, BERTHOLD REMBOLT, probably a
son of the ancient printer of that name, WOLFGANG
HOPYL, GEORGE WOLFF, DURAND GERLIER, and
MICHEL LE NorR (Niger) all severally, with others,
in 1489. The last of these was a printer of very
considerable interest, whose impressions are held in
high estimation by the admirers of early Parisian
44
typography. His MARK is thus described by M. de la
Caille " Une roze en face sur un fond de sable,
softtenue par deux MORES & une autre pour timbre,
le tout faisant allusion a son nom," with these lines
C'EST MON DESIR DE DlEU SERVIR
POUR ACQUERIR SON DOUX PLAISIR.
He continued to a late period, and was succeeded by
his son PHILIPPE, a printer also of considerable esti-
mation.
Of other names of Parisian printers, which occur
from 1490 to 1500 inclusively, I shall content myself
with mentioning some of the principal. Those were
DENIS ROCE, whose favourite motto was " ALAVEN-
TURE. TOUT. VIENT. APOINT. QUI. PEUT. ATENDRE."
JEHAN TREPPEKEL, who printed both in his own name,
and occasionally in conjunction with JEHAN JEHANNOT :
but as TREPPEREL did not long survive to exercise the
art, the name bf his widow (VEUVE TREPPEREL) is
far more conspicuous in the annals of the Parisian press :
GUILLAUME EUSTACE, many of whose impressions are
curious and estimable : PIERRE LE DRU: JEAN PETIT or
JOANNES PARVUS, probably the father of a numerous
progeny of printers, and himself the most enterprising
typographer of his time. De la Caille assures us that he
found employment for the presses of more than fifteen
" Imprimeurs " of his day. To his INSIGNE he sub-
joined the words PETIT A PETIT, in allusion to his own
name. IODOCUS BADIUS, surnamed AscENSlus, and
HENRI ESTIENNE the elder, both belong to this period :
but as these distinguished artists stand so nearly
connected with ROBERT and HENRI ESTIENNE, I shall
assign to them a distinct and more particular mention;
Not to extend then our -present notice to less con-
spicuous individuals of this early series, TmEJLMAN
THE DEVICE OF ANTHOINE VERARD.
From " Les Croniques de Froissart." 1518, fol.
45
KERVER must however be mentioned, as having distin-
guished himself much amongst cotemporary printers ;
especially by his beautiful impressions " en Rouge et
Noir," in which he was probably exceeded by none.
Under his direction, and at his charge, some of the
painted windows which ornament two of the finest
churches of PARIS were designed and executed ; and
on them la Caille says his CYPHER was at the period
when he wrote still to be seen. FRANCOIS REGNAULT
was probably the last of the series whose commencement
was not later than the year 1500. He was also a most
industrious printer ; and his impressions are numerous.
The well known DEVICE of this artist is an ELEPHANT,
upon the back of which is placed a CASTLE, bearing
the initials of his name : which appears also in full on a
scroll beneath.
NOTICES AND ILLUSTRATIONS
OF THE MOST
Remarkable Productions
Parisian (iotfnc
BEFORE THE YEAR M.D.VIII.
JL HE GOTHIC PRESS of PARIS, by which general
name we may be allowed to designate the INFANCY of
its TYPOGRAPHY, both on account of the prevailing
use made of that character by the earliest Parisian
typographers, and to distinguish it from the more
learned " IMPRIMERIES" established there in after times,
was by no means fruitful in valuable classical impres-
sions. FRANCE could probably boast at that period of
few or no manuscripts of the works of ancient Greek
or Roman authors. Those precious remains of antiquity
were chiefly confined to Italy ; or at least had been
conveyed to that fortunate country, when the revival of
karning excited the zeal of Italian scholars to every
possible exertion for the discovery and acquisition of
them. Their early proficiency in classical literature
enabled them to illustrate such works by ingenious
annotations ; and thus to give them with advantage to
the public by means of the newly discovered art of
48
PRINTING, at a time when the Cisalpine schools and
seminaries of learning had scarcely emerged from the
barbarism of the middle ages. GERING therefore, and
the other earliest printers of PARIS who evinced the
greatest zeal for the impression of classical works, could
do little more than attempt a reimpression of those
classical productions which had issued from the presses
of the most meritorious printers of Italy. Early books
of Parisian classical typography must consequently be
valued at present chiefly as specimens of the compara-
tive infancy of the art. After the exertions of GERING
and his associates, and of GflESARis and STOL, the
printers of PARIS appear for a time to have declined
rather than increased in ardour for the diffusion of
classical literature. Yet on other accounts the GOTHIC
press of Paris will be found an interesting subject of
inquiry. Many of its productions are strongly indicative
of the natienal manners and character. Those which
pertain to the ecclesiastical ritual, and devotional sub-
jects, possess, as I have before observed, a singularity
of embellishment, and magnificence of execution which
are almost peculiar to them. The early poetry of the
French, their chronicles, their romances of chivalry,
and the kindred fruits of their GOTHIC PRESS are
equally characteristic : and to an English reader, the
connexion of their early literature with our own, or
rather the influence which it had upon the speculations
and manners of our own country, and the direction
and tone which it gave to our pristine habits and
pursuits, must render EARLY FRENCH TYPOGRAPHY a
subject of particular curiosity.
PANZER has enumerated 751 TITLED of Parisian
impressions before the close of the fifteenth century,
Deluding those which occur " sine nota anni." Ajt the
49
end of the year 1507, in which the first GREEK PRESS
was established at PARIS, the foregoing number appears
to have been increased by 241 additional impressions,
exclusive of a few more articles of Parisian typography
which this diligent bibliographer has enumerated in the
supplementary volumes of his extensive work. From
Panzer's list I propose to select those articles which appear
most curious and interesting ; and to illustrate them by
such notices as I have in the course of my own reading
or personal observation been enabled to collect. The
candid reader is intreated to accept this list or catalogue
as a specimen, not only of the " Editiones Parisienses
saeculi XV." but also of a method of annotation by
which detached parts of Panzer's elaborate work might
be agreeably illustrated.
M.CCCC.LXX, M.CCCC.LXXII.
GASPARINI PERGAMENSIS Epistolarum opus. 4.
This book and the nine following, though ce Con-
suetis Typographic; notis orbi" were certainly executed
" in Sorbonae domo ab ULRICO GERING,' MARTINO
CRANTZ & MICHAEL FRIBURGER." Thus Panzer: who-
cites the rude Colophon of this impression :
Ux SOL lumen, sic doctrinam fundis in orbem,
Musarum nutrix regia PARISIUS.
Hinc prope divinam tu, quam GERMANIA novit
Artem scribendi, suscipe promerita.
Primes ecce libros, quos haec industria finxit
Francorum in terris, aedibus atque tuis.
MICHAEL, UDALRICVS MARTINVSQUE magistri
Hos impresserunt, ac facient alios.
The preceding volume derives additional interest from
the dedicatory epistle by FICHET prefixed ; which
H
,50
Ghevillier has cited as illustrative of the earliest efforts
of Parisian typography. (/)
LUCII ANNMI FLORI de tot a Historia Titi Livii
Epitome in quatuor libros divisa. 4.
ROBERT us GAGUINUS Lucei Annei Flori lectoribus
salutem optat.
Quos NULLA in terris concluserat ora, Quirites,
Haec flori obstrictos parva tabella capit.
Etquaeque eximia produxit Livius arte,
Bella, duces, pompas, rite coacta tenet.
Quo vere exemplo vobis sperate futurum
Qui faraa et quaestu fertis in astra gradum.
Post tumidos nisus, pest saeva pericula sortis y
Ad manes raptos vos brevis urna teget.
(/) GUILLERMUS FICHETUS Parisiensis Theologus Doctori
JOANNI LAPIDANO SORBONENSIS Sdiolae PRIORI. Salutem.
MISISTI nuper ad me suavissimas Gasparini Pergamensis
Epistolas, nbn a te modo diligenter emendatas : sed a tuis
quoque Geripanis Impressoribus nitide et terse transcriptas.
Magnam tibi gratiam Gasparinus debeat : quern pluribus tuis
vigiliis ex corrupto integrum fecisti. Majorem vero coetus
doctorum hominum : quod non tantum sacris literis, qua3 tua pro-
vincia est, magnopere studes ; sed redintegrandis etiam Latinis
scriptoribus insignem operam navas. Res sane te viro doctis-
simo^t optimo digna. Ut, qui eum laude et gloria Sorbonico cer-
tamini Dux prssfuisti, turn Latinis quoque literis, quas aetatis nos-
trae ignoratio tenebris obumbravit, tua lumen effundas industrial.
Nam praeter alias complures Literarum graviores jacturas hanc
etiam acceperunt, ut librariorum vitiis effectae pene barbarae
videantur. At vero maxime laetor hanc pestem tua provident!^
tandem elirninari procul a Parisiorum Lutetia. Etenim quos
ad hanc lirbem e tua Germania Libraries ascivisti, quam
51
C. CRISPUS SALLUSTIUS de conjuratione Cattlina et
de belld Jugurthino. 4. In fine.
NUNC parat arma virosque simul (sibi) rex Maximus orbis
Hostibus antiquis exitium minitans.
Nunc igitur bello studeas gens Pariseorum,
Cui Martis quondam gloria magna fuit.
Exemplo tibi sint mine fortia facta Virorum,
Qua? digne memorat Crispus in hoc opere
Armigerisque tuis Alemannos annumeres, qui
Hos pressere Libros, arma futura tibi.
GUTLLERMI FICHETI Alnetani, artium et theologize
parisiensis Doctoris, Rhetoricorum libri ires, Kc. 4.
GUILLAUME FICHET was a Savoyard, but had his
education in the University of Paris. This was at a
period when the studies of humanity were disregarded,
and the purity of the Latin tongue was immersed and
almost extinguished in the barbarous phraseology of
the schoolmen. He is however represented as a person
of great enterprise, reading, and eloquence.
emendates libros ad exemplaria reddunt ! Idque tute macto
studio conaris, ut ne ullujn quidem opus ab illis prius expri-
matur, quam sit a te coactis exemplaribus multis castigatum
litura multa. Quare tibi quae carminum Censori Quintilio
laus apud Flaccum Horatium meritb debeatur, cum a Gaspa-
rinaea suavi facundi^, turn a plerisque nobilibus hujus civitatis
ingeniis, quaa desputa barbaria lacteum fontem eloquentiag melle
dulciorem degustant, et in dies qnidem avidius. Ego verb,
quod in Aristotelis laudem dicebat Plato, tuum domicilium
Lectoris studiosissimi sedem sine ull^ quidem assentatione dici
velim. Vale. Et me dilige te amantem. Scriptum apud
Sorbonam velocissima Fichete^ manu.
o2
In his official capacity he acted as a professor of
theology and philosophy ; and constantly spent the
morning hours in reading lectures on those subjects, in
the schools of the Sorbonne. His own zeal for the
^establishment of the Belles Lettres led him to deliver
a lecture on rhetoric every afternoon ; and he is said to
have persevered in this practice eighteen years. If we
may believe Chevillier, such unwearied efforts were not
unsuccessful: and eloquence began to flourish again
in this literary establishment. Several of his scholars
made a distinguished proficiency. Robert Gaguin was
one of them. He became conspicuous both as a person
of superior learning, and as an author, at this barren
period ; and taught in the schools of the Mathurins the
art of rhetoric which he had learned from Fichet.
Fichet's reputation extending itself to Rome, he was
honoured with the peculiar notice and friendship of
Cardinal Bessarion. At length Sixtus IV. invited him
to Rome, and conferred on him several considerable
dignities.
His scholar Gaguin addressed an epigram to him,
descriptive of those services which he had rendered to
letters : of which Chevillier has given a portion
Quos luteos homines finxit natura deauras,
Et facis eloquio clare Fichetfe deos.
Te digne extulerit praeclara Lutetia caelo,
Cui tua rectiloquos lingua diserta parit. &c.
PHALARIDIS Agrigentini Epistolte, e gr<eco in latinum
translate a Francisco Aretino. 4.
ERHARDI VUINDSBERG Epigramma ad germanos
libraries egregios, michaelem, martinum, atque udal-
ricum
PLURA licet summae dederis alemannia laudi !
At reor hoc maius te genuisse nihil.
Quod prope diuinam summa ex industria ftngis
Scribendi hanc artem, multiplicans studia.
Foelices igitur Michael, Martineque semper
Viuite, et Vlrice ! hoc queis opus imprimitur.
Erhardum uestro et non dedignemini amore !
Cui fido semper pectore clausi eritis.
&ESSARIONIS Card. Epistola ad G.Fichetum. EJUSDEW
allera epistola ad Italia Principes. Tertia epistola
ad Bessarionem Monachum et Abbatem. Orationes,
Kc. 4.
This impression is inscribed to Louis XI. in the
following rude " Disticon fichaeteum :"
FAUSTA futura tibi REX accipe Bessarionis
Munera, quae prosint foris atque domo.
GVILLELMI FlCHETl Doctoris, ttc. Epistola;. 4.
LAVRENTII VALLM Elegantiarum lingua latina libri
sex. Tractatus de reciprocatione sui et suus, We. fol.
Iterum Par. 1476, foL Gering et Rembolt, 1495. Ascens.
1497,/o/.
To this book is subjoined an " Epistola gratulatoria
Joannis de Lapide ad P. Paulum Senilem," at the end
of which are read these words " ^dibus Sorbone
scriptum anno uno et septuagesimo quadringentesi-
moque supra rnillesimum."
JOHN HEYNLIN DE LAPIERRE, who shared with
FICHET the honour of establishing the earliest press at
PARIS, was a native of Germany, and a professor of
languages in the University. Such was his reputation,
that persons of high rank are numbered amongst his
hearers ; but none of them perhaps reflect so much
54
honour on his memory as the famous John Reuchlin,
who was also a disciple of this doctor of the Sorbonne :
and at the special instance of his master composed his
work in three books, " De verbo mirifico." By the
advice of Lapierre several works of great utility became
very early fruits of the newly established press. He
obtained the rank of rector of the University anno 1468 ;
and was twice prior of the Sorbonne, viz. anno 1467
and again anno 147Q.
Lapierre, in the famous controversy of the NOMINA-
LISTS and REALISTS, (m) which still continued to divide
this University, became a strenuous advocate for the
(m) Amongst the various sects to which the scholastic phi-
losophy gave birth, these of the NOMINALISTS and REALISTS
are not the least memorable. The particular doctrines of each
may be found at large in Brucker's " Historia Philosophic,"
or in the abridgment of that work by Enfield, vol. 2, ch. iii.
Naude considers one JOANNES ROSSELINUS or ROSCELINE
who lived in the eleventh century, as the founder of the party
of Nominalists : in confirmation of which he cites the following
ancient epigram :
QUAS RUCELINE doces, non vult Dialectica voces,
Jamque dolens de se non vult inVocibus esse.
RES amat, in REBUS cunctis vult esse diebus.
Voce retractetur res sit quod voce docetur.
Plorat Aristoteles nugas dicendo seniles
Res sibi subtractas per voces intitulatas.
Porphyriusque gemit quia res sibi lector ademit,
Qui res abrodit Ruceline Boetius odit.
Non arguments nulloque sophismate sentis,
Res existentes in vocibus esse manentes.
Through the zeal and talents of PIERRE ABAILARD this
sect gained many partizans. The Realists found no less
latter, and delivered repeated courses of lectures on
the philosophy of Aristotle, as that which he deemed
best adapted for elucidating the mysteries of religion.
But as the party of the nominalists at this time found
warm advocates, and was gaining ground, Louis XI.
assembled the four faculties to hold a deliberation on
the subject. On this occasion, the whole body of the
University, perhaps greatly influenced by the example
of LAPIERRE, declared themselves in favour of REALISM ;
and the opposite doctrine was proscribed and banished
by a royal edict from the schools of the Universty.
Two new Universities were founded about this
period ; that of Basil anno 1460, and that of Tubingen
anno 1477. Lapierre was invited to deliver leetures
at the former, on his favourite system of philosophy.
He obtained a valuable benefice in the Cathedral of the
city ; but at length exchanged his preferment for
the self denial and austerities of the Chartreux, and
joined himself to a society of this order which had an
establishment at Basil. John Amerbach, an early
powerful support under the authority of Aquinas, Scotus, and
others. The whole University of Paris ranged themselves
under the banners of one or other of these contending parties.
Nothing could exceed the violence with which their disputes
were conducted. When the litigants had exhausted their stock
of abuse, they often came to blows ; engaging not only with
their fists, but with clubs and swords ; so that wounds and even
death sometimes ensued. Louis XI. as abovementioned, at
length published an edict, which in the year 1 474 silenced and
banished the Nominalists, and required the academics to renounce
their doctrines. The " Edictum Regium" issued for this
purpose is given at length by Naudfc, in his " Addition a
VHistoire du Roy Louis XL" Chap. vi.
36
printer of that city who had been a pupil of Lapierre,
printed an edition of his philosophical works. To a
logical treatise of Lapierre, Sebastian Brant, a poet of
known celebrity, prefixed some elegiac stanzas, amongst
which -are these which follow :
HANC LAPIDANE Pater, dura feiix Parisiorum
Gymnasium incolereg. Doctor amate paras.
Tempora multa bonis iliic studiisque probatis
Trivisti, insigni profuerasque Scholae.
Sed tibi plus placuit Christi Schola, dogma salutis
Sectatus, linquis dogmata vana Scholge.
Sprevisti et pompas quas saepe Theologus alter
Quserit, et in crassis pinguia multa malis.
Quas tibi Prsebendas plures fortuna secunda
Obtulit, has teinnis et bona cuncta soli. &c.
JACOBI MAGNI Ord. Eremit. S. Augustini, Sopholo-
gium.fol.
" In tituli folio verso," is found this rude " Epigram-
ma ad hujus operis conspectorem ;" which illustrates
the nature of the work :
ISTUC clarorum contendunt dogmata patrum :
Doctos atque bonos ut faciant homines.
At qvom non leviter possit percurrere quisquam
Auctores cunctos ; multa neglecta manent.
Omnia doctorum quo ergo documenta legantur,
Hunc Jacobus Magni condidit ecce librum.
Tu quoque si bonus esse velis sapiensque videri
Quod manibus tractas disce SOPHOLOGIUM.
Quicquid enim veterum tetigit praeceptio digna
Mille voluminibus, clauditur hoc opere.
The author of the " SOPHOLOGIUM" was a native of
Toledo in Spain ; became confessor to CHARLES VII. ;
refused a bishopric ; arjd died a member of the fraternity
of Augustine monks at Paris. His " Sophologium" is
an acknowledged compilation from the writings of the
ancient philosophers, poets, and orators. The above
was the first impression. Gering gave a second anno
1475. It was afterwards reprinted Parisiis "Lugduni"
et alibi; in early periods and on various occasions.
The same work became known in England under the
title of the " BOOK OF GOOD MANNERS," printed by
CAXTON anno 1487 : which as Mr. Caxton himself
informs us was compiled " by the venerable Frere
JAQUES LE GRAUNT, in Latin, JACOBUS MAGNUS."
Caxtoir's impression was derived from a French transla-
tion of the work intitled " Livre des bonnes moeurs,"
printed at Chablitz or Chablies by Pierre le Rouge,
1478, fol. and sine loco et anno, (n)
RODERICI ZAMORENSIS EPISCOPI Speculum human*?
vita. fol. In tine.
EDIDIT hoc lingue clarissiura norma latine !
Excels! ingenii uir rodoricus opus.
Qui norma angelica e custos bene fidus in arte ;
Sub pauli ueneti nomine pontificis.
Claret in italic! Zamorensis episcopus ausis
Eloquii ! it superos gloria parta uiri.
The " SPECULUM HUMANE VIT^E" was a favourite
work of those early times. The first impression had
issued from the press of Sweynheim and Pannartz,
Rom<e 1468. Gering's impression was the second ; and
it was reprinted by him anno 1475, fol. and by CaBsaris
and Stol anno 1473> and sine anno. It appeared also
" Gallice" under the title of " La miroir de la vie
(n) Panzer, torn. 1, p.
i
58
liumaine," Lugduni 1477, 1479, and 1482, fol. As
to the author RODRIGO SANCIO he was born anno 1414,
and became successively bishop of Oviedo, Zamora,
Calahorta, and Placentia.
According to Naude the above impression of the
" Speculum" by Gering and his associates was inscribed
to Louis XL He considers it, perhaps erroneously,
as the earliest production of t,he Parisian press, (o)
JoHANNts Scon in quartum librum sententzartifti
Petri Lombardi. Friburger, Crantz, # Gering,
fol. In fine.
Si TE nosse juuat lector nunc officiose
Uncle tibi tersa hacc littera pressa venit :
Parisii manibus noscas haec ingeniosis
Conscripta et doctis ante relecta viris.
Is etenim MICHAEL, MARTINUS (Gente Aleniani)
Atque VDALRICUS multiplicant studia.
Felices formaa illorum jure vocabis,
Quae nitidis formant optima quaeque libris.
Nee te paeniteat preciuin huic impendere dignmn,
Quern docta impressit regia Parisius.
M. T. CICERONIS Officia; Laliusi Cato ; Somnium
Scipionis ; et Paradoxa, fol. lidem.
Joanni Lapidano Tetrastichon fichaeteum.
UT PUNCTI, caesi, pateant libri Ciceronis,
Guillermi suasu sis, Lapidane, vigil.
Sic facili cursu cum fruger turn decus esse
Tu poteris semper clara fichsetea spes.
The above barbarous lines are given agreeably to
Panzer's copy. " Sequitur Joannis Lapidani Epistola
(o) ** Addition^ $c. Chap. nV.
responsoria ;" and " Ejusdem Tetrastichon ad GuiHer-
mum Fichaeteum."
ACCIPE distinctos, Guillerme, libros Ciceronis,
Si laesi pateant, criminis author eris.
Sin fuerint frugi, maior tibi quam Lapidano
Gratia debetur, laus quoque maior erit.
A. D. M.CCCC.LXXIII.
JOHANNIS NYDER Manuale Confessorum, et Tractatus
de lepra moralL Friburger, Gering 9 and Crantz,
fol. goth.
JOANNES NYDER, said to have been a German
Dominican, professed theology at Paris : but died at
Nuremberg circa 1 440. His treatises abovementioned
his " Opus super decem Praecepta Decalogi," Gering
1478, 1482, 4. his " Aurei sermones" " Consolato-
rium timoratse Conscientiae," Gering 1478, 4. " De
contractibus mercatorum" " Dispositorium moriendi,"
Gering (sine loco et anno) " Formicarius" and l( De
Decalogo et Sacramentis," Bonhomme 1489, 4. must
have been in the highest estimation ; having exercised
so frequently the early presses not only of Paris but of
many other places. The " Manuale, c." was re-
printed by Gering annis 1477, 1479, et sine anno ; and
by Jean Bonhomme anno 1489.
GUIDONIS DE MONTE ROCHERII Manipulus Curate-
rwni 9 foL goth. lidem.
The MANIPULUS CURATORUM was a work still more
universally popular than the preceding. It appeared
Samlliani anno 1470, again sine loco 1470. Aug Vin-
del, 1 47 1 . Gering's was therefore the fourth impression.
It was reprinted " Parisiis" Gering et socii 1478, 4.
60
P. Ctesaris 1473, fol. Ctesaris 5C Stol 1476, 4. P.
Levet 1487, 4. Pigouchet 1489, 4. .F. Balligaut
1493, 4. P#r. 1488, ^ S/H<? anno.
M. DE LA MONNOYE has observed that the author's
name should not be translated GUY DE ROCHER as it
usually is, but GUY DE MONT ROCHER. Trithemius
supposes him to have flourished circa 1330. Two
French translations are mentioned : one of them intitled
" Le Doctrinal de Sapience, " printed according to
Panzer only at Geneva 1493, fol. But our own
venerable CAXTON communicated this work to his
country in an English dress so early as the year 1489.
He intitled it " The Doctrinal of Sapyence." He
probably translated it from a French manuscript.
" This present boke," says he, " is frenshe, &c. the
ryght reuerent fader in god Guy de roye, by the
myseracion dyuine Archebysshop of Sence, hath doon it
to be wreton for the helthe of his soule, and of the
soules of alle hys peple, &c." Ames seems to have had
but a confused idea of the origin of this work. In fact
many of the earliest productions of our English press
can be satisfactorily illustrated only by a comparison
with the cotemporary history of French typography.
A priest of the province of Otranto, as it is said,
translated this work into Greek verse circa 1370. The
manuscript is in the Vatican.
rendu CORDELIER tn V observance d'amour.
en rime. Pierre Ctesaris ft Jean Stol ut videtur.
CHEVILLIER believes this early specimen of French
typography to be from the press of CLARIS and STOL,.
M. de la Monnoye had seen an edition " in 8 Gothique,"
without date : but with the device of GUILLAUME
NYVERD, first of that name, and consequently posterior
61
to the former edition by forty or fifty years. He says
the poem consists of about nineteen hundred verses
" En huitaines" comprehending the description of a
disconsolate lover's dream in a meadow, where he
chanced to be overtaken with sleep. He fancied that
despairing on account of the rigorous treatment of his
mistress, he determined to renounce the world and turn
cordelier. He applies to the superiour, who examines
him, and approves his design. The day of his admission
is appointed. A great crowd of both sexes attend to
witness the ceremony : amongst the rest the unfeeling
fair one whose rigour had driven him to this measure.
Affected by the most poignant repentance, she falls
senseless, at the instant when she sees him assume the
habit. The ceremony however proceeds ; the new-
monk pronounces his vow, and the superiour instructs
him in all the particulars of the rule ; entering into a
long and amusing detail. After the sermon and mass
the spectators retire, the monks proceed to the refec-
tory ; and then it is that the lover awakes, and the poem
terminates with the dream. The work is thought by
Fauchet to savour of the style of the reign of Charles
VI. or VII. ; but M. de la Monnoye says the author is
unknown. This work was reprinted Parisiis, by Germ.
Bineaut anno 1490, 4. and again sine anno, 16.
A. D. M.CCCC.LXXIV.
L. AIGUILLON de V Amour divine de S. BONAVENTURE
traduit per Jean Gerson. Pierre Caron, 4.
This is from the " Stimulus divini Amoris, sive
pharetra " of S. Bonaventura : first printed in the
original, Par. 1490, 1493, Geo, Mittelhus, 4. The
62
numerous works of S. Bonaventura found employment
for many of the early printers of various countries.
It is remarkable that the name of PIERRE CARON as
a Parisian printer does not occur, excepting in the
above single instance, till the year 1489.
I have found mention of no early English translation
of the " Stimulus Divini Amoris." S. Bonaventure
was however too popular a writer to be intirely over-
looked by our early printers. From the " Vita Christ!"
of this author originated CAXTON'S u Speculum Vite
Cristi;" or the " Myrroure of the Blessyd Lyf of
Jhesu Criste, compiled by Thomas Arundell, archbishop
of Canterbury;" first printed without a date: again
by WYNKEN DE WORDE 1527, 1530: by R. PINSON
sine anno. His " Alphabetum Religiosorum, " was
" Englysshed by a brother of Sion, R. Whitfield or
Whytforde :" and under the title of " S. Bonaventure
his lessons," printed by WVNKEN DE WORDE anno
1512. The life of S. Francis composed also by S.
Bonaventure was given in English by PINSON, sine
anno.
FINCENTII BELLOVACENSIS Speculum historiale, fol.
VINCENT surnamed of BEAUVOIS was a Dominican.
He was " Lecteur et Predicateur de S. Louis," and in
high favour at court. His " Speculum seu Bibliotheca
Mundi" was first printed Venetiis anno 14S4,/0/. 4 torn.
His works and especially this, by some denominated
" Speculum majus," gained him great reputation. It
consists of four parts, viz. " Speculum Naturale, "
" Speculum Doctrinale," " Speculum Historiale"
abovementioned, and " Speculum Morale." These
frequently appeared separately from various presses
in the iufaucy of typography. The " Speculum
63
Historiale " first appeared distinctly, Argentorati,
Mentelinus, 1473, fol. It is said to be a kind of
abridgment of universal history, from the origin of the
world to the year 1244. It relates some circumstances
which extend as far as 1253. Various particulars are
found in it which do not elsewhere occur : but French
bibliographers say the first edition is to be preferred,
the subsequent being mutilated. They add that ex-
travagant praises have been lavished on this author,
who wrote in the reign of S. Louis, and by his command.
Consult also pope Blount, p. 289.
This author gives to the Papal Decretals the first
rank in authority : the next to the S. Scriptures. He
admits all the false Decretals cited by Gratian ; adopts
all the fables published under the name of Turpin, &c.
Another production of the press of CAXTON, intitled
" The YMAGE or MIRROUR of the WORLDE," appears
to be a translation or abridgment of this " Speculum
seu Bibliotheca Mundi," or rather perhaps of the
" Speculum Naturale" of Vincent de Beauvais, which
Ames and Herbert have not observed. Our venerable
printer in his prologue, says that the book was translated
" out of latyn into frensshe by the ordynaunce of the
noble duk, Johan of Berry and Auuergne the year of
our Lord M.cc.xlv, and now (he adds) at this tyme
rudely translated out of frensshe in to Englisshe by me
symple persone Wyllm Caxton, &c."
That Caxton translated from a French manuscript
seems evident from his account of his original, " whiche"
says he, " was engrossed and in all poyntes ordeyned
by chapitres and fygures in frenshe in the toun of
Bniggis the yere of thyncarnacion of our Lord
M.ccccJxiiij, &c." He says " J haue to my power
64
folowed my copye and as nygh as to me is possible I
haue made it so playn that euery man resonable may
vnderstonde it. Yf he aduysedly and ententyfly rede or
here it. And yf ther be faulte in mesuryng of the
firmament, Sonne, Mone, or of therthe. or in ony other
meruaylles herin conteyned J beseche you not tarette
the faulte in me but in hym that made my copye
whiche book J began first to translate the second day
of Janyuer the yer of our lord M.cccc.lxxx, and
fynysshed the viij day of Marche the same yere, &c.
Caxton printed two editions of " the Ymage or Mirrour
of the Worlde," but the precise dates of their impression
are uncertain.
As to the " Speculum Historiale" which gave occa-
sion to our present inquiries, it appears that Caxton
was not unacquainted with, or unmindful of that
particular work. For Ames and Herbert observe that
" The Lyf of Charles the Great," another of his com-
pilations, printed an. 1485, was not only translated by
Mr. Caxton, but collected from two French books,
viz. " The Myrrour Hystoryal" and an old French
romance, according to the compiler of the Harleian
catalogue.
M.CCCC.LXXV.
LEONARDI DE UTINO Sermones aurei de sanctis, fol.
Gering, Kc.
LEONARDOS DE UTINO, of the order of " Fratri
predicanti," regent and professor in the university of
Bologna, and held in special favour by pope Eugenius
IV. flourished circa 1444.
His " Sermones Quadragesimales" appeared from the
same press anno 1 478 ? fol. Various other \ 6 Sermones 7 '
65
or discourses of his were frequently printed in different
places, and at very early periods.
GUILLELMI DURANTi Rationale divinorum Officiorum.
fol. Friburger, Gering, M Crantz.
GUILLELMUS DURANTI us (Guillaume Durant) de-
nominated " Le Speculateur," supposed a native of
Gaule Narbonnoise, was the greatest Jurisconsult of
his time, and also a respectable Provengal poet. He
died at Rome an. 1296 at the age of 67. His epitaph
(a la Minerve) appears in thirty Hexameters.
His works most known are " Speculum Judiciale,"
4 torn. : " Repertorium Juris :" both printed often and
very early; and his " Rationale abovementioned ;
which first issued from the press of Fust and Schoeffer
an. 1459, in fol. Some have thought it (but erroneously)
the actual first fruits of the art.
JACOBI DE J r ORAGiNE Januensit aurea Legenda alias
Historia Longobardica vocitata. fol. goth. Gering
et socii.
A NATIVE of the Genoese territory ; born circa 1230.
Became Provincial of the order of Dominicans, and in
1292 Archbishop of Genoa. He has the character of a
virtuous and zealous prelate: but his " Aurea Legen-
da" abounds so much with fictions and absurdities, that
perhaps from thence the term LEGENDARY became
synonimous with fabulous. The first edition is said to
be that of Cologne 1470. There is an Italian translation
Venet. 1476: a French translation Lyon 1471: all in
fol. and very rare.
Hence too, I presume " The GOLDEN LEGEND" by
Caxton. " When I had perfourmed & accomplisshed
66
tfyuers werkys' & hystoryes (saitlrhe) translated out of
frensshe in to englysshe at the requeste of certeyn
lordes, ladyes and gentylmen, as thystorie of the
rocuyel' of Troy, the book of the chesse, the hystorye
of Jason, The hystorye of the myrrour of the world,
the xv bookes of Metamorphoseos, in whyche been
conteyned the fables of ouyde, and the hystorye of
godefroy of boloyn in the conqueste of Jherusalem,
wyth other dyuers werkys & bookes, I nyste what
werke to begynne & put forth after the said werkys to
fore made, I have submysed my self to translate in to
englysshe the legend of sayntes, &c." An impression
of the " Golden Legende" in English by Caxton anni
1483, is considered by the compiler of the Harleian
catalogue as one of the most superb productions of our
earliest press. It is adorned with many wooden cuts,
different from those in subsequent editions, and the
initials are " en rouge." At the conclusion " Thus
endeth the legende named in latyn legenda aurea, that
is to saye in englysshe the golden legende. For lyke as
golde passeth in valewe all other metalles, so thys
legende excedeth alle other bookes, wherein ben con-
teyned alle the hygh and grete festys of our lorde, the
festys of our blessyd lady, the lyves, passions and
myracles of many other sayntes, and other hystoryes
and actes as al allonge here afore is made mencyon,
Which werke I have accomplisshed, &c. and have
fynysshed it at westmestre the* twenty day of novembre,
the yere of our lorde M.cccc.lxxxiij, & the fyrst yere
of the reygne of kyng Rychard the thyrd r By me
wyllyam Caxton."
Mr. Herbert observes that as there were many editions
of the Golden Legend with Caxton's type, besides
others printed by Julian Notary, and W. de Worde, it
6t
lias been thought that they were used in churches, or
at least placed there, as Fox's book of Martyrs was
before the reformation, (p. 97)
A French translation will be noticed sub anno 1496.
The LIBER FESTIVALIS or FESTYVALL, also printed an.
1486 by Caxton, is either partially or wholly compiled
from the preceding. A copy is described in the Har-
ieian catalogue, N. 1541, as well printed in the English
language " in Urbe Parisiensi : " impensis Nicholai
Comitis, anno 1495. Another edition was printed by
Wynken de Worde anno 1496. Mr. Hearne (Rob. of
Gloucester's Chron. vol. 2nd.) observes that this book
consists of a course of homilies, in which are many odd
stories. This accords with a passage of the prologue
cited in the Harleian catalogue " Many excuse hem
for defaute of Bokys ; and also by symplyness of
connyng. Therfore in helpe of suche Clerkes, this
Tretis is drawen oute of Legenda Aurea, that he that
lyst to study e therein, he shall fynde redy therin, of all
the principall Festes of the Yere ; of eche one a short
sermon, nedeful for him to teche, and for other to
lerne,&c."
VALERII MAXIMI dictorum factorumque memorabilium
Libri IX. Kc. fol. Claris K Stol.
SENECM Epistoloe, 4. lidem. In fine.
CUBA, labor, meritum sumpti pro munere honores
Ite, alias posthac sollicitate animas.
Me procul a vobis Deus evocat il licet astris.
Rebus terrenis hospila terra vale
Corpus avara tamen solemnibus accipe saxis
Namque animam celo reddimus ossa tibi.
68
M.CCCC.LXXVI.
&IBLIA LATIN A. Gering K socii. 2 tomis, fol. maj.
THIS, as I have elsewhere noticed, is the earliest
edition of the S. SCRIPTURES printed in France. It is
placed here by Panzer, but appeared perhaps about the
latter end of the year 1475. The date is thus determined
by Chevillier, upon the evidence of the subscription,
pr verses found at the end of the work :
JAM TRIBUS undecimus lustris Francos Ludovicus
Rexerat; ULRICUS, MARTINUS itemque MICHAEL
Orti Teutonia hanc mihi composure figuram
Parisii arte sua : me correctam vigilanter
VaEnalem in vico Jacobi SoJ aureus offert.
Louis XI. began his reign July 25th, 1460: and the
three lustres are understood to comprehend a period of
fifteen years.
FRANCISCI DE PLATEA Tractatus de Usuris et de
excommunicationibus, Kc. fol. goth. Gering et socii.
Tlie same work of this Bolognese friar had four
times before passed the press : Venet. 1472 and 1474 :
Patuv. 1473: Colon. 1474. This is the only Parisian
impression.
ANGELI DE ARETIO Tractatus de criminibus seu de
malejiciis,4<. goth. lidem.
Of all the works of this Jurisconsult this appears to
be the only Parisian impression.
GUJLLELMI OCKAM Dialogorum Libri VII. adversus
hcereticos. EJUSD. Tractatus dt dogmatibus Johannis
Papa? XXII. fol. Cesaris K StoL
OCKAM flourished circa 1330. He was a native of
England: very celebrated in the annals of scholastic
69
theology. He was a disciple of SCOTUS, and had the
denomination of " Doctor Invineibilis." Having put
himself at the head of the nominalists, he maintained
the opinions of that party with great ingenuity. Some
consider him as the founder of a distinct sect ; whence
he was also denominated " Venerabilis Inceptor et
Doctor Singularis." Obiit an. 1 347. His " Quodlibeta"
was printed Parisiis P. Rubeus, 1487, 4. " Tractatus
Logicse" Par. 1488.
Liber Epistolarum familiarium &NEM &YLVII Picco-
lomin&L P. Cees. K Jean Stol. fol.
The letters of ./ENEAS SYLVIUS, who was advanced to
the papal chair under the name of Pius II. abound in
curious and interesting particulars. They are in num-
ber ccccxiv : many of them written before his elevation
to the pontificate.
He was a learned man, who before his exaltation
thought, spoke, and wrote with a degree of liberality
which excited great expectations. But these the pontiff
completely disappointed. Obiit 1464. HisEpistolse had
appeared before, sine loco et anno. The above was the
second edition. They were reprinted at least twelve
times before 1500. variis loci's.
Some of the letters may be considered as distinct
tracts on various curious subjects ; and hare separately
appeared as such. There is a collection of his " Epis-
tolae in Cardinalatu editae," printed Mediolani, Zarot.
1473: " Epistolat in Pontificatu," Roma 1475, &c.
His tract " De Curialium Miseria" was printed by
Gering, but sine loco et anno : his " Historia de duobus
amantibus, &c." Parisiis 1493, et sapius alibi. Hence
" L'Histoire d'Eurialus et de Lucrece" Gallice, Par.
Ant. Verard, 1493, fol. et ibid, sine anno fol.
to
CHRONIQUES DE FRANCE appellees chroniques de S.
Deny*, depuis les Troyens jusgues a la mort de
Charles VII. in III Voll. foL Char. goth. partim
minoriy partim majori.
PASQUIER BONHOMME was the printer of this work.
His name now appears for the first time. His usual
subscription was " en lostel de pasquier bonhomme
lung des quatre principaulx libraires de luniversite de
paris ou pend pour enseigne limage saint xpofle."
THIS was distinguished from other early national
CHRONICLES by the title of " Chroniques de S. Denys:"
having been compiled by several of the " Religieux"
of that celebrated abbey. According to du Chesne,
it was begun by JEAN CHARTIER a monk of this society,
and continued by others from the time of CHARLES VII.
to the decease of Louis XII. To the industry of the
same society, says De Bure, are owing the numerous
and exquisitely ornamented manuscripts of the work
which are existing both in public and private libraries.
It was reprinted fey VERARD 1493, 3 torn. fol. : again
by EUSTACE, with a continuation to the year 1514 ;
which edition being most ample is in the highest
request, and of rare occurrence. Of this fine edition
M. Gaignat possessed an impression, printed on vellum
and adorned with beautiful miniatures. M. de la
Monnoye says that it appeared also under the title of
" Mer et Chronique des Histoires de France," Par.
GaliotduPre, 1515, fol.
Livre des STATVTS et Ordonnances DE UORDRE DE
S. MICHEL. Institution de r Office de Prevost et
Maistre de Ceremonies, Me.
71
M.CCCC.LXXVII.
EXEMPLA SACRJE SCRIPT VRM secundum ordinem
liter arum collects, 4. Gering et socii.
Reprinted Parisiis 1478, 4. ; 1500, 12.; sine anno
8. and 4.
ALEERTI DE EYE Margarita Poetica de arte dictandi
ac practicandi Epistolas, fol. min. C<esari$ 6C StoL
The MARGARITA POETICA appeared Norimbergcg
1472, fol. ; Roma 1475 ; Parmis, Gering 1478. Iterum
CSBS. & Stol, sine anno ; et variis loci's.
M. T. CICERONIS Officia, Paradoxa de Amicitia, Kc.
fol. Carsaris K StoL
EJUSDEM Rhetoricorum libri, fol. Izdem.
JEJUSDEM De Finibus tf Tusculana, fol. lidem.
EJUSDEM Epistolce ad Familiares, fol. lidem.
NICOLAI PEROTTI erudimenta grammatices, fol. goth.
lidem.
Iterum 1479, fol. lidem. 1488 P. Level, 4. -1493 Felix
Baligaut, 4. 1497, 4.
M.CCCC.LXXVIII.
P. VIRGILII MARONIS Opera, fol. min. Gering.
HEYNE says that this impression is deformed with
errors: CHEVILLIER that it was incorrectly counterfeite'd.
Vid. sub anno 1498.
ARISTOTELIS Opera quadam Logica, Lat. fol. Idem.
M. T. CICERONIS Rhetoricorum Libri ad Herennium^
fol Ctesaris 5T StoL
12
M.CCCC.LXXIX.
C. CRISPI SALLUSTJI bellum Catilinarium.
Bellum Jugurthinum. C^e saris K Stol. 4.
To the " Bellum Catilinarium" are subjoined these
rude verses :
Si QUISQUAM cupiat magnas res noscere gestas
Unde viris virtus maior inesse solet.
Nunc opus hoc crispi terse pressum sibi querat,
Quo nova vis lucet artis et ingenii.
Sistet enim priscis quae gloria, quanta potestas
Romulidus (Romulidis) fuerit, dum probitate nitent.
Et contra (vitiis ipsa virtute subacta)
Itur ut in facinus, et labat omne decus.
HENRICI DE HASSIA Speculum anima peccatricis, 4.
CAVE and WHARTON say this H. DE HASSIA was a
German, a licentiate in divinity of the university of
Paris, and a Carthusian monk : a writer of so prolix a
character, that having " pro cathedra" undertaken to
expound the book of " Genesis," he scarce in a course
of many years reached the fourth chapter ; and com-
pleted as many volumes. Obiit an. 1428. Several of
his smaller tracts were printed at very early periods,
et variis locis.
BREVIARIUM PARISIENSE, 8.
This is the earliest impression pertaining to the
ecclesiastical ritual that occurs in the annals of the
Parisian press. Missals, Breviaries, Heures, &c. are
soon found amongst its most frequent productions. In
such works the Gothic typography generally appears
in all the splendor of rude magnificence. The exquisite
glossiness of the inks, the striking contrast of the
" rouge et noir, " the boldness and magnitude of the
73
letter, the ornamented capitals, the profusion of wood
cuts which generally ornament the margins, and many
quaint verses and devices, and wonderful notices of
pardons expressed in the rubrics, constitute such books
singular objects of modern curiosity. However nu-
merous the impressions of these Rituals and religious
Manuals were, well preserved printed specimens are not
very frequent at present. Many highly ornamented
Missals in manuscript are indeed extant, and often:
present themselves to the notice of the curious, having
perhaps been preserved more carefully than printed
copies.
The " BREVIARIUM PARISIENSE " was reprinted
Parisns, Joh. dc Praia 1492, fol. Iterum 1492, fol.
Iterum, " rubricis nigris" Gering, fol. and " rubricis
rubris" idem. 8. Iterum Thielman Keruer i 1500, 12.
Two copies of the impression anni 1492 appear in the
Harleian catalogue, (vol. 1, num. 1617, S.) the latter
printed " in membranis cum iconibus coloratis."
M.CCCC.LXXX.
HVGONIS CARDINALIS Speculum Ecchsite et Sacerdo-
turn. GUILLELMI Saphoncnsis modus conficiendi
epistolas. Speculum aureum Animoe peccatricis a
quodam CARTHUSIE^ 7 SI, 4. Gering et socii.
The first-mentioned of these authors, HUGO DE S.
CARO, was of the province of Dauphiny ; studied at
Paris; became one of the (< Fratri Predicanti, " was
chosen their provincial, and at length, by Innocent IV.
was nominated cardinal, " titulo S, Sabinae." He is
most remarkable for his " Postilla in totum Vet. et
Nov. Testam." 7 torn. Bas. 1498, 1502. In these
L
74
commentaries k is pretended to expound the SSv
" Litteraliter" " Allegorice" " Mystice" and " Mo-
raliter." Under some of these meanings the most
extravagant perversions of common sense are found.
This cardinal died anno 126G.
The " Speculum aureum animse peccatricis" appeared
again, Par. G. Mercator, 1499, 8. Gering, sine anno; et
alibi. Gallice <f Miroir de Pecheurs et Pecheresses/'
under which title it appeared sine loco et anno.
<e The mirroure of golde for the sinfull soule,"
translated from a French translation (probably the last
mentioned) of (( Speculum^ Aureum Peccatorum," by
princess Margaret, mother to king Henry VII. was
printed by Wyriken de Worde annis 1522 and 1526.
SUMMA in virtutes Cardinales et vitia illis contraria, &V.
Gering and G. Maynyal.
This is not only the sole instance in which Gering's
name appears connected with Maynyal's, but the only
one in which that of Maynyal himself occurs.
JOSEPHUS de la bataille Judaique, translated de Latin
enfrancois. fol. Verard.
This, according to PANZER, was the earliest impression
by ANTOINE VERARD, with a certain date. He gave a
second impression of the same work anno 1492, fol.
It is ornamented with wood cuts. Panzer says it was
translated " par le traducteur de Paul Grose." The
Latin translation appeared first Aug. Vindd. 1470, fol.
It was printed Parish's, annis 1511, 1513, 1514, 151 9,
in fol. The " Historic Josephi," sub nomine Hege-
sippi, ab Ambrosio Camald. latine facta," Parisiis 1516,
foL
THE DEVICE OF GUTDO MERCATOR OR GUY MARCHAND.
Vide p 85. *
75
Le PELERINAGE dc VAme 9 foL
This work is given by bibliographers with the
inscription "Paris par Antoine Gerard," which is
doubtless an error for Verard.
A translation into English was printed by CAXTON,
under the title of " The PYLGREMAGE of the SOWLE,
translated oute of frensshe, &c." it conteyneth fyue
bookes. The first book treateth of the souj from its
departure out of the body to its being sentenced to
purgatory the second,, of the soul being brought to
purgatory the third, of an .angel shewing it hell, &c*
the fourth, of the green tree and the dry, &c. the
fifth, of the soul's being led up through the heavenly
spheres, with a description thereof, and the kalendar of
heaven. " It was writ" say Ames and Herbert " by Ant.
Gerard, and intitled Le Pelerinage, &c." How could
these bibliographers have been led into such a strange
mistake? They add " the translator (English) is
uncertain." Probably the original author is so too.
It is a poetical work. Caxton's translation has the
addition of various curious songs. His colophon says
" Here endeth the dreme of pylgremage of the soule,
translated out of Frensche intoEnglisshe,with somewhat
of addicions, in the yere of oure Lorde M.CCCC and
thyrteen, &c." Caxton's impression is of the year 1483.
JfiSTOiRE de la Destruction de Troye la grande. Avec
figures, fol.
This book was reprinted Parisiis, Jean Bonhomme
1484, fol. Lugd. 1485, 1491 -Par. 1498, Jean Driart
and by Verard sine anno by le Noir, 1508, 4. goth.
the widow Trepperel and Jean Jehannot, without
date, 4. goth.
16
GUIDO DE COLUMNA, a Sicilian, composed a Latin
work intitled " Historia . Destructions Trojac," printed
Colon. 1477, Argentorat. I486, 9, 94, et alibi. This
is considered as the original source of works of a similar
title which appeared in various modern languages.
The French work is probably of a dramatized kind :
" mise par personnaiges, et en rime franchise."
The alledged author Jaques Milet was a licentiate
and poet of the XV century. But a piece bearing the
same title is by La Croix du Maine ascribed to Jean de
Meun, known for the share which he had in composing
the " Romance of the Rose.'* Vid. sub anno 1490,
" Le Mistere, Kc."
In 1513 our English printer RICHARD PINSON gave
an impression of " The HYSTORY, SEGE, and DYSTRUC-
jCiON of TROYE." The translator was John Lydgate,
monke of Bery. This work which is in verse, is
curiously ornamented. The title on the obverse or
front, exhibits a large wood cut of the king's arms
crowned : and on the reverse, a view of the city of
Troy; with soldiers firing from great guns. There
is also a fine cut of king Henry V. surrounded by
his officers of state, receiving the book from Lydgate,
who presents it kneeling. It was " emprynted " at
the command of Henry VIII. Ames cites
" Lenuoye."
Go LYTELL boke, and put the in the grace
Of hym that is, moste of excellence
And be nat hardy, to appere in no place
Without supporte, of his magnyfycence
And who so euer, in the fynde offence
Be not to bolde, for no presumpcyon
Thy self enarme, aye in pacyence
And the submytte, theyr correpcyon.
Verba translatoris ad librum suum.
" AND for thou art, enlymued with no flovvres
Of Retoryke, but with vvhyte and blacke
Therfore thou muste, abyde all showres
Of them that lyste, set on the a lacke
And whan thou art, most lykely go to wracke
Agaynst them, thyne Errour not diffende
But humbly, withdraw and go a backe
Requerynge them all that is amysse to amende."
Ames says that Lydgate professedly paraphrased this
book from Guido de Colonna.
M.CCCC.LXXXI.
L'ARBRE fas Batailles par HONORE BONNOR Prieur
de Salon, fol. Verard.
Printed Lugd. 1481 Verard, iterum, 1493, du Pre*
1495.
Lewis (life of Caxton) mentions " The Harbor of
Battailes of the Faites of Armes and Chivalry," fol.
Caxton, 1490. Whether Caxton really printed a
distinct translation of this work appears at present
uncertain. In his impression of " The Fayt of Armes
and Chyvalry," fol. (1489) is read subjoined " Thus
endeth this boke whiche xpyne of pyse made and drewe
out of the boke named vegecius de re militari, and out
of tharbre of battaylles, &c." Vide " VArt de Che*
valerie, #c." sub anno 1487.
RADULVI DE MONTFIQVET tractatus de existentia totius
Christi in sanctissimo altaris Sacramento. G. Mar-
This is probably the earliest specimen of the press of
MARNEF,
78
MISSALE ad usum Eccksi& Romana, fol.
This and the following, viz. " MISSALE Parisiense,"
are the earliest specimens of the press of JEAN DU PRE
at present known to bibliographers. I have inspected
a copy of the (f Missale ad usum ecclesiae Romanse"
which belongs to the library of T. W. Coke, Esq. of
Holkham, in Norfolk. This splendid book fully
justifies every thing that can be said of the magnificence
of the Parisian Gothic press. It is printed upon the
finest vellum, in a bold Gothic character, and double
columns : and with the aid of its splendid illuminations
and paintings exhibits the most exact resemblance of a
beautiful manuscript. After the " Calendarium, &c."
opposite the commencement " Ad Te levavi, &c." a
finely decorated frontispiece occupies the whole left
hand page. A second appropriate and beautiful
picture presents itself " in die nativitatis" " Puer natus
est, &c." In the " Ordo Missas" which commences
after fol, Ixviij " Domine labia mea, &e." the fourth
folio exhibits musical notes on the obverse, and on the
reverse a fine painting of the crucifixion, which also
fijls the page. On the obverse of the next folio is an
elaborate representation apparently of God the Father
as the " Ancient of Days," under which character he
is described by the prophet Daniel : (ch. vii. v. 9, seqq.),
at the four corners the four evangelists with their
respective symbols. " In die sancto pa&chae" a beauti-
ful miniature of the resurrection. Another singular
and curious miniature " in die S. Trinitatis." On the
reverse of the following folio a beautiful miniature
representing the celebration of the mass. Another
miniature, fol. 128, ad Purificationem B. Marie. The
^ Assumptio," a fine miniature. Another "in die
omnium Sanctorum," ten figures of saints beneath j
19
three figures above : Pater, Filius, et Virgo. At folio 1 68~
a miniature somewhat similar ; fifteen figures beneath ;
one above, viz. Pater. Lastly, the " Missa pro de-
functis" " Requiem eternam dona iis" exhibits three
death figures, finely shaded with gold. The last
numbered folio is ccvj : after which follow ten leaves
unnumbered. The colophon thus " Ad Laudem Dei
omnipotentis ejusq intemerate genetricis et omnium
sanctorum et sanctarum Ad usum ecclesie (curie
romane) instar exemplaris emendatissimi ritus dicte
ecclesie continentis, hoc insigne sacri missalis opus
Anno incarnationis dominice millessimo quadringente-
simo octuagesimo prime quarto kalendas decembres
parisii arte impressoria per Johannem de Prato impres-
sorie artis peritissimum finem accepit." In this fine
volume the capitals are supplied by the illuminator in
inks of various colours : the rubrics or directory sentences
are not printed " en rouge" but are distinguished in
the column merely by a smaller Gothic character. The
volume is splendidly bound in crimson velvet, and
decorated with the crest of the respectable proprietor ;
and its preservation so perfect that it might be supposed
but recently to have issued from the press.
The Holkham library abounds not only in books
which combine the perfection of early typography with
the superb embellishment usually bestowed upon the
most highly valued " Codices manu scripti," but also
in ancient manuscripts : many of which will probably
be found very valuable and highly interesting to
literature. Amongst such literary curiosities I observed
manuscripts of Livy : of Tacitus : of various parts of
the works of Cicero : of Ovid : a fine Codex of the IV
Evangelia, Grace : the "OraculaSibyllina" Graece : many
of the opuscula of the Greek fathers: besides numerous
80
manuscripts of works of the most esteemed early
authors of Italy, &c. These are in general beautifully
illuminated and well preserved, and constitute a com-
paratively small part only of the Holkham collection :
which is said to possess almost six hundred " Codices
manuscript!" of these singular and interesting descrip-
tions.
There were numerous early impressions of the
" Missale Romanum j" which was first printed Roma
Udalr. Gallus 1475, fol.Iterum, Idem. 1476, fol.
Mediolani Zarotus 1478, 1479, M.-Fenet. \419.-Med.
Pachel 1480, 4. &c. But besides the preceding im-
pression of Jean du Pre, I find no mention of any
Parisian impression ante 151G.
MISSALE Parisiensc, fol. Idem.
Reprinted Parisiis, Caron et alii 1489, fol. Jean
Belin 1490, fol. Vostre et Gering 1492, fol. Gering
et Rembolt 1497, fol. and 8. Parisiis 1496, 4.
Le Livre de BELIAL (alias Processus Judiciarius
Sathana per JACOBUM DE THERAMO} translate par
Pierre Far get. Cumfiguris, fol. min.
Reprinted Lugduni annis 1482, 84, 85, 90, 94, fol. and 4.
The additions to Cave inform us that JACOBUS DE
THERAMO was an Italian : a canon of Abruzzo and
archdeacon of Aversa : flourished circa 1384. His works
were " De Romani Pontificis Monarchia," which by
reformed writers is considered as a blasphemous pro-
duction ; and " De redemptione generis Humani."
This work is subdivided into two parts; " Disputatio
inter Ecclesiam Christi et Synagogum Satanse, &c."
and " Tractatus judicialis sive actio Causidica inter
Deum et Diabolum," otherwise intitled " Belial.*'
81
The abovementioned translation of this latter tract may
be considered as an article of great curiosity, as well on
account of the wood cuts as the subject.
T. Livn PATAV. Historiarum ab 17. C. Libri gui
extant XXXV. foL
BOETHIVS de Consolatione Philosophic cum CoTWM.
Thorns de Aquino. foL
GVILLIELMI HENTIBERY Sophismata.
BALE (Scriptores Britan. p. 497) terms this writer
GVILHELMUS HEYTUSBURY; and says he was of Oxford,
" dialecticus exercitatissimus," but turned his skill to a
most unprofitable account. " Contentiosus palpabilium
tenebrarum artifex, syllogisando per demonstrationes
sojfristicas omnes alias scientias obscuriores atque
cognitu difficiliores multo reddidit. Tartarei putei
fumum his ille obscuritatibus nutrivit, &c." Thus
Bale : who adds " Claruisse fertur anno 1380 sub
Ricardo secundo."
M.CCCC.LXXXII.
JOANNIS NYDER Praccptorium divina legis, 4. G-<
ring, Sub anno 1418.
GREGORII DJE ARIMINO Lectura primi Libri Sententia-
rum, char. goth. foL min.
This GREGORY of RIMINI was in his time Prior of the
Augustine monks, to which dignity he was chosen anna
1351. He wrote commentaries on the first and second
of the sentences; and left also other works of a like
scholastic character. Reprinted Par. 1 485 , 7.
M
82
M.CCCC.LXXXIII.
REGIMEN Sanitatis MAGNINI Mediolanensis Medici. 4.
Gering.
This work was reprinted with the title " SCHOLA
SALERNITANA," Parisiis, by Felix Balligaut, 1493, 4.
and Mich, le Noir 1497, 4. The earliest impressions
appeared Venetiis, Bern, de Vitalibus 1480, 4. et sine
locoy 1480, 4.
The preceding work was composed in Leonine
verse by the physician GIOVANNI DE MILANO. The
" Schola Salernitana" adopted and sent it in their own
name to Robert III. duke of Normandy; whom they
styled king of England, because he was after his
brother William Rufus, next heir to that crown.
There is a French translation intitled " Le Regime
de Sante, avec les Closes de M. Arnaud de Yilleneitf,"
Paris. Phil, le Noir, no date. This translation is said
to be a very barbarous one. Geoffroy le Tellier gave
a new version under a different title, anno 1561 : and
M. de la Monnoye says that among other French
versions there is one " en vers burlesques."
Anno 1533 THOMAS RERTHELET printed in English
** Regimen Sanitatis Salerni.' 7 " This boke teachinge
all people to gouerne them in helthe is translated out of
the Latyne tonge in to englyshe by Thomas Paynel :
whiche boke is amended, augmented, and diligently
imprinted," 4. He repeated the impression an. 1541, 4,
Postilla NICOLAI DE LYRA super Psalterium. Idem. 4.
NICOLAS DE LYRA of Normandy was as some pretend,
a converted Jew. He assumed the habit of "Leg
Freres Mineurs" anno 1291 : came to Paris, and for
a considerable time expounded the scriptures with
83
applause in the convent of his order. He obtained the
patronage of Jeanne of Burgundy, wife of Philip V.
surnamed the long. Obiit Parisiis anno 1 340.
The " POSTILLS" of de Lyra are brief commentaries
which he carried through the whole bible. They were
formerly in great request. The rarest edition of the
intire original work is said to be that of Rome, 7 vols.
fol. anno 1472; but the best that Antverpite 1634,
6 vols. fol. De Lyra is commended for having mada
the literal sense his primary object : but his writings
partake strongly of the scholastic character. He
obtained in the schools the appellation of " Doctor
utilis."
As to the term POSTILLS so often given to these early
annotations, Lomeier (de bibliothecis} says that Alcuin,
preceptor of Charlemagne who founded the university
of*Paris, by order of that monarch first collected the
homilies of the fathers upon those portions of the gospels
which are termed in the Breviary " Dominicalia :" and
as these homilies were to be read after the gospels,
respectively, hence the terms " Post ilia," which the
ignorant monks in process of time joined together, and
converted into a noun " foeminini generis."
JEHAN BOCCACE DE CERTALD des Cas et Ruines des
nobles hommes etfemmes. fol. Jehan du Pr$.
This impression is adorned with wood cuts. The
same translation from " Boccaccius de casibus virorum
illustrium" appeared Ulnue 1473, Brugis 1476, Lugd.
1483, Par. ut supra , and iterum by Verard 1494, et
sine anno.
" JOHN BOCCACE of the fall of princes and prin-
cesses" was also " translated by John Lydgate, monk
of 8, Edmund's-bury , at the commandment of Humphry
84
duke of Glocester," and printed by RICHARD PINSON
anno 1494. His edition has also cuts before each part
done in out-lines,
P. TERENTII aphri Comedie, fol. Nw. de Pratis.
This impression, perhaps by a brother of Jean du Pre*,
has notes by Guido Juvenalis, and lodocus Badius
Ascensius ; whose name, now first appearing as a com-
mentator, will soon attract our special notice as that of
an early and zealous Parisian printer.
Iterum, Philippus (Cruczenach) 1496, 4. 1499, 8.
A French translation, viz. " Les Comedies de Terence
en Francois (prose & rime) avec les passages Latins,"
was printed by ANTOINE VERARD, fol. sine anno: a fine
copy of which is mentioned by De Bure, ornamented
with miniature paintings.
LOTHARIUS de vilitate conditionis humane. 4. goth.
Antoine Caillaut et Ludov. Martineau.
ANTOINE CAYLLAUT began to exercise the profession
this year, and continued to print anno 1505. LUDOV.
MARTINEAU exercised the art till 1497.
LOTHARIUS was l Cardinalis Diaconus,' and afterwards
* Papa Innocentius III.' His " Liber de Vilitate, &c."
appeared first Norimbergse 1477 ; five times at other
places ; at Paris also, annis 1480, 83, 94, 95, &c.
De vita Christi: Expositio MagistriPETRl DE ALLYACO
super Cantica, 4. Ant. Cayllaut.
JEjusDEM Meditationes super septem Psalmos pctewteib*
tialeS). 4. Idem.
PIERRE D'AILLY, Theol. Doct. and Chancellor of the
University of Paris, was born at Compiegne of poor
ride p. 87, 187.
85
parents anno 1350. In 13&7, become a distinguished
preacher, he vindicated before the anti-pope Clement
the sentence of the university against a certain Arra-
gonese Jacobin, who denied the immaculate conception :
was nominated bishop " duPuy enVelay ;" afterwards of
Cambray. He distinguished himself at the councils of
Pisa and Constance ; and presided in the session when
John Huss was condemned to the flames. He became
a cardinal anno 14-11.
Jean Gerson was his scholar. He had more science
and merit than his master, but by no means experienced
so splendid a fortune. Launoy terms d'Ailly " Aquila
Franciae atque aberrantium averitate malleus indefessus."
This man, infatuated by judicial astrology, maintained
that Christ's birth might be foreknown " Genethliacis
Observationibus :" and in his " Concordia Historiae et
Astrologies Divinatricis" asserts that the deluge, the
birth of Christ, the miracles, &c. the changes of states
and revolutions of kingdoms, were all predicted by the
planetary conjunctions. (Vid. Biblioth. de la Croy du
Maine, et in earn varior. notas.)
Tractatus de ARTE BENE VIVENDI et MORIENDI.
Par mis in domo Campi Gaillardi. 4.
" Le Champ Gaillard " is the usual designation of
GUIDO MERCATOR or GUY MARCH AND, whose press gave
birth to various interesting Gothic impressions between
this period, and 1505 inclusive. Vide sub anno 1494.
(Achiepisc. FlorentJ Confessionale , 4.
Impressions of this " Confessionale, or Summa Con-
fessionum, &c." commencing at Monte fieggio axno
1472, are almost numberless in early periods. Italian
translations under the title " Confessionale volgare, ox
86
Specchio di Conscientia," early and frequently passed
the press.
Wharton says the author's name was Antonio, and
that he was called Antonino on account of his diminutive
stature. He makes him archbishop not of Florence but
of Naples ; he was however by birth a Florentine, (nat.
anno 1389.) He lived in high consideration, discharged
great offices, and died at Rome in special odour of
sanctity. Wharton will not dispute his piety, but
considers him as a writer very defective in judgment:
" qui aniles et putidissirnas fabulas undequaque cpn-
vasare solet. Fid. Cave, " S<ecul. Synodale."
JVLCCCC.LXXXIV.
PRAGMATIC A SANCTIO Caroli (VII.) Franeorum
Regis. (P. Ctesaris) 4. minori.
In the year 1438 the council of Basil sent an embassy
to Charles VII. desiring him to receive and to publish
in his kingdom certain regulations, which the fathers of
the council had made for the reformation of the church.
After the affair had been duly debated before the king
in council, by the prelates and nobility of France,
Charles consented to receive and adopt these regulations,
under certain modifications, which the usage of the
Gallican church required. From these was composed
the " PRAGMATICA SANCTIO." The "Pragmatic"
acknowledged the council to be superior to the pope,
established the ancient form of ordaining prelates, and
retrenched many usages which were profitable to the
holy see. The succeeding popes were very solicitous
to obtain the abolition of this decree ; but it continued
tn force till the reign of FRANCIS I. who by an arrange-
81
ment with Leo X. substituted the " CONCORDAT" in
its stead. Vid. Daniel. Hist, de France.
L'Enfant (Hist, du Concile de Basle, p. 84) observes
that " SANCTION" veut dire Loi : & PRAGMATIQUE"
ce qui se doit pratiquer.
JOANNIS BACHOHIS Anglici Liber primus Sententiarum.
Ludov. Martineau.
EJUSDEM Liber tertius super sententias, fol. Idem.
This Jo AN. BACON us, otherwise denominated BACON-
THORPius, from an obscure village of Norfolk where
he was born, was distinguished in the schools by the
name of " Doctor Resolutus." He studied first at
Oxford j then visited Paris, where he obtained the
character of " Averroistarum Princeps." On his return
to London he became provincial of the Carmelites:
afterwards was invited to Rome, where he gave great
offence by arguing with too much subtilty and freedom
in defence of the pope's unlimited right of granting
matrimonial dispensations. The odium thus excited
induced him to recant his doctrines on this head : and
hence he was led to quarrel with the art itself in which
he had been so great a proficient. " Sophisticem
tanquam perniciosissimam fidei Christianas pestem
deinceps detestari ccepit." Ob. anno 1346.
OFFICIUM E. Virginis Maria secundum usum
num. 4. Pour S. Vostre, Phil. Pigouchet.
Iterum Par. Thielman Kerver 1 500, 4. and sine anno 8.
DOMINICI MANCINI poema de quatuor fmtibus hones-
tatis ; cum aliis metris. 1384 pro 1484. Characters
ftomano, 4.
88
EJUSDEM de quatuor virtutibus et omnibus officiis. J.
Higman,fol.
Iterum Par. G. Mittelbuss 1488, 4. Par. 1492, 4.
KAUDE cites this author as a poet of the reign of
Charles VIII. He says the feeble temperament of
Charles in his youth, and the consequent neglect of hi&
early education, might be accounted for from this con-
sideration, that Louis XI. became a father in his old age.
" Pronus in canos Ludovicus annos,
Cum daret vires ammo senectus
tJorpori auferret, meruit decoram
Gignere Prolem."
Thus sang Mancinus ; and Naude" with his usual amu-
sing garrulity, writes a long comment on this text.
The Harleian Catalogue vol. 3, number 3502, recites
A ryght frutefull Treaty se intituled <{ the Myrrour
of good Maners: conteyning the four Virtues called
Cardynall compyled in Latyn by DOMYNIKE MANCYN,
and translate into Englysshe at the desyre of Sir Gyles
Alyngton, Kt. by Alexander Bercley, Prest, and Monke
of Ely." Imprynted by RYCHARD PYNSON, and at
the Instance and Request of the ryght noble Rychard
Yerle of Kent, without date.
66 Sir Giles Alington had requested Barclay to abridge,
and correct from its corrupt English, Gower's Book * De
Confessione Amantis.' But he thought it too tedious a
work, and the subject not grave enough in many places
for his age and profession so undertook the translation
of this poem. There are many good moral precepts
elegantly delivered in it. It is composed in stanzas of
seven lines ; and the original latin is much quoted in the
margins. There is a wooden print in the title-page,
representing the said translator, Barclay, presenting the
book, on his knees, to his said patron, Sir Giles Alington,
89
sitting in a chair. Mr. Hearne's description of this*
scarce book may be seen in Robert of Gloucester's
Chronicle, 8. 1724, vol. II. p. 713.
M.CCCC.LXXXV.
JOAN. BACHONIS super III. et IF. Partc Sententiarum.
fol. L. Martineau, vid. an. 1484.
Le Prince GALLIOT on Decameron de M. JEAN DE
BOCCACE trad, par Laurent de Premier Faict. Char,
goth.fol.
Reprinted by VERARD sine anno. A miserable ver-
sion in which Boccace cannot be recognised. The
pretended translator has even substituted some foreign
novels instead of those which appear in the original.
La Croix du Maine places the translator in the reign of
Charles VIII. circa 1483. M. de la Monnoye says he
was more ancient, and that he had seen a MS on vellum
finished a nno 1414.
La MER -DBS HISTOIRES, le premier volume : avecfig,
de nombre 2S6,fol. No printer's name.
PANZER specifies a chronicle with this title " La Mer
des Histoires" a Lyon I486, fol. Again sub anno 1488.
La Mer des Histoires ou Chronique et Histoire univer-
selle depuis le commencement du Monde traduit en
Francois (du latin de Jean Columna. ) In fine vol. i. " Le
premier volume fut acheve a Paris par pier le Rouge
Imprimeur du Roy Pan Mil. cccc. imxx. & vm. au
moi du Juillet." In fine vol. ii. " Le present volume fut
acheve au mois de fevrier pour vincent commin de
paris et imprime par maistre pierre le rouge libraire et
imprimeur du roy notre sire Tan Mil. cccc. mixx. &
N
90
Viti. fbl." Again, " La MER des HISTOIRES," said to be
translated from the Latin of Giovanni de Columna, and
continued by one Brochart, was printed by Jean Dupre,
a Lyon 1491, in 2 voll. cum Jig. 4. Lastly, " La Mer
des Histoires, a Paris, pour Antoine Verard, fol." sine
anno. Probably Verard's is in all respects a repetition
of that by Le Rouge. It is in two volumes fol. without
date as beforementioned, but supposed to have appeared
circa 1498. An impression upon vellum decorated with
beautiful figures in gold and colours by the hand of
some ingenious illuminator, was for some time preserved
in the library of M. Gaignat.
T. Livu Historiarum Libri,foL dubious*
M.CCCC.LXXXVI.
La Fontaine de toutes sciences du philosophe SYDRACK*
Ant. FerardyfoL
Le livrc de Ruraulx compose per PIERRE DE CRESCENS,
fol. Idem.
Iterum, Jehan Bonhomrne, 1486, foL
From the "Opus ruralium commodorum, seu de Agri-
cultura" of Petrus Crescentius of Bologna, which first
appeared Aug. Vindel. 1471, iterum, Lovanii, 1474-78,
et alibi frequenter.
This work composed at a very early period belongs
to the class of barbarous Latinity. An Italian transla-
tion made so early as circa 1350, is however for its dic-
tion classed amongst productions " del buon secolo."
The French translation has no pretensions to the like
character. It appeared Italic^ Flor. 1478, H81-~
Vicentice 1490.
91
Les Polit.iques <T ARISTOTE avec les gloses par Nieolt
Oresme,fol.
NICOLE ORESME " Doct. en Theol." dean of Rouen,
preceptor of Charles V. "dit le Sage," translated the
Ethics of Aristotle also, and produced other works, vid.
la Croix du Maine, whose annotator says that he con-
tributed to diffuse a taste for useful learning ; which
began to prevail in the reign of Charles V.
VIES DE SS. PERES des Deserts. Jean du Pre, fol.
Ornamented with wood cuts.
A work entitled " VITAS PATRUM" is mentioned by
Ames and Herbert, vol. 1 , p. 106, translated by CAXTON;
and the last labour of his life ; but printed by WYNKEN
DE WORDE anno 1495.
The prologue begins thus " Here foloweth the right
deuoute, moche lowable, and recommendable lyff of the
olde Auncient holy faders hermytes, late translated out
of latyn in to Frenshe, and dyly gently corrected in the
tiyte of lyon, the yere of our lord. M. cccc. Ixxxvi. upon
that whiche hath be wryten and also translated out of
Greke in to Latyn, by the blessyd & holy saynt Saynt
Jerome right deuoute & approued doctour of the
chirche, & other solytarye relygyouse persones after
hym And after in the yere of our lorde M. cccc. Ixxxxi.
reduced into Englysshe folowynge the copye, alwaye
under correccyon of doctours of the chirche."
This book has several wood cuts, which are very rudely
executed; and concludes with a colophon by Wynken
de Worde '" Thus endyth the moost vertuouse hysto-
rye of the deuoute & right renowmed lyues of holy
faders lyuynge in deserte &c. whiche hath be translated
out of Frensshe in to Englisshe by Wyllyam Caxton of
Westmynstre late deed, and fynysshed it atthelasle
daye of his lyff. Emprynted &c."
92
It thus appears that our venerable printer CAXTON
died anno 1491. Ames and Herbert cite from a copy
of the " Fructus Temporum" then in possession of M.
Ballard, the following note, written in a very old hand.
" Of your charitee pray for the soul of Mayster
Wyllyam Caxton that in hys tyme was a man of moche
ornate and moche renommed wysdome and connyng,
and decessed full crystenly the yere of our Lord
M.CCCC.LXXXXI.
" Moder of Merci shyJd hym from thorribul fynd,
And bryng hym to lyff eternall that neuyr hath ynd."
The first Lat. edition of the "Vita? Patrum" was
printed Vicentia 1477, fol. the earliest impressions of the
French translation Lugduni 1486. It was reprinted by
Jean du Pre 1494, fol.
La grant DANSE MACABRE des hommes et desfcmmcs,
Le debat du corps et de Vame. Item La complainte
de Vame dampnee, ttc.fol. goth. Guyot Marchand.
This " GRANT DANSK" is represented by figures of
men and women cut in wood, and as I find it elsewhere
described, has the Latin text with a French version or
paraphrase, attributed to Michel Marot. I have found
mention of an impression executed a Lyon with some
variation of title, viz. " La grand Danse Macabre des
hommes et des femmes historiee avec de beaux dits en
Latin & huitains en Francois, plus le debat," &c.
Naude enumerates amongst works " de basse Lati-
nite," a book entitled (f Chorea ab eximio Macabro
edita," which will occur to our notice sub anno 1 490.
M. Monnoye believes that the design of this " Danse"
being apparently the invention of the said Macaber,
gallice " Macabre" is consequently styled "la Danse
Macabree," denoting < ' la Danse des Morts,"
AN OCCASIONAL DEVICE OF FRANCOIS REGNAULT.
93
It contains representations of persons of all ranks, with
figures of Death by the side of each. Originally at
the foot of the plates were German verses, shewing the
design to have been of German extraction. Latin and
French were afterwards substituted, which always af-
fected to terminate with some brief and moral reflexions.
Thus Erasmus (Lib. III. de Rat. Concionandi) " Quin
et vulgares Rhetoristse senserunt hoc decus, qui inter-
dum versibus certo numero comprehensis, pro clausula
accinunt brevem et argutam senteutiam, velut in rhyth-
mis quos Gallus quispiam addidit in choream mortis."
M. de la Monnoye says that all the editions of the work
here alluded to by Erasmus, were "Gothiques:" the
last Paris 8. Denys Janot 1533. I shall notice a work
of a kindred nature, sub anno 1491.
ffoRE intemerate Virginis Marie secundum usum Ro-
mane Curie. Phil Pigouchet pour Sim. Fostre.
This earliest Parisian impression of the HORJE is
ornamented with figures in the margin ; and contains a
" Calendarium," some French verses, &c. Panzer no-
tices a very splendid copy on vellum extant.
These " Horse (sermone Latino) in usum Curite Ro-
manae" were reprinted Parisiis, Pigouchet and Fostre
1496, cum figuris & marginibus figuratis, 8. Jean
Philippe pour Thiel. Kerver 1497, cum figuris et margi-
nibus figuratis, 8. N. Higman, Sim. Vostre, sine anno,
cum ornamentis xylographicis, 8. Thielman Kerver
produced impressions annis 1 501 , 4. ; 1 507, 1 508 , 1 509,
1515, 1517, in 8. all richly ornamented. Egidius Har-
douynanm's 1503, 1520, 1521, and sine anno, 8. ; 1526,
4.; 1531, 12. Guilelm. Anabat 1505, 8. An impres-
sion Londini 1502, 4. bears the subscription of Wynken
de Worde. The Harleian Catalogue exhibits splendid
94
specimens of several of these impressions " in membra-
nis, cum multis iconibus coloratis, lineis rubris, foliis
deauratis, &c.
Le DIALOGUE dit Crucifix etdu Pelerin 9 par GmiLAUME
ALEXIS. Robinet Mace, 4.
Frere GUTI.T.AUMR ALEXIS, called " Le Moyne de
Lyre," an abbey of Normandy, wrote lt Rondeaux,"
"Ballades," "Chants Royaux," &c. in honour of the
Virgin. He is said to have composed his " Dialogue of
the Crucifix and Pilgrim" at Jerusalem, anno 1486.
Vid. sub anno 1493,
Le MYSTERE de la Passion de J. C. mzs par perstfn-
naiges et en rj/me francoise par M. Jehan Michel,
Jchan Driard.
This is the earliest production of the press of JEAN
DRIARD of which I find mention. He printed mterl4>86
and 1498 inclusively. It also constitutes one of the
first printed specimens of those popular dramas termed
" MYSTERIES," in which the French Gothic press was
afterwards so fruitful. I shall notice them more par-
ticularly sub anno 1490.
Of this drama so often reprinted, perhaps the
following impression of WYNKEN DE WORDE is a
paraphrase or translation : " Here followeth the pas-
sion of our Lord Jesu Cryst translated oute of French
into Englysch by Andrewe Chertesey gentylman, the
yere of our Lord M.CCCCC.XX.
Amp.s gives part of the prologue written by ROBERT
COPLAND, one of our early printers:
" THE GODLY vse of prudent wytted men
Cannot absteyn theyr auncient exercyse ;
95
ttecorde of late how besiley with his pen
The translator of the sayd treatyse
Hath him iudeaured, in most godly wyse
Bokes to translate, in volumes large and fayre,
From French, in prose of goostly examplayre.
As is the floure of God's commaundements,
A treatyse also called Lucydarye,
With two other of the seuyn sacramente,
One of cristen men the ordinary,
The second the craft to lyue well and to dye.
With dyuers other to mannes lyfe profitable,
A vertuose vse and ryght commendable."
La premiere Decade de TITE LIVE traducte en Francois*
Par. 1436, 4.
M.CCCC.LXXXVII.
LA BIBLE HYSTORIEE, foL char. gotk. 2 torn. Ant.
Verard.
Anno 1294 GUIARS DES MOULINS, " Chanoine de S.
Pierre d'Aire," translated the " Historia Scholastica"
of P. Comestor, Gallice " Pierre le Marigeur." This
translation, revised hy Jean de Rely, Canon of Notre-
Danie, at the instance of Charles VIII. came forth as
above, under the title of " La Bible Hystoriee ou sont
les histoires Scholastiques, &c." VERARD'S impression
is without date, but generally referred to this year.
The work was several times reprinted in 4. for
instance annis 1515 and 1535 ; and by Antoine Bonne-
mere anno 1538.
As to Pi EHRE LE MANGEUR (Comestor) he was a native
of France, flourished circa 1 170 ; became Chancellor of
the University of Paris 5 but died in the retired character
of a Canon of S. Victor anno 1198. " Vir pro siccuio
non indoctus," says Cave. His " Historia Sacra" is
a compendium of the SS. from the beginning of
Genesis to the end of the Acts ; but with the intermixture
of many dubious or fabulous circumstances, drawn from
unauthorised or profane sources. The " Editio Prin-
ceps" of the original is that Aug. Vindel. 1473, fol.
CATONIS Pracepta et Disticha cum Commento. Petrus
Levet, 4.
The " Disticha de moribus ad filium" of DIONYSIUS
CATO were printed in the original Greek, Venetiis, ap.
Aldum, 1495, fol. The impressions of the Latin
version with commentaries, ante 1500, were very nume-
rous. " Le Cathon en Francois" appeared Lugduni
1492, 4. " CATHO MAGNUS" by CAXTON anno 1483.
It contains Cato's " Disticha" or precepts in the Latin
language, with a version and comment in English.
" Here begynneth the prologue or prohemye of the
booke callyd Caton, whiche booke hath been translated
out of Latin in to Englysshe by Mayster Benet Burgh,
late Archdeken of Colchestre, &c. which ful craftly
hath made it in balade ryal for the erudicion of my
lord Bousher, &c. And by cause of late cam to my
hand a book of the said Caton in Frensshe, which
reherceth many a fayr lernynge and notable ensamples,
j have translated it out of Frensshe in to Englisshe, as
al along here after shalle appiere, whiche J presente
vnto the Cyte of london."
Next follows Caxton's very loyal address to the
" Cyte of london," of which he styles himself " Cyte-
zeyn, &c." Of " Catho," he says " in my Judgement
it is the beste boke for to be taught to yonge children
in scole.*' Afterwards he relates the following story.
9t
" There was a noble clerke named pogius of Florence,
And was secretary to pope Eugenye, & also to pope
Nycholas which had in the cyte of Florence a noble and
well stuffed lybrarye, whiche all noble straungyers
comynge to Florence desyred to see, And therin they
fonde many noble and rare bookes And whanne they
had axyd of hym which was the best booke of them
alle, and that he reputed for the best, He sayd, that he
helde Cathon glosed for the best book of his lyberarye,
&c."
JOHANNIS BURIDAXI Summula de Dialecticd. Johan.
Cachagni, fol. a printer whose name does not again
occur. Fid. sub anno 1493.
MISSALE Ordinis Cisterciensium, fol.
Iterum, Wolfgang Hopyl 1504, fol.Nicol.Prevost 1529,
fol.
M.CCCC.LXXXVIIT.
IS Art de Chevalerie selon FEGECE, lequel trtiite de la
maniere que les Princes doivent tenir autfait de leurs
guerres et batailles. Antoine Ferard, fol. Fid.
L'Arbre de Batailles, sub anno 148 1.
PANZER, perhaps on no certain authority, ascribes
this translation to JEAN DE MEUN. A very similar
production (if it be not the same, with a small variation
of title only) is attributed to CHRISTINE DE Pist. This
lady so very learned in the ancient and French languages
was born anno 1364, married anno 1379, became a
widow with two sons and a daughter anno 1389. At
thirty-five she began to compose both in prose and
verse. Her works were numerous in both : " Balades"
o
Virelais" " Rondeaux, &c." L'Histoife dii Roi
Charles le Sage'* " La Vision de Christine" "La
Cite des Dames" " Les Epistres sur le Roman de la
Rose" " Le Livre des faits d' Armes et dc Chevalerie"
" Le Livre des trois vertus ou L'Instruction des
Princesses" " Lettres a la Reine Isabelle en 1405,"
&c. (Vid. torn. xvii. p. 515, Mem. de VAcad. des
Belles Lettres.) She was the mother of Castel the
French Historian.
Anno 1489 our venerable Caxton printed a translation
of this work intitled " THE FAYT OF ARMES AND CHY-
VALRY, FROM VEGETlus whiche sayd boke is departyd
into four partyes, Thefyrst partye deuyseth the manere
that kynges and prynces oughten to holde in the faytes
of theyr werres and bataylles after thordre of bokes,
dictes, and examples of the most preu and noble con-
querours of the worlde, And how & what maner fay ttes
ought best to be chosen, & the maners that they ought
to kepe and holde in theyr offices of armes. []" Item
The second partye speketh after Frontyn of caw teles &
subtyltees of armes, which he calleth stratagenies of
thordre & manere to fyghte and defende castellis &
cytees, afier vegece and other auctours, And to make
warre & gyve batayle in ryuers and in the See. ^f Item
The thyrde parte speketh of the droytes & rygtes of
armes after the lawes & droyt wreton, 1f li^m The iiij,
partye speketh of the droy tes of armes in the ^ a jtes of
saufconduytes, of the tryewes, of marke, & aftex" of
champ of bataylle, that is of fyghtyng withyn lystes.
Here begynneth &c. And the first cbapytre, is the
prologue, in whiche xprystyne of pyse excuseth hir
self ^to haue dar enterprysa to speke of so hye matere,
&c." Caxton says this work was put into his hands by
Henry VII. and that he mao^ : jjj fe translation into
99
English by that king's express command, See more
particularly, Ames & Herbert I. p. 66.
Le CHEVALIERE DELIBERE, 4. Verard. vid. sub anno
sequenti.
Les Ethiques d" 1 ARISTOTE mises en Francois et com-
mentees, par Nicolas Oresme, fol. Antoine Verard,
Ante sub anno 1486.
Tierce par tie de LANCELOT DV LAC, avec la queste du
Saint Graial et de la derniere partie de Table ronde,
compile par Gaultie Map. Jehan du Pre, Mil.
cccc. imxx. $ vm.fol. Vid. sub anno 1494.
HEURES a V usage de Rome. char. goth. with figures
and ornamented margins, 4. Symon Vostre.
Of these " HEURES a L'USAGE de ROME," partly in
Latin, partly in the vernacular tongue, this by VOSTRE
is probably the earliest specimen. Impressions were
afterwards executed in the usual style of ornament,
.cum figuris et margin, figuratis, Pigouchet pour S.
Vostre 1491, 4. Pigouchet 1494, 96, 8. Thielman
Kerver 1498, 8. 1499, 4. Simon Vostre 1497, 93,
99, 8.
Early impressions of the succeeding century : Jean
Pychore 1503, 8. Ant. Verard 1504, 4. 1507, S.
T. Kerver 1507, 8. G. Anabat 1507, 8. G. Hardoyn
1509, 8. 1520, 12. S. Vostre 1520, 8.
The " Harleian Catalogue" describes an impression
by GuiLfcAUME ANABAT sine anno, thus " The vast
number of pictures, most beautifully coloured and
illuminated, representing several of the actions, suffer-
ings, &c. of our B. Saviour, as well as many Scripture
100
Histories, render this a real curiosity." Another sine
anno, (No. 10179) " full of fine cuts, and with most of
a ts initial letters illuminated." Again, of that by Anabat
150S-, " Many Cuts adorn this Copy." The impression
by PIGOUCHET " abounds with Cuts, some of which are
very well done." It speaks of an impression by GEOF-
FROY DE MARNEF anni 1493 not known to PANZER,
which is also adorned with very fine cuts. I have
examined a specimen of these " HEURES a Pusage de
ROME" from the press of ANTOINE VERARD, which
" furent achevees le V. jour daust, Tan mil quatre
cens quatre vingtz dix huit," (1498) 4. It is printed
upon vellum, and adorned with fine wood cuts, profuse
marginal decorations, and illuminated capitals. An
impression also by EGIDIUS HARDOUYN, 12. printed
" en lettres rondes" upon vellum, with paintings and
decorations ; the calendar of which commences ab
anno 1515.
Textus Summularum M. PETRI HISPANI, 8. goth.
Petrus Levet.
The " Summula" of PETRUS HISPANUS, afterwards
pope JOHN XXI. seems to have been considered in the
schools as a kind of logical text book " Dyalecticae
artis fundainentum." It appeared Colonize et Medial.
1 487, and underwent the press variis locis at least twelve
times besides, ante 1 500.
PSALTERIUM Latinum, 4. Petr. Levet.
Aurea expositio HYMXORUM cum textu, 4. Idem.
La MER DES HISTOIRES ou Chronique et Histoire
Universelle. Ante sub anno 1485.
THE MARK OF FELIX BALLIGAUT,
From his "Ludolphi Vita Cliristi." Par. 149~.
fide p. 220.
101
NICOLA i DE ORB ELLIS expositio in IV. Libras Senten-
tiarum. Felix Balligaut, 4.
Iterum, 1498, 4. Idem. 1499, fol. Joan. Richard.
N. DE ORBELLIS a Frenchman, a native of Anjou,
joined the fraternity of Minorites ; was a professor at
Poictou, and a most zealous Scotist. This " Expositio"
is " secundum doctrinam illuminati Doctoris." Claruit
circa 1456.
ROEERTI GAGUINI de intemerate virginis conceptu
adversus vincentium quendam (de Castro Now)
decertacio versibus latinis, 4.
I have already spoken of ROB. GAGUIN ; and may
mention him again sub anno 1495. This work iterum
Par. 1489, 93, 1500.
M.CCCC.LXXXIX.
Opus ROBERTI HOLKOT super sapientiam Salomonis.
4. Gering 6C Rembolt.
This seems to be the first impression which these
printers produced in concert.
ROBERT HOLKOT was an Englishman, born at North-
ampton : became a Dominican and professor of divinity
at Oxford. Ob. anno \ 349 " peste extinctus." He left
" Lectiones & Commentaria" on various books of scrip-
ture; " Quaestiones in IV libros Sententiarum," and
other works.
Le Livre de Politiques M Oeconomiques d" 1 ARISTOTE
traduit en Francois, par Nicolas Oresme.foL Verard.
sub anno 1486.
102
GuiLLERMr PARISIENSIS Episcopi liber super septem
sacramentis. Geo. Mittelhus, 4.
Eodeni anno J. Bonhomme, 4. 1494, Mittelhus, 8. Par*
M92, 8.
GUILLAUME, a native of Auvergne, considered a no
less profound divine than philosopher and mathematician,
became Bishop of Paris anno 1228. His piety and
probity were universally acknowledged. In the year of
bis exaltation to the See of Paris, he is said to have
assembled some of the most distinguished doctors of the
time, for the purpose of discussing the lawfulness of
pluralities ; and .their determination was, that none
without the forfeiture of his salvation could hold two
benefices above a defined value ({ duo ministeria sacra
quorum alterum annuo censu 15 libras Par. valerejt."
Anno 1 240 he condemned some c * dogmata" of certain
heterodox divines of Oxford, Cave has enumerated
his various works; but thinks the " Liber de Septem
Sacramentis" though generally yet erroneously attri-
buted to him. He conceives it to be the work of
" Gulielmus Parisiensis," a Dominican, who was living
A. D. 1 303. The " llhetorica Divina," an undisputed
work of the elder " Guillaume" of Paris, appeared
Parisiis 1500, 8.
MARCIAL DE PARIS dit & Auvergne ires devotes louanges
de la glorieuse Fierge Marie, 8. Simon Vostre.
This is " en rime." It was reprinted 1492, Jean
du Pre, 8. See notice of this writer sub anno 1493.
JOHANNIS GERSON de Imitatione ChristiLib. IV. et de
contcmptu omnium vanitatum mundi et de meditatione
cordis. Roman characters. Higman.
103
The book " DE IMITATIONE" had appeared Venetiis
1 43 3, 85, Brixia 1485, and at many other places before
this first Parisian impression.
It is by some attributed to S. BERNARD ; by others to
JEAN GERSON. But more recently it has been ascribed
by almost universal consent to THOMAS A KEMPIS.
Yet M. 1'Abbe Vallart has undertaken to prove that it
is the production of Jean Gerson Abbe de Verceil.
See his learned dissertation subjoined to the fine edition
of the work printed by Barbou, Par. 1764. This
question has been frequently agitated; but perhaps
" adhue sub judice lis est."
FONTENELLE terms the admirable work in question
" le plus beau qui soit sorti de la main d'un homme,
puisque PEvangile n'en vient pas. Quel calme il
repand dans notre ame. De quelle douce esperance il
la remplit, comme il la console!" Rash and haughty
philosophers of modern days, to this work of the XIII.
century, so pure, so simple, will you dare to oppose
" vos ecrits tenebreux," the odious and gloomy doc-
trines of which breathe nothing but doubt, despair, and
annihilation ! This appears to be the remark of M. de
Juvigny. " Biblioth. de la Croix da Maine, Me"
As to the generally received author, his real name
was Thomas Hamercken. He had the name KEMPIS
from Kempen, his native place, a small village in the
electorate of Cologn. Born anno 1 380, died anno 1471 .
Ibid.
In the same year, 1489, Philippe Pigouchet gave an
impression in 12. Iterum 1491, 8. 1498, 12. G.
Mittelhus 1496, 8. all under the name of Gerson. It
appeared Gallice as " Le Livre de PImitation, c.
attribue a S. Bernard ou a Jean Gerson/' 1500, le
Noir.
104
Anno 1502 WYNKEN DE WORDE printed " John
Gerson's three books of the imitation of Christ,"
translated into English by William Atkinson, D, D. It
was printed at the desire of the mother of king Henry
VII. Consult " Ames" vol. i. p. 138.
GLOSA Monachi, una cum textu ALEXANDRA Maturini
de Bar da in laudes Alexandri heroica versificatio.
Petrus Levet, fol.
PANZER says this is the " DOCTRINALE seu Grain-
matica ALEXANDRI DE VILLA DEI." It appeared again
Parisiis 1492, Phil, le Noir, 4. with this title " Alex-
andri de Villa Dei Doctrinale cum brevi ex positioned*
It first appeard Tarvisii 1472, fol. and was printed at
least sixteen times before the date of the first Parisian
impression.
Of this work which was also popular in England,
WYNKEN DE WORDE gave an impression anno 1503,
which is ornamented with a wood cut of a master sitting
in a chair, and three scholars before him. He repeated
the impression 4. sine anno : RICHARD PINSON anno
1505, with a wood cut of master and boys : and again
anno 1513.
The grand " DOCTRINALE" was long in general use
as an elementary book for the acquisition of the Latin
language. Naude (Addition a VHistoire, Cc. chap. Z)
anxious to vindicate the literary character of Louis XI.
affirms that he had been " bien fueillete" into a
thorough acquaintance with this book : insomuch that
when Cardinal Bessarion, sent on an embassy to France
by Pope Sixtus IV. presented himself for an audience,
the French monarch, who had been offended by his
failure in a point of etiquette, laid his hand upon the
enormous beard of the orator ; and confounded him by
105
a citation from the text of Alexander :
" BARBARA Graeca genus retinent quod habere solebant. 15
The verse called LEONINE, was according to Naud6
(Additions, Kc. chap, vi.) in high estimation so early
as under the reign of the emperor Zeno, anno 480 :
when one Theodotus, an Italian priest, produced a work
" de Contemptu Mundi," which commences thus:
14 ^ETHIOPUM terras jam fervida torruit aestas,
In cancro solis duin volvitur aureus axis.
And thus pursued the subject of his poem to the
extent of almost two thousand verses. Great eagerness
was speedily evinced in the composition of measures of
a similar kind. The " Schola Salernitana, " the
" Summa" of Raymundus, the Chronicle of Godfrey
of Viterbo, the Mystical Commentary of Willeramus
upon the " Cantica Canticorum," and the " Disticha"
of Facetus, are instances of this perverted taste ; as well
as other works which might be enumerated. Incited
by such examples, ALEXANDER DE VILLA DEI who was
a " Religieux" of the order of S. Francis, composed his
rhyming Grammar, A. D. 1240: which maintained an
undisturbed dominion in the Latin schools, till it was
superseded in Italy by the " Rudimenta" of Aldus
Manutius, published Venetiis, anno 1501 ; and perhaps
in France rather by the Grammar of Despauterius, 1514.
The ".Doctrinale" was itself (as Naude" thinks) written
to supplant " un certain Autheur Erotique surnomme
Maximianus." This he infers from the introductory
verses of the u Doctrinale:"
" SCRIBERE clericulis paro doctrinale novellis:
Jamque legent pueri pro nugis Maximiani,
Quae veteres sociis nolebant pandere charis."
PASQUIER (Recherches de la France, a Paris 1643,
lib. mi t ch. 2, p. 596.) does not carry back the antiquity
p
106
of Leonine measures to so remote a period as Naude^:
but what he records on the subject is at least sufficiently
amusing to deserve citation. This lively author says
he finds that in the reign of Louis VII. circa 1054,
there existed a notable poet of Paris, who in his
manuscript productions is denominated sometime*
" LEONINUS," sometimes " LEONIUS." He was first
" Chanoine de S. Benoist ;" afterwards " Religieux de
S. Victor." He composed twelve books of heroic verse
" sur la Bible," viz* from the creation to the book of
Ruth : commencing thus
" HISTORIC sacrae gestas ab origine mundi
Res canere, et versu facili describere conor."
Pasquier terms it " Poeme certes plein de beaux
traicts, qui ne ressentent en rien de la Barbaric des
siecles precedens."
An elegy of the same Leoninus is partially cited : of
which the title is " De annulo ei dato ab Henric*
Cardinali." It abounds in epigrammatic point, and
laboured antithesis : but the Latinity is respectable - 9
and the numbers free and easy :
" ANNULE qui sacri datus es mihi pignus amoris,
" Qui moclo parvus eras, tu modo magnus eris.
" Parvus es et magnus : nihil impedit hsec simul esse :
44 Hoc opifex, hoc te dat tuus esse dator."
He reserved his chiming measures for more important
occasions. Pasquier says that a certain English cardinal
passing through Paris, our poet preferred a petition to
him in behalf of his church of S. Bennet ; which the
cardinal promised to fulfil on his arrival at Rome. But
scarce had he reached that city when he found himself
exalted to the papal dignity. Such a prosperous change
of affairs very naturally banished from his recollection
both the poor canon and his petition. But to remind
10?
him of both, our bard addressed him in an epistle of
the following musical tenor :
46 PAPA ME AS Adriane, preces si postulo digna,
Suscipe tarn vullu placido, quam mente benignfc :
Non novitatis amor hue me tulit, aut levitatis
Impetus, aut etiam propriae spes utilitatis.
Non peto praebendas, nee honores Ecclesiarum,
Suntque modesta precum, sunt et pia vota meanim.
Pauperis Ecclesiae, cujus pro jure laboro,
Justus ut es, memor esse veils: nihil amplius oro. &c. n
The reader will acknowledge that these are polished
and harmonious lines : very different indeed from those
hobbling numbers, which being the production of much
later periods, have passed under the appellation of
" Leonine." Pasquier says the whole epistle contained
forty-two lines in the same strain. His readers would
doubtless have been gratified, if he had given them from
the manuscript intire.
But to proceed our poet found another intercessor
in the cardinal of S. Mark, afterwards elevated also to
the pontificate under the name of Alexander III,
Through his intercession the desired favour was granted.
His benefactor had already reached his new elevation :
when Leoniiius addressed to him a letter of thanks, in
numbers certainly more arduous, but less natural than
the former : estimating perhaps the value of the tribute
chiefly by the labour employed upon its preparation.
SUMME Parens Hominum ! Christ! devote Minister !
Pastorum Pastor ! Praeceptorumque Magister !
Quern rigor et pietas, quern noti fama pudoris,
Et lucri calcatus amor, pars magna valoris,
Caeteraque ut taceam, dos maxima mentis et oris,
Invitum ad summum traxerunt culmen honoris ;
Quas tibi me Jaudes non ficto pectore noris,
Nee male quaerendi studio cccinisse faroris-
108
Nain nisi me justi cohiberent fraena tiinoris,
Ne qua verecundi fierent tibi caussa ruboris,
Altius aggrederer opus, et limae gravioris,
Laudibus ire tui per singula membra nitoris,
Nee bene decerpti libamen sumere floris,
Sed sanare omnes gustu tarn suavis odoris,
Sit licet ingenium mihi venae pauperioris.
Pasquier contents himself with saying that there are
thirty more hexameters all ending with the same
termination " or is" which are followed by others of
a different cadence. The poet then concludes thus:
Quod nequit ergo manus, indoctaque lingua veretur,
Mens pia persolvet, comes hanc dum vita sequetur :
Nam prius aer aves, pisces mare non patietur,
Sydera subsident, tellus super astra feretur,
Pectore quam nostro tuus hie amor evacuetur,
Aut meritis ingrata tuis oblivio detur.
Pasquier thinks it not improbable that a poet who
evinced such an easy, flowing vein in the above com-
positions might produce many other specimens : and
by the consent of his age give his name to this new-
species of rhyming versification. On this subject
however the reader may compare the remarks of the
learned Mr. Harris, in his 6i Philological Inquiries,"
vol. ii. chap. xi.
In this long period says Naude when barbarous
systems of rhetoric, rhyming poetry, captious dialectics,
fabulous and marvellous history were alone held in
admiration, heroic poetry of a more classical description
was nevertheless cultivated by a few solitary individuals
of superior genius : who exhibited themselves, in the
midst of this barbarous age, as flowers in a rigorous
winter. During or soon after the reign of " Philippes
Auguste," six or seven poets appeared, who scarce
Fide p.
109
yield to the moderns either in the felicity of their
language and conceptions, or the structure and compo-
sition of their works. The " Philippeis" of Guillaume
de Breton the " Alexandreis" of Gautier the " Ar-
chitrenius" of Joannes Hantivillensis the " Carolinus"
of Gilles de Paris the " Anti-claudianus" of Alain des
Isles and the " Dares Phrygius," falsely ascribed to
Cornelius Nepos, but m reality the production of
Josephus Iscanus, or Joseph of Exeter, are scarcely
inferior in beauty of metaphor, richness of description,
or elegance of diction, to the compositions of Pontanus,
Fracastorius, or Vida.
LE CHEVALIER DELIBERE en la mort du Due de
Bourgognc. Mich, le Noir, 4.
SOME of the articles of this year exhibit new names of
Parisian typographers. MICHEL LE NOIR in particular
was a printer to whose press we are indebted for many
very remarkable and interesting works. He appears to
have survived till 1520. As to this earliest specimen of
his press, " Le Chevalier delibere" en la vie et la mort
de Charles Due de Bourgogne qui trepassa devant
Nancy, Jan. 1476," it is ascribed by la Croix du Maine
to the pen of Olivier de la Marche, a knight of Franche
Comte in Burgundy, and " Grand Maitre d'Hotel"
to the king of Castile. By some however the work has
been incorrectly attributed to George Chastelain. It
describes the travels and adventures of a knight errant,
who journeys armed at all points, and has sundry
combats with certain allegorical personages. It is in
short a species of romance made up of prose and verse,
and displays some imagination, and ingenuity pf
description.
110
The earliest impression of this curious work was
executed Schedami 1483, 4. cum jig g. the second by
A. Verard anno 1488, 4. adorned with wood cuts.
There is also an impression Parisiis 1 500, et sine loco
et anno.
Les fails de Maistre ALAIN CHARTIER, Notaire et
Secretaire de feu Roi Charles VI. Pierre le Caron,
foL K Iterum, sine anno.
Ocuvres Morales d* ALAIN CHARTIER, 4.
ALAIN CHARTIER was of Normandy, secretary to
Charles V. VI. and VII. kings of France ; and the most
esteemed French poet, historian, and orator of his time.
According to Pasquier he was born anno 1386. His
talents procured him great esteem, both at court and
throughout the whole kingdom.
He is said to have been one of the ugliest persons of
his age. Yet Margaret of Scotland, wife of the dauphin
of France, afterwards Louis XL finding him asleep in
an apartment through which she chanced to pass, kissed
his lips : alledging, as Pasquier relates, that she did not
consider herself to have kissed the man who was so
ugly and deformed in his whole person ; but the mouth
from which had issued so many golden expressions.
" L'alla baiser," says Du Verdier, " en la bouche, en
presence de sa compagnie. Et comme quelqu'un de
ceux qui la conduisoient lui cut dit : Madame, cela est
trouve etrange que vous avez baise homme si laid : elle
repondit: Je n'ai pas baise F Homme, mais la bouche,
de laquelle sont issus tant d'excellens propos, matieres
graves, et paroles elegantes." Naude cites the following
poetical record of this circumstance from " Les Epistrcs
de Bouchet :"-
Ill
L'ESPOUSE au Roy Louys onziesme
Fille d'Escosse, eut telle estirae et esme
De Charretier, qu'en dormant elle touche
D'un doux baiser son eloquente bouche,
Pour les bons mots qui en estoient issus. (p)
He contributed greatly by his works to the formation
of the French language. His " Livre de quatre Dames"
is particularly admired. These ladies are introduced;
each of them lamenting the loss of her lover at the
battle of Azincourt, which took place in October 3415.
There is a rare and particularly valued edition of
" Les Oeuvres complettes de M. Alaine Chartier tant
en rime qu'en prose," Paris, Gallyot du Pre 1529, 8.
This edition is printed " en lettres rondes." But the
best and only complete edition is that of Paris 1617, 4.
with an historical preface by Andre" Du Chesne the
editor.
Amongst the impressions of CAXTON without date, I
find a work intitled " CURIAL of MAISTRE ALAIN
CHAUETIER*"
On signature j " Here foloweth the copye of a
lettre whyche maistre Alayn Charetier wrote to his
brother, whyche desired to come dwelle in Court, in
^hyche he reherseth many myseryes & wretchydnesses
therin used, For taduyse hym not to entre in to it, leste
he after repente, like as hier after folowe, and late
translated out of Frensshe in to englysshe, whyche
Copye was delyuerid to me by a noble and vertuous
Erie, At whose Jnstance & requeste J have reduced it
in to Englysshe."
It begins " Ryght welbelouyd brother & persone
Eloquent, thou admonestest and exhortest me to prepare
(p) Addition a THist. de Louis XL Ch. V.
112
& make redy place and entree for the, vnto the lyf
Curiall, whych thou desirest, And that by my helpe and
requeste thou myghtest have therm offyce, &c."
And concludes " Fynably J praye the, counselle
and warne the, that yf thou hast taken ony holy and
honeste lyf, that thou wyl not goo and lese it, And that
thou take away that thought And despyse alle thy wyl
for to come to courte, And be contente to wythdrawe
the wythin thenclose of thy pryue hous, And yf thou
have not in tyme passed knowen that thou hast ben
ewrous And happy, therine lerne now to know it fro
hens forth, And to god comande the by thys wrytyng
whych gyve the hys grace, Amen.
Thus endeth the Curial made by maystre Alain
Charretier.
Translated thus in Englysshe by Wylliam Caxton."
And on the last page are the following lines :
" THER NE is dangyer, but of a vylayn
Ne pryde, but of a poure man enryched
Ne so sure a way, as is the playn
Ne socour, but of a trewe frende
Ne despayre, but of Jalousye
Ne hye corage, but of one Amorouse
Ne pestylence, but in grete seygnorye
Ne cheyere, but of a man Joyous
Ne servyse, lyke to the kyng souerayn
Ne fowle name, but of a man shamed
Ne mete, but whan a man hath hungre
Ne entrepryse, but of a man hardy
Ne pouerte lyke unto maladye
Ne to haunte, but the good and wyse
Ne howse, but yf it be well garnysshed
Ne cheyere, but of a man Joyous
Ne ther is no rychesshe, but in helthe
113
Ne loue, so good as mercy
Ne than the deth, nothyng more certayn
Ne none better chastysd, than of hym self
Ne tresour, lyke unto wysedym
Ne anguysshe, but of ay harte coueytous
Ne puyssaunce, but ther men haue envye
Ne chyere, but of a man Joyous
What wylle ye that I saye
Ther is no speche, but it be curtoys
Ne preysng of men, but after theyr lyf
Ne cheyr, but of a man Joyous Caxton.
Le COMPOST et KALENDRIERES de Bergeres, 4. majari,
sine impressoris nomine.
Reprinted Par. Gui Marchand 1497, fol. Ibid. 1499, fol.
Ibid. Marchand 1500.
The " Censura Literaria," vol. vii. pp. 26, 27, arid
343, describes several impressions of an early English
translation of this work, which are ornamented with
wood cuts of singular design, and superior execution.
It was first printed in English at Paris anno 1503.
According to Herbert, the title of the French edition is
" The kalendayr of the Shyppars :" the type very
rude, and the orthography equally so. Herbert gives
a specimen of the diction : and the following passage
seems to indicate the year of its translation. " The
zear of thys present compot & kalendar qwych as begown
to haue cowrs the fyrst day of ianuer ys. M. cccc. iiiixx.
& VII. (1487) in the qwych rynnys for the golden,
nombyr xvi." In fine " Heyr endysh the kalendar
of shyppars translatyt of franch in englysh to the lowyng
of almyghty god & of hys glory ovvs mother mary and
of the holy cowrt of hywyn prentyt in parys the xxiii
day of juyng oon thowsand. ccccc. & iii.
114
Another translation was printed by WYNKEN DE
WORDE, again by PYNSON, by JULYAN NOTARY, and
by JOHN WALLEY : the dates of all vvbich are unknown.
The prologue commences thus: " Here before tyme
this boke was pry ri ted in Paris into corrupte Englysshe
(and not by no Englyssheman) wherfore the bokes that
were brought in to England, the language of them was
greately corrupte, imparfyte of good reason, and un-
swete to parfye Englysshemen (and no meruaile) for
it is unlykely for a man of that cuntre, for to make it in
good and parfyte Englysshe, as it sholde be. Therfore
newly nowe it is dravven out of Frenshe into Englysshe,
but lately composed, and truly correcked (after the
beforesayde laste, and beste translacyon at the cost of
wynkyn de worde." For a more particular description,
and specimens of the rude poems interspersed, the
reader may consult the " Censura Literaria" ut supra.
JOHANNIS DE HESEN swc de HEES Itinerarium
Hierosolymitanum, 4.
The Itinerary of this ecclesiastic (" Presbyter Tra*-
jectinus") of Maestricht or Utrecht, or possibly of
Franckfort, (" describens dispositions terrarum, insu-
larum, &c.") appeared also Daventria 1499, 4. and
iterum sine loco et anno, 4.
P. FIRGILII MARONJS Opera; in vico Sorbonico im-
pressa, 4.
RICHARDI DE S. FICTORE Beniamin minor, 4.
RICHARD, a prolific writer, was a native of Scotland,
Canon Regular of S. Victor's near Paris, and afterwards
prior of S. Bernard's. Claruit circa 1150, obiit 1173.
The above work is otherwise entitled " De praeparatione
115
aiiiini ad contemplationem liber." Prodiit sub titulo
66 Libri de XII. Patriarchis vel de contemplations
minori" sine loco 1494, 8.
M.CCCC.XC.
La Fie des Saints translate de latin (de JACQUES DE
FoRAGlNEj en francois par frere Jehan de Vignay.
fol. goth. ornamented with figures. Antoine Verard.
This monk translated by order of Jean de Bourgogne,
queen of France, " Le Miroir Historial du Vincent
Eveque de Beauvois," Par. Couteau 1531, fol. His
translation of the Golden Legend abovementioned
appeared sine loco 1475, Lugd. 1476, Verard 1490,
1496, and Par. sine anno. Vid. sub anno 1475.
LVCAIN SUETONE K SALLUSTE (enfrancois.) Imprime
a paris le XXIL jour de decembre mill. nil. cc. niixx.
ct X. par P. le Rouge pour Anthoine Gerard, Kc.
Some think the LUCAN here joined with the historians
must be an error, and rather mean Luc. An. &c. viz.
" Lucius Annseus," scil. " Florus." This is an ob-
servation of M. de Juvigny: fap. Bib. de la Croix du
Maine, &c.) But I shall offer a confutation of this
conjecture sub anno 1500.
HEURES en Vhonneur de N. S. Jesus Christ et de la
glorieuse Vierge Marie, 4. Antoine Gerard.
Ornamented with wood engravings, " dans toutes
les marges."
LES SUFFRAGES et ORAISONS des Saincts et Sainctes
escripts au kaliendrier de ces presens heures, 4.
Antoine Verard.
116
This manual, perhaps connected with the former, is
ornamented also with wood cuts.
Le PELERINAGE de rAme, foL Ant. Ferard. Fide
sub anno 1480.
Le MISTERE de la PASSION. Antoine Verard, foL
This piece was performed at Paris an. 1490. Though
the impression is without date, Panzer supposes it to
have appeared " eodem anno" Fid. sub anno i486.
This is one of those rude popular dramatic com-
positions known by the name of " MYSTERES" and
" MORALITES." " C'etoient," says Du Verdier, " des
Histoires et Jeux qu'on souloit representer et reciter
publiquement sur echaufant:" Histories and Plays
which were acted in public upon a stage or scaffold
And, he observes, so many were the publications which
appeared under these titles, that the labour of particu-
larising them would be endless.
The enthusiastic fondness of the populace for such
extravagant productions may be presumed, from the
multiplied impressions of them which distinguish the
annals of the Gothic presses. Amongst other countries,
Italy and England also, it is well known, had their
" Rappresentazioni," or their mysteries and moralities;
which were spectacles of no less interest and importance
to our own progenitors. For more than a century they
maintained the same influence over the vulgar mind.
An " arret" for the abolition of these spectacles was
published in France on the 17th. Nov. 1548: which,
says De Bure, involved in a correspondent destruction
a very considerable portion of the printed copies of
these dramas. The general contempt', he adds, which
the licentiousness of many of them occasioned for
m
nearly a century afterwards, consigned them to disregard
and oblivion. The consequence of this and such
causes was, that notwithstanding the original multi-
plicity of impressions, copies of most of them became
so uncommon, lhat their present rarity is not exceeded
by that of any other description of works.
DE BURE notices, from the press of ANTOINE
VERARD, 1. " Le Mystere de la PASSION de N. Seigneur
J. Christ," 1490, fol. goth. and 1499, fol. of which he
minutely describes a copy with forty beautiful paintings,
representing the different subjects of this mystery. 2.
" Le Mystere de la RESURRECTION mis en rime franchise
par Jehan Michel," fol. goth. sans date. 3. " Le
Mystere de la VENGEANCE de Notre Seigneur J. C."
rimejran^oise 1491 and 1493, fol. goth. and Jean Petit
sans date. Du VERDIER mentions an impression of
this work thus " Le mystere de la vengeance de ]a
mort de N. S. J. C. & destruction de Jerusalem faite
par Pempereur Vespasien & Titus," Par. fol. Jean
Petit : and his annotators observe that it is a tragedy in
the same strain with that " de la Passion" of which it
may be considered as a kind of supplement. They add
this anecdote : after the battle of Marignano, FRANCIS
I. writing to his mother Louise de Savoy e concerning
the victory which he had just before gained over the
Swiss, made use of these or like terms " IJ S ont
eprouve (speaking of the Swiss) que s'ils jouerent bien
la PASSION il y a deux ans, nous avons cette annee-ci
bien su jouer la VENGEANCE." Intimating, that if in
1513 the Swiss at Novarro had beaten the French, they
in 1515 had taken full revenge at Marignano.
LA CROIX DU MAINE speaks of a piece intitled
" La petite DIABLERIE autrement appele TEglise des
Mauvais dont Lucifer est le chef & les membres sont
118
les Joueurs iniques pecheurs & reprouves," Lyoti 16.
1541. On which occasion his annotator furnishes us
with the following information. When anciently the
populace was treated with those pious comedies, in
which some mystery of religion was represented, the
poet failed not to introduce devils upon the stage ;
without which the piece would not have given satisfac-
tion. They were in fact the principal personnages.
Hence such representations were termed " DIABLERIES."
The epithets " grande or petite Diablerie" were applied,
accordingly as the number of " Diables" was greater
or less. " Le Mystere de la Passion," first represented
at Angers before the middle of the xv. century,
exhibited six. Why this exhibition of devils has always
fallen in with the taste of the lower order of people,
Malebranche, he says, assigns a reason : " Recherche
de la Verite" torn. 1, p. 422. (q)
The mention of this particular MYSTERY leads me
also to observe, that in the " Giornale de Letterati
d'ltalia," torn. i. p. 342, seqq. there is an extraordinary
story of an Italian fanatic, denominated BRANDANO of
Sienna, or " II PAZZO di CRISTO." This man's real
name was Bartolommeo Carosi. He was a husbandman ;
and a person of very loose morals, till a certain period
of his life : in which he is said to have been brought to
(9) Perhaps with a view to catch the popular taste ELOY
DAMERLAN DE BETHUNE composed " Le Livre de la Dia-
blerie, en rime," Par. 1508, fol. Mich, le Noir. In that
work Lucifer and Satan are represented in consultation
together: and Satan relates ;t les abus & peches que font &
commettent les humains." This book has annotations in the
margin both from scripture and profane history; and M, de la
Monnoye says it is " bien cent,"
119
repentance in the following manner. In the " Castello"
to which he belonged, a " RAPPRESENTAZJONE" of the
Passion of J. Christ was prepared for exhibition in the
<e settirnana santa" or holy week ; and Bartolommeo
was appointed to act the part of the penitent thief:
elevated upon, and bound to a cross for that purpose.
In personating this character, he found himself so
sensibly and deeply affected, that shedding a flood of
tears in detestation of his past life, he became from that
moment a changed man. For many years he practised
the severest mortifications : and after a certain time,
conceiving himself actuated by a divine impulse, he
assumed the character of a prophet : and frequently
pervading the different Italian states, by his wretched
attire, strange gesticulations, and the peculiar boldness
and energy with which he denounced the impending
judgments of heaven, spread every where terror and.
dismay : and proved excessively troublesome even to
the Roman court, and then reigning pontiff Clement
VII. The particulars of his history are related at large
by Girolamo Gigli, a native of Sienna, of whose work
the " Giornale" abovementioned furnishes an interesting
account. We may content ourselves with adding only,
that II Brandano died anno 1554, in the 67th. year of
his age, leaving behind him as we are informed " uri
grande odore di santita, ed una somma venerazione a
suoi presagi."
Amongst works of the like description I find par-
ticular mention of
" Le MYSTERE du Bien-advise* & Mai-advise", mis
en rime frangoise & par personnaiges," sans dafe, fol.
goth. which volume De Bure pronounces extraordinarily
rare, and always considered " comme le plus pre*cieux
& le premier en rarete de la classe des Mysteres, c."
120
66 LE MISTERE du vieil Testament, mis en rime fran-
$oise & par personnaiges," (circa 1507) fol. goth.
This is also described by De Bure, who says it is
beautifully executed, and the rarest impression of this
ancient drama. It was printed also by Jean Petit, s. a.
" LE MYSTERE de la Conception & Nativite de la
glorieuse Vierge Marie, avec la Nativite, Passion,
Resurrection & Ascension de N. S. J. C. Geof. de
Marneft'." (1507) This comprehends three distinct
mysteries printed in a single volume. De Bure
minutely describes and terms it " Edition tres rare &
fort recherchee." " Les Mysteres de la Resurrection,"
" de la Conception," " de la Passion," and " de la
Vengeance," appeared from the press of Alain Lotrian,
so late as 1539, 4. goth.
" La MORALITE de 1'Homme pecheur, mise en rime
fr. & jouee par personnaiges, &c." fol. goth. sans date:
considered as one of the rarest, and most curious of this
class.
" La MORALITE de THomme juste & de PHomme
mondain, avec le jugement de PAme devote & execution
de sa sentence," 1508, 4. considered equally rare and
curious with the former.
" La NEF de sante, &c. ecrit en prose & en vers, &
mis par personnaiges," small fol. goth. " C'est une
Farce morale qui a de plaisans endroits," says the
annotator on Du Verdier. De Bure observes that it is
very rare and -much prized, as being the original
edition. He mentions a copy preserved in the royal
library, printed on vellum, and decorated with beautiful
miniatures.
Lastly, the press of TREPPEREL was particularly
remarkable for a numerous progeny of these rude
dramatic pieces intitled " Mysteres, &c." Many of
121
them were re-impressions -of those which I have already
noticed. Besides such, the Veuve Trepperel printed
" La Moralitd ou la vie de sainct Pierre & de sainct
Paul, mise en rime & par personnaiges au nombre de
cent," Par. 4. goth. sans date. Also " La Moralite de
Tlnstitution de 1'Ordre des Freres Prescheurs, avec la
Vie de S. Dominique, &c. rime," 4. goth. sans date, a
very rare volume. Alain Lotrian gave " La Moralite
ou la Vie de Monseigneur sainct Laurent par person-
naiges, avec la Martyre de S. Yppolite rime," sans date,
4. goth. " La Moralite de S. Catherine," 4. goth.
de " S. Marguerite," 4. goth. Other works of a similar
complexion are too numerous to be distinctly specified.
These " Moralites," together with " Comedies,"
" Sotties," " Farces," and other pieces of a dramatic
nature, were acted after the suppression of " Mysteres,"
by players calling themselves " Confreres de la Passion"
and others. See mention of various works of a like
character by De Bure, (Bibliogr. Instncct. torn. 3.J
USVARDI Martyrologium ad usum ecclesia Parisiensis,
foL Guido Mercator.
FAUSTI AHDRELINI Lima sive quatuor libri amorum,
4. GUIDO MERCATOR.
Iterum anno 1495, Felix Baligaut, 4. 1496, Guido Mer-
cator, 4.
He also composed " Epistolae adagiales," Par. 1496,
4. " De Neapolitana Fornoviensique Victoria Car-
minum" Libri II. Par. 1496, 4. " De Gestis Legati
et de Captivitate Ludovici Sfortiae," Par. 1500, 4.
" Defuga Balbi ex urbe Parisia," Pur. 1494, 4.
PUBLIUS FAUSTUS ANDRELINUS was a native of Forli
and is said to have obtained the honour of the laureate
R
122
at Rome in his 22nd. year. Under Charles VlII. he
became a professor of humanity and mathematics at
Paris, and assumed the title of " Poete du Roi et de la
Reine." However worthless his verses, he pretends
that Charles VIII. whom he denominates by the flatter-
ing title of Jupiter, took a pleasure in hearing them,
and paid him handsomely for them.
DUM STUPEO totus visu defixus in isto
Juppiter ecce venit magno stipatus honore.
Ipse olim vultus inter nutritus agrestes
Admiror primo aspectu : mox poplite flexo
Ante ipsum quaesita Jovem modulamina fundo,
Scilicet ut bello claram expugnavit aperto
Parthenopem, patrios victorque redivit in agros
Quamvis Hesperio vetitus foret orbe regressus*
When we hear the poet thus expatiate on the con-
quests of the French monarch, shall we believe him
when he adds
NESCIO QUA nostri captus dulcedine cantfts
Ipse fuit, fulvi saccum donavit et aeris
Vix istis delatum humeris, cunctosque per annos
Pensio larga datur, qualem non lentus habebat
Tityrus umbrosis resonans sua gaudia sylvis.
CHOREA ab eximio Macabro versibus Alemanicis edita
et a P. Desrey emendata, fol. with figures. G. de
Marnef. Vid. sub anno 1486.
Cy est la nouvelle DANSE MACABRE des Homines dictt
Miroer salutaire de toutes gens. With figures, fol.
Idem. rid. sub anno 1486, et 1491.
Expositio canonis missa ab ODONE Carrier acensi. 4,
Guide Mercator.
123
This book is said to contain wood cuts. Mercator
repeated the impression annis 1494, 1496, 8. Steph.
Jehannot 1495^ 8. It appeared Par. 1492, 4. ODO
was first a scholar of Orleans, then abbot of " S.
Martin de Tours," and lastly archbishop of Cambray
circa 1105. Refusing to accept the investiture from
the emperor Henry IV. he was expelled from his see :
and retired to a monastery near Douay, where he died
anno 1113.
JJONAVENTURJE Stimulus divini amoris, 12. G. Mit+
telhus.
Iterum 1493, 8. Idem. Sub anno 1474,
MARTINI cognomenlo MAGISTRI vel DE MAGISTRIS
Qutestionum moralium P. //. de temperantia, Me.
Vuolfgang Hopyll.
MARTINUS MAGISTBR, born at Turnon of humble
parents, gained great credit in the university by his
lectures on moral philosophy : became confessor to
Lewis XI. : died anno 1482. His " Qusestiones Morales
de FGrtitudine" and " de Temperantia," were perhaps
his most important productions.
PATHELIN le grant et le petit, 4. goth. Ger. Beneaut.
DE BURE notices the above, and also the following
impressions: " Le meme Pathelin grand & petit c'est
a-dire 1'ancien & le nouveau ; avec le Testament a quatre
personnaiges, & en ryme frangoise." Paris, sans date,
edition goth. extremely rare.
" LE MEME Pierre Pathelin restitue a son naturel ;
avec le grand Blason des faulses amours compose en
vers par Guil. Alexis, Religieux de Lire ; & le Lover
des folles amours, en rime." Par. Gall, du Prc, 1532, 16.
" LEMEME," Lyon 1538, 12.
124
" LA FARCE du meme Pathelin, avec son Testament,
&c. trois nouvelles Ballades tirees d'un MS. du XVI
siecle," Par. Coustelier 1723, 8. impr. sur velin.
I find mention by Du Verdier of two other editions,
Par. S. Vostre, 8. and Groulleau 1564, 16. This work
was translated also from the French into Latin, under
the following title: " COMCEDIA nova quae VETERATOR
inscribitur alias PATHELIN us ex peculiar! lingua in
Romanam versa," Par. Eustace 1512, 16. De Bure
notices an impression upon vellum.
Of this Latin translation Simon de Colines printed an
edition, with the following title : " Pathelinus Comosdia
alias Veterator e Gallica Lingua in Latinam traducta
per Alexandrum Connibertum," Par. 8. 1543.
REUCHLIN (says M. de la Monnoye) was the author
of two very indifferent Latin comedies. One of these
intitled " Progymnasmata" is imitated though in a
very disguised way from the before-mentioned French
work. Hence Melchior Adam says after Melancthon
" edidit fabulam Gallicam plenam candidi salis." But
M. de la Monnoye thinks the salt quite evaporated in
this imitation of Reuchlin, which was first performed in
the episcopal palace at Worms anno 1497.
The Latin translation bearing the name, whether real
or fictitious, of " Alexander Connibertus," appeared
first in the edition of Eustace anni 1512, before-men-
tioned. The style is very superior to Reuchlin's, and
the French exactly rendered ; excepting that the
translator has introduced a new character under the
name of " Comicus" " qui sans etre ni oui ni vu, se
trouve par tout, juge de tout, & fait avec tous les
autres acteurs un a parte perpetuel.' 7 The piece in the
edition of Colines contains 2500 verses, Reuchlin's
scarce 2000.
125
Al. de la Moimoye says he had written the substance
t)f the preceding remarks and many others in the blank
leaves of his own edition of the ancient work, <Svo. sans
date. These were surreptitiously communicated to the
editor of the edition printed at Paris anno 1723, (vid.
ante) and wrought up into a preface without his
concurrence. He disclaims many expressions there
attributed to him, and also the notes.
We find also " Le Nouveau Pathelin & le Testament,
&c." These he says are two other farces comprising
indifferent imitations of the former. A modern regular
comedy he adds, has better preserved the spirit of the
original, and met with a more favourable reception.
M.CCCC.XCI.
D. PAULI Apostoli Epistol<e. Epistola? canonic <e
JACOBI, Kc. 4. Gering # Rembolt.
Tractatus Ven. Dom. ALBERTI MAGNide Artevivendi,
loquendi ct tacendi, char. rom. 8. lidem.
ALBERT us was born at Lawingen in Suabia an no
1205. This great scholastic divine obtained the sur-
name of MAGNUS on account of his eminent talents ;
though some pretend it was from his family name
" Groot" Germanice. He studied at Padua ; joined
the order of " Fratri Predicanti." and became general
of the Dominicans ; who relate many legendary stories
about his youthful dulness and miraculous illumination.
He was considered as the greatest divine, philosopher,
and mathematician of his age. In the last mentioned
science his expertness was such that the vulgar regarded
him as a magician. In the latter part of his career he
126
became public professor of theology at Cologn. Tho-
mas Aquinas, and many others of the most celebrated
schoolmen, were his hearers. Pope Alexander IV.
appointed him bishop of Ratisbon ; but he soon volun-
tarily renounced the episcopal charge, and retired to a
monastery of Cologn, to devote his old age to letters.
Obiit aimo \ 280. His works are very numerous, but
I no where find the above treatise enumerated amongst
them.
Les Histoires de PAVL OROSE traduits en francois
SENECQUE des mots dorez des quatre vertus enfran*
cois. Verard, fol. adorned with figures.
THIS HISTORY consists of VII books. It commences
with the beginning of the world and is brought down
to A. D. 316, which was within about a century of the
author's own period. It abounds with errors and
popular rumours ; but is not considered as a wholly
useless performance. The original appeared first Aug.
Vindtl. 1471.
Cy est la DANSE MACABRE desfemmes toute hystoriee
et augment te de nouveaulx personnaiges, Sfc. Sensui-
vent les trois mors et les trois vifz auec le debat du
corps et de lame. With figures, fol. Guiot Marchand.
I have noticed a larger work intitled " La GRANT
DANSE MACABRE des hommes & des femmes," &c. sub
anno I486. The " Danse Macabre des femmes" is a
different work. A fine copy of it with the figures
illuminated, is mentioned in the " Cat. de la Valliere"
(number 2805.) In the same Cat. (n. 2802) a small fol.
volume intitled " Miroer salutaire pour toutes gens,"
&c. printed by Marchand anno 1486, is said to contain
" la danse macabre des femmes, le debat du corps et
127
de lame et la complainte dc lame dampnee." A like
volume intitlecl " La nouvelle clanse Macabre des
hommes diet Miroer salutaire," &c. Guyot Marchand
1490, fol. Jig. enluminees is noticed (ibid. n. 2S04) and
a copy of " La Danse Macabre des hommes (eri vers)"
Par.fol.goth. (n. 2803) printed on vellum, and orna-
mented with 19 large miniatures. The first figure
exhibits an angel bearing " un rouleau deploy 6" or
open scroll, on which are inscribed these words :
HEC pictura decus, pompam luxumque relegat :
Inque choris nostris Ducere festa monet.
MISSALE XANTONENSE, fol. Johan. Higman.
Libri SAPIENTIALES, La tine, 4. Geo. Wolf.
Le SONGE DV FERGIER qui park de la Disputation du
Clerc, et du Chevalier, par Jacques Maillet,fol.
Iterum Parisiis bis sine anno , ante 1500 Iterum, Jean de
Petit, fol. 1500.
LE VERGIER was an antient French author who chose
to be known by this name only, says Du VERDIER.
But Mattaire terms the work " Philippi Mazzerii Som-
nium Viridarii, Gallice." If the original work was
Latin, possibly Jacques Maillet might be the translator:
but French bibliographers say it was first composed in
French, and afterwards turned into Latin under the
above title. They add that the work was written in the
time of Charles V. The author of the fiction supposes
that sleeping in an orchard (un verger) he beheld two
queens, one denominated " Puissance Spirituelle," the
other " Puissance Temporelle," disputing for pre-
eminence in the king's presence. The former had
chosen an ecclesiastic for her advocate : the latter a
128
chevalier. The sleeper having heard the reasonings on
both sides urged with great ingenuity, evinced so correct
a memory as to commit them to writing, and produce
" le Songe du Vergier."
La DANSE DBS APEUGLES, avec le debat du Religieux
et de rffomme mondain, en rimefrancoise, char. got.
4. par le petit Laurens.
"LA DANSE DES AVEUGLES ! c'est a dire," says Du
VERDI ER, " des humains dansans en ce monde sous la
conduite d' AMOUR, de FORTUNE, & de la MORT," in
rhyme : the argument in an edition an. 1 543 as follows :
AMOUR, FORTUNE & MORT, aveugles & handez,
Font danser les humains chacun par accordance:
Car aussitost qu' AMOUR a ses traicts desbandez,
Li'homme veut commencer a danser basse danse,
Puis FORTUNE, qui sgait le tour de discordance,
Pour un simple d'Amour, fait un double bransler,
Plus inconstant beaucoup que feuille d'arbre en Fair:
Du dernier tourdion la MORT nous importune ;
Et si n'y a vivant qu' on ne voye esbranler
A la danse de MORT, d'AMOUR & de FORTUNE.
I find mention of another Gothic impression a Lyon,
4. also without date, which contains an account of a
dream, in form of a dialogue, prose and verse, between
" L'Acteur" (i. e.) the author, and " son Entendement."
The edition a Lyon chez Ar mullet 154-3, in 8. is
supposed by M. de la Monnoye to differ in many
respects from the ancient work. " La Danse des Aveu-
gles" is by some attributed to Pierre Michault, who
flourished circa 1466. But Panzer mentions a Dutch
edition, Goud<e^ Gerh. Leeu 1482, intitled " Van den
drie blinden Dannsen" which renders it probable that
the work is not originally of French extraction.
129
CHRONIQUES des Rois de France, Par. 1491, 4.
Magistri GUILLERMI HOVPPELANDE libellus de anime
hominis immortalitate et statu post mortem. 12.
Iterum de Marnef. 1493, et Dion. Roce 1499, 8.
This author was a Frenchman who had his education
in the university of Paris, obtained several ecclesiastical
preferments there, and died " Facultatis Theologicse
Decanus" anno 1492.
MARTYROLOGIUM ROMANUM. fol.
M.CCCC.XCII.
Les Paraboles de MAISTRE ALAIN, enfrancois. An-
toine Verardyfol.
This is a translation from the Latin. ALANUS DE
INSULIS was of Flemish extraction ; but flourished as a
divine of the university of Paris : where he became
" Moderator" or " Recteur," and obtained the title of
f< Doctor Universalis." He at length became a Cister-
cian. He is supposed to have flourished circa 1215.
Of his " Opus de Parabolis sive doctrinale minus,"
which appeared first Daventrite 1492, # s<zpius alibi.
I find mention of no French impression in the original
Latin. The translation is in French rhyme, with a
commentary. Du VERDI ER says an edition was also
printed by Pierre Sergent, Paris, without date. He
gives the following as a specimen of these parables.
" APPARET fantasma viris, sed rursus ab illis
Vertitur in nihilum quod fuit ante nihil."
These two lines, unmeaning as they are, are amplified
into eight in the French translation.
s
130
It was this author of whom that proverbial expression
was first spoken :
" Sufficiat vobis vidisse ALANUM."
Upon a certain festival of the Holy Trinity, the auditory
of the said Alanus expected to hear a learned discourse
suitable to the occasion. He appeared indeed in the
pulpit, but spoke these words only " Sufficiet vobis
vidisse Alanum," and presently retired. Signifying'
that Alain, universal doctor as he was, eould no other-
wise express the profundity of this mystery, than by a
solemn silence. This anecdote is related by M. de la
Monnoye, who thinks that Alanus flourished somewhat
later than I have before mentioned.
Our own venerable WYNKEN DE WORDE gave two
impressions of these parables, viz. anno 1508 and 1525.
The first impression is thus described, " Parabola alani
cam commento." This title is over a wood cut of a
school-master on his throne, with a rod in his right
hand, and three scholars sitting on a form before
Mm. Vid. Ames. I, p. 146.
Ueguillon de crainte divine pour bien mourir, ou Traite
des peines d'ENFER SC de PURGATOIRE. Gilles
Cousteau ct Jean Mcnard, pour Ant. Verard^foL
Le. Livre de MATHEOLUS contre le Marriage , le tout
compose en rimefrancoise. Ant. Verard^fol.
PANZER says this book is a translation from the Latin,
by Jean le Fevre de Terouane. It is considered as a
work of great rarity and curiosity, and has the following
whimsical subscription to determine its date :
POUR Tan que je fus mis en sens
Retenez M et cinqcens
Je vous prie 6tez-en huit
131
Mettez Oclobre le tiers jour
Et prenez plaisir et sejour
Tout ainsi comme il s'ensuyt,:
Explicit.
The same work in process of time gave rise to
another, in French rhyme, on the opposite argument ;
intitled " Le Rebours de Matheolus ou le Resolu en
marriage," Paris, Mich, le Noir 1518, 4. goth. about
which period as DE BURE conjectures " Le Livre de
Matheolus" was reprinted in 4. goth. though the im-
pression preserves the subscription of the original before
given.
Trait e de ravenemeni de V ANTICHRIST et des 15 signes
precedens le jugement et des joyes du Paradis. fol.
Ferard. Fid. an. 1494, " De arte bene Vivendi, #V."
De Bure says this is a curious and singular work ;
and the first that appeared on this subject.
Z,e Lwre de V Art de la FAFLCONNERIE et des Chicns
de Chasse par GUILLAUME TARDIF. fol. Antoine
Ferard. Iterum, Idem 1506, 4.
This is an uncommon work. TARDIF was " Liseur
du Roy Charles VIII." He wrote also " Anti Balbica
seu Recriminatio Tardiviana," Par. 1495, 4. " Gram-
matica," and " Rhetoricae Compendium," Caesaris &
Stol. (sine loco et anno.) His treatise of Faulconry
consists of two parts: the first teaches " a connoitre
les oiseaux de proie, &c." the second " les maladies
desdits oiseaux, &c."
Le libre de BIEN VIVRE. fol. Ferard. Fid. sub anno
1483, " Ars vivendi:" etiam sub anno 1494,
132
MISSALE juxta ritus et constitutiones Ecclesite Mel-
densis. Joh. de Prato, fol.
BREVIARIUM magnum ad usutn ecclesite Parisiensis.
foL Idem.
BREVIARIUM Ecclesia Parisiensis, foL Pierre Caron.
Joh. Belin and Jo. Dupre, foL Sub anno 1479.
Compendiosa HYMNORUM expositio, 4. Ant. Cayllaut.
M. T. CICERONIS Orationes pro lege Manilid, Archia,
Ligario, Marcello, & Deiotaro. 4. Idem.
THOMAS A KEMPIS de imitatione Christi. Phil.
Pigouchet, 12.
The first impression of Paris, under the name of
" Thomas a Kernpis." Iterum, Par. 1493, Jean Lam-
y Gallice, 4. Vid. sub anno 1489, " Gerson"
TERENTIUS cum Comm. Guidonis Juvenalis. G. Wolff
pro Phil. Pigouchet, fol.
BREVIARIUM ecclesite Parisiensis. Ad solem aureum
vici Sorbonici (GeringJ opera M. Georgii Wolff.
Rubricis nigris,fol. Rubricis rubris, 8.
MISSALE Ecdesice Parisiensis. Ulric Gering pro Sim.
Yostre. Rubricis nigris et rubris, fol. Sub anno
1481.
JACOEI FABRI Stapulensis in Aristotelis octo Physicos
Libros Paraphrasis. J. Higman,fol. Sub an. 1496.
The following are the concluding lines of " Judoci
Clichtouei carmen decastichum regratiatorium eorum
qui hoc opus imprimi curaverunt :"
133
DEBETIS grates Alemano et ad usque Johanni
Higman : qui propriis sumptibus egit opus
Mendam corripui fido comitante Bohemo
(Ut potui) in plumbo si qua relicta fuit.
Histoire du vaillant Chevalier PIERRE DE PROVENCE
et de la BELLE MAGUELQNNE file du Roi de Naples.
Char, got h. 4.
DE BURE ascribes this impression to Jehan Trep-
perel. Cat. Due de la Valliere, torn. ii. p. 642.
M.CCCC.XCIII.
Metamorphose d'OviDE moralisee par Thomas Waleys
appellee la Bible des Poetes de metamorphoze. Ant,
Verard.
This THOMAS WALEIS is said to have been a native
of Wales, a divine of the university of Oxford, and of
the society of preaching friars. At Avignon anno 1332
preaching before the whole pontifical court, he is said
boldly to have asserted the doctrine " de immediata
Dei visione," and to have accused John XXII. then
present of heresy. For this he was imprisoned ; but
released at the request of the king of France, and of
the university of Paris.
An impression of the above French translation was
executed Brugis 1484, Colard Manson, fol. The
Spanish had also " Lo Libro de los Transformacions,"
Barcellonfe 1494. There was a translation into the
Italian printed anno 1497. CAXTON translated out of
the French and printed
" THE XV BOOKS OF METAMORPHOSES
In which ben contaynid the fables of Ouid."
134
There is reason to suppose that CAXTON " fynysshed"
and printed this work so early as in the year 1480.
Of this translation which was in prose, see his own
mention, sub anno 1475, article " Legenda"
de SAPIENCE. Ant. Verard, fol.
This is a translation from the Latin, probably of
HEN RIG us Suso, a native of Constance, who was born
circa 1300 became a member of the order of " Fratri
Predicanti" and died anno 1365. His most esteemed
work was intitled " Horologium oeternae Sapientise,"
Venet, 1492, 4. Colon. 1496, 4. Alosti, sine anno.
A subsequent edition of the French translation appeared
from the press of Estienne Groulleau.
CAXTON included a translation of this work into
English, in one of his impressions intitled " A BOKE
COMPOSED OF DIVERSE GHOSTLY MATERS. Of which
the fyrst treatise is named " OROLOGIUM SAPIENCIE"
shewing VII poyntes of true love of everlastynge wis-
dom." At Westmynstere. This name was gyuen herto,
as hyt is seyde in the proheme of the boke, bycause
that the mater thereof was shewyn to hym that wrote
hit, as in a visioun, under the figure and likeness of. a
wonder fayre orologe setet and arayed wyth passynge
fayre roses and wyth symbales swete sownynge &c. ?>
Qui LEGIT emendet, pressorem non reprehendat
Wyllehnum Caxton, Cui Deus alta tradat.
Caxton is supposed to have printed this book circa
1496. The colophon informs us that it was lately
*' translated out of Frenshe by a right well disposed
person but unperfyght in such werke, who caused the
sayd book to be enprynted and humby besoughte the
readers of their charite to pray for the soule of the
translator." Fid. Ames K Herbert, torn. 1, p. 9Q,
135
Le MYSTERE DE LA VENGEANCE de N. S. J. C. par
personnages divise en quatre journees. Char. goth.
fol. Ant. Verard. Vid. sub anno ] 490.
Le JovvENCEL.foL goth. Ant. Verard.
Iterum 1497. Verard.
DE SURE says this is an allegorical romance, including
the most prudent maxims, by which a military man
should regulate his conduct in every stage of advance-
ment. The celebrated Jean du Beuil, admiral of France
under Charles VII, is the author and hero of the work.
He is supposed to have written it after Louis XI had
deprived him of his dignity of admiral in 146 1 . M. de
S. Palaye has given an interesting extract from this
romance, torn. XXVI, " Mem. de VAcad. des Inscr.
Cc." and says the manuscripts are infinitely preferable
to the printed copies, because the latter are full of errors.
A beautiful manuscript of this romance is described
in the Catalogue " de la Valliere," II, p. 643. It is
of the XV century: contains 136 leaves, is written
"enancienne batarde.' r The " sommaires" are "en
rouge." Many of the capitals are painted in gold and
colours : and it is enriched with painted ornaments,
and sixteen elegant miniatures. The manuscript is
upon vellum.
Le livre de JEAN BOCCACE de la Louange et Vertu des
Nobles K Cleres Dames. Ant. Verard, fol. goth.
with figures.
A translation from the Latin, vid. an. 1483. The
Catalogue " de la Valliere" particularly describes the
"editio princeps" of the Latin original, Ulmce 1473,
fol. goth. That early impression is also ornamented
with wood cuts, some of which are very singular. On
136
the reverse of fol. 107 is found the representation of
" la Papesse Jeanne qui accouche au milieu d'une
Procession," to the great astonishment of the surround-
ing cardinals. Tom. in, p. 372.
A well preserved copy of the French translation,
printed by Verard, was in the collection of W. ROSCOE,
ESQ. Almost every chapter is decorated at the com-
mencement with a rude wood cut, so placed as to
represent an ornamented initial or capital letter. The
title of each chapter expresses the first words of the
Latin original, thus " Le XI Chapitre traitera de europa.
Et commance au texte Europam arbitrantur quidam"
The book is a moderately sized folio, printed in large
" characteres batards."
L'Art et Science de HHETORIQUE pour f air e rigmes et
ballades par HENRY LE CROY. fol. Ant. Verard.
Le livre intitule V ARERE DBS BATAiLLESpar HONORS
BONNOR, fol. goth.
This work is ornamented with cuts. The Cat. de la
Valliere notices an impression upon vellum. Tom. ii,
p. 602. Fid. sub. anno 1481.
Les GRANDS CHRONIQUES DE FRANCE avecque la
Chroniqve de frere Robert Gaguin contenue a la
Chronique Martinienne, 3 voll.
The first volume has the subscription of GUILLAUME
EUSTACE, " a Tenseigne de P Agnus Dei." The second
has this subscription, " Cy finissent les faits et gestes
du roi jehan, qui est a la fin du second volume
de Croniques de France im prime a Paris par Jehan
Maurand, pour Anthoine Verard, c." The third
137
concludes " Cy finist le tiers volume contenant Charles
V. VI. & VII. Imprime a Paris pour Anthoine
Verard, &c. Pan M. cccc. quatre vingts et xm." fol.
(See Cat. de la Faliere, 501 9. J
An impression of this work occurs in the " Biblio-
theca Parisiana," No. 543, printed upon vellum. It
is described as a book of the greatest rarity ; and of
astonishing magnificence, both for the equal beauty of
so large a work on vellum, the size of the margin, and
the immense labour of the illuminator. Every capital
letter is painted in gold; and it contains 953 miniatures,
of which 1 3 are the size of the page, and 940 about 4
inches by 3. It is in the original red velvet binding ;
and came from the library of Claude d'Urfe. It was
purchased by M. Laurent at the price of 151. 4s.
De Bure says that VERARD'S impression of the
before-mentioned Chronicles is somewhat less rare than
that of PASQUIER BONHOMME ; but better executed. I
find notice of an impression bearing the name and
device of FRANCOIS REGNAULT, 3 voll. fol. sine anno.
I have mentioned sub anno 1476 " Les grands
Chroniques de France, dites de S. Denis," 3 voll. fol.
Having there stated the opinion of Du CHESNE that the
Chronique de S. Denis was begun by JEAN CHARTIER ;
I shall here observe that according to M. DE STE
PALAYE, GUILLAUME DE NANGIS who flourished under
St. Louis and Philippe le Bel, was the earliest author;
that he carried it to the year 1275, and that it was
continued by others who borrowed their additions from
contemporary historians. The original Chronicle of
G. de Nangis appears to have been composed in Latin :
but is now lost. The " Cat. de la Valiere," No. 5021,
describes a fine manuscript of " La Chronique de
France 7 ' by this author, which commences thus :
T
138
te Pource que moult de gent et mesmement li hauls
homme et li noble qui souvent viennent en leglise de
monseigneur St. Denys de f ranee ou grant partie des
vaillans Roys de f ranee gist en sepulture desirent a
congnoistre et a sauoir la naissance et dessendue de
leur tres haulte generaeion et les merueilleux faiz qui
sont raconte et publie par maintes terres des deuant diz
roys de France je frere guille de nangis moine de la
deuant dicte eglise de saint denis ay translate de Latin
en francois a la requeste de bonnes gens ce que jauoye
autrefoiz fait en latin selon la forme dun arbre de la
generaeion desdiz Roys pour ce que cil qui latin
nentendent puissent sauoir et congnoistre dont si noble
gent et si beneureuse lignee descendi et vint."
L'Histoirc d'EuRiALUS et de LUCRECE vrais Amou-*
reux. Ant. Ferard,fol.
This is a translation into French rhyme from the
Latin of ^Eneas Sylvius, afterwards pope Pius II.
printed iterum sub hoc anno, et sine loco et anno. Vid.
sub anno 1476.
MARTIAL DE PARIS les Vigiles de la mort du Roi
Charles VII. ou Chronique des Choses arrivces
durant la vie du dit feu Roi, mise en vers. Jean du
Presy char, goth.fol.
The history of CHARLES VII. entitled' " Les Vigiles,
&c." is a work in French verse, composed by Martial
d'Auvergne, " procureur au Parliament de Paris" circa ,
1480. It treats of the recovery of France ; and of the
duchies of Normandy and Guienne from the English.
The poem contains six or seven thousand verses of
different measures: and is wholly in praise of the
139
jabovementioned monarch. It was entitled " Les Vi-
giles, &c." on account of the singular form under
which it is conceived : which is that " des Vigiles des
Morts." Instead of " psalms" are found historical
recitals ; in which the poet records the misfortunes and
exploits of Charles's reign. For the " lessons," are
substituted complaints on account of his death, and
eulogies on his virtues. This work wag thought worthy
of being reprinted so lately as in 1724, Paris, S.
The same author composed in French verse " Ckir
quante Arrets d' Amours :" often printed, and last,
Amst. 1731, with the addition of " L'Amant rendu
Cordelier, &c." which by some has been attributed to
him. (vid. sub an. .1473.) I have noticed his " Devotes
Louanges" mb anno 1489. French bibliographers say
he was the best writer of his age ; and that all his
productions are marked with ingenuity, strength, pene-
tration, and an " elegance naive" which still please;
and which evince too that he was frank, sincere, and a
declared enemy to vice. They cite his description of
a rural life, which say they " est charmant."
MIEUX vaut Hesse
L' accueil & I'adresse
L' amour & simplesse
Des bergers pasteurs,
Qu avoir a largesse
Or, argent, richesse
Ne la gentilesse
De ces grans seigneurs.
Car ils out douleurs
Et des maux greigneurs ;
Mais pour nos labeurs
Nons avons sans cesse
140
Les beaulx pres & flcurs,
Fruitages, odeurs,
Et joye a nous cueurs
Sans mal qui nous blesse.
Vid. Bib. de la Croix du Maine.
ELEGANTIAR UM vigin ta prazcepta, 8 . Guido Mercator.
On the subject of ignorant printers, and impudent
pretenders to literature, says Chevillier, Aldus Manutius
complains at much length in his preface to the
" Cornucopias" of Perottus, 1515, fol, Jacques Fon-
taine a professor of civil law at Paris, on composing
the eulogy of Rembolt after his decease, which is found
in " Sexto Decretal ium," Chevalon 1520, speaks in
terms equally indignant. I have noticed the preceding
volume in the introductory part of this work, page 43.
JOHANNIS DE TAMBACO Consolatorium theologicum.
Georg. Mittelhus, 4. goth.
JOANNES TAMBACUS, a native of Strasburg, belonged
to the order of " Fratri Predicanti :" after presiding at
the university of Prague, was created by Urban V. <c S.
Palatii Magister :" and " claruit circa 1384." His
" Consolatorium," otherwise " Speculum Patientiae seu
de Consolatione Theologiae Libb. XV." appeared first
Basilea, Amerbach. 1492.
JOAN. GERSONAlphabetumdiviniamoris 9 l2.got. Idem.
Early impressions of the various Opuscula of Gersori
are almost numberless. Vid. sub anno 1489.
Liber Meditationum beati Bernardi, 8. Idem.
This is one of the numerous treatises of S. BERNARD
" Abbas Clarevallensis," whose writings often employed
141
the Gothic press. In 1 496 WYNKEN DE WORDE printed
in English " The MEDYTATYONS of SAYNT BERNARD
which for very favour and charytabJe loue of all such
persones as have not vnderstonding in Latyn hath be
translatyd fro Latyn into Englisshe by a deuout student
of the vniuersyte of Cambrydge and has been put to be
emprynted the IX of March at Westmesler, 4." There
is a wood cut in the frontispiece, representing a religious
man in a hood, a cross in one hand, and a book in the
other.
De reformatione virium anime (GERARDi} DE ZUT-
PHANIA, 8. Idem.
Iterum, Par. 1493, 8.
GERARD DE ZUTPHEN, so called from the place of
his nativity, was one of the first " e clericis regularibus
Ord. S. Hieronymi ;" and was remarkable for his piety
and learning. Claruit circa 1390. The above tract,
and another of his, " DC spiritualibus ascensionibus,"
being of the ascetic character, are sometimes found
united with the works of Thomas a Kern pis.
MISSALE EDUENSE, fol. Johan. Higman.
JUSTIN i AN f Imperator. Institutionum Libri IV. cum
glossis.fol. Geor. Wolf.
Trait e de V amour parfaite de GUISARDUS K SIGIS-
MUNDE, 4. goth. Pierre le Caron.
This is a rhyming translation of the " Aureus
Libellus de Guiscardo et Sigismunda," a tale from
Boccace ; by Leonardo Aretino. There are seven early
editions of the original: sell. 1490 sine loco y and six
sine anno K loco. It appeared in English under the
142
title of "The Stately Tragedy of GUISCARD arid
SIGISMOND," in two books, 4. printed as Warton thinks
by WYNKEN DE WORDE. He also says that it was
written by one William Walter, an obscure writer
coeval with Stephen Hawes. There is an edition anni
1597, imprinted for R. D. (Rob. Dexter.) Fid.
Herbert, vol. l,p. 216.
Le droitz nowueaulx avec le DEB AT des DAMES et des
armes, Venqueste entre la simple tf rusee, Kp. 4.
Veuve de Jehan Trepperel.
This is by GUILLAUME COQUILLART, official of the
church of Rheims, anno 1478. He was author of other
similar tracts ; such as " Le Monologue de la Botte de
foin" "le Monologue de Puis" " du Gendarme
Casse, &c." a Paris, Gal. du Pre, anno 1532.
M. DE LA MONNOYE thinks that he was contemporary
with Martial d'Auvergue, whom I have noticed under
the present year. Marot esteems him the honour of
Champagne ; and says in imitation of Martial's
" VERONA docti syllabas amat vatis ;
" De COQUILLART s'ejo'dit la CHAMPAGNE."
Le grand BLASON des fausses amours. 4. goth. Jehan
Lambert.
This is another of the productions of Frere GUILLAUME
ALEXIS surnamed " Le Moyrie de Lyre," mentioned
sub anno 1486. Guillaume Caron gave an impression
also, Par. sine anno 4. This early poet's works are
much esteemed. The " Blason" in particular is said
to be worthy of revision and correction by some good
manuscript. The dialogue consists of twenty-six
stanzas, each of twelve verses, of agreeable but various
construction. LA FONTAINE admired the ease and
143
sprightliness of this monk's poetry ; and on some
occasions imitated his manner and versification.
Lc MARTYROLOGVE desfaulses langues tenu au temple
de Dangler. Idem, 4. goth.
Du VERDI ER says this work is in couplets ; the latter
line of each couplet ending with a kind of proverbial
sentence ; such as,
" COEUR pensif ne scait oil il va.
La crainte est tousiours aux approches.
De faux arbre mauvais syon.
Qui mal dit mal lui soit rendu, &c."
It was also printed a Rouen par Jaq. Forestier y 4.
LuDonciMoNTALTi Tractatus Reprobationis Sententite
Pilati. 4. min.
Iterum, 1496, 4.
The above, which PANZER mentions without a
printer's name, is said to be an impression of Michel le
Noir ; and the original edition of an uncommon and
very singular tract.
JVVENALIS Satyra, gallice. 4.
SUMMULA PAUPERVM quam nominant plures jurisperi-
torum versus Decretales, 4.
Iterum, G. Wolff, 1494.
Perhaps this " Summula" is the same which we find
subjoined to subsequent editions of the " Decretalia"
of Gratian : under the title of " Decretum abbreviatum
inversibus;" commencing
" Prima dabit cuique jus humanum domiDiqn, Ac.* 1
.
JOHANNIS BVRWAM Sophismata. 4.
144
JEAN BURIDAN, a native of Bethune, and 'Recteur' of
the university of Paris, was less famous for his commen-
taries on Aristotle, than for his " Sophism of the Ass."*
He supposed one of these animals, equally pressed by
hunger and thirst, placed between a bushel of oats and
a bucket of water. " Que fera cet ane?" said he to
his hearers. " He will remain motionless." " What,"
said the Doctor, "suffer himself to perish between
water and corn ? No he will turn to one side in pre-
ference to the other. Consequently he possesses the
faculty of deliberation and freedom of choice." It is
pretended that this sophism so perplexed the logicians
of the age, that the Ass of BURIDANUS became famous
in the schools. This Professor we are told, espoused
the party of the nominalists ; and was on that account
persecuted by the realists, and obliged to seek refuge
in Germany. His " Quaestiones in Ethica Aristotelis'
were printed Par. 1 489, fol. W. Hopyll. "In Politica,"
Par. 1500. His " Summulade Dialectica," Par. 1487,
fol, Charcagnus. (Vid. sub anno 1487.^
M.CCCC.XCIV.
PSALTERIUM ad usum ecclesitf Parisiensis 9 cumcantu.
4. Gering and Rembolt.
Dialogus beati GREGORII pap<z cjusque diaconi PETRI
de vita et miraculis patrum Italicorum et de aternitate
animarum. Gering et Rembolt, 4.
Sermones Fr. GVILLERMI super epistolas de tempore et
Sanctis, 8. I idem.
This was GULIELMUS PERALDUS, sive " de Petra
alta," a French Dominican, who flourished circa 1272.
145
and became archbishop, or perhaps suffragan of Lyons.
He left also " Sutnma aurea de Virtu tibus & Vitiis."
Colonies 1479, # s<epius alibi, and " Tractatus de Pro-
fessione Monachorum," Par. Joan. Parvus, sine anno.
GUILLELMI Carthusiensis Sermones super orationem
Dominicam. Gering and Rembolt , S.
Le memeilleux Fails et Gestes du noble #* puissant
Chevalier LANCELOT DU LAC, Compaignon ck la table
ronde, iii. voll.fol. Ant. Verard. Fid. sub anno 1488.
This is the most esteemed edition of a ROMANCE
which DE BURE terms the most amusing of all that
relate " a la Table Ronde." It is of Latin or as some
say Italian origin. The translator is generally reputed
to be ROBERT DE BORRON. But there is also a tradition
that GAUTIER MAP or WALTER DE MAPES, our facetious
countryman, had some hand either in the original or the
translation. An old French manuscript says, that Walter
had translated from the Latin into French the " Livre
de S. Graal" for the amusement of his sovereign Hen-
ry II. of England. The king having perused these
adventures of S. Graal, observed that it was not
sufficient to have recounted the achievements of so
many brave knights, but that he ought also to add
the history of their deaths ; which induced Walter to
undertake a new work, viz. " La Mort du Roi Artus,
derniere partie des Romans de la Table Ronde." (r)
(r)* In the Cat. de la Valiere (No. 3989) we find a par-
ticular description of a curious manuscript of the XIII century,
intitled " Recueil de Romans des Chevaliers de la Table-
ronde," 3 voll. fol. written upon vellum, containing 694 leaves,
u
146
The Cat. de la Valiere also mentions <f Le seconde
volume du Roman de Lancelot," a Paris, Ant. Verard,
fol. goth. printed upon vellum, with xx miniatures ;
on each page three columns, and enriched with a great number
of miniatures. It contains 1. " Le roman del SAN GRAAL,"
which is the first " de la Table-ronde." 2. t; Histoire de
MERLIN, &c." 3. " Le roman de LANCELOT DU LAC," the
sequel of that " de S. Graal," and " des Chevaliers de la
Table-ronde." On the subject of this ancient manuscript the
compiler of the catal. (De Bure) adds the following notice:
" On y lit que les avantures del S. Graal, telles qu' elles
furent vues & racontees par Boor, furent mises & gardees en
1'Abbaye de Salesbieres ....
Dont Maistre Gautiers map les traist a faire son liure del S.
Graal por lamor del roi henri son signor qui fit lestoire trans-
later du latin en franchois. apres che que maistres gautiers map
ot traitie des auentures del S. Graal asses souffisament si
comme il fut auis al roi henri son signor que ce quil auoit fait
ne deuoit pas souffire sil ne racontoit la fin de chaus dont il
auoit deuant fait mention comment chil moururent de qui il
auoit les proeces ramenteus en son liure & porce commencha
il cest daaraine partie & quant il lot mise ensamble il lapala la
mort al roi artus." Hence probably the same title, viz. " LA
MORTE D'ARTHUR," came to be applied to " The lyfe of king
Arthur, and of his noble knyghtes of the round table, and in
thende the dolorous deth of them all," printed by CAXTON anno
1485. MR. DUNLOP observes that the French " ROMAN DE
Roi ARTUS" is merely a combination of the antecedent fabulous
stories of the knights of the ROUND TABLE, with some improve-
ment perhaps in the arrangement of the incidents : that the
work comprehends the history of the ROUND TABLE, of which
ARTHUR was the founder, or at least the restorer ; and gives
an account of that monarch from his birth to the period of hia
tragical death.
147
which volume is not of the edition of 1494. It has
this quatrain inserted in manuscript, in the writing of
the xvn century :
SIR THOMAS MALORY, knight, is said to have invested this
interesting romance with an English dress before the year
1470. Concerning Malory little appears to be known; but
Leland and Hollingshed are said to have described him as a
native of Wales. It is observable that some are inclined to
consider Sir Thomas Malory partly as an original author ; or
at least as a compiler of this romance ; and relying on the
veracity of Leland's and Hollingshed's tradition, imagine he
might gather largely for his work from the WKLSH ROMANCES
then extant, as well as from others in the French and Norman
languages. True it is, that CAXTON in his preface says ;
44 Many noble volumes ben made of hym (Arthur) and of his
noble knyghtes in Frensshe, whych J haue seen and redde
beyond the see, which ben not had in our maternal tongue.
But in Walsh ben many, and also in Frensshe, and some in
Eng-lyssh, but no where nyghe alle. Wherefore suche as
haue ben late drawen oute bryefly into Englyssh J haue, afler
my synaple cunnynge that God hath sent to me, vnder the
fauour and correction of all noble lordes and gentylmen
enprysed to enprynt a boke of the noble hystoryes of the sayd
kynge Arthur and of certen of his knyghtes afier a copy vnto
me delyuered, whiche copi Syr Thomas Malory toke out of
certen bokes of Frensshe, and reducyd it into Englyashe."
Thus by the testimony of CAXTON himself, the sources of SIR
THOMAS MALORY'S work appear to be limited to French
originals only. Whether he performed the part of a compiler
as well as a translator, can only be ascertained by a minute
comparison of the English with the French romances: but
CAXTON afterwards expressly characterises the work as a
k< translation" PANZER certainly considers as the prototype
of this work some early manuscript of the book intitled ;i LE
148
" QUICONQUE dit que LANCELOT est fable
C'est quelque sot qui n'est point amoureux
Car qui bien aime & a la cueur stable
Penetrera & 1'enfer & les cieux."
The impression anni 1494 by Verard, is considered
as the best edition. It appeared also annis 1513 and
1533, in three parts. Du Verdier also mentions an
ROMAN DU Roi ARTUS ou livre du Roi ARTUS et de COM-
PAGNONS de la TABLE RONDE ou de LANCELOT DE LAC ; of
which the first and second parts were printed a Rouen, en
rkostel de gaillard le bourgois Lan de grace mil CCCC. IIII. XX.
et huyt (1488) par jehan le bourgois: and the third part in
the same year at Paris, by Jehan du Pre, under the title of
" Tierce partie de Lancelot du Lac, fyc." fol. (Fid. sub anno
1488.) The two first volumes occur " Cat. de la Valiere,"
No. 3998, and DE BURE says " C'est le Roman du Grand
Artus :" and the three vols. are noticed together in his " Bibl.
Instructive" No. 3786. This conjoint impression of Rouen
and Paris is doubtless a work of the greatest rarity, as I find
no indubitable specification of any other edition prior or
posterior.
CAXTON'S impression thus concludes " And when J am
deed, J pray you all pray for my soule; for the translacion of
this boke was fynysshed the ix. yere of the regne of kyng
Edwarde the fourth, by syr Thomas Maleore knyght, as Jhesu
helpe hym for his grete myghte, as he is the servaunt of Jhesu
bothe day and nyghte."
" Thus endyth this noble and ioyous boke, entytled La morte
d'Arthur Notwythstondyng it treateth of the bjjrth, lyf and
actes of the sayd kynge Arthur, of his noble knyghts of the
rounde table, theyr merueylous enqueues and aduentures,
thacheuynge of the sancgreal, and in the ende the dolourous
deth and departynge out of this worlde of them al; whyche
149
edition of the Romance of Lancelot, which his anno-
tators say was printed anno 1520, in 6 vols.
PAMPHILE en vers francois, ou Its fails d? Amour de
Pamphile et de Galatea: fol. gotfi. Antoine Verard.
This is a paraphrase of a Latin poem by PAMPUILUS
MAURILIANUS, intitled " Parnphilus de amore seu
boke was reduced into Englysshe by syr Thomas Malory,
knight, as afore is sayd, and by me devyded into xxi. bokes,
chapitred and emprynted, and fynisshed in thabbey, Wesmestre,
the last day of Juyl, the yere of our Lord M.CCCC.LXXXV,"
Caxton me fieri fecit. " To Malory says M. Dunlop, Spenser
was greatly indebted, as has been shown by M. Warton at
much length in his remarks on that poet's imitations of the old
romances; where he also attempts to prove that Ariosto bor-
rowed from Lancelot du Lac the notion of Orlando's madness,
of his enchanter Merlin, and of his magic cup. 1 ' (Hist, of
Fiction , vol. i. p. 21 1 : also Warton on Spenser ', passim.)
A second English impression of the beforementioned popular
romance was executed by WYNKEN DE WORDE anno 1498,
fol. with wood cuts: a third anno 1529. Another in double
columns by WILLIAM COPLAND anno 1557 : another by THOMAS
EAST, who flourished under queen Elisabeth, sine anno: and as
it is said, another by W. STANSBY for JACOB BLOME anno
1634, 4. A copy of the first impression by Caxton, wanting
only eight leaves, was lately purchased for Earl Spencer at the
sale of Mr. Lloyd's books, at Wygfair near St. Asaph, at the
price of 325. This circumstance, after a long interval,
has awakened the curiosity of the public with regard to this
amusing romance; and a reimpression of it has been announced,
under the superintendance of the ingenious Mr. Southey : and
two impressions in a small size and character, but with a,
modernized text, &c. have also recently appeared.
150
carmen de arte amandi." It has the original Latin
elegiacs in the margin. Pierre le Dru gave an impression
of the original separately anno 1499, Paris, 4.
PAMPHILE becomes enamoured of GALATHEE a neigh-
bouring beauty. She being of a more considerable and
wealthy family, he is apprehensive of a refusal. He
negotiates with " une Intriguante," who undertakes to
manage the affair. This artful female is well paid by
Pamphilus and Galatea ; and the parents of the latter
at last consent to the desired marriage. French critics
observe that the stratagems of love are described in this
piece, with sufficient " naivete." " La souplesse de
rintriguante," the art which she employs to irritate the
passions of the two lovers, and her own avidity for gain,
are well expressed, " en un style assez bon pour le
temps."
This book was in " la Bibliotheque du Roi," small
fol. printed on vellum with illuminations : the first of
which represents the author on his knees, clad in a long
furred robe, presenting his work to Charles VIII, for
whose amusement it was composed. Jean de Marnef
gave an impression anno 1545.
BOECE de Consolation, en Francois, fol. Anthoine
Verard.
This French translation was also printed Brugis by
Colard Mansion 1417, fol. and Lugduni, Guil. le Roy
1483, fol.
The translator is said to be JEAN DE ME UN, the
continuator of the "Roman de la Rose." Our early poet
CHAUCER also distinguished himself by a translation of
this author. He is supposed to have executed it in
early life possibly during his residence at Paris. A
few Gallicisms interspersed may authorise the conjecture
151
that he availed himself of the labours of Jean de Meun,
who was confessedly with him a favourite writer : but
this might be better ascertained by a comparison of both
versions. This translation by Chaucer, viz. " Boecius
de Consolatione Philosophic," was first printed by CAX-
TON at an early period, but without date. The book
is in Latin and English alternately ; and Caxton in the
epilogue says: " The worshipful fader & first foundeur
& embelissher of ornate eloquence in our english, J mene,
Maister Geffrey Chaucer hath translated this sayd werke
oute of latyn in to our vsual and moder tonge. Folowing
the latyn as neygh as is possible to be vnderstande, &c.
TheBoke of Boecius called "the comforte of philoso-
phye," in maner of a dialogue &c. was also translated
into the Eriglyshe toung by George Coluile, alias
Coldewel, and Imprynted by John Cawood, 1556," 4.
Vid. also Nearness Rob. of Gloucester, v. 2, p. 101.
BOCCACE des nobles malheureux. Idem, foL with wood
cuts.
This translation is by LAURENT DE PREMIER FAICT,
who flourished under Charles VIII, and probably
translated the Decameron; noticed sub anno 1485. I
presume it is the same work, though under a different
title, with that already described sub anno 1483.
IS ORDINAIRE des Chretiens en 5 parties. Ant. Ge-
rard, foL ornamented with wood cuts.
Iterum, Verard, 1495.
Anno 1502 WYNKEN DE WOROE printed an English
translation of this singular work, intitled
" THE ORDINARYE OF CRYSTEN MEN."
At the head of the prologue is a wood cut of a monk
presenting a book to a bishop seated, with his mitre on,
152
and his cross bearer standing by. In the prologue we
are informed that the book is divided into 5 parts.
" The fyrst is of the sacrament of baptem, and of the
xij artycles of the fayth The seconde is of the x.
commaundementes of the lawe The thyrde is of the
werkes of mercy The fourthe is of the maner hym
well to confesse The fyfth is of the paynes of helle,
and of the joys of paradyse." Also that it was " fyrst
begonne to be wrytten the xiiij day of January the yere
of our lorde M.cccc.lxvij."
This book contains several forms of exorcisms and
conjurations, and has twelve very singular wood prints
interspersed. At the end " Here endeth the booke
named the ordynarye of chrysten men nevvely hystoryed
and translated out of Frenshe in to Englysshe. Em-
prynted in the Cyte of London in the Flete-strete in the
syne of the sonne by Wynken de Worde, the yere of
our lorde M.ccccc.ij." Beneath is Caxton's cypher on
a^black ground, with the name of " Wynkyn de Worde."
On the last leaf a cut on each page. The first, of the
crucifixion, between the two thieves ; the other a cru-
cifix botone, erected on a tall pillar on steps in the high-
way, where three persons on horseback, and a dragon
in the air, are beholding it with astonishment, listening
to a group of ghosts and a begging friar sitting on the
ground near it, who may be supposed relating the
miracles done thereby. Ames and Herbert are equally
minute in describing the other wood cuts in this curious
volume which are stated to be 1 2 in number. Anno
1506 WYNKEN DE WORDE repeated the impression of
this work : and what is singular, the wood cuts in this
second edition, though equally extravagant in design,
are found to differ intirely from those of the former
edition. See a very particular description of this
volume, " Ames & Herbert," vol. I, p. 142.
153
Iractatus de ARTE dene VIVENDI beneque MORJENDL
Speculum peccatoris. Bernardus de contemptu mundi.
12. Guido Mer Gator.
The foregoing collection of tracts exhibits two wood
cuts on the last leaf. There is the work intitled " ARS
MORIENDI" printed Argentorati, C variis locis ; et sine
loco $" anno, at very early periods. This book is cele-
brated in the history of early engraving : vid. Heinecken.
There is also " DE ARTE BENE MORIENDI" ascribed
to Joh. de Capranica, Cardinal de Firmo ; whence
doubtless the book intitled " ARTE DEL BEN MORIRE."
Flor. J. de Ripoli, 1477, 4. 4- s&pitis alibi. Again,
" ARS BENE VIVENDI & MORiENDi" which G. Mercator
printed not only in this year 1494, but also anno 1483,
4. and 1490, 4. and Joh. Parvus, 1497, 8. Hence
ptobably Gallice " L'ART DE BIEN VIVRE ET DE BIEN
MOURIR." Par. Ant. Verard, 1496, 4. Herbert (Gen.
Hist. p. 1530) mentions a very rude English translation
of this last-mentioned work, viz. "The traytteofthe
art of good lyuing and good deying, translatytin Paris
the xili day of May, of Franch in Englysh, oon thousand
V hondreth and in zears : imprentyt in Parys xxx day
of the mowneth of May." With wooden cuts, 4.
preserved in the library of Emanuel College, Cambridge.
This singular book was printed by Antoine Verard.
(vid. sub. anno 1504). The diction seems to indicate
that the translator of the " Kalendar of Shippars" (sub
anno 1489) was also the artificer of this translation.
Another translation intitled " THE CRAFTE TO LYVE
WELL AND TO DYE WELL," was executed by Andrew
Chertesey, and printed by WYNKEN DE WORDE anno
1506 (see the verses of Copland cited sub anno 1486.)
The title of this impression exhibits a curious wood
cut of a funereal car, drawn by horses pompously
x
154
caparisoned, &c. which is repeated on the reverse,
with the addition of several admonitory stanzas ; com-
mencing thus :
" MORTALL man, lifte irp thyn eye
And put all vanyties out of thy mynde
For as thou seest this corse here lye
Even so shalt thou, by nature and kynde,
A mannes Jyf is but a blast of vvynde,
And in a thought departed and gone ;
Wyf childe and godes you must leve behynde ;
To day a man tomorrow none, &c. 11
It contains many other wood cuts, which are however
of a diminutive size, and very rude execution. M.
Dibdin, who describes this book at large, says it is
divided into five heads, viz. 1. " The arte or crafte ta
die well." 2. " The comynge of Antecryste." 3. " the
fyftene sygnes," 4. " the grete Judgement." 5. " the
Joys of Paradyse." These will probably be found to
be translations from distinct French tracts incorporated
together in the English work. Thus " the comynge
of Antecryste" " The fyftene sygnes, &c." will pro-
bably prove to be " Le Traitd de PAvenement de
1* Antichrist, &c." noticed sub anno 1492. The colophon
of Wy nken de Worde's impression is as follows : " Here
endeth the treatyse of the arte or crafte to Hue well and
to die well. With the nedyll of the fere dyuyne. Of
the paynes of hell and of purgatorye, and of the joys
of paradyse. Of the vn sacramentes of the holy chirch.
Of the comynge of antecryst. And of the fyftene sygnes
comynge before the grete jugement general! of God.
xxi Jan. M.CCCCC.V."
As to " THE CRAFTE TO KNOWE WELL TO DYE," or
as it is termed in the colophon " the tray ttye abreged
of the arte to lerne, well to deye translated out of
155
frenshe into englisshe by Willm Caxton," and printed
by him anno 1490, I suppose it to be a translation or
abridgement of " UArt de bien mourir ou traite* de la
mort et de la maniere de s'y preparer." Brugis, Colard
Manson, fol. sine nota anni. It is worthy of remark,
that " La doctrine de bien vivre par J. GERSON" was
printed also Ibidem et ab eodem, fol. sine nota anni.
Panzer, torn. ix. p. 218,
MISSALE CENOMANENSE. Joan. Higman, fol.
Sinonyma Magistri JOHANNIS DE GARL^NDIA cum
exposition* GALFRIDI ANGLICI, de recent i tarn in
versibus quam in scntentiis orthographia. Idem, 4.
JOAN. DE SACROBUSCO Sphere mundi opusculum. Wolf-
gang Hopyl, fol.
Iterutn G. Mercator 1498, fol. Wolfgang Hopyl 1 500, fol.
This author is said to have been an Englishman, by
name JOHN HOLY WOOD. Some say he was of the
county, or at least the diocese of York. He studied at
Oxford ; and afterwards settled at Paris, where he
acquired great celebrity as a mathematician. He died
.anno 1256.
BAPTISTM MANTUANI de siiorum temporum calamila-
tibus, Me. G. Wolff et J oh. de Cruczenach, 4.
JSJUSDEM opus divinum de puriss. Virg. Maria quod
PARTHENICE inscripsit ; item : Opusculum adversus
poetas impudice scribentes. I idem, 4.
&JUSDEM opus vitam & martyrium S. Catharine
complectens sm PARTHENICE secunda. I idem, 4.
156
These seem to be the earliest Parisian impressions of
the works of this prolific poet, whose numerous
productions gave frequent employment to the Gothic
presses of Paris and of many other places. BAPTISTA
SPAGNOLI the author, was of Mantua, and therefore
denominated " Mantuanus." He was a Carmelite, and
in his writings declaimed freely against the relaxed
discipline of his order, and the corruptions of the times.
His poetical vein was as feeble and prosaic as it was
fruitful. It seems difficult to assign a reason for that
excessive popularity in which his compositions appear
to have been held. Early impressions of his various
works are very numerous. Vid. sub anno 1499.
CRONIQUES DE FRANCE abregees avec la generation
d'Adam et d'Eve K de Noe et de leurs generations et
les miles et cites que fondirent ceulx qui ysserent
deulx. Jehan Treperel, 4.
" Cum tribus liliis" (perhaps used as the printer's
mark) " et hac sententia:"
" EN PROVOCANT ta grant misericorde
" Ottroye nous charite et concorde."
SENECJE Epistolce. Claudius Jammar, 4.
JOAN. DE TVRRECREMATA expositio Eegule Monastics
S. Benedict!, fol. Vid. sub anno \ 500.
This author was a Spaniard ; but took his doctor's
degree in divinity and civil law at Paris, and taught
there many years. At length he was sent for to Rome,
and through various degrees of promotion arrived at
the cardinalship, " titnlo S. Sixti," anno 1439. At
the council of Basil he distinguished himself against the
Hussites. He presided successively over several epis-
.copal sees; and died with great reputation for learning
and piety, anno 1468.
PHIL. BEROALDI, A. POLITIANI, H. BARBARI, JAS.
MAYW Orationes, Pr&lectiones, Me. 4.
This amusing collection was reprinted Par. 1 505, 4.
J. Petit. 1509, 4. Jehan Gaultier. 1513 & 1515, 4.
Ascensius. The " Opuscula" and other works of
Beroaldus went through many editions, Parisiis et alibi.
JUVENALIS Satyr<e cum Mancinelli 8[ Badii Commen-
tariis. 4.
OPERA (forte Georgica tantum.JfoL
M.CCCC.XCV.
D ORDINAIRE des crestiens. fot. min. Ant. Verard.
Vid. sub anno 1494.
THQM& BRADWARDINI Geometria Speculatiua. fol.
Guido Mercator.
THOMAS BRADWARDINE an Englishman, supposed a
native of Hartfield, in the diocese of Chichester, was of
Merton College, Oxon. circa 1325. He obtained the
appellation of " Doctor Profundus." Afterwards be-
came confessor to Edward III. canon of Lichfield, and
chancellor of S. Paul's. He attended the king in his
victorious expedition to France. Anno 1 348 he was
chosen to the see of Canterbury by the chapter, and
after some hesitation his election was confirmed by the
king and the pope, Bradwardine was consecrated at
Avignon ; but survived his consecration scarce 40 days.
He died at London before his inthronization had taken
place.
158
Libellus de verier abili Sacramento # valore Miss ARUM.
8. Guido Mercator.
Iterum, 1497, 4. Idem.
Said to be curious and rare. Reprinted 1510, Le
Dm for D. Roce.
Les Lunettes des Princes, auec aucunes balades C addi-
tions composees par JEHAN MESCHINOT, Phil,
Pigouchet, 4.
Iterum, Idem, 1499, 4. and Par. sine anno.
This book is sometimes mentioned as an impression
of Jean Mignart or Menart. De Bure terms it a very
rare work, and says it is much sought after. He men-
tions also an edition " in 4. Gothigue, sans date" 2 torn.
1 vol. an impression of which on vellum was in the
collection of " Le Due de la Valiere."
Miss ALE secund. usum insignis ecclesiee Cameracensis.
fol. Johan. Hygman.
Libellus de modo poenitendi et conjitendi auctore GuiL
de Vuert. 4. fK sine anno, 8.)
Vita et processus Sti THOMJE Cantuar. Martyris super
libertate ecclesiastica. 4. Joan. Philippi, (Crucze-
nach) 4.
NICOLAI SALICETI Antidotarium anima. 8. P. Pouil-
lac, pro D. Roce.
The author was " Abbas Monasterii B. Marias de
Pomerio." The work is a collection of meditations and
prayers. The first edition appeared Argentorati, 1489.
It was printed 14 times ante 1500. Parisiis itcrum, P.
le Dru, 1496.
159
Le Verger <T honneurpar ANDRE DE LA F'IGNE. Jean
Trepperel.
This work is by some ascribed to OCTAVIEN DE SAINT
GELAIS, bishop of Angoulesme. Du VERDIER says he
composed en rime " le Verger d' Honneur contenant
le discours de Penterprise & voyage de Naples a la
louange du Roi Charles VIII avec la complainte &
Epitaphe du dit Roy, &c." an edition of which was
printed "Par. Phil, le Noir, 1 505." But other accounts
say that the larger part of the work was written by
Andre de la Vigne.
ROBERTI GAGUINI de origine et gestis Francorum
Compendium, fol. min. Petr. le Dm. 4.
Ilerum D. Gerlier, 1497, fol.Th, Kerver, 1500,/oZ. -
Jean Parvtis, 1504, fol.
ROBERT GAGUIN, " Ministre General de F ordre de
la Trinite," was a conspicuous poet, historian, and
divine of these times. He was supposed of obscure
origin; became general of his order anno 1473; and
was conspicuous in the court of Lous XI, and of Charles
VIII. Anno 1 469 he was sent on an embassy to London,
where he is said to have composed his poem intitled
" Le Passe-temps d'oisivete* ;" or the Pastime of Idle-
ness. Amongst his other minor works is a Latin
treatise on the immaculate conception, Par. 1488, 89,
98, and 1 500, 4. The impression of 1 498 by Ascensius
is said to be very rare : perhaps the others are equally
so. The first edition of his Latin chronicle which is
that abovementioned is said to be scarce ; but comes
down only ad ann. 1491. Anno 1500 it was reprinted
in folio, with additions extending, to 1499. It was
afterwards continued by other editors. Pierre Desray
translated it into French, and published it with a
160
supplement to 1514, Par. 1515, fol. Gaguin says in
his preface that he wrote " nulla principis munificentia
provocatus," though he has been supposed by some to
have been in the pay of Louis XI. He followed in his
history the taste of his age for fables and prodigies.
He was also conspicuous as a translator : and by order
of Charles VIII, translated in particular from the Latin
into French, the Chronicle or rather Romance of
Charlemagne, and of Roland, falsely attributed to
Turpin, archbishop of Rheims.
Les complaintes et enseignemens de FRANC. GVERIN
mar chant de Lyon envoy ees a son fits pour soy scavoir
regir et gouverner parmi le monde. 4. G. Mignart.
ANGELI POLITIANI orationes qu&dam. 4. In aedibus
Ascensianis.
This was perhaps the first fruit of the press of
BADIUS, or of the " Prselum Ascensianum."
&OETIUS de consolatione, cum commentar. Jod. Badii
Ascensii. 4.
OVIDIUS de remedio amoris cum commentar. JEgidii
Delphi. 4.
OR AS de Nuestra Senora. 8.
JOANNES DE TVRRECREMATA contra principalcs
humedanorum errores. 8. Vid. sub anno 1494.
P. VIRGILII MARON. Bucolica cum comm. familiari.
EJUSDEM Georgica. 8. vel 4 minor i.
161
M.CCCC.XCVI.
DirRNALE Ecclesite Parisiensis, 8. Gering C Rembolt.
La LEGENDE DOREE en Francois, fol. min. le xx.jour
de May occc. im.xx. % xvi. pour Anthoine Verard.
This French translation of the " Historia Longobar-
dica seu Legenda Aurea of JACOBUS DE VORAGLNE"
commences with the life of " Ste Genevieve" and ends
with the lives of St. Louis and St. Roche, as patrons of
France and of Paris. These are additions. There was
an edition of the original anno 1474 sine loco : Gering
and his associates gave another Par. 1475, which I have
particularly noticed under that year. Subsequent
impressions were very numerous and general ; Panzer
enumerates about 70 ante 1500, besides more than
thirty of translations into various languages.
Le Mirouer Historial de VINCENT DE BEAVVOIS
traduict en Francois par Jean de Vignay. 5 volumes.
Ant. Verard, fol. Sub anno 1490.
VOL. 1. has the date M. cccc. quatre vingt et quinze.
Vol. .5. M. cccc. quatre vingt et seize.
The original work, viz. " SPECULUM VINCENTJI
BELLOVACENSIS," has been noticed sub anno 1474. Du
Verdier informs us also that JEAN DE VIGNAY, a monk,
translated by order of Jean de Bourgogne queen of
France, the " Miroir Historial" of the bishop of
Beauvois ; that it consists of " 32 livres," and was
printed " iterum en 5 tomes, fol. Par. par N. Couteau."
I conclude that these impressions by VERARD and
COUTEAU may probably include all the four " Specula"
or " Miroirs" of this author.
Y
162
de bien vivre et de bien moitrir. 4. Vcrard.
Vid.subannis 1483, 1490, 1494.
Mr. Dibdin says that a copy of this book printed at
Paris with the date of 1493, but without printer's name,
is preserved in the British Museum, and that it contains
small plates like the Shepherd's Calendar. A fine copy
of this impression by Verard anni 1496, printed on
vellum, which formerly. belonged to K. Henry VII, is
also preserved in the British Museum.
FAUST us de neapolitana Fornoviensique victoria. Car-
minum libri duo. Characters romano. 4. Guido
Mercator ac Johannes Parvus. Insignia Joan Parvi.
EJUSDEM Elegia. 4. Guido Mercator.
Of P. FAUST us ANDRELINUS some mention has been
made sub anno 1490. I shall here add that this poet,
who was as beforesaid a native of Forli in Romagna,
died at Paris anno 1519.
M. DE LA MONNOYE relates that Louis XII, in
pursuance of a vow made in a sickness under which he
laboured in 1505, having recovered his health, sent to
" la Chapelle Royale" the identical crown with which
the ceremony of his coronation was performed at
Rheims. FAUSTUS is said to have written on this
subject twelve elegiac verses ; in reward for which the
king gave him " un Canonicat a Bayeux."
JOANNIS CONSOBRINI Portugalcnsis Carmelite Trac-
tatus de Justitia commutativa et arte Campsoria seu
Cambiis ac alearum ludo. 8. Guido Mercator.
FLORES LEGUM. 12. Idem.
163
This little tract intitled " Flores Jegum aut Congeries
auctoritatum juris civilis," has on fol. 1 , a wood cut
" Mosen adoraritem Deum exhibens."
(JORDAN I NEMORARII) Arithmetica decem libris
demonstrata (per Jac. Fabr. Stapul.J Musica libris
demonstrata quatuor (Jacobi Fabri Stapulensis.)
Epitome in libros arithmetices dim SEVERINI BOETII.
Rithmimachie Indus qui et pugna numerorum appel-
latur. fol. goth. Joannes Higmanus et Uolgangus
Hopilius. Anno Sal. Domini qui omnia in numero
atque harmoniaformavit 1496.
JACOBI FABRI STAPVLENSIS (s) Artificialis Introductio
moralis in decem libros Ethicorum Aristotelis. Ab-
soluta in almaParhisiorum academiaper Wolffgangwni
Hopilium et Henricum Stephanum socios, l4-96,foL
The two last mentioned articles are worthy of remark,
because they furnish the first mention in the annals of
Parisian typography of a distinguished printer, viz.
HENRY ESTIENNE the elder, father of ROBERT and
grandfather of HENRY and others of that remarkable
o
family, who cultivated the art with so much renown.
(s) JACQUES LE FEVRE, surnamed Estaples (Stapulensis)
from the place of his nativity, was born anno J435 ; studied in
the university of Paris, and afterwards filled the chair of
humanity and philosophy there. Though this was the reign of
scholastic barbarism, Le Fevre displayed a taste, genius, and
skill in the ancient tongues superior to his time. He attached
himself to Bric,onnet bishop of Meaux, who was suspected of
partiality to the reformed opinions. Le Fevre became at
length tutor to the third son of Francis I: lived to a very
advanced age: and it is said died regretting with his last breath,
164
'Synonyma BRITOKIS nee non duodecim Decades JOHAN.
DE GALLANDIA. Icon cum nomine Typographic 4.
Jfdix Baligaut.
TERENTIUS sine commento : ap Joh. Philippum (Cruc-
zenachj Alemanum. 4.
P. OVIDH NASONIS Metamorphoseos Liber una cum
enarratione Raphaelis Regii. 4. Andreas Bocard.
PETRI TARTARETI Expositio in Summulas Petri
Hispani. 4. Johannes Bouyer ft Gulielmus Boucher
pro E. de Marnef.
Itemm 1496, G. Boucher, et sine loco 1500.
The printers BOUYER and BOUCHER used as a MARK
two oxen feeding : with these words :
EN LA par fin de Toeuvre letter Dieu
Chacun de nous doit pour avoir sa grace
A luy done soit pour ce qu'il luy a plft
Nous donner temps de ce faire et espace.
The " Expositio" of TARTARETUS " super text. Log.
Aristotelis," was printed by A. Bocard, 1494, fol. His
_ . ^
that having known the truth and been the means of unfolding
it to many who did not hesitate to seal it with their blood, he
had himself been led through weakness to evade the crown of
martyrdom.
This author is said to have made a French translation of the
whole Bible, whicli was printed at Antwerp in 1530, 34, 41,
fol. and in 1 728, 4 vols. 8. The former edition which was
revised by the doctors of Louvain is the most correct, and the
most rare because it was suppressed. Some peculiarities in
this translation made the author the subject of persecution.
rid. N. Diet. Historique.
165
6C Questions super. VI Libros Ethicor. Aristotelis," Par.
Joh. Lambert 1496, 4. His " Expositio philos. et
metaphys. Aristotelis," Par. Andr. Bocard 1494, fol.
DONYSII NESTORIS Novariensis Vocabulist<e Opus. fol.
JZiCHARDi RADVLPHI Archiepisc. Armachnani defcn-
siones Curator um contra eos qui se dicunt privilegiatos
seuf retires mendicantes. fol.
Panzer rather thinks this to have been printed
Lugduni 1496.
RICHARDUS FITZ- RALPH is supposed to have been a
native of Ireland, though some say he was an English-
man. He was a scholar of Joannes Baconthorpius,
and professor of divinity at Oxford in the reign of
Edward III. ; by whom he was appointed dean of
Litchfield ; and anno 1333 chancellor of Oxford, Anno
1347 on the nomination of pope Clement VI, he
became archbishop of Armagh. He waged a vigorous
war against the friars mendicant, whom he frequently
attacked with great keenness of wit in his theological
lectures at Oxford : and after his advancement to the
primacy, assailed with his pen as abovementioned.
Anno 1356 having passed over into England, he
preached warmly against their pretensions in London :
(t habitis Londini concionibus novem contra eos con-
clusiones evulgavit." The monks in revenge accused
him of heresy before the supreme pontiff. Fitz-Ralph
was cited to appear at Avignon ; where he lingered
three years without seeing an end of the quarrel ; which
was terminated only by his decease there anno 1360.
166
M.CCCC.XCVII.
BREVIARIUM ad usum ecclesi<e Cameracensis. 8. Gering
K Rembolt.
LE TRESOR de la Cite des Dames contenant plusieurs
histoires et enseignemens notables aux Rois, sdon
Dame Christine de Pisan. foL Ant. Ferard.
I have already noticed this learned lady sub anno
1488, "UArt de Chevalerie, #t\" See also ann. 1500.
I shall here mention that amongst the early impressions
of her works, I find no account in Panzer of any edition
of her " Proverbes moraux," notwithstanding that
amongst the earliest fruits of CAXTON'S press I find
mention of an English translation of " Les proverbes
moraux, et le livre de prudence par Christine de Pisan
fille de M. Thomas de Pisan autrement diet dc
Bologne." Ames's observation is that " This learned
lady was an Italian, born at Pisa, and styled herself " a
woman Ytalien :" but her father removing to Bologne
in France, she wrote her books in the language of that
country ; and flourished about the year 1400. The
piece which was printed by Caxton anno 1478 is a
small folio, comprizing a poem of 203 lines, beginning
thus:
" THE MORALE PROUERBES OF CRISTYNE."
* THE GRETE vertus of our elders notable
" Ofte to remembre is thing profitable
" An happy hous is, where dwelleth prudence
" For where she is, raison is in presence, &c."
And concludes
c; Thende dooth shewe every work as hit is,
" Woo may he be, that to God endeth mys.
Explicit."
16T
I am inclined to cite also the rest of Ames's
description : viz. " Then follow two seven line stanzas
seemingly of Mr. Caxton's composing :"
48 OF THESE sayynges Cristyne was the aucturesse,
Whiche in makyn hadde suche intelligence
That thereof she was mireur and maistresse ;
Hire werkes testifie thexperience ;
In Frensshe languaige was writen this sentence,
And thus englished doth hit reherse
Antoin Wideuylle, therle Ryvers.
Go thou litil quayer and recommaund me
Unto the good grace of my special lorde
Therle Ryueris, for I haue emprinted the
At his commandement, following eury worde
His copye, as his secretarie can recorde,
At Westmestre, of Feuerer the xx daye,
And of kyng Edward the xvij yere vraye."
" Emprinted by Caxton
Jn Feuerer the colde season."
Le Gouvernement des Princes (&GID. DE COLUMN A. )
le tresor de noblesse et les fleurs de Valere le grand.
(ex traductione Symonis de Hesdin.) Ant. Verard,
char. goth.
The first of these works is a translation of " De
Regimine Principum Libri III." of MGID. COLUMNA or
^EciDius DE ROMA, an Augustine monk ; whose works
appear from Gesner to have been numerous. The
earliest edition of the original was printed August.
Vindd. anno 1473, fol. " Le Tresor, &c." seems to
be the work of Octavien de S. Gelais.
Le JOUVENCEL. Roman, avcc figures. Verard, fol.
Noticed sub anno 1493.
168
La NEF DBS FOLZ du monde. composee e.nAllemandput
SEBASTIEN BRANT, consecutivement d'Allemand en
latin, redigee par maitre JAQUES LOCHER, revue et
ornee de plusiturs belles concordances C additions par
ledit BRANT et de nouvel translatee de Latin (en
vers) Francois par maistre JOCE BADE. Impr. par
M. Jehan Philippes 9 Manstener K Geoffrey de Mar-
?ief y char, goth.fol. with wood cuts.
This is a translation of the celebrated " NAVIS
STULTIFERA" or " Ship of Fools:" which satire on the
manners of the times was originally written in German
by SEBASTIEN BRANDT, an author who was born at
Strasburg anno 1458, and died anno 1521. The Ger-
man original is said to have been first printed- anno
1494. A Latin translation was executed by JACOBUS
LOCHER cognomine " Philomusus," and if the French
bibliographers speak correctly the translation was
printed before the original, viz. (Lugduni) per Jacob.
Zachoni de Romano, anno 1438, but Panzer considers
this date to have been falsified. The " Navis Stultifera
interprete Jac. Locher Philomuso" certainly appeared
Argentordti J. Gruninger 1497, 4. Aug. Vindd Joh.
Schonsperger 1497, 8. Basile& Joh. Bergman de Olpe
1497, 8. 1497, 4. bis. 1498, 4. Lugduni Jac. Zachoni
de Romano 1488, (which Panzer corrects 1498) 4.
Anno 1498 Godofrid. de Marnef produced at Paris a
reimpression of the original in 4. which I shall notice
in its place.
The French translation of BAD [ us abovementioned,
fol. 1, " post figuram navis," exhibits the following
verses :
4i HOMMES raortels, qui desirez savoir
Comment on peut en ce monde bien vivre
169
Et mal laisser ; approchez venez veoir
Et visitor ce present joyeux livre.
A tous estats bonne doctrine il livre
Notant les maux et vices des mondains
Venez y tous et ne faictes dedains
Du dit livre nomme DES FOLS LA NEF
Si vous voulez voiis en trouverez maints
Au Pellican cheux Geoffroy de Marnef"
DE BURE mentions a copy of this curious work
printed on vellum and ornamented with miniatures ;
which was formerly in the library of M. le Comte de
Hoym. He notices also another but of a different
edition, on vellum, in the royal library.
PANZER specifies two impressions of what may be
considered as variations of this work, viz. " NEF DES
FOLS DU MONDE, translated de rime franchise en prose
par Jehan Drouyn," with figures, fol. a Lyon. Guil.
Valsarin 1498, and " Le grand Nef des Fols du
Monde," cumfigg. 4. a Lyon 1499.
Translations of this book into English are among the
most interesting fruits of our early press. Anno 1517
WYNKEN DE WORDE printed the following ; which
(probably after that of DROUYN) is executed in prose :
"THE SHIP OF FOOLS OF THIS WORLD."
Ames says this book seems to have had no title page,
but begins abruptly : " ^[ Here after foloweth the
prologue of the translatoure of this present booke
Jntytled the grete shyppe of fooles of this worlde."
Wherein we are informed " that this booke hathe ben
made in Almayne language, and out of Almayne it was
translated in to Latyn, by mayster Jacques Locher, and
out of Latyn in to rethoryke Frensshe. J have con-
sydered that the one delyteth hym in latyn, the other
in Frensshe, some in ryme, and the other in prose,
no
for tha wliiche cause J have done this in prose/'
" Consyderynge also that the prose is more familiar
vnto euery man than the ryme J Henry Watson haue
reduced this present boke in to our maternall tongue
of Englysshe out of Frensshe, at the request of my
Worshypfull mayster wynkeri de worde, thrugh the
entysement and exhortacyon of the excellent prynces
Margarette, countesse of Rychemonde and Derby, and
grandame vnto our moost naturall souerayne lorde
kynge Henry the viii. vvhome Jhesu preserue from all
encombraunce. ^f By the shyppe we may vnderstande
thi folyes and erroures that the mondoynes are in, by
the se this presente worlde, Syth that it is so, we must
serche this booke the whiche may wel be called the
doctrynall of fooles."
He then concludes the prologue with this address >
" You lectours humbly J requyre you for to pardon
me yf that J haue erred in ony thynge, for the
tenderness of my yeres hathe so affalked me that J
haue not applyed me vnto the letters as J ought to
have doone, the language is not autentyke, to the ende-
that euery body may vnderstande some thyuge, for
folkes unlyttered demaundeth not thynges obscure."
Then follows " The Prolude," commencing " Now
is the world ful of scyerice in suche wyse that the holy
scrypture is in gretter vygoure than euer it was, for in
her is all ryght." He then declares the follies and
vices of the time, the which are satirized in this book ;
whereby it appears that we are frail, and that as we
say, every man and woman have their hobby. After
this is a table of chapters, &c. Though the work is
professedly written in prose, each chapter has a stanza
of seven lines prefixed, and for the most-part a cut,
Thus Ames K Herb. vol. t. p. 156-7.
171
I shall also gratify the reader by the insertion of
Ames's description of an English poetical translation
of the " Navis Stultifera," printed by PYNSON anno
3509, which may be considered as one of the rarest
of our early black letter impressions.
" THE SHYP OF FOLYS OF THE WORLDE."
The first page contains only the printer's largest
device. On the reverse the translator's dedication to
Thomas Cornisshe, bishop of Tine and suffragan bishop
of Wells, which concludes " Vale. Ex impressoria
officina Richardi Pynson. iij. Idus Decembris." Under
the said dedication :
" |[ This present boke named the shyp of folys of
the worlde was translated in the College of saynt mary
otery in the counte of Deuonshyre : out of Laten,
Frenche, and Doche into Englysshe tonge by Alexander
Barclay Preste : and at that tyme Chaplen in the sayde
College, translated the yere of our Lorde god. M.
ccccc. viij. Jmprentyd in the Cyte of London in
Fletestre at the signe of Saynt George by Rycharde
Pynson to his Coste and charge : Ended the yere of our
Sauiour M. d. ix. The xiiii. day of December," On
the next leaf begins the table of contents in English ;
and after it another in Latin. Then on fol. 1, over a
\vood cut representing several vessels loaded with
fools of various denominations, " ^j Stultifera Navis."
Beneath the said print is the following title in Latin, as
I apprehend from the Latin edition of 1497, " Narra-
gonice profectionis nnnquam satis laudata Nauis : per
Sebastianum Brant : vernaculo vulgarique sermone &,
rhythmo pro cunctorum mortalium fatuitatis semitas
effugere cupientium directione, speculo commodoq;
& salute : proq; inertis ignaueq; stultitie perpetua
jnfaniia, cxecratione, & confutatione, nuper fabricata :
172
Atq; jampridem per Jacobum Locher, cognomento
Philomusum : Suevum : in latinum traducta eloquium :
& per Sebastianum Brant: denuo seduloq; emendatione
elimata: atq; supperadditis quibusdam nouis, admiran-
disq ; fatuorum generibus supleta : faelici exorditur
principio." On the next page are five stanzas of
seven lines, the four first by A. B. " excusynge the
rudeness of his translation ;" and the last his " exhor-
tacion." Then follow some epigrams, &c. which are
reprinted in J. CAWOOD'S edition 1570, as also the
translator's preface in prose ; which concludes thus :
" And sothely he hathe taken vpon hym the translacion
of this present Boke neyther for hope of rewarde nor
lawde of man : but onely for the holesorne instruccion
commodyte and doctryne of wysdome, and to dense
the vanyte & madness of folysshe people of whom ouer
great n6mbre is in the Royalme of Englonde. There-
fore let euery man beholde and ouer rede this boke :
And than J doute not but he shal se the errours of his
lyfe of what condycyon that he be, in lykewyse as he
shal se in a Myrroure the fourme of his countenaunce
and vysage: And if he amende suche fautes as he
redeth here wherin he knoweth hymself gylty, and
passe forth the resydue of his lyfe in the order of
good maners than shall he haue the fruyte and
auantage wherto J haue translatyd this boke." The
word " Folivm" is on the left hand page, and the
number, in Roman capitals throughout the book ; the
last CCLXXIIII. The book concludes with a ballad in
honour of the virgin Mary ; at the end thereof a kind
of colophon in a stanza of seven lines :
^[ OUR SHYP here leuyth the sees brode
By helpe of God almyght and quyetly
At Anker we lye within the rode
113
5But who that lysteth of them to bye
In Fletestrete shall them fynde truly
At the George : in Richarde Pynsones place
Prynter vnto the kyngis noble grace.
Deo gracias.
The " STULTIFERA NAVIS, &c." which appeared
^ilso from the press of JOHN CAWOOD anno 1570, fol.
ornamented with wood cuts, conformably as Herbert
thinks with the German edition anni 1494, contains the
Latin, as well as BARCLAY'S English translation. PINSON
in his edition anni 1509, printed the English only.
CA WOOD'S impression has also various " prefixes" or
preliminary matter : and to the same volume are
annexed I. " THE MIRROUR OF GOOD MANNERS," in
Barclay's translation, with the original text of Maricinus.
(vid. sub anno 1484.) II. " Certayne Eglogues of
Alex. Barclay." (vid. Ames # Herbert vol. 2, p. 797.)
And now, to revert to the French translation, and to
jthe celebrated scholar and typographer JODOCUS BA-
Dius ASCENSIUS, it is expedient to mention here, that
SEBASTIAN BRANT having composed "la Nef des Fols or
Fous," that is of " Male fools :" this gave occasion to
BADIUS to compose also in the Latin language his " Ship
of Female fools." " Jodoci Badii Ascensii Stultiferae
nauiculae seu scaphae, Fatuarum mulierum : circa sensus
quinque exteriores fraude navigantium. Stultiferae
naues sensus animosque trahentes Mortis in exitium."
This was printed Argentorati per Joan. Priiss an. \ 502,
4. cumfiguris.
A French translation of this work, viz. " LA NEF DES
FOLLES selon les cinq sens de nature composes selon
1'Evangile de Monseigneur St. Mathieu, des cinq Vier-
ges qui ne prinrent point d' huile pour mettre en leurs
lampes," was printed a Paris, Marnef, sans date, 4. and
174
with the same title, par JeanTreperel, 1 50 1 , 4. BADIUS
says of this little work in the address to MARNEF, to
whom he sent it, " Haec ea intentione conscripsi ut in
vernaculam Gallis linguam verterentur." Of this DE
BURE remarks that it is a singular book, and " de pure
curiosite," of which it is difficult to find well-preserved
copies.
Lastly, the editors of the " Biblioth. de la Croix du
Maine & of Du Verdier" inform us that Badius also
published a " Navis stultifera," " une Nef de Fous,"
i. e. Male fools, in various kinds of Latin verse, very
different from that abovementioned, and which is not
as Bayle supposes, taken from the work of Seb. Brant,
but is an original composition of Badius. They refer us
to the " Bib. Franc, de Goujet," torn, x, p. 191, 201,
Perhaps this is the work noticed by Panzer, (torn vn,
p. 523,) viz. "Navis stultiferae collectanea ab Jodoco
Badio Ascensio vario carminum genere non sine eorun-
dem familiari explanatione conflata." Ex officina ipsius
Ascensii, Par. 1507, 4.
I have also examined a singular volume, which lately
belonged to the library of W. Roscoe, Esq. intitled as
follows " Navis stultifera, a domino Sebastiano Brant
prirnum edificata, , lepidissimis teutonice lingue rithmis
decorata : Deinde ab Jacobo Lochero philomuso Latini-
tate donata & demum ab Jodoco Badio Ascensio vario
carminum genere non sine eorundem familiari explana-
tione illustrata." Under this title, printed en rouge, is
a representation of " Navis Stultorum," beneath are
the following lines :
" Navis stultifera ad lectorem."
" QUANQUAM stultiferae mihi vox est indita navi
Sana tamen tuto mens, mea vela leget
115
Non etenim doceo quenquam insanire : sed hortor
Et moneo insanum : naviget anticyram.
Multa probatorum porto documenta virorum
Et levibus presens mentibus antidothum
Nee quicquam obscenum, nee olenti fornice dignum
Nee fidei invisum nostra carina tenet :
Carmine sed vario mores induce venustos
Expellens casto turpia verba modo."
" In fine," occurs
" Jodoci Badii Ascensii in operis hujus compositionem
ac finem Epigramma extemporaneum."
u REMIGIO fragili pelagus dum metior ingens,
Auriculas vellens inquit Apollo meas :
Collige vela Badi : sat erat tibi sensa poetas
Nosse : nee in tumidos carbasa ferre sinus
Pergere si mavis, tibi ne consortia desint ;
Stultiferam in classem fac comes insilias
Dixit & aspiciens instare pericula noui
Et lasso ad portum remige flecto viam.
At quisquis ridet faciles humilesq ; camenas
Ferto magis cultas aut tolerate meas."
<c Navis stultifere opusculum finit. Impressum Basilee
p. Nicolaum Lamparter, anno, Me. M.ccccc.vn die vero
xv mensis martii, 4."
This book differs from the original " Navis Stultifera,"
Bos. J. B. de Olpe 1497, 4. entirely, both in the text
and prints. (Vid. Cat. of the Library of W. Roscoe, Esq.
number 1435.) As it corresponds in the year of im-
pression with the Parisian edition last mentioned on
Panzer's authority, it may probably prove to be the
same work.
OLWARHMAILLARDI Ord. Minor. Sermonesde Adventu.
Ant. Caillaut K Lud. Martineau, 4.
116
Expositio Epistolarum totius Quadragesima (forte
ejusd. OLIV. MAILLARDI) Iidem.
Iterum 1498, 4. Pigouchet, 1500, 8.
OLIVER MAILLARD a " Doct. Theol." of the order
of " Freres Mineurs" or Cordeliers, afterwards of the
" Observantins of Narbonne," was, as some say, a
native of Bretagne ; according to others, of Paris. He
died anno 1 502. This preacher is often noticed and
cited by HENRI ESTIENNE in his "Apologie pour
Herodote."
MAILLARD was one of the three most celebrated
preachers in the style of his day. He is said fearlessly
to have told to kings " leurs verites." A valet of
Louis XI. informed him that his master would order
him to be thrown into the river. " Go, and tell him,'*
answered the monk, " that I shall sooner reach heaven
by water than he with his ' Chevaux de poste.' " The
king had then newly established posts in France.
This reply of Oliver Maillard to the valet, is thus
expressed in four verses by JODOCUS BADIUS in his
" Navis Stultifera," which we are told is a book far
more rare than that of Sebastian Brant.
" QUIDAM notus Homo, cum propter libera verb*
Submergendum undis censeret Rex metuendus,
Die ait hoc Regi, per aquas maturius altos
Advehar ad coelos, per equos ac ipse volantes."
Maillard is said to have written handsome French
verses. He was general of his order. It is asserted,
that being gained by the gold of Spain, he made it a
point of conscience with Charles VIII, whose confessor
he was, to restore to Ferdinand " les Contes de
Cerdagne et de Roussillon." Vid. sub anno sequcnti.
lit
GUIELER&I HERMANN Goudensis Sylua Odarum. 4.
Guido Mercator.
Iterum,Idem 1498, 4.
" Hendecasyllabum Herasmi ad studiosos."
" Hue si quern pia si pudica musa
Delectat: nihil hie vel inquinatum
Vel quod melle nocens tegat venenum
Chrislum tota sonat chelis Guielmi/'
VITA SCHOLASTICA. 4. Idem.
Probably the same work intitled BONVINCINI DE
RIPA VITA SCHOLASTICA was printed Parisiis, pro Alex.
Alyate de Mediolano 1497, 4. This is more fully " De
Discipulorum Praeceptorumque moribus, seu Vita
Scholastica, Carmen," first printed Mediolani 1490, 4.
Le COMPOST ET LE KALEXDRIER DES BERGIERS,
TArbre des Vices, Varbre des vertus ct la Tour dc
Sapience figuree : la .Physique ei Regime de santc
desdits Bergiers, avec leur Astrologie etPhysionomie :
avec figures. GUI. Marchand, fol. sub amio, 1489.
The nature of this " Shepherd's Kalendar" is here
fully explained in the title. Thus the early English
edition by WYNKEN DE WORDE, as cited in the " Cen-
sura Literaria, vol. 7, p. 29. " This boke was made
for them that be no clerkes to brynge them to greet
understandynge, and this Kalerider is devyded in v
parties ; the firste of our sygnes of the compost and
the kalender ; the seconde is the tre of vyces with the
paynes of helle ; the thirde is the way of helthe of man,
the tre of vertues ; the fourthe is phesyke and govern-
'ance of helthe ; the fyfte is astrologye and physnomy,
for to understande many disceyvynges, and wbiche
they be."
A A
its
This Kalendar appears to include a more singular
medley of matters grave, sententious, preceptive, and
ludicrous, than any kindred composition of modern
times. Of the serious and sentimental part the follow-
ing lines may be adduced as a specimen
" No MERUAILE that maime's mynde be mutable,
And vvyll ye knowe, wherfore and why
For he is made of thynges variable
As of hote, colde, moyste, and dry ;
The wyt is lyght, it passeth lightly,
And sythe we be made, of iiii chaungeable,
Howe shuld man be stedfast and stable."
Lastly, the " Auctour's Balade" with which the
Kalendar concludes by no means omits honourable
mention of the French originals.
" REMEMBER clarkes daily do their diligence
Into our corrupt speech matters to translate,
Yet between French and English is great difference,
Their language in reading is doulse, and delicate, <&c."
" Thus endeth the Shepheard's Kalendere
Drawne into English by God's reuerence
And remember that the printer saith to you this,
He that liueth well may not die amisse." Finis.
IlEURES a rusaige de Romme, 8.
Icon Adami & Evse scutum sustentantium cum
inonogr. cui subscriptum Philippe Pigouchet : printed,
for Simon Vostre: char. got. wood cuts, and ornamented
margins. Ante sub anno 1488.
&ESTRUCTORIUM ViTioRUM,foL P. Levet.
THE MARK OF PIERRE LEVET.
FROM THE DESTRUCTORIUM V1TIORUM, ANNI 1497.
This Work, " in fine," is said to have been compiled " a quodam
Al.EXANDRO, nationis Anglic et cujusdam fabri lipnarii filio." PamerL
Tom. II.)>.3\b. But it was in reality written by ALEXANDER CARPENTER,
of Baliol Coll. Oxford, anno 14'J9. See " The Justification of the Church of
England" by Anthony Cade, B. D. p. 64. Lond. 1630, 4,
Vide p. 179.
It9
In fine " Insignis notabiiisque compilatio baud mini-
mum cuique statui conferens omne genus viciorum
eradicans ; ob id non immerito Destructorium Vitiorum
nuncupata, &c."
This book, said to have been compiled anno 1429 by
one ALEXANDER, the son of an English joiner or car-
penter, was first printed Colonies anno 1475. Iterum
sine loco 1475.
AfiSSALE Ecclesia Trqjectensis,fol. Jean Higman.
SALLVSTII OPERA, fol. min. Andreas Bocart, impends
Johan. Akxandri^ et Joan. Parvi.
ANTONII DE RAMPIGOLIS Figure Biblicte ; Dicttona-
rium Pauperum et Speculum human*? Salvationis ab
Anonymo. Andreas Bocardus, S.
This ANTON. DE RAMPIGOLIS was a Genoese ; became
a monk of the order of S. Augustin at Naples ; distin-
guished himself against the Hussites at the council of
Constance anno 1418. His " Opusculum quod figuras
Biblicas inscripsit, rudi et trito eloquio scriptum
refert Sixtus Senensis, in quo sacras Historias exponens
singulas ad morales virtutes accommodavit."
The work was first printed Ubn& 1475, s<epius
alibi, under various titles, viz. " Liber Manualis ac
introductorius in biblie historias figurasque V. & N.
Test. Aurea Biblia vocatus." Item, " Repertorium
aureum Bibliorum."' Item, " Figures Bibliqrum,"
All these, says Pander, are one and the same work.
The book stands prohibited in the " Index Expurga-
torius."
The " Dictionariurn Pauperum ad usum proedican-
tium" (printed also by Brocard anno 1498, 4.) appeared
180
now for the first time : as did the " Speculum Humanae
Salvationis," of which there is an impression anni 1498,
D. Gerlier, 8. ; and a French translation intitled
" Miroir de la redemption de Phumaine linage,"
transl. par Fr. Julien Lugduni Mart. HUSK. fol.
MAN VALE secund. usum ecclesite Parisiensis. Joan.
\ Mourand. 4.
Les Pastilles K Expositions des Epistres K Evangiles
Dominicales, Me. translates, Kc. par PIERRE
d^EsRAY. 2 voll. fol. Jean Gerlier.
PIERRE DESRAY, who styles himself " simple Orateur
de Troye en Champagne," distinguished himself in the
department of gallantry and history, as well as in that
of theology. He revised, corrected, and improved the
work of Olivier de la Marche intitled " Le Parement
et triomphe des Dames d'honneur." He translated
from the Latin " un Livre des gestes faits & conquetes
de Godefroy de Bouillon en H Jerusalem," Par. J. Petit
circa 1500. We owe also to him a continuation of
Monstrelet ; viz. " Les Grandes Chroniques de tres
Chretien Roi de France, Charles VIII," which form the
second continuation of Monstrelet: (fol. 208, torn. 3,
edition 1572, et alibi. J Fid. etiam sub anno 1498.
Modus legendi AEEREVIATURAS in utroque Jure.
I have noticed this book ante p. 15. It appeared
first Norimb. 1476, fol. Panzer specifies thirteen
impressions before this first Parisian edition. It was
reprinted Par. 1498, 8. J. Petit. Iterum Par. 1500, 8.
Though early impressions were thus numerous, it is
characterised as a work of great rarity and estimation.
THJEIMAN'REFy
181
P. PAP. STATII Achilleidos Libri II. 4. Alex and
Atyate de Mediolano.
HOR& intern. Virginis secundum usum Romanum. 8.
char. goth. wood cuts and ornamented margins.
Thielman Kerver a Venseigne de la Licorne,
The earliest impression of THIELMAN KERVER
known to Panzer
BIBLIA LATIN A cum summariis. Franciscus fradin W
Johan. pivard, foL min.
M.CCCC.XCVIII.
HORM . Marine ad usum Parisicns. 8. Gering K
Rembolt.
P. FIRGILII MARONIS opus per Paulum Malleolum
Andelacensem iterata diligentia plane recognifum. 4.
lidem.
This is a very correct reimpression of the edition
anni 1478. See the introductory part of this work,
page 18.
Liber cura Pastoralis dim GREGORU. 4. lidem.
" GRATES ergo dabis magnas Sculptoribus illis
Gregorii doctos qui poliere libros."
JEAN BOCCACE de la Genealogie des Dieux. fol.
Antoine Verard.
From the " Genealogise Deorum, Libb. XV." first
printed Venet. Spira 1472.
Histoire de la Vie, miracles, enchantemens et propheties
de MERLIN. Foil. III. fol. Idem.
182
French bibliographers describe this work thus :
" Merlin PEnchanteur, Roman." The three parts are
found in one volume 4. Par. Verard 1498, goth. The
author is said to be ROBERT BORRON.
" Les Propheties de Merlin" are comprehended in
this work. Galfridus Monumetensis, or Geoffroy of
Monmouth had translated them about the middle of the
XII. century. .A lain de 1'Isle gave afterwards an ample
explication of them in 1 books: printed an. 1608 in 8.
This MERLIN, says M. de la Monnoye, " tout Ma-
gicien & tout fils du DIABLE qu' on 1'a cru," has by
the good Carmelite BAPTISTA MANTUANUS, been
metamorphosed into a saint. He thus mentions him at
the end of his " Tolentinum :" which is a poem in
tjhree books, in honour of S.Nicholas; printed separately
from the other works of Mantuanus at Milan, anno,
1509, 4.
VIT# venerabilis olim
Vir fuit & vates venturi praescius aevi
MIRLINIUS Laris infando de semine cretus
Hie satus infami coitu pietate refulsit
Eximia superftm factus post funera censors."
The prophecies of Merlin were translated from
French into Italian par Zorzi, and printed a Fenezia
1516, 4. This very rare book is intitled " La Vita di
Merlino e le sue Profetie tratta, &c. Stampata in
J^enezia del 1516 a di xx Zenaro.
The annotators of Du Verdier say, it was pretended
that Merlin, by his enchantments, transported from
Ireland those huge stones which are found in Salisbury
plain.
Les CRONIQ.UES de France, d? Angleterre de Bourgogne y
et autres pui/s circonvoisins par JSNGUEJIRAND DE
183
AfoNSTBELET, additionZes jusqiC en 1498, Toll. It.
fol. Ant. Verard.
This very estimable production of the press of
VERARD comprizes the CHRONIQUES de FRANCE by
MONSTRELET, from the year 1400 where FROISSART.
concludes, to the year 1467 ; together with the " Chro-
niques de Louis XI & de Charles VIII," continued to
the year 1498 by Pierre Desrey, respecting whom
some notices will be found under the preceding
year 1497.
I find this chronicle elsewhere described in three
volumes fol. goth. without date. It is the original
edition, of great value and rarity ; and has the
advantage of being the handsomest of all the Gothic
impressions.
ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET was a gentleman of
Cambray in Picardy. His chronicles contain an
account of the destructive civil wars between the houses
of Orleans and Burgundy ; of the occupation of Paris
and the duchy of Normandy by the English ; of their
expulsion thence, and of other memorable circumstances
which happened in the author's time, both in France
and in other countries. Du VERDIER terms it " His-
toire du bel exemple & grand fruit." Monstrelet in
reality died in 1453 : consequently a great part of the
third book is falsely attributed to him. DENIS SAUVAGE
revised and corrected this chronicle as well as that of
Froissart, and his edition, printed like the rest of his
publications " en lettres rondesi;" appeared at Paris'
anno 1572, in 3 vols. fol. DE BURE says the two
editions above specified are most valued, each in their
respective character ; but that, as in the case of Frois-
sart, the Gothic have the preference because " qu' elles
sont plus exactes, & qu' ellcs u'out point ete alter^es."
184
But I shall contrast with his decision respecting the
best edition, that of M. Falconet, one of the annotators
of " La Croix du Maine." According to the " Duca-
tiana" (he says) there are four editions of Monstrelet:
" les deux premiers Gothiques, plus fidelles, mais pleins
des fautes d'impression." By these he obviously
means that of Verard just mentioned, and an impression
by Jean Petit and M. le Noir, Par. 1512. He pro-
ceeds " Sauvage a gat6 la troisidme par des mauvaises
interpretations, (viz. that printed for PHuillier and
others, Par. 1572.) L' Edition la plus ample est cello
de 1603, 2 torn, fol."
As to DENIS SAUVAGE, Sieur du Pare, he was a
native of " Fontenailles en Brie au Comte de Cham-
pagne," and was historiographer to HENRY II. of
France. He translated into French the history of
Paulus Jovius, which was printed Par. # Lyon anno
1552, fol. He revised Seyssel's history of Louis XII,
which has been printed in some editions with the
" Chronique de Louis XI," composed by PHILIP DE
COMMINES. He published with annotations the Chro-
nicles of Froissart as beforementioned and " Les
Annales de France composees par Nicole Gilles." Add
to his labours also "La Chronique de France par un
anonyme, a laquelle il joignit une continuation qu 7 il tira
de Froissart & de Monstrelet," Lyon 1562, fol. He
published at the same period " Les Memoiresd' Olivier
de la Marche," which form a continuation of the history
to the year 1500. He gave from the Italian of Pandul-
phus Collenutius " Sommaire des Histoires de Royaume
de Naples," in 6 books, with annotations, Par. Cor-
rozet 8. 1546. Also " Le Parachevement des Histoires
de Naples extrait de plusieurs bons Chroniqueurs," in
2 books, Par. Corrozet 1553, S. Another publication
185
of his, was " La Chronique de Flandre par un auteur
incertain, iilustr^e d 7 Annotations : avec une continuation
extraite de plusieurs auteurs," Lyon 1561, fol.
Besides the preceding historical works, this indefati-
gable writer translated from the Italian the " Circe" of
Giov. Battista Gello, Par. 1572; and the " Dialoghi"
of Leo the Jew, Lyon 1551, 8.
I have noticed PIERRE DESREY sub anno 1497, article
" Les Postilles, &c." but it may be proper to speak of
him here more fully. He was a native of Troyes in
Champagne. Besides his theological and other com-
pilations, he drew up from Platina " Les Genealogies
faits & gestes des Papes," Par. fol. Gal. du Pre 1519 ;
and as a continuation of Monstrelet, " Les grands
Chroniques de trs Chretien Roi Charles VIII," which
are also found in the " Recueil de Godefroy sur
1'Histoire de Charles VIII," and are annexed to the end
of " La Chronique de Bretagne" par Alan Bouchard,
and to that " de la Traduction de Chroniques Francoises
de Gaguin," avec une continuation jusqu* en 1514, of
which there is an " Edition Gothique" in fol. anni
1536, and another 4. Par. 1538; the first very rare.
Lastly, I find ascribed to Desray, by DU VERDIER, the
following, which I consider as a distinct work, " La
Mer des Chroniques & Miroir Historial de France
extrait des Chroniques de Robert Gaguin... .de Jean
Froissard, d'Enguerrand," and ten or twelve other
Chroniclers and Historians intermediately mentioned,
Par. fol. 2 parties, par Gal. du Pre 1516, & par Jaques
Nyverd 1530; but it is proper to state, that PANZER
has no notice of either of these impressions under their
respective years.
B B
186
MTVLTiFBRA NAVIS per SEBASTIANUM &RANT vulgarz
sermone K rythmo teutonico fabricata, nunc per
JACOBUM LOCHER latino carmine reddita et'ab eodem
Brant revisa. Gaufrid. de Marnef, 4.
I have already noticed the " editiones primariae" of
this " Stultifera navis," sub anno 1497, and that it
was printed by Jacobus Zachoni de Romano (whom
Panzer makes a printer of Lyons Lugduni) with the
date of M.CCCC.LXXXVIII, but he thinks the real date
should be 1498, and that a x was accidentally omitted
by a typographical error, DE BURE deems the edition
of Marnef more beautiful, but less rare than the earlier
ones. He says there is in the royal library a mag-
nificent copy printed on vellum, as well as an English
translation of the work executed at London anno 1509,
with wood cuts, and printed upon vellum also. Vide
sub anno 1497.
OLIVERII MAILLARD Sernwnes Dominicales. 4. Ant.
Caillaut.
JEJUSDEM &UADRAGES1MALE. 4. Idem.
DE BURE remarks that the sermons of some of the
early French preachers are much sought after on
account of their singularity. The Latin-barbarous
jargon of the monks of this age gave the first idea of
the " Style Macaronique." MENOT, BARELETTE, and
MAILLARD are the " trio" of preachers who chiefly
distinguished themselves by the strangeness of their
expressions. A volume of Menot, intitled " Michaelis
Monoti Sermones Quadragesimales olim Turonis decla-
mati," Par. 1525, 8. goth. is deemed the most curious
of all. Three sermons have been found to merit greater
notoriety than the rest : viz. those on the " Magdalen,"
181
the " Rich Man in Torment," and the " Prodigal Son,"
with the " Miracle of the Five Loaves." The collection
was printed anno 1519 for the first time; which
impression, and that abovementioned, are equally
valued. There was an edition Par. Petit 1530, 8.
goth. less rare.
Thus the annotators on " LA CROIX L>u MAINE"
" Three preachers, BARELETTE, MAiLLARDand MENOT,
the tirst a jacobin, the other two cordeliers, raise a
laugh on subjects of the most serious nature, by their
strange mode of expression. MENOT especially is
incomparable on certain occasions. It is supposed
that he died in the reign of Louis XII, or at the latest
circa 1518.
Oliver Maillard has already been introduced to the
reader's notice sub anno 1491. His " Expositio Epis-
tolar. totius Quadragesimae" was printed Par. Martineau
1497, 4. Other impressions of his discourses mentioned
by De Bure are the following :
" Oliverii Maillardi Sermones Dominicales, quadra-
gesimales & aurei Parisiis et alibi declamati. Par. 1511,
1530, 7 parties," generally in 3 voll. 8.
" Sermon d' Oliver Maillard preche le cinquieme
Dimanehe de Careme en la ville de Bruges an. 1 500,
4. goth."
The last mentioned is the rarest and most singular
production of this preacher. Much of its singularity
consists in its having the words " HEM ! HEM !" found
in the margin, at those parts of the discourse where
the preacher might with propriety pause to cough, &c.
De Bure mentions also " Gabrielis Barrelete Sermones,
Lugduni 1536, S* goth.
HORJE ad usum SARVM. Philip. Pigouchet, 8.
188
This is the first manual of devotion which appears to
have been printed at Paris for the use of an ENGLISH
CATHEDRAL. Many such occur in the more advanced
periods of the Parisian gothic typography.
The " HOR.E ad usum SARUM" were reprinted Par.
Pigouchet 1501, 4. Ant. Verard 1503, 4. Thielman
Kerver 1510, 1532, 8. F. Regnault 1527, 1530, 4.
They are executed in the same style of embellishment
with those heretofore noticed. Thus the Harleian Cat.
vol. 3, n. 10176, says of the impression by Verard,
1503, 4. '* This piece is full of cuts most beautifully
coloured and illuminated. A finer book of the kind
can never be met with." The most elaborate and
exquisite efforts of art were employed in the impression
and decoration of these and similar manuals of devotion,
and in finishing them in a style corresponding with the
magnificence of the papal worship. Yet, as amongst
the Gothic ornaments of our ancient cathedrals, we
find in many instances the ludicrous strangely inter-
mingled with the magnificent, so even in these books
of devotion we discover a frequent indulgence of the
like incongruous taste and character.
The marginal decorations are generally of a grotesque
description. Sometimes they exhibit the " Dance of
Death." The wood engravings frequently annexed to
the Calendars, in these rituals, and the verses inscribed
beneath, are of a mixed nature, between the grave and
ludicrous. Every month is compared to six years, or
a twelfth portion of the reputed term of human life.
The wood cuts represent the usual employment or
pursuits of the period described ; and the verses are
illustrative of the cuts. To shew how closely our
early English taste conformed itself to French authority,
I shall transcribe these calendar rhymes, (which occur
189
also in much earlier specimens) from * copy of " Les
Heures a Pusaige de Ohartres," printed by Thielman
Kerver anno 1522; and the translation of them found
in the " Primer of Salisbury," printed for the use of
our English cathedral, by Jean le Prest and Rob.
Valentin, at Routn anno 1553, but also copied literally
from much earlier specimens.
LES Six premiers ans que vit Ihomme au mondc
Nous comparons a Januier droictement
Car en ce moys vertu ne force habonde
Non plus que quant six ans a ung enfant.
THE FYRST vi yeres of mannes byrth and age,
May wel be compared to Janyere
For in this month is no strength ne courage
More than in a childe of the age of vi yerc.
Les six dapres ressemblent a Feurier
En fin du quel commence le printemps
Car lesperit se ouure prest est a enseigner
Et doulx devient Penfont quant a douze ans.
The other vi yeres is lyke Februarii,
In the ende therof begynneth the springe,
That tyme chyldren is moost apt & redy
To receye chastysement nurture and lernynge.
Mars denote les six ans ensuivans
Que le temps change en produisant verdure
En celuy aage sadonnent les enfans
A maint esbat sans soucy, ne sans cure.
Marche betokeneth the vi yeres foiowynge
Arayeng erthe wt (with) pleasaunt verdure
That season youth careth for nothynge
And without thought dooth his sporte & pleasure.
190
Six an prochams vingt et quatre en somme
Sont figurez par Auril gracieux
Et soubz cest aage est gay et joly Ihomme
Plaisant aux dames courtoys & amoureux.
The next vi yere raaketh four & twenty,
And figured is to joly aprill
That tyme of pleasures man hath moost plenty
Fresche and louyng his lustes to fulfyll.
Au moys de may ou tout est en vigeur
Austres six ans comparons par droicture
Qui trente sont, lors est Ihomme en valeur
En sa fleur, force, et beaulte de nature.
As in the month of Maye all thing is in might
So at xxx yere man is in chief lyking,
Pleasaunt & lusty, to euery mannes sight,
In beaulte & strength, to women pleasyng.
En iuing les biens commencent a meurir
Aussi fait Ihomme quant a trente six ans
Pource en tel temps doit ii femme querir
Se luy viuant veult pourveoir ses enfans.
In June all thyng falleth to rypenesse
And so doth man at xxxvi yere olde.
And studieth for to acquiere richesse
And taketh a wyfe to kepe his housholde.
Saige doibt estre ou ne sera jamais
Lhomme quant il a quarante deux ans
Lors sa beaulte decline desormais
Comme en Juillet toutes fleurs sont passans.
At xl yere of aege or elles neuer
Is ony man endewed with wisdome.
For than sorthon his myght fayleth ever
As in July dooth euery blossome.
191
Les biens de terre commence len a cueiilir
Ea aoust, aussi quant Ian quarante liuyt
Lhomme approche, il doibt biens acquerir
Pour soustenir viellesse qui le suyt.
The goodes of the erthe is gadred evermore
In august BO at xlviij yere
Man ought to gather some goodes in store
To sosteyne aege that than draweth nere.
Avoir grans biens ne fault point que Ihomme cuide
Sil ne les a, a cinquante quatre ans.
Non plus que sil a sa granche vuide
En septembre, plus de Ian naura riens.
Lete no man thinke for to gather plenty
If at liiii yere he have none.
No more than if his barne were empty
In septembre whan all the corne is gone.
Au moys Doctobre figurant soixante ans
Se Ihomme est riche, cela est a bonne heure
Des biens quil a, nourrist femme, et enfans
Plus na besoing quil travaille ou Jabeure.
By Octobre betokeneth Ix yere
That aege hastily dooth man assayle.
If he haue ought than it dooth appere
To lyue quietly after his trauayle.
Quant Ihomme a soixante six ans vient
Represente par le moys de Nouembre
Vieux, et caduc, et maladif deuient
Lors de bien faire est temps quit se remembre.
Whan man is at Ixvi yere olde,
Wiche likened is to barayne Nouembre
He wex^th unweldy: sekely: and colde,
Than his soules helth is tyme to remembre.
192
Laa par Decembre prent fin, ct se terming
Aussi fait Ihomme, aux ans soixante douze
Le plus sou vent, car viellesse le mine
Lheure est venue, que pour partir se bouzre.
The yere by Decembre taketh his ende,
And so dooth man at thre score and twelue.
Nature with aege will hym on message sende,
The tyme is come that he must go hym selve.
On the top of the pages in both the French and
English copies, we read above the wood cuts and
calendar, as a kind of running title, the following words :
Januarius. Poto.
Februarius. JLignacremo.
Martius. De vite superflua demo;
Aprilis. Do germen gratum.
Mayus. Michi flos servit.
Junius. Michi pratum.
Julius. Spicas declino.
Augustus. Messes meto.
September. Vina propino.
October. Semen humi jaeto.
November. Michi pasco sues.
December. Michi macto.
In a copy of the HOR& VIRGINIS, 12. printed by
Egidius hardouyn, Par. sine anno, the following lines
appear at the commencement :
IESUS soit en ma teste & en mon entendement.
lesus soit en mes yeulx et en mon regardement.
lesus soit en ma bouche et en mon parlement,
lesus soit en mon cueur et en mon pensement.
lesus soit en ma vie et en mon trespassement.
193
The compiler of the Harl. Cat. in his notice of the
" PRYMER OF SALISBURY," Par. 153 1, a curious volume,
and full of wood cuts, observes that Cf At the bottom of
the title page there is the following prayer :"
GOD be in my Bede (Hede)
And in myne Understandynge
God be in mine Eyen,
And in my Lokynge
God be in my mouth
And in my spekynge
God be in my Herte
And in my Thynkynge
God be at myn End
And at my Departynge. (0
() " The HORJE or canonical hours of the V. Mary consist
chiefly of the seven services celebrated each day in the Romish
church, at certain hours prescribed by the canons, in com-
memoration of the several circumstances which occurred in our
Saviour's passion at those hours. They are named ' MATINS,'
PRIME,' 4 THIRD,' ' SIXTH,' NONES,' < VESPERS,' and
' COMPLINE.' The ' PRIME' or first hour, according to the
Jewish computation, was that which followed the rising sun ;
the sixth hour was always at noon. But although the title
( i HOTCB^) was denominated from these services, yet there were
annexed several other pieces not always (or uniformly) the
same." Thus Ames fy Herbert, who mention by W. DE
WORDE, " Horse beate Marie Virginia," 4. 1502: by R.
PINSON, " Horae secund. vsum Sarum," 4. sine anno, with cuts
and small scripture histories in the margins, printed upon
vellum. Iterum JULIAN NOTARY, cuts, 4. on vellum. Iterum
Wolff. Hopyl pro WILLIELM. BRETON, 1506, 4.- Iterum
T. Kerver pro W. BRETON, 1510, 8. Iterum, curious wood
cuts, N. Preuost, impensis FRANCISCI BYRKMAN, 1527, 4.
c c
194
Miss ALE Ecdcsix Pictaviensis. foL Joan. Higfnan.
Fratris JOANNIS CARON opusculum tumultuanum ; Dt
coronations regia. 4. Felix Baligaut.
j
NICOLAI DE ORBELLIS Ord. Min. Expositio in Senten-
tiarum libros. 8. char. goth. Idem.
LA CAILLE says this work was never reprinted : but
PANZER specifies two other editions Par. anni 1488,
Again irt English, but with the Latin title; " Horas, &e." R.
WYER, 12. 1533. This contains the English calendar rhymes
before cited, and other singular matter* and is minutely described
by Ames # Herbert, p. 370. Iterum, 16. JOHN WAYLAND,
1 558. These bibliographers describe also many other RITUALS,
some printed in England, others in France et alibi, not only
" SECUNDUM USUM S.iRISBURIENSIS ECCLESI-*, " but also
" SECUNDUM USUM EBORACENSEM" and " SECUNDUM VSUM
HEREFORD." These consist of " Expositionea Hymnorum"
" Portiforia" - " Ordinalia" " Missalia" " Breviaria"
ts Processionalia" " Psalteria," &c. The PICA of the church
of YORK, or " DIRECTORIUM SACERDOTUM" anni 1509, 8.
" MISSALE" ad vs. celeberrime ecclesie Eboracensis, 1516,
fol. " PRIMER" or " Houres of our lady after the rse of the
same church," 1516. " BREVIARIUM," 8. 1526." PRO>
CESSIONALE," 1 530, 8. were all printed as well at YORK by
early typographers there as alibi. (Ames fy Herbert, 1438.)
Lastly, these bibliographers (in the additions, fyc. to their
Typogr. Antiq.) have added largely to their previous descriptions
of such works. Amongst many others they there notice
" HOR^E," Impresse Parisiis per Hficol. kicqman allemanum
Impengis, Fr. Birckman civis Coloniensis, but with the REBUS
and name of REGNAULT, 1519, small fol. Every page of the&e
" Horae" is inclosed in borders, adorned with neat wood ctj
195
another anni 1499, and four Parisian impressions post
1 500. The inference of the abovementioned inaccurate
bibliographer that this book is " tres-rare & tres
recherch^ des Scavans," may justly be questioned.
Fid. sub anno 1488.
LA VIE DES TROJS ROYS, JASPAR, MELCHIOR, K
BALTHAZAR translates de Latin en Francois. Jehan
Treperel, demourant sur le Pont Nosire Dame a
r image S. Laurent.
ef the " Apocalypse," " Dance of Death," " Julius Ccesar's
triumph," &c. On fol. Ixxxiiij is a suffrage, " De bto rege
He,nricp :" with a cut of the king at full length ; thus
REX iienricus sis amicus Pax in terra non sit guerra
nobis in augusjtia orbis per coufinia
Cujus prece : nos a nece Virtus crescat et feruescat
saluemur perpetua caritas per omnia
Lampas morum spes egrorum Non sudore vel dolore
ferens medicaraina moriamur subito
Sis tuorum famulorum Sed viuamus et plaudamus
ductor ad celestia celis sine termino.
" Ora pro nobis denote rex kenrice, ^-c." This " anthem or
leonine prayer" as it is called by AMES & HERBERT, is found
also in a curious Manual " of Salisbury use," printed Par. by
Fr. Regnault anno 1531, and described by Ames # Herbert,
(p. 1828.)
I have also examined " MISSALE ad usum ac consuetudinem
SARUM," printed Parisiis an. 1514, opera Wolffgangi Hopylii,
iinpensis vero Francisci byrckman, fol. This fine volume, which
is in the possession of Thomas Hardman, Ksq. Manchester, is
exquisitely printed " en rouge et noi'r," and abounds with
wood cuts and appropriate decorations which are beautifully
executed. The usual motto of Wolffgang Hopyll was
" FORTUNA OPES AUFERRE NON AN1MUM POTEST,"
196
The original first appeared Colonize 1477, fol. undei'
the following title " Trium regum historia." In fine :
" Liber de gestis ac trina beatissimorum trium regum
translacione, qui gencium primicie et exemplar salmis
omnium fuerunt christianorum, per me Johannem Gul-
denschafF de maguncia."
Devotes louanges a la Fierge Marie composers par M.
MARCIAL DAUVERGNE. s. Idem. Fid. sub annis
1489, 1493.
Les ANNALES et CHRONIQUES de FRANCE de Vorigine
des Francois tt de leur venue es Gaules, faites jadis
brievement par NICOLE GILLES secretaire du Hoi
Charles VII. fol. Idem.
This CHRONICLE was afterwards republished with
annotations by DENIS SAUVAGE. Fid. sub anno 1498,
Art. " Monstrdet."
La Mistere de la PASSION de nostre Seigneur, en vers.
fol. goth. le Petit Laurens, pour Jehan Petit.
This MYSTERY with the additions and corrections of
" le tres eloquent et scientifique docteur maistre Jean
Michel," was performed at Paris in the year of its
impression. Fid. sub anno 1490.
JUVEXALIS. 4. G. Wolff K Thielman Kerver.
M. T. CICERONIS officia, de Senectute, de Amicitia tf
Paradoxa cum notis. I idem, fol.
In initio haec leguntur " Dieu gart le Roy et la noble
Citte Dangiers et Universite." It has the symbol of
Joannes Alexander a " Libraire" of Angiers. The
volume was revised by Paulus Malleolus.
191
DIOMEDIS de arte gramma tica opus utilissimum, pro
Joan. Petit. Sequuntur P/iocas, Caper, Agraetius,
Donatus, Servius et Sergius, char. rom. 4. T. Kerver.
Elegiarmn liber de amoribus CHRYSEJE et PHILOCRISII.
8. Idem.
PYNDARI haud indocti traductio HOMERI de Bello
Trojano versibus hexametris. 4. Anthon. Denidel et
Robertus Gourmont, An. M. cccc. mi. xx. xvm.xv.
kal. Martii. Vale cum bonafortuna etfeliciter.
This is the only instance in which Panzer cites the
name of ROBERT GOURMONT.
HORATII Od<e cum argumentis et tabula legum car-
minis. 4.
Le grant Testament FRANCOIS FILLON et le petit, son
codicille, le jargon C ses ballades. 4.
This was reprinted anno 1532, 16. Par. Galliot du
Pre, " lettres rondes."~-Iterum 1533, 16.
SENECA Tragoedite cum comm. Bernardini Marmita
tt Danielis Galetani Poet* foL
PHILELPHI Epistola. 4.
Itemm 1500, 4.1503, 4. Asxensius.l5Q8, 4. J. Earlier.
COMPENDIUM de vita Antichristi. fol.
Perhaps " La Vie de mauvais Antichrist," Lugd.
1499, is allied to this work. J ;r id. sub anno 1492.
198
M.CCCC.XCIX.
D. GREGORII Pap<e IX Decretalium Compilatio. fol.
Gering K Rembolt.
Institutions Juris JUSTINIANI Imperatoris.fol. lidem.
Le PELERINAIGE de VAme. fol. Ant. Verard. Fid.
sub anno 1480.
Le Mystere de la PASSION, fol. goth. Idem. Sub
anno 1490.
La Nef des Folz dit Monde composee en Allemand par
SEBASTIEN BRANT traduit en prose, fol. Geofroj/
de Marnef. Fid. sub anno 1497.
(LuLLii) Libri quatuor; primus, de laud.
B. V. Maria, que ars intentionum appellari potest :
secundus, de Natalipueri parvuli : tertius, Clericus :
quartus, Phantasticus. 4, Guido Mercator.
An interesting account of RAYMUNDUS LULLIUS may
be found in the " Appendix" to Cave. This extraor-
dinary person who was a native of Majorca, nat. anno
1236, formed schemes and encountered adventures of
the most romantic kind ; and was alike an enthusiast in
philosophy and religion. In his various peregrinations
he visited a second time, and taught at Paris, where he
had received the rudiments of his education. Some
say he dwelt for a while in England ; practised chemistry
there, and found out the philosopher's stone. But the
reality of his journey to Britain has been questioned.
He at last became a voluntary Martyr ; and perished
by the hands of the Saracens, whom he sought to
convert to Christianity. Writers are much divided a$
199
to his real merits and character : some considering him
as little better than a strolling " charlatan;" others as
a person of great piety, zeal, and erudition ; and
deserving to be enrolled in the list of saints. He is
said to have written more than 4000 volumes. His
book entitled " Phantasticus " was composed anno
1211, "quo Phantastici nomen sibi vulgo impositum
amolitur, suique apologiam texit." H. Wharton ap.
Cave.
Le Livret des CONSOLATIONS centre toutes tribulations
et la Passion de nostre Sauueur jesucrist auec plu-
sieures devotes oraisons. 8. Guy Marchant.
HEVRES a V usage de Toul. 8. with wood cuts, pour
Simo7i Vostre.
Le Dialogue de CONSOLATION entre Vame et la raison,
par un Religieux de la Reformation de Vordre de
Fontevrault. 8. Idem.
GVILELMI STI MARTINI Tornacensis Mon. Benedictini
BERNARDUS, sive fares ex S. Bernardi operibus.
Phil. Pigouchet 6C Durand Gerlier.
" FLORIDA melliflui Bernardi prata pcragrans
" Hinc tibi nectareas collige lector opes."
Sermones magistri JACOBI DE LEND A, 4. Felix
Balligaut.
This was a friar of the order of Franciscans, and
a preacher at Paris.
Epistole auree JOANNIS Pici MIRANDVLM viri omnium
mortalium doctissimi eloyucntissimiquc. 4. Mich, U
Noir.
200
Of this prodigy of erudition I have endeavoured to
give the fullest account possible in a former work.
Vid. "Memoirs of Angdus Politianus, Joannes Picus
of Mirandida, &V." 2nd. edition, 8. Lond. Cadell and
Da-vies , 1805.
M. T. CICERONIS Offida, Senectus, Amicitia, Para-
doxa, cum Comment. foL G. Wolff tt T. JKerver.
BAPTIST JE M^NTUANI Parthenice Mariana. EJUSD.
Parthenice Catharinaria. JSjuso. Aureum contra
impudice loquentes opusculum. Tliielm. Kerver,
char. rom. 4.
De Calamitatibus temporum. char. rom.
Idem.
These volumes are as usual with the "explanationes"
of Badius Ascensius.
I have noticed this author sub an. 1494. In addition
to the account already given, it may be observed, that
this poet was a natural son of Piero Spagnuoli. He
wrote " Eclogae" and a multitude of poetical works, in
which little good poetry is to be found. M. de la
Monnoye remarks, that according to our great critic
Dr. Bentley, in his preface to Horace, the ancients
gave to every little poem the appellation of " Ecloga."
Baptista Mantuanus was born an. 1448 ; died "General
des Carmes" anno 1516. He is said to have declaimed
against the court of Rome in his poem " de Calami-
tatibus Temporum" with a warmth worthy of Luther.
Grammatica NICOLAI PEROTTI (et alia.) 4. per
Parvum Laurentium. Sub anno 1477.
CHACUN soit content dc sou bien
Qui n'a sufficance n'a rien.
201
Illustrium virorum (xxxvn.J Epistole (ab
POLITIANO collects. ) char, rom.fol. Nicolaus Wolff.
" MERI sales, merae facetiae :
Meri lepores : merae argutiae :
Merae vrbanitates : merae delitiae
Merae veneres : venerumq, gratiae
Quarum auctores hoc habentur ordine." <c.
I have examined a fine copy of these "Epistoloe,"
in the possession of Mr. Ford, Manchester. It is very
beautifully executed " en lettres rondes," and is the
earliest Parisian impression of the u Epistolse Politiani;"
which were reprinted Par. sine anno, Thomas Kees;
and afterwards frequently with and without his other
works, by Badius Ascensius. Vid. " Memoir s of Politian,
Picus, Kc." 8. 1805.
Q. HORATII FLACCI Sermones seu Satyra; cum Conim.
ct Acronis interpretation . 4. Idem.
PROPERTII elegiarum opus. 4. Opera Mich. Tolose et
Dionisii Race. 4.
TERENTIUS. Joan. Philip, 8.
GESTA ROMANORUM cum applicationibus moralisatis et
mysticis. 4.
The GESTA ROMANORUM appeared first Lovanii
1473, fol. I find mention of an impression Par. J.
Petit, 1515, (Cat. Todd. York 1817) with the following
remark : " This amusing collection was written by
PETRUS BERCHORIUS, a native of Poictiers, who died at
Paris in 1362. It is considered as one of the most
ancient story books extant ; and the outlines of some of
the best stories in Chaucer, Gower, Lydgate, Shakspeare,
D D
202
and their most distant successors, even down to ParneLTs
6 Hermit,' may be traced in it. Boccaccio is reported
to have laid it under ample contribution. Fid. Douce
and Wharton, and the Stanley Catalogue" A French
translation, viz. " Les GESTES Rommaines, &c." ap-
peared Par. sine anno. In fine: " Cy finist les gestes
rommaines & les Statuts et ordonnances des heraulx
Darmes, translatez de latin en Francois par maistre
Robert Guaguin General de lordre des Mathurins, pour
ant koine verard. 4. char, goth."
" Le VIOLIER des Histoires Romairies moralisees sur
les gestes, faits vertueux & anciennes chroniques des
Remains," Par. 1520, fol. is said to be an inaccurate
translation of a Latin work inlitled " Gesta Romanorum
moralizata."
BREVIARIUM Virdunense. S.
Minorica elucidatiua rationabilis sepqrationis FRATRUM
MINORUM DE OBSERVANTIA ab aliis fnitribus eiusdem
or dim's. 8 .
In fine: " Et sic est finis deo laus et gloria trims."
JOANNIS JANFENSIS Summa, qua Catholicon appellatur.
fol.
This is the first Parisian impression of the Dictionary
of JOHANNES BALBUS DE JANUA or JANUENSIS, one of
the " Fratri predicanti." The first edition was printed
Moguntite, (typogr. incert.J and was one of the earliest
fruits of the press. Joannes de Prato printed an
edition Lugduni, anno 1489, infoL
PHILLIPPI BEROALDI Opuscula varia. 4,
Iterum 1505, 4, 1511, 4. 1513, 4, ap 4scen*ium.
203
The " Declamatio lepidissima Ebriosi, Scortatoris,
Aleatoris, &c." separately printed Par. 1505, 1508, 4.
is said to have given occasion to a work in French
rhyme intitled " Le Proces de trois peresy" Lyon 1558,
8. The argument appears from the commencement:
CE PETIT livre en forme de proces
Mis en avant taxe les trois exces
Qui font des maux au monde innumerables,
Le Jeu, le boir, et les actes damnables
Di Cupidon, &c.
Thesfe were vices, in all of which it is probable tliat
the Bolognese professor BEROALDUS had himself been
-expert. I have noticed him at some length " Memoirs
of Politian^ Kc. p. 212, et alibi.
M.D.
NLCOLAJ PEROTTI Cornuc.op^e cura Lodoviti OdaxiL
Gering et Rembolt, fol,
SEXTVS DECRETALIVM: Extravagantes JOHAN. xxu,
Kc. accurante Jo. Chappuissio. fol. lidem.
JEAN CHAPPUIS, a <{ Licencie en Droit," corrected
for Gering and Kembolt as to what regarded the
impression of works pertaining to jurisprudence.
Luc AN, SVETON, & SALUST en Francois, fol. Ant.
Verard.
The conjecture of M. DE. JUVIGNY, that LUCAN here
is a mistake of bibliographers for Luc. AN. or Lucius
ANNJEUS, (Florus) founded on the supposed improba-
bility of Lucan a poet, being joined with two historians,
is completely refuted by a fragment of this prose
204
translation of Lucan from the interesting press of
Verard, now in my possession. It may indeed be more
properly termed a paraphrase, and reads much like one
of the romances of the day.
" Fueillet" 151 commences in the following manner:
" Comment pompee esmeut sa gent."
" Ciceron parla lors a pompee pour tous, ce fut
cellui qui auoit deliure la cite de romme de la conjuroison
de cathiline quant il fut consule et moult auoit augmente
la chose publique. Si dist a pompee. Les roys, les
barons et autres peuples que tu as auec toy requierent
et prient que tu ne mettes plus la chose en delay, seuffre
a fortune faire ce quelle a en pensee, seuffre que cesar
soit mis au dessoubz, par quoy tout le monde a este en
grant triboil & longue discorde. Tout le inonde que tu
as si assemble peut tourner a grant desdaing ce que tu
les surmontes en pou dheure et de temps & tu desclaires
tant a vaincre & surmonter ung nomme cesar a tout
ung peu de gens quii a. Quest deuenu le hardement
et la prosse que tu euz jadis. Te deffies tu des lieux
comme se tu ne leur sauois gre des victoires que tu as
eues. Tiens tu la querelle aux senateurs pour si foible
et pour cy mauuaise que tu ne toses abandonner a
fortune ne mettre toy & ta gent en aduenture. Se tu
ne ty donnes garde ta cheualerie prendra les banieres et
se ferra en lestour se tu ne te hastes. As tu honte de
ce quilz te veulent faire faire vaincre maulgre toy, de
ton gre deusses tu tendre a auoir lonneur de la victoire.
Veulx tu que len ty contraigne a force se les senateurs
ont point de commandement sur toy, & se ceste
bataille doit estre pour nostre commun preu nompas
pour le tien seulement. Ne nous detiens plus laisse
nous aler en champ. Et que detiens tu, tout le inonde
205
qui est prest a courre sur cesar & sur les siens. Chacun
encrolle son dart et son glaiue & leur est grief dattendre
]es meuttes de tes aigles. Haste toy que tes chevaliers
ne te guerpissent tout seul en ta tente & sen ail lent sans
due a la bataille guier. Les senateurs veulent sauoir se
tu veulx estre leur compaignon pour le commun preu oil
pour le tien seulement, & se tu detiens ta cheualerie si
leur deffens lassembler pour ton propre preu. Pompee
gemit a ses paroles, &c."
The size of this work is fol. the tyy 3 a large semi-
gothic, the page is in double columns. Whether the
fragment forms part of the edition of 1490 or 150O I
cannot determine.
That the reader may judge more accurately of the
nature of the foregoing translation, I subjoin the passage
of the original : Lucan, Lib. vii. v. 62.
" CUNCTORUM voces Romani raaximus auctor
Tullius eloquii, cujus sub jure, togaque
Pacificas saevus tremuit Catilina secures,
Pertulit, iratus bell is, cum rostra forumque
Optaret, passus tarn longa silentia miles.
Addidit invalidae robur facundia causae.
Hoc pro tot mentis solum te, Magne, precatur,
Uti se Fortuna velis, proceresque tuorum
Castrorum, regesque tui cum supplice mundo
Affusi, vinci socerum patiare rogamus.
Humani generis tarn longo tempore bellum
Caesar erit ? meritb, Pompeium vincere lente,
Gentibus, indignum est, a transcurrente subactis.
Quo tibi fervor abit ? aut quo fiducia fati ?
De Superis ingrate times? causamque Senatus
Credere Diis dubitas? ipsge sua signa revellent,
Prosilientque acies. pudeat vicisse coactum.
Si ducc te jnsso, si nobis bella geruntur,
206
Sit juris quocunque velint concurrere campo.
Quid mundi gladios a sanguine Caesaris arces ?
Vibrant tela manus : vix signa morantia quisquam
Expectat : propera, ne te tua classica linquant.
Scire Senatus avet, miles te, Magne, sequatur,
An couies." Ingemuit Rector, &c.
Le Second Volume de la CRONIQUE MARTINIENNE qui
suit selon les dates des temps les Croniques de France
selon It Chronique Castel if Robert Gaguin General des
Mat/mi'insy Sfc. mis en Francois &" augmentees par
Sebastian Mamerot de Soissons chantre et chanoine de
Troyes, avec la Chronique du Roy Loys XI. fol.
Antoine Verard.
I find amongst books " sine nota anni" (post 1500}
" La Cronique MARTINIANE de tous les Papes qui furent
jamais, et finist iusques au Pape Alexander (VI.)
dernier decede mil cinq cens & trois ; (per MARTIN DE
POLOG N E, traduite enfrancois par fiebastieii de MamerotJ
et avecques ce les additions de plusieurs Groniqueurs,
cest assavoir de messire Verneron chanoyne de Lyege,
monseigneurlechroniqueurCastel,monseigneurGuaguiri
General des Mathurins et plusieurs autres croniqueurs."
This work which is in fol. from the subscription " cy
fine la derreniere partie de la Cronique Martinienne
imprime a Paris pour Anthoyne Verard) Kc" appears
to be in two or more volumes. La Croix du Maine
mentions " La Cronique Martinienne ayec les additions,
&c." printed by Verard, in 2 voll. fol. goth. sans date;
and his annotators say this chronicle is now of rare
occurrence, and prized by the curious in such works.
MARTIN us POLONUS was a Dominican, who composed
in the Latin language " Chrqniea seu Chronicon
summorum Pontificum, Imperatorumque, ac de septem
20!
setatibus mundi ex sancto Hieronymo, Eusebio, aliisque
eruditis excerpta a Martino." This book was printed
Taurini 1477. In fine:
CROXICA martini finit : Divo philiberto :
ac subaudorum sub duce magnanimo
Taurini: formis hanc pressit: et cere: Johannes
fabri : quern ciuem lingonis alta tulit^ fye t
So that the anriotators on La Croix du Maine are
mistaken in asserting that the original Latin was never
published. The name <c Martinus" is supposed to be
the origin of the term lc Martiniane" found annexed to
several of these early French historical compilations.
SEBASTIEN MAMEROT the translator was of Soissons. Of
Verneron I am in possession of no notices. Gaguin
has been particularly noticed sub anno 1495. " Le
croniqueurCASTEL" was a French historian and poet, son
of Christine de Pise already mentioned, sub annis 1488,
1497. The Earl of Salisbury, favourite of Richard II,
king of England, is said to have conveyed him in his
youth to England to be educated with his own son.
Richard being dethroned by Henry IV. of Lancaster
anno 1399, and Salisbury beheaded, Henry who had
seen some poems of Christine his mother, invited her
to his court. She signified her consent to this proposal,
provided her son might be sent to conduct her thither.
Having by this stratagem recovered her son after
three year's absence, she found means to evade her
engagement with the English monarch. Philippe le
Hardi, duke of Burgundy, received young Castel into
his service. In 14-04 he lost his new patron, being
then only 19 years of age. Some suppose Castel to
have been deformed. He and FROISSART have been
denominated " Dictatcurs de chroniques de Franee."
208
LATIN A. fol. Simon Vostre.
ROBERTI GAGUINI (Ord. S, Trin. Kc.J de Francontm
Gestis Compendium. Thielman Kerver, fol.
This edition of the Latin original is augmented by
an additional book. It is termed by Mattaire " Editio
optima, auctiorque." (v)
Officium B. M. V. et alia ad usum Laodien; Inline, cum
iarii$ orationibus latine 8 gallice. Pracedit Calen-
darium* 8. with wood cuts. Idem.
(u) I have noticed (sub anno 1498 Art. Chroniques de
France, <c.) several French translations of this Latin Chro-
nicle of GAGUIN, particularly that anni 1536, which French
bibliographers consider to be of the greatest rarity. It was
published under the title of LA MER DES CHRONIQUES et
Mirouer Hystorial de France, iadis compose en Latin par . .
frere ROBERT GAGUIN . . . Et nouvellement traduiet ... en
vulgaire francoys . . Lequel traicte de la source & origine des
Francoys & les faictz belliqueux de tous les Roys de France
& autres, aduenuz depuis la destruction de Troye la Grant
Tant es pays et royalme de France que Angleterre, Jrlande,
Espaigne, Gascongne, Flandres, et lieux circonuoisins . . .
Auec les Genealogies de France & Annalles de Gaulle, &c.
The title of this fine Chronicle is printed in alternate " rouge
& noir," and the history is brought down to " le moys de
Mars" 1536, and comprehends upwards of 20 years of the
reign of Francis I. The book commences with a " Prologue
de PIERRE DESRAY," the editor and continuator. On the
reverse of fuellet 6 a fine wood cut occupies the whole page.
This work is a large 4. goth. the printer Nicolas de la Barre,
for Jehan Foucher, Par. anno 1536.
209
VIRGILIANA cum Servii Honor ati Gramrnatiei
Commentariis Philippi Beroaldi annotationibus '
Donati enodationibus Jodoci Badii elucidatione, 5Cr.
fol. Idem.
In this subscription THIELMAN KERVER denominates
himself " Confluentinus," which shews him to have
been a native of Coblentz.
SUMM A AVREA in IV. libros Sententiarum a GVILLERMO
JJLTISSIODORENSI. Phil. Pigouchet pour N. Faultier
K ). Gerlier, fol.
After the Insigne Typographicum follows this Hex-
astichon : *
A0REA summa sacri Guilihelrai altissiodori
Prcsulis auricomis multiplicata notis:
Qaam bona de quercu guilihelmi cura redemit
Mendis : et varia condecoravit ope.
Quamque pigouchetus calamo descripsit aheno :
Patronis meritam poscit ob era stipem.
DE LA CAILLE says this " Summa Aurea" is a singular
book on account of the peculiar sentiments which it
contains, was never reprinted, and is much sought
after. Durand Gerlier's device was " L'Estrille Fau-
veau, represented par une faux et un veau avec ces
mots: DEUM TIME. PAUPERES SUSTINE. MEMENTO
FINIS. JESUS."
Impressions of this year occur also with the name of
Francisc. Regnault, who probably contributed to the
cxpence of this edition. Of this WILLIAM, bishop of
AUXERRE, I find little more recorded than that he wrote
" Suflima Theologitf" De officiis dimnis > K alia. Of
E E
210
the " Sumrna Aurea," this of Pigouchet was probably
the only impression.
HEVRES a V usage de Liege. 8. Idem.
OLIVERII MAILLARDI Sermones de Adventu.
Dominicales tt de stipendio peccati, Kc.
Quadragesimales. 8. Pigouchet.
See the notices sub an. 1497, 1498.
La MENDICITE SPIRITUELLE, les meditations de Fame,
SfC. 4. Mich, le Noir.
The original treatise by GERSON, " De mendicitate
spirituali," appeared in 4. sine anno tt loco.
Lc lime intitule ETERNELLE CONSOLATION. 4. Idem.
P. VIRGILII MARONIS Bucolica K Georgica cum comm.
Servii K B. Ascensii* foL J. Petit.
JUST INI Historia. Lucu FLORI Epitomata. SEXTI
RUFFI de Hist ^ Rom. opus. 4. Idem.
RICHARDI DE BVRY PhUobiblwn. Gaspar Philippus,
pro Joan. Parvo. 4.
An impression of the same year, Parisiis, has the
subscription, &c. of Jodocus Badius Ascensius. The
original edition is that Spira 148:3.
RICHARDUS BURIENSIS was a native of St. Edmonds-
bury in SufYolk. He was son of Sir Richard Angerville,
whence he had the surname " Angervillus." Having
distinguished himself greatly at Oxford, he became
tutor to Edward prince of Wales; by whom on his
211
accession to the throne he was advanced to the highest
court dignities. He was anno 1333 appointed dean of
Wells and bishop of Durham; arid the next year
became lord chancellor of England. Obiit anno 1345.
Petrarch terms him " ardentis ingenii virum." He was
much celebrated for his piety and munificence, but still
more for his remarkable love of learning, and patronage
of distinguished sc-holars, by whom he was hailed as the
Maecenas of those times. He founded an excellent
library at Oxford ; and anno 1344 composed his
" Philobiblion seu librum de amore librorum et Biblio-
thecarum institutione,"- which besides the impressions
of it abovementioned was edited by Jamesius, Ox.
1599, 4. and "cum epistolis Philologicis a Goldasto
collectis," Franco/. 1610, S.
Chevillier has observed that this prelate, in chap. 3, of
his " Philobiblion," says " Books ought to be purchased
at any price. The wisdom which they contain renders
them invaluable. They cannot be bought too dear."
Such were in that day the sentiments of Richard de
Bury, and his own passion for forming a collection led
him to act upon them. He bought " a tout price" but
never sold again ; alledging the sentence, Prov. chap,
xxiij. " Vcritatem erne et noli vendere sapientiam."
RICHARD DE BURY, like other Englishmen of rank
and figure of these early periods, studied some time at
Paris. Naude (addition a THist. du Roy Louis XL)
informs us in what glowing terms the good bishop
speaks in his " Philobiblion," cap. 8, of that university :
" O beate Deus deorum in Syon ! quantus fluminis
impetus voluptatis Isetificavit cor nostrum, quotiens
paradisum mundi Parisius visitare vacavimus Ibi
Bibliothecse jucundae super cellas aromatum redolentes;
ibi virens yiridarium universorum voluminum ; ibi
212
Athaenarum, Pefipatelicorum diverticula, Parnassi Pro-
montoria, & Porticus Stoicorum, &c."
The " PHILOBIBLION" was reprinted at Oxford from
a collation of MSS. and with an appendix, anno 1599,
ki 4. Hearne has undertaken to deprive R. de Bury of
the honour of com posing this work; and says it was
written by Robert Holkot a Dominican, under his name.
See mention of Holkot sub anno 1489.
Regula SANCTI BENEDICTI edita apud Jodocum Badium
Ascensium. 8.
There is also " La REGLE de SAINCT BENOIST
traduicte de Latin en Francois par Guy Juvenal." M. le
Noir, 8. sine anno.
The following was unknown to PANZER : " Regula
beatissimi patris benedicti e latino in gallicum sermonem
per rev. dom. Guidonem Juvenalem traducta," 1500.
Geoffroy de Marnef. It contains a beautiful wood cut
in the title; and at the end exhibits the device of "les
Freres MARNEF." In this book the Latin original and
the French translation are printed alternately; the
former in gothic characters, the latter in the semigothic
or " lettres batards," common to early French printers.
Anno 1516 RICHARD PINSON also printed an English
translation of this work : " Here begynneth the Rule
of seynt Benet." It was translated by " Richard
Bishope of Winchester for the use of the Nouices and
religiouse women" of his diocese; and he adds
66 specyally at thinstant requeste of our ryght dere
doughters in oure lorde Jhu, Thabbasses of the monas-
teris of Rumsay, wharwel, seynt Maries. within the citie
of Winchester, and the prioresse of witnaye : oure right
religious diocesans, we haue translated the sayde rule
into oure moders tonge, commune, playne, rounde
THE DEVICE OF ENGU1LBERT, JEAN, & GODEFROY DE MARNEF.
From " La Reigle Monseigneur Sainct Benoist." 1500, 4.
Vide p. 212.
213
englisshe, easy, and redy to be understande by the
sayde deuoute religiouse women, &c." It contains in
the frontispiece a cut of four priests carrying the host,
and attendants with lighted torches ; beneath a pelican,
&c. and another on the reverse. An abstract of the
same rule in English forms also the " thyrde treatise
of the Boke composed of diverse Ghostly maters,"
beginning with the " Orologium sapiencie," printed
by Caxton, 4. sine anno.
2. HORATII FLACCI Satyr <e et Epistola cum comm.
Acronis et Badii Ascensii, 4.
EJUSDEM De Arte poetica. 4. Idem.
BIBLIA LATINA. Joh. Pivard, 4.
PERSIUS cum commentario Britannici. 8. .
Periarchon de Principiis Disciplinarum Platonicarum
SYMPHORIANI CHAMPERii,de Ratione Speculativa, de
Notitia rerum speculativarum, Me.
This is probably from the pen of SIMPHORIEN
CHAMPIER (Latine " Campegius") " Lyonnois," by
profession a physician. Other works of his are " His-
toire des faits & gestes du bon Chevalier sans peur &
sans reproche (Pierre du Terrail dit le Seigneur BAYARD)
avec plusieurs histoires ad venues sous le regnes de
Charles VIII, Louis XII, & Frangois I, depuis Tan
1489, jusqu 'en 1524." Par. Gal. du Pre, 1527, 4.
got. " Le fondement & origine desTitres de Noblesse/'
Par. 1535. " La Nef des Dames verteueuses." Par.
1531, Phil, le Noir. " La Nef des Princes." Par. 8.
le Noir, 1525. " La Nef de Sybiiles," -" Les grandes
Chroniques des gestes, &c. des Dues & Princes de
214
Savoye & Piedmont* 1 ' Par. Jean de la Garcle, 1516.
" Les Chroniques de Lorraine." " Le Triomphe dt
France." Lat. K Fr. printed a Lyon Sf a Paris.
" Le Triomphe de Louis XII." Lyon, 1509, 4. got.
" Le Miroir des Apotiquaires." Par. 1539.
LA CROIX DU MAINE mentions various other produc-
tions of this fruitful author, printed and MS. He was
physician to the " Due de Lorraine ;" attended him in
the wars of Italy, and behaved so well at the battle of
Marignano, that the duke knighted him. He espoused
Marguerite de Terrail, who was nearly related to the
famous Bayard beforementioned. Champier's life of
that " Chevalier" is considered as a mere romance,
abounding with fables. The annotators on la Croix du
Maine say that nothing which Champier wrote on
historical subjects is deserving of any consideration.
He wanted judgment and discrimination : was very
ignorant of chronology, and greatly enamoured of the
marvellous. His medical works are better. Among
them are distinguished his " Hortus Gallicus" and
" Campus Elysius Gallioe," both printed a Lyon 1533,
8. Julius Caesar Scaliger lampooned him in Latin
" Scazons." Rabelais also made him a subject of his
raillery. He is said to have called himself " Campegius"
through a vain affectation of appearing to belong to
the family of the cardinal of that name : and even to
have assumed his arms. He died as it is supposed
an. 1539 or 1540.
Les FAITS et GESTES de preux GODEFROY DE
Bo VILLON, et de ses chevaleureux freres BAUDOUIN
SC EUSTACE yssus de noble lignie du chevalier au
Cigne, avec leur Genealogie, traduit du Latin. Par
1500,/0/. #4.
215
Anno 1481 the press of CAXTON produced in English
cc GODEFROY OF BoLOYNE, or the laste siege and
conqueste of Jherusalem," fol. The amusing " pro-
heme" is given at length by Ames, vol. 1 , p. 35, Caxton
having first made honourable mention of the heroes of
the old Testament, " due Josue that noble prince,"
" Dauyd the Kynge and holy Prophete," and " Judas
Machabeus ;" afterwards of some of the chief warriors
of Paganism, " Hector of troye," " Alysaundre the
grete king of Macedone," and " July us Cezar,"
proceeds thus (C Now lete us thenne remembre what
hystoryes ben wreton of Cristen men of whom ther be
many wreton. But in especial as for the best and
worthyest J find first, the gloryous, most excellent in
his tyme, and ffirst founder of the round table, kyng
Arthur kyng of the brytons that tyme regnyng in this
Royamme, of whos retenue were many noble Kynges,
Prynces, lordes : and knyghtes. of which the noblest
were knyghtes of the round table, of whos actes and
hystoryes there be large volumes and bookes grete
plente and many, O blessyd Lord whan J remembre
the grete and many volumes of seynt graal, ghalehot
and launcelotte de lake, Gawayne perceval, Lyonel,
and tristram and many other of whom were ouer long
to reherce, and also to me unknowen. But thystorye
of the sayd Arthur is so glorious and shynyng that he
is stalled in the fyrst place of the mooste noble, beste
and worthyest of the cristen men. Secondly of
Charlemayn the grete Emperour of Allemayne and
kyng of ffraunce, whos noble actes and conquestes ben
wreton in large volumes with the noble faytes and actes
of -his douze pieres that is to saye. Rowland and
Olyuer, with the other, whos name and renomme
abydeth also perpetuel, and is stalled in the second
216
place emong the most worthy of Cristen men. Of all
thyse hystoryes a for reherced the bookes and volumes
ben had in latyn ffrenssh and Englysshe & other
langage.
Thenne as for the thyrd of the Cristen prynces taken
reputed and renommed for to be egal emong thyse
worthy and best that euer wer. J mene the noble
Godefroy of Boloyne, whiche now but late not yet
four c. yere syth he flowred and was stalled in the
thyrd stalle of the moost worthy of Cristen men. whos
hystory is made & wreton in Latyn & ffrenshe in large
& grete volumes, And as not knowne emong us here,
which ben adiacent and neyghbours to the place of his
natyuyte, whos noble hystory J late fonde in a booke
of ffrensshe al a longe of his noble actes valyaunces
prowesses, and accomplysshement of his hye empryses,
&c." Lastly, our loyal printer " considerynge the
grete puyssaunce of the Turke grete enemye of oure
Chrystene fayth, &c." and that he " this sayd yere
( 148 1 ) hath assay lied the Cyte and Castel in the Jsle of
rhodes . . & hath taken the Cyte of Ydronte in puylle.
By whiche he hath goten an entre to entre into the
Royamme of Naples And fro theris withoute he be
resisted vnto Rome & ytalye:" exhorts all Christian
princes to make peace with each other, and unite to
resist this formidable invader: declares he has "em-
prysed to translate this book of the conquest of
Jherusalem for their encouragement :" and more espe-
cially presents it to his " soueraygn lord" the " moost
cristen kynge, Edward by the grace of god kynge of
englonde & of ffraunce and lorde of Yrlonde....that he
of his moost noble grace wold addresse styre. or com^
maunde some noble capy tayn of his subgettes to empryso
this warre agayn the sayd turke & hethen peple."
21t
SENECJE Tragoedite cum correctione Baldi. 4.
VALERII FLACCI Argonauticon. 4.
FRANCISCI PHILELPHI Epistolar. 4.
dnnotationes sive reportationes Margaritarum omnium
decretalium secundum Alphabeti ordinem. 8. (fortasse
Jehan Manstener.)
This book was unknown to Panzer. Injine, on the
obverse of the last leaf is a wood cut of the Virgin and
Child, &c. and on the reverse a full length crowned
portrait of PRESTRE JEHAN. ROBERT COPLAN D printed
sine anno (but as Hearne thinks in 1510) a Latin work
intitled " Collectarium Mansuetudinum, &c." (Vid.
Ames K Herbert, vol. 1, p. 348) under the title of which
he gave a fac-simile of the above wood cut as a portrait
of king Henry VI. of England : omitting the name of
" PRESTRE JEHAN" which is engraved in large Gothic
characters on the block of the original. " Beneath this
title," says Herbert, " is the portrait of king Henry at
full length, also at the back of it, and again on the last
page." Mr. Dibdin has very accurately copied this
spurious portrait in his edition of Ames and Herbert.
(Vol. 3, page 131.)
.
M.D.T.
Les Homelies de Saint GREGOIRE Pape, sur quarante
Evangiles. fol. Ant. Verard.
La Fleur des Batailles D'OoLiN de Maience, Chevalier
preux 5C hardi, fits du noble et chevalereux Guy Comte
de Maicnce. fol. Ant. Verard.
F F
218
Mr. DUNLOP (History of Fiction, VoL 1, p. S7S)
supposes this romance to have been written during the
reign of Charles VIII. There was a second impression
Par. 1549, 4. a third Lyons 1 604. The most important
achievement of DOOLIN was the conquest of Denmark :
but the story is not considered as interesting. Doolin
was tire ancestor of Ogier the Dane.
OPFICWM B. Virginis Mari<s K alia, cum jiguris, 4.
Simon Vostre.
Iterum, G. Hardouyn 1503, 8. and sine anno 8. G.
Anabat 1508, 8. Th. Kerver 1511, 8. 1513, 8. 1517,
8. 1520, 8. ^Egid. Couteau 1J13, 8. P. Vidove
1519. Copies of this " Officium," like the " Hone"
and other early ritual books, abound with wood cuts.
Several splendid specimens are described in the Harleian
Catalogue. Vid. Libb. sine notd anni, ante 1 500.
Le CODICILE et Testament de Maistre Jehan de Meun.
4. Michel le Noir. Vid. inter Libras sine anno " Le
Roman de la Rose"
This continuator of the M ROMANCE of the ROSE"
lived as Du VERDIER thinks, in the reign of Philippes
le Bel, or at the latest anno 1300. Other works of his
were u La plaisant Jeu dodechedron de Fortune non
moins recreatif qu' ingenieux," Par. 1560, Jean Longis
& R. le Mangnier. u Les 7 Articles de la Foi &
Proverbes dores," (sometimes subjoined to " JJQ Codi-
cil.' 1 ) Par, 1503. " Remontrances a T Alchemist*
errant," G. Guillard 1561, and as some say " Destruction
de Troye la Grande," a Lyon 1544.
La JVfiF DE FOLLES selon les cinq sens de nature, com-
poses, selon L'Evangile de Monseigneur S. Mathieu,
219
des cinq Viergc* qui ne prinrent point d'huile pour
mettre en fours lampes. 4. Jean Treperel. Vid. sub
anno 1497.
GVLIELMI LYNDEWODE Provinciate, fol. Andreas
Bocard. (Infra sub anno 1505.)
This is a v/ell known work of GULIELMUS LYNDE^
WOODE, who was an author of our own country, and
bishop of S. David's. He flourished at an early period,
and survived till the year 1446. Other impressions of
the " Provinciale" specified by Panzer, are those anni
1505,fol. WW. Hopyll 1506, fol. Idem. DE LACAILLE
specifies an impression bearing the name and insigne of
BADIUS anni 1501, fol. 2 tomis, which is (he says)
executed " en tres-beaux characteres ronds & parfaits,"
and still esteemed in France as a very rare typographical
curiosity. But the edition of London anni 1679 is the
most ample and complete.
Impressions by our early English printers noticed by
AMES & HERBERT, are " Constitutiones provinciales
ecclesiae Anglican^ sine commentariis," 24. CAXTON,
sine anno.Iterum, W. DE WORDE 1496, 8. the title
of which exhibits a wood cut of LINDEWOOD at full
length, with the pastoral staff in his hand: this impres-
sion was repeated anno 1499, and again by Pinson sine
anno. Another copy of the " PROVINCIALS SEP CON-
STITUTIONES AM G LIE" una purri annotationibus, in fol.
ornamented vyith various figures and decorations, was
printed Parisiis per T. Kerver sumptibus WILJIELMI
BRETTON. Copies bearing the names of other Parisian
typographers, are found to exhibit the devices of
several of our early English printers ; and evince the
copartnership which so frequently existed in particular
impressions of popular works.
220
ROBERT REDMAN appears also to have printed the
" Constitutiones provinciates ecclesiac Anglicanse" anno
1534, 8. and in the same year the "CONSTITUTIONS
PROUINCIALLES, and of OTHO and OCTHOBONE" in
English. Of this translation a very particular and
interesting description will be found in Ames and
Herbert, p. 392. A curious impression of the original
work was executed at Oxford in fol. (perhaps circa
annum 1482, Ames K Herbert, p. 1394.) Another
by THOMAS MARSHE anno 1537, 8. (lidem, p.SSO.)
See also the corrections and additions to the same
work. (p. 1826.)
BERNH. LAVRENTH Casus in quibus Judex secularis
potest manus in personas Clericorum imponere, et
alia. 8 . Jehan Petit.
BIBLIA cum Summariis, Concordantiis, Me. foL min.
Idem.
P. FIRGILII MARONIS Culex, Dir<e, K alia Opuscula.
foL Thidman Kerver.
LUCANI Pharsalia cum argumentis J. S. Verulamiiet
annot. Chappusoti. fol. Joh. de Prato.
M.D.II.
Omelie dim GREGORII super Ezechielem. 4. Gering
5C Rembolt.
LUDOLPHI DE SAXONIA Fita'J. Christi.fol. lidem.
This work was first printed Argzntorati \ 474, fol. and
Colonia 1474, fol. The first Parisian edition appeared
221
an. 1 497, foL A French translation par Guill. Lemenand,
intitled " Le tresbel et profitable livre des meditations
sur la vie de J. C." was printed Par. 1 4-90. Iterum
Verard, sine anno. Lugd. M. liusz l493,/0/.
Le 'preux &" vaillant Chevalier ARTUS de Bretaigne. 4.
M. le Noir.
This ROMANCE is supposed to have been written in
the reign of Charles VIII. PANZER notices amongst
books ' e sine indicia loci et typographi" " Le Livre
d' ARTUS seu le petit ARTUS. In fine : cy finist le liure
du vallaint et preulx cheualier artus filz du due de
bretaigne," fol. adorned with wood cuts. This which
bears the date anni 1493 is probably the earliest
impression. Another adorned in like manner appeared
a Lyon 1496, 4. These, and the preceding by LE
NOIR, are all that Panzer enumerates. Mr. Dunlop
(Hist, of Fiction , vol. 1) says this romance of ARTHUR
of BRITANY possesses more unity of design than works
of the like nature by which it was preceded. He thinks
the leading incident of it suggested to SPENSER the
plan and outline of his " FAERY QUEEN."
I suppose this to be also the original of " ARTHUR of
BRYTAN," or " The hy story e of the moost noble and
valyaunt knyght, Arthur of lytell Brytayne : translated
out of Frenshe in to Englysshe by the noble Johau
Bourghcher knyght, lorde Earners, newly imprynted,"
(by Robert Copland.) This title is over a knight armed
on horseback, with a drawn sword in his hand. It has
wooden cuts, and contains 1 16 chapters and 69 leaves.
R. C.'s mark, fol. Another impression was executed
by ROBERT REDBOIINE; having the title similarly
ornamented, and containing 174 leaves, with cuts. This
work has of late been magnificently reprinted.
222
Expositio HYMNORVM ad usum Sarum. 4. (Sub anno
1498.)
M.D.III.
Fratris JACOBI DE FORAGINB Mariale, rive Sermones
de beata Maria Firgine. 4. Jean Petit. (Sub anno
1475.)
Ode Ho RATH fdeliter emendate cum bremusculis
argumentis. 4. Idem.
HORATII Ode. Carmen Epodon et Secular e ; cum
Mancinelli & Badii explanatione. Accedunt*$Vrw<W6?,
Epistole, Kc. fol D. Roce.
OFFICIARIUM curatorum, seu manuale Eduensis dioces.
4. Henricus Stephanus,
MISSALE ad usum Ecclesia Sarum. 4. Th. Kerver.
AMES and HERBERT mention " Missale secundum
vsum SARUM :" at the end " per Julian Notari and J.
Berbier," Lond. 1498 : probably printed in France. Mr.
Bagstersays he had " seen of JULIAN NOTARY'S printing
in France ; and he is supposed to have been a native of
that country." Of the " MISSALE" for the use of the
same English cathedral there were impressions, Par. Th.
Kerver 1503, 4. Londini R. Pynson 1504, fol. Par.
Fr. Regnault 1519, fol. 1529, 4. Jean Petit 1519, fol.
Nicol. Prevost 152T, fol. Also Wolffgang Hopyll
1514, fol. unknown to PANZER. (Fid. Not. sub anna
Kc."J
223
Scrtnones DORMI SECURE Dominicales et de Sanctis. S<
Gcoffr. de Marnef.
These sermons were reprinted by G. Marnef, Par.
1514, 8* They appeared Colon. 1503, 4. and perhaps
under the title " Sermones Dominicales Dormi secure"
Hagenoa 1509, 1513, 4. Lugduml523, 8. et (Norim-
berga>J sine loco et anno, fol.
Du VERDIER in the preface to his " Bibliotheque"
mentions amongst other works which operated as
soporific pillows to the lazy preachers of the day, the
" Vade mecum*' of friar John, the " Dormi secure,'*
and { .< Panis Cotidiarms." M. DE J.A MONNOYE says he
has seen " un vieux bouquin" thus intitled " Incipit
Vade mecum Fratris Joannis Decretor. Doctoris &
Abbatis Uccellensis de Collationibus Dominicis et
festivis." These are not sermons, but plans or perhaps
skeletons of sermons, each divided " en trois points
rimes; suivis des passages de TEcriture de quelques
pe"res de PEglise, & de quelque citation du Droit canon
pour servir de preuve a chaque point." The book,
he says, is "d'une impression Gothique:" very ancient,
sine anno et loco : a moderately thick volume in 4.
" DORMI SECURE" is probably a work of a similar
nature, said to be the production of a German cordelier
of the name of MATTHEW II us. M. de la Monnoye
aays further, that " en matiere de Sermonaires" he is
acquainted with the titles " Discipulus," " Dormi
secure," " Vade mecum," and " Rapiamus totum :"
but never met with mention, any where but in Du
Verdier's preface, of the work intitled " Panis Coti-
dianus."
Le premier Volume des Clironiques de France dangle-
ttrrc y descoce, despaigne, de bretaigne, degascogne, des
224
flandres, et lieux circorwoisins de JEHJN FROISSARD.
foL Michel le Noir.
The second vol. of this CHRONICLE appeared anno
1505, M. le Noir; the third and fourth anno 1518,
pour Anthoine Verard, fol. PANZER also mentions an
impression of vol. 1 Antoine Verard, sine anno.
Though this work is now well known, I shall remark
after Du Verdier> that FROISSART or FROISSARD lived
at the period of the battle of Poictiers, at which king
John was taken prisoner. His history or chronicle
commences anno 1326 with the great comte Philippe
first king of France of the line of Valois, and with' the
wars between him and Edward III. of England, (" soi
disant," also says Du Verdier, " Roi de France, par sa
Mere, soeur de trois Rois precedens") and ending with
the death of king Richard of England, anno 1400.
PANZER considers the edition abovementioned as
the first of this interesting history : but DE BURE seems
to indicate a prior impression by Antoine Verard,
4 vols. fol. goth. sine anno. Mr. Johnes the late worthy
translator of Froissart, was in possession of a Gothic
edition of great curiosity, printed upon vellum, and
bearing the subscription of " Guill. Eustace" 1514, in
4 vols. fol. It originally belonged to the Soubise
library; but was purchased at the sale of the " Bib.
Parisiana ;" in the catalogue of which it is described as
one of the scarcest books existing; unknown to the best
bibliographers, and even to Denis Sauvage the latter
editor and reviser of Froissart.
But has EUSTACE really an exclusive claim to the
impression of this curious edition anni 1514? To shew
how indefinite these subscriptions are, and to point out
one among many instances of the connexion and
copartnership which took place amongst early Parisian
ride p. 224.
225
" Imprimeurs" and "Libraires," in impressions of these
very popular works, I cite from a late catalogue of Mr.
Lacking-ton, a description of a copy, not on vellum but on
paper, of the same impression, viz. " Chroniques de
France & d'Angleterre, &c. par Froissart," black letter,
4 vols. fol. ruled with red lines, and bound in 3, 1514.'
It is added that the two first volumes of this extremely
rare edition have " Imprime pour Anthoyne Verard"
with his device on the title pages, but without date.
The third volume has " Imprime pour Francois
Regnault" without date. The fourth volume has
" Imprime a Paris mil cinq cens et quatorze pour
Guillaume Eustace" Both the third and the fourth
volumes have the device of Eustace in their title pages.
This copy was from the library of Dr. French Lawrence.
It is evident then that the three " Libraires" united in
the expence of the impression ; and that titles and
subscriptions were struck off to suit the purposes of
each ; which by some accident becoming thus intermixed,
have occasioned this uncertainty as to the real origin of
the impression.
It is worthy of further remark, that a very curious
and well preserved copy of these " Chroniques de
Froissart," at present in my own possession, exhibits a
variation nearly of the same kind. It is in 4 vols. fol.
goth. but conveniently bound in 3. The first volume
has in the frontispiece or title the device of FRANCOIS
REGNAULT, and concludes indefinitely "cy finist, &c.
impr. a Paris," without date. The second volume has
in the frontispiece the mark of VERARD ; and concludes,
" cy finist, &c. impr. a Paris pour Anthoyne Verard,
&c." ' without date. The third volume has the mark of
VERARD, and concludes as the second, without date
also. The fourth volume' bears in the title the mark of
G G
226
VERARD, and has at its conclusion " cy finist le quart
volume cle messire iehan froissart sur les croniques de
france, d'angleterre, &c. . . . Imprime a Paris Lan de
grace mil cinq cens et dixhuyt (1518) le vn jour
doctobre pour Anthoine verard libraire demourant
&c." It has also a fine impression of the device of
Vcrard on the verso of the last folio. The typography,
paper, and intire execution of these volumes shew them
to be of the same impression ; the subscription merely
being changed to suil existing circumstances.
" All the Gothic editions of this historian," says De
Bure, "were for a long time little regarded; because it
was supposed that the edition edited by DENYS SAUVAGE
a Lyon 1559 was correct and intire. But since it has
been found otherwise, they are become objects of greater
research : and it is very difficult to meet with a copy of
any of them in fine condition. The first by Verard,
which is the original edition of the work, has generally
the preference. M. Gaignat's copy was richly orna-
mented with figures in gold and colours."
M. de St. Palaye enumerates three " Editions
Gothiques" of Froissart: the first by Anthoine Verard,
without a date: the second by Mich, le Noir, 1505,
2 vols. fol. : the third by Galliot du Pre, 1530, 3 vols.
fol. Thus he also, with De Bure, seems to attribute
to Anthoine Verard a distinct and prior impression.
The editions revised by Denis Sauvage are 1. That
of the years 1559, 1560, 1561, 3 vols. fol. printed
at Lyons by Jean, de Tournes. 2. The same reprinted
exactly, Par. Gervais Maillet 1574, 3 vols. fol. It may
be observed that Mr. Johnes was possessed of two
several copies of Froissart as revised by D. Sauvage,
each in four volumes ; the one having the subscription
of Mich. Sonnius, Par. 1574 ; the other that of Mich, de
22?
Roigny, Par. 1574- also. It would be an extraordinary
circumstance if three editions of the same work were
really printed at Paris in one year; but I conjecture
that these are all in reality of the same impression. The
variation of names may be accounted for, as in those of
the Gothic editions already mentioned.
JOHN POUCHIER knyghte, lorde BERNERS, first
" Translated oute of Frenche into oure maternall
Englysshe tongue" this interesting chronicle of " Syr
John Froyssart," at the " commaundement of oure moste
highe redouted soueraynge lord kynge Henry the VIII,
kynge of Englande, &c." The first volume of this
translation was imprinted at London, by * 6 RICHARDE
PYNSON" anno 1523. This volume commences with
the reign of Edward III, and ends 9. Richard II. The
second containing the " thirde and fourthe boke, &c."
anno 1525, fol. This volume begins 9. Richard II. and
ends with the coronation of Henry IV. Ames and
Herbert (p. 576) say that WILLIAM MIDDLETON (one
of our early printers inter 1541 and 1548) printed also
both volumes of this translation, in a type much ruder
than Pinson's. Herbert ( Ci Corrections and Additions"
p. 1790) says " There appear to have been three early
(English) editions of " Froissart's Chronicle ;" one by
PINSON himself, another with Pinson's name, but
supposed to be a pirated edition ; and a third by W,
Middleton : of which it has been queried whether he
ever printed any more than the first volume.
It is scarcely necessary to observe, that to the late
truly respectable THOMAS JOHNES, ESQ. of HAFOD, who
employed the leisure afforded by an ample fortune, in
pursuits which become the scholar and the gentleman,
the public is indebted for very recent and interesting
228
translations of FROISSART and MONSTRELET, and of
other early French historians. Mr. Johnes's translations
are embellished with numerous and correct engravings,
after elaborate and splendid paintings and decorations
found in manuscripts and early printed copies of these
authors. A re-impression of the early English transla-
tion of Froissart appeared also at London, 1812, in 2
vols. 4. which is printed without any change of diction,
agreeably to the ancient orthography, from PIN SON'S
edition ; but contains the necessary corrections of names
and places in the margin ; and a " memoir of Lord
Berners" prefixed. The antiquated and simple yet
energetic language of LORD BERNERS will always
commend itself to our predilection, as exhibiting
a natural and almost coetaneous representation of Frois-
sart's sentiments and style. The matter of FROISSART'S
history, and the candid simplicity of his manner, must
please the reader of every age. Few ancient works
abound so much in individual character, and are so
truly dramatic. It is a faithful record of the sentiments
and manners, the stately port^ and romantic honour, of
the nobility and gentry of both nations, at this remote
but highly interesting period : and an inexhaustible
source from which the poets of romance may deduce
themes for the muse, that loves
" to sing achievements high
And circumstance of chivalry." (#)
(JT) CHRONICLES and such like historical compilations, though
frequently abounding in fable and romance, are yet for various
reasons considered as amongst the most valuable and important
remains of early French literature. In addition therefore to
works of this nature already described under their respective
years, it may not be improper to subjoin the titles and impressions
229
SOLINUS de memorabilibus mundi. 4. Joan. Lam-
bertus.
of a few others, which do not regularly fall within the limits
prescribed to the present work.
The labours of MR. JOHNES have brought into modern
request, in conjunction with the names of FROISSART and
MONSTRELET, that also of " JBAN, SIRE DE JOINVILLE, Knight
& Senechal de Champagne. 4 " His work is intitled " Histoire
<& Chronique des faits & gestes vie & mort du tres Chretien
Roi S. Louis (Loys IX du nom.)" whose contemporary the
author was, and attendant in all his wars. He was in this
monarch's service anno 1270, and continued in it 32 years.
This history which was found in manuscript at kt Beaufort en
Vallee au pays d'Anjou." amongst some old registers of Rene,
king of Sicily, contains at length, well arranged, many particular
circumstances of which Gaguin, Paul /Emile, and other historians
have made no mention. It was brought to light by the care
and diligence of Antoine Pierre de Rieux, who procured an
impression of it a Poictiers, 4. Marnef 1547.
There are four ancient editions of " L'Histoire de S. Louis
par le Sire de Joinville," viz. 1. That of Poictiers anno
1547, just mentioned. The editor addresses this edition to
Francis I. but far from following faithfully the manuscripts of
Joinville, made the most unwarrantable changes; disfigured it,
and modelled it after his own caprice. 2. The edition published
in 1617 in 4. par Claude Mesnard of Angers, after a manuscript
which he met with, but which had also been changed and
falsified. 3. Par. 1668, fol. This is the edition of " Du-
fresne, sieur du Cange." It is formed upon a collation of the
preceding ones, and enriched with many curious and interesting
observations. This edition was deemed far the best, till 4.
That of 1761 appeared, in fol. " a 1'Imprimerie Royale," thus
intitled " Histoire de S. Louis par Jehan Sire de Joinville,
les annales de son regne par Guillaume de Nangis, &c. le tout
230
Les sept Articles de Foi, K les P rover bes dare's de
Mail re JEHAN DE MEUNG, auec aulcunes Remon-
trances du rneme, addressees au Roi. 8. (Sub anno
1501.)
publie d'apres les MSS.de laBibliotheque du Roi, & accorapagn
d'un Glossaire." This fourth edition was confided principally
to M. Melot and M. TAbbe Sallier : but neither of them
surviving to the completion of the undertaking, M. Capperonier
\vas by royal mandate appointed to finish the edition, after an
authentic manuscript of Sire de Joinville, preserved in the
royal library; containing 391 pages written on vellum in double
columns, small 4. These particulars are from the annotators
on Du Verdier.
We may give a place in this enumeration to a work of
ALAIN BOUCHARD, a Parisian Avocat, intitled " Chroniques et
Annaies des pays d'Angleterre & Bretagne, faits & gestes des
Hois, &c. qui ont regne aux dits pays, &c. depuis Brutus jusqu'
au trepas du feu Due de Bretagne Fran9ois. II." This
chronicle of Bouchard appeared first anonymously, Par. 1514,
fol. Again annis 1518, 1531, 1532, fol. with a continuation.
It was reprinted Par. 1541, in 4. It contains all the fables
current in this author's time, taken from Geoffroy of Monmouth,
the history of king Arthur, and the romance ascribed to
Abp. Turpin. Matters of fact are passed over slightly. Du
Fresnoy classes this book amongst romances of chivalry, in his
" Bibliotheque de Romans," published under the name of
"Gordon de Percel," p. 176. Editions are rare, especially
the ancient ones.
I have mentioned ALAIN CHARRETIKR sub anno 1489. To
this author, who was secretary to Charles VII, some ascribe a
work intitled " Chroniques du Roi Charles VII." Par. Fr.
Regnard & Jean Longis, fol. 1 528:" but Mezeray says " GILLES
BOUVIER Roi d'Armes" was the real author of these " Faits &
Gestes" of Charles VII.,
231
M.D.IV.
CORPUS Juris Canoniciglossatum, 1504, 1506, Foil. III.
foL Gering K Rembolt.
JEAN DE BOURDIGNE wrote " Annales & Chroniques
d'Anjoti, contenant 1'origine avec partie des chevaleureux gestes
des Princes, Consuls & Dues d'Anjou, < plusieurs fails dignes
de memoire advenus tant en France, Italic, Espagne, Angle-
terre, Jerusalem, que autres Royaumes depuis le temps du
Deluge," Par. 1529, 1536, fol. The work is very rare, but
full of fables. There are impressions bearing the names of
different ;i Libraires" of the dales 1529 and 1531, which are
supposed to be the same, with a change of title only. The
author was a priest and an Angevin : he died circa 1545.
" Le ROSIER HISTORIAL DE FRANCE contenant par maniere
de Chronique, &c. les faits & Gestes des Francois, des Anglois,
des Ecossois, des Espagnols, & autres dignes de memoire depuis
Pharamond premier Roi de Francois jusqu' en 1517," Par.
1522 and 1528, fol. A work bearing the date of 1522, and
printed at Paris, intitled " Le rosier historial de France," is
described No. 547 of the " Bibliotheca Parisiana:" but it would
appear from the explicatory part of the title, there given at great
length, to be different from the preceding. It is ornamented
with wooden cuts and printed on vellum, and brought the price
of 24. 3s. There is also " Le Rosier des guerres," compiled
(as some pretend) by Louis XI. Par. 1521, 4. Veuve M-. le
Noir.
I find ascribed to OLIVIER DE LA MARCHE, knight of
" Franche Comte en Bourgog;ne," who held high official
situations under some of the dukes of Burgundy. &c. inter 1460
and 1500, a work intitled "Chronique desChoses faits et passes
de son temps," said to be necessary for the knowledge of the
history of the two last dukes of Burgundy. It describes the
manners and customs of that age ; the festivals /wd remarkable
232
The " CORPUS JURIS CANONICI" by Gering,
mentioned on the authority of Chevillier, page 17 of
this work, seems to have been unknown to Panzer.
pomp of the courts of those princes under whom he flourished;
and other particulars not elsewhere met with. Of this chronicle
there i.- said to be an early Antwerp edition. It was printed
also a Lyon 1562. The completest edition is that de Bruxellee
4. 1614.
PHILIPPE DE COMMINES, Chevalier, Seigneur d'Argenton,
born A. D. 1445, and esteemed the best and most faithful
historian of his age, wrote in French " La Chronique de Loys
XI. Roi de France son maitre." Montaigne (Essais, Liv. II.
ch. 10) speaks highly of Commines, whose memoirs (or chro-
nicle) contain the most interesting events of the reigns of
Louis XI. and Charles VIII. Panzer notices editions of this
" Chronique & Histoire," Par. annis 1523, 1524, 1525, fol.
Sine loco 1525, fol. Lugd. 1526, 1528, fol. but the seven
principal editions of these memoires are said to be more
especially 1. Par. 1523, fol. the first edition. It is divided
into six books, and extends only from 1464 to the death of
Louis XI. 2. Par. 1525, with two additional books containing
the history of Charles VIII. This is probably the edition
noticed by la Croix du Maine, as proceeding with the date of
1529, from the press of Fr. Regnault. 3. Ibid. 1552, 4.
corrected by Denis Sauvage, sur un Exemplaire original. 4.
Ibid. 1649, fol. au Louvre, edited by Godefroy, father and
son, and containing many " pieces justificatives" 5. In 1706
Jean Godefroy republished Commines with notes and new
additional pieces, in 3 vols. 8. to which was afterwards added
a fourth volume, which includes new proofs and illustrations of
the history. 6. A Bruxelles 1723, 5 vol. 8. with a still greater
number of " pieces justificatives, &c." 7. The best edition w
that of Par. anni 1747, 4 vols. in 4. edited by Lenglet da
Fresnoy, with notes and many pieces heretofore unpublished.
233
Probably the preceding was a repetition of that
impression. The following article may be considered
as supplementary to this collection r
Commines died at Argenton anno 1509, at the age of 64.
Sleidan gave an abridged translation in Latin of his memoirs,
and prefixed a life of the author, Barthius gave a Latin
translation of the intire work, Franc. 1619.
The emperor Charles V. was so delighted with the memoirs
of Commines that he had it in the day time constantly in his
hands; and at night, as Alexander is said to have had the works
of Homer, underneath his pillow.
Ronsard wrote a curious epitaph in form of dialogue to his
memory, which is cited by Du Verdier.
PIERRE GROSNET or GROGNET was an author of the 15th.
century, and ranks also as a poet : but the principal use of his
poetical pieces consists in the historical facts of which he
preserves the memory. They are a kind of rhyming chronicles
which are still read with pleasure, especially that intitled
" Recollection des merveilleuses choses & nouvelles advenues
au noble Ro'iaume de France en notre temps depuis Pan de
Grace 1480;" this was finished anno 1530 and inscribed to
u Jean de Dinteville, Maitre d'Hotel to Francis I." reprinted
in the Mercure of TvTov. 1740. Besides other works of inferior
note a very curious production of this author is also extant,
intitled " De la Ipange & excellence des bons Faiteurs qui bien
ont compose en rime tant de 9a que de la les monts." This
contains notices of a great number of poets, from Alain Chartier
and Jean de Meun to the author's own period.
46 LES LOUENGES DU ROY LOUYS XII. de ce nom. nouvelle-
ment composees en latin par Maistre CLAUDE DE SEYSSEL
docteur en tous droits et maistre des requestes, &c. et translates
par luy de latin en francois." On the reverse of the title is a
H H
234
Deere tales GREGORII noni.fol. lidcm.
MANUALE Sacerdotum secundum usum Parisiensium. 4.
Simon Vostre.
large and curious wood cut, representing the author delivering
a voluminous book, bound and fastened with a clasp, into the
hands of the king ; various full length figures standing as
spectators. At the end " cy finist les louenges du roy Louis
XII. de ce nom, &c. imprime a Paris nouvellement par
Anthoine Verard le xxvmi. jour de decembre mil cinq cens et
huyt, &c." The usual device of Verard is affixed. This book
is of the 4. size, the folios not numbered. A copy in very
excellent preservation was in the possession of VV. Roscoe, Esq.
As to the author CLAUDE DE SEYSSEL, who was a native of
Aix near Chamberry, and hence denominated Claude d'Aix or
de Aquis he was a natural son : became bishop of Marseilles,
afterwards archbishop of Piedmont, and discharged high state
offices under Louis XII, &c. He was a translator of various
Greek and Latin historians printed by Colinaeus and others.
His versions of Thucydides, Xenophon, Appian, &c. into
French are bad ; having been taken from the erroneous latin
translations then current. His " Livre des Louanges, &c, was
afterwards revised " par le Seigneur du Pare," and printed a
Par. chez Gilles Corrozet anno 1 558. Other original works of
his are extant. He is commended for having been " le premier
qui a commence a ecrire en Fran$ois avec quelque nettetc." He
flourished under Francis I. also, and died anno 1520.
EUSTACHE DE BRYE, a 4i Libraire" of Paris, is said to have
procured an impression of " La Louange des Rois de
France," containing many particulars relating to the history of
Louis XI. 1505, 8. ; and " Les Triomphes de France, sous le
Roy Louis XII. trad, par Jean Dlvry," 8. 1508, probably
printed by Eustace.
235
The first impression of this ritual was printed Par.
1497, 4. Jean Mourand. A " Manuale Parochialium
Sacerdotum," Joh. Parvus, 4. sine anno.
LES REGNARDS traversans les perilleuses voyes des
folles fiances du monde, composees par Sebastien
Brant, K autres plusieurs choses composees par autres
factures. fol. with figures. M. le Noir. (Vid. inter
libros sine anno.}
VICTORIS libellus aureus de vitis et moribus
imperatorum Romanorum. 4. Ascensius.
cum plena apparatu summariorum concordan-
tiarum et quadruplicis repertorii.foL min. Thielman
Kerver.
44 LE REGISTRE DES ANS PASSES ou Fardeau des Temps qui
est un Epitome de Livre Chronica Chronicorum depuis le
Creation du monde jusques a Tan 1532," Par. fol. Gall, du
Pre 1552. This, probably an abridged translation of the
" Fasciculus Temporum," has many portraits and genealogical
tables; and at the end " La genealogie & descente des roys de
Ja grand bretaigne dicte angleterre, et de la bretaigne armorique,
puis Cassebellanus LXVII. roy jusques au temps du roy henry
viii. du nom roy dangleterre a present regnant.
Lastly, I may mention " Le recueil ou croniques des
hystoires des royaulmes d'austrasie, ou france orientale dite a
present lorayne De hierusalern de Cicile Et de la duche de bar,.
&c." This chronicle which is in alternate Latin and French
is one of the most singular productions of SYMPHORIEN
CHAMPIER, (of whom I have spoken sub anno 1500.) I
have seen a fine copy printed ap. Nanceium. circa 1510^ 4.
which is beautifully executed, and abounds with curious wood
engravings.
236
Paradysus HERACLIDIS. Epistola CLEMENTIS. Recog-
nitiones PETRI APOSTOLI. Complementum Epistok
CLEMENTIS. Epistola ANACLETI. foL impensis
Jyan. Parvi.
BREViARiUMmsignis ecclesie Leodiensis. 12.
This breviary was printed Antwerp. Andr. Liesvelt
1494, 8.
The Book intytulyd " The Art of good lywing and
good deyng," translated in Pan's xiii May 1504.
Imprentyt in Parys the xxx day of the Mowneth of
May, fol.
This appears to be the work which HERBERT mentions
as preserved in the library of Emanuel College, Cam-
bridge. Vid. sub anno 1494.
M.D.V.
Decretum aureum GRATiANi.foL Gering K Rembolt.
Le Chateau de Virginite par GEORGE DE ESCLAVOXIE.
8. Antoine Verard.
This is the only impression noticed by Panzer.
Sermones ingeniosissimi et sanctissimi patris EPHREM,
These discourses of " S. EPHREM SYRUS" were
translated from the Greek by " Ambrosius Camaldu-
lensis." Reprinted Paris, Job. Parvus 1513, 4. Guido
Mercator 1515, 4.
MANVALE seu Officiarmm Sacerdotum ad consuetudinem
ecclesite Romanensis. 4. S. Vostre.
The only impression noticed by Panzer.
23?
GVILLELMI LYNDEWODE Provinciate cum notis. fol.
Wolfgang Hopyl, impensis, Kc. honesti mercatoris
London. Wilhelmi Bretton. (Ante sub anno 1501.)
This is one of the numerous copies of the " PROVIN-
CIALE" printed for sale in England. It is finely executed
" en rouge et rioir ;" and contains several ornamented
titles, and other wood cuts. The first title exhibits the
arms and printer's monogram, and over them the
following lines by Jodocus Badius Ascensius :
" MORIBUS ingenuis: doctrina: opibusq, potentes
Anglorum proceres : cleri, patresque britanni :
Qui sanam colitis doctrinam : ijs moribus equara :
Eccum, quod totiens petiistis nobile dogma
Vestibus attalicis redimitum : omniq, redemptum
A vicio : et nullis per cuncta notabile mendis
Exit : ut era suis referat condigna patronis."
On the reverse of the title to the " Constitutiones
legitime seu legatine," is found also a prefatory epistle
of BADIUS to William Warham, archbishop of Can-
terbury, dated from Paris, id. Septemb. 1506.
Le Second Volume de FROISSART Des croniques de
France, dangleterre, descoce, despaigne, de bretaigne,
de gascongne, de flandres K lieux circonvoisins. fol.
Michel le Noir. Vid. sub anno 1503.
Le JEU des ECHECS moralise trad, du Latin de Jacques
de Cessoles, par Jean de Vignay. 4. Idem.
The original work, viz. " Fratris JACOBI DK CESSOLIS
opusculum de ludo Scaccorum, seu de moribus homi-
num, officiisque Nobilium," appeared first Mediolani
1479, 4. Iterum 1497, fol. K sine loco et anno, fol. tt
4. An Italian translation was printed Florentine, A.
Miscjiomini 1593, 4. # sine loco et anno, v
238
It appeared Anglice from the press of CAXTON, 1474,
and sine anno : as
" THE GAME AND PLAYE OF THE CHESSE, &c."
Caxton in his adddress to " George due of Clarence,
Erie of warwyck and of Salisburye, &c." after other
introductory matter thus expresses himself: " Therfore
J have put me in deuoyr to translate a lityll book late
comen into myn handes out of frensh in to englisshe,
In which J fynde thauctorites . dictes . and stories of
auncient Doctours Philosophes Poetes and of other
wyse men whiche been recounted .& applied vnto the
moralitie of the publique wele as well of the nobles as
of the comyn peple after the game and playe of the
chesse, &c. This booke conteyneth iiii. tray tees, The
first tray tee is of the Jnuencion of this playe of the
chesse, &c. the seconde tray tee treteth of the chesse
men. The thirde traytee is of the offices of the comyn
peple. The iiij traytee is of the meuyng and yssue of
them, &c." (Each treatise is divided into several
chapters. )
" This book," says AMES, " has been compared with
* Recueil des histoires de Troyes,' 1464, as well as
with the translation thereof by Caxton, printed at
Celogn 1 47 1 , and a perfect resemblance found between
them in the manner of printing. Not only the page
itself but the number of lines in a page, the length,
breadth, and the intervals between the lines are alike."
It is however generally supposed to have been printed
in England, and to be the earliest fruit of the English
press. (See the Harleian Catalogue, No. 4048.)
Le Lwre des saints Anges, compose par F. FRANCOIS
EXIMINES. 4. Michel le Noir.
Iterum 1518, 4. Idem.
239
FRANCISCUS XIMENIUS, a Spanish cordelier and
bishop, flourished circa 1400. Cave terms him " Epis-
copus Elnensis &, Pseudo-Patriarcho-Hierosolymitanus."
His " Liber insignis de Natura Angelica" was printed
in the original, Compluti 1527. There is a translation
Geneva 1478, fol. The old French translator writes
"ExiMENEs" for " XIMENES." Oliver Maillard in his
<c Sermons de la Passion," where he cites him, writes
always "Franciscus de Chimenis," in which he conforms
to the Spanish pronunciation of the name Ximenes.
Thus M. de la Monnoye, who says the treatise on
Angels has heen mistakenly attributed to the celebrated
cardinal Ximenes.
PETRI REGINALDETI Speculum finalis retributionis. 8.
P. le Dru.
Iterum 1509, 8. Caspar Philippe.
HORATII Opera Ascensianis aster iscis illustrata. 8. in
adibus Ascens.
JUVENALIS fam. Commentum cum Ant. Mancinelli
explanatione, Kc. 4. Ibid.
Navis stultifera a SEBASTIANO BRANT primum <edifi-
cata : deinde ab JACOBO LOCHERO latinitate donata, et
demum ab JODOCO BADIO ASCENSIO vario carminum
genere illustrata. 4. with figures, in JEdibus Ascen^
sianis. (Ante sub anno 1497.)
P. FIRGILII Mar. Bucolica 5C Georgica, cum opusculis.
fol. Ibid.
LAURENTH FALLENSIS in latinam Novi Tesiamenti
interpretationem ex collatione Gracorum exemplarium
adnotationes (edente Erasmo Roterodamo.Jfol. Ibid.
240
POLYDORI VIRGILII de Inventoribus rerum Libri
tres. 4. In Campo gaillardo.
Reprinted 1516, 4. Jean Petit. 1528, 4. B. Steph.
The " Proverbioram Liber" of this author was
printed Parisiis 1508, 8. Jean Petit. Panzer notices
no impression of his " Anglicae Historise Libri XXVI."
except that edited by S. Grynseus, Basile# t Bebelius
1534, fol. POLYDORE VIRGIL, a native of Urbino, came
into England in the reign of Louis XII. of France. He
continued there till 1550: when being of an advanced
age, Edward VI. permitted him to retire to his own
country, without forfeiture of his English benefices. He
wrote in elegant Latin ; but his history of England
is considered very inaccurate. His other most celebrated
work is the treatise " de Inventoribus Rerum." He is
accused of detailing inaccurately even the affairs of
Henry VIII, in whose reign he wrote. Hence the
following epigram :
VIRGILII duo sunt, alter MARO, tu POLYDORE
Alter ; tu MENDAX, ille FOETA fuit.
Whear says his inaccuracy was occasioned by his
ignorance of the English language. Vide Du Ferdier
and Pope Blount.
FASCICULUS TEMPORVM en Francois. Les fieurs et
maniers de tenps passes : et des faitz mervdlleux de
Dieu tant en Vancien testament , comme aunouveau.
Et des premiers Seigneurs Princes tt Gouverneurs
temporeh en cestuy monde. De leurs gestes tt defme-
ment jusques au present, fol. with wood cuts. Jehan
Petit.
A translation of the " FASCICULUS TEMPORUM"
originally composed in the Latin language by the
241
Chartreux " WERNERUS ROLEWINCK de Laer, en
Westphalie." This author first terminated his chronicle
at the year 1470; afterwards continued it to 1484, aut
ultra. He died anno \ 502. The French translator was
PIERRE FARGET, an Augustine monk. It appeared
" Gallice" Geneva 1495, fol.
PLATINM hystoria de vitis pontificum periucunda
diligenter recognita : et nunc tantum integre impressa.
8. Fr. Regnault.
De Continentia Sacerdotum sub hac questione nova
Utrum papa possit cum sacerdote dispensare ut nubat.
par M. N. EOUSSART, 4. Had. Laliseau.
DE BURE terms this a very singular and uncommon
tract.
P. OVIDII NAS. Fastorum Libri V. per F. Andrelinuni
recogniti. 4. N. de Pratis.
La Louange des ROYS de France. 8. Eust. de Brie.
This work was reprinted Par. 1507, 8. Eustace de
Brie. It is ascribed to ANDRE DE LA VIGNE, who is
said to have rendered himself equally conspicuous as a
soldier and an author. He was secretary of Anrie de
Bretagne, the wife of Charles VII L and assisted in
composing " une Histoire de Charles VIII." of which
there is a modern impression executed " au Louvre" in,
fol. with notes, &c. by Denys Godefroy. See mention
of his " Verger d'honneur" also sub anno 1495.
Les folles entreprises par PIERRE GRINGORE. 8.
goth.
De Bure notices a copy on vellum in the collection of
le Due de la Valliere. Perhaps other pieces of this
i i
242
Author which are numerous, and many of them without
date and printer's name, might issue from the same
press. For their titles the reader may consult De Bure.
I shall mention that " PIERRE GRINGORE dit Vaude-
ment" was herald at arms to the duke de Lorraine. His
first known work is of the date 1500, intitled " Le
Chateau d* Amour," Par. 8. goth. unknown to Panzer.
His principal occupation was that of " Compositeur,"
" Historien," and " Facteur de Mysteres ou Comedies' 7
in which he acted personally. His principal piece " Le
Jeu du Prince de Sots & Mere Sotte," was acted at
Par. an. 1511. This morality and farce was represented
by express order of Louis XII. during his disputes with
Pope Julius II. The author played the part of "Mere
Sotte," which name Jie constantly bore. His device is
said to have been " Tout par raison, raison par tout,
par tout raison." His name is frequently disguised
by an acrostic : his productions generally moral : his
versification and style more clear and intelligible than
those of most writers of the same period, (y)
(t/) French bibliographers mention also " Sotties en rime
francoise & a huit personnaiges, par Pierre Gringore," 8.
goth. sans date. " Le Nouveau Monde avec PEstrif mis en
rime fran9oise & par personnaiges," 8. goth. sans date. De
Bure says this also is by some attributed to P. Gringore, by
Others to Jean Bouchet. He adds that both the last mentioned
pieces are very rare, and much in request, and that he had seen
copies printed on vellum. The editors of Du Verdier say
" Le Nouveau Monde avec Testrif
" Du pourveu et de Pelectif, &c."
Is a lively piece of a dramatic kind, against the abrogation of
*he Pragmatic Sanction, said in the N. Menagiana to have been
performed anno 1508, in the reign of Louis XI. some say in
243
LES CENT NOUFELLES NOUVELLES. 4. Nicolas
pour Jehan petit.
Unknown to PANZER : who notices only an impression
Lugduni, 4. sine anno ; and Parisiis, Veuve Trepperel,
sine anno. Other bibliographers ascribe to Verard an
impression, fol. goth. without date, which is considered
as the earliest of this popular work. The last edition I
believe to be that in 8. Cologne (i. e.) Amsterdam
1701, 2 torn, avec figures. Of the abovementioned
impression anni 1505, a fine copy was in the collection
of Mr. Roscoe. The initial L in the title is singularly
ornamented with heads and figures, so as to occupy a
jarge space. On the reverse of the title is a large
wood cut, apparently representing the author dictating
to a scribe, and an angel or genius above, communicating
with the dictating figure. Each " Nouvelle" has also
a rude cut prefixed, probably relating to the subject of
the story.
The " CENT NOUVELLES NOUVELLES," many of which
are founded upon Italian invention, are " tales full of
imagination and gaiety ; and the style of them most
na'ive, and agreeable." Much of the pleasure derived
from their perusal MR. DUNLOP thinks owing to the
" wonderful charm of the old French language." They
have formed the models of " Les Contes de la Reine
de Navarre," and many other French works of this
description. FONTAINE in particular made them
the subjects of his frequent imitation. The " Cent
that of Louis XII. The dialogue is without order, consisting
more of declamation than reasoning. The pope, who is one
of the speakers, expresses himself always in bad Italian ; and;
indeed the French is scarce intelligible^
244
Nouvelles" were translated, as Mr. Dunlop informs us,
into ENGLISH, under the title of " A HUNDRETH MEIIY
TALES," 1557. He says the version was a fashionable
work in its day, but is now lost.
M.D.VI.
Regies de bien vivre selon Maitre JEHAN JARSON.
4. Antoine Verard.
Amongst the very numerous treatises of GERSON we
find " De modo vivendi omnium fidelium," printed
bis, sine loco et anno, 4. Hence probably " Les Regies,
&c." abovementioned : and " La Doctrine de bien
vivre," Brugis, Colard Hanson, sine anno. (Ante sub
anno 1494.)
I? Art de Fauconnerie et des Chiens de Chasse par
GUILLAUME TARDIF. 4. Ant. Verard. (Ante sub
anno 1492.)
HEURES a V usage de Poitiere. (en latin} cum figuris,
8. Simon Vostre.
MISSALE Coloniense. foL Wolfgang. Hopylius.
DIVRNALE Ecclesite Traiectensis. 8. Idem.
Les Loups ravissans par ROBERT GOBIN. with figures,
4. Mich, le Noir.
Iterum, Ant. Verard, 4. sine anno.
ROBERT GOBIN is styled " Doyen de Chretiente de
Laigny sur Marne," Claruit circa 1505. His book,
viz. " Les Loups ravissans autrement Doctrinal moral,"
245
is partly " en prose" and partly " en rime/* The
impression of Verard contains fifty leaves. La Croix
du Maine says this work speaks with more freedom of
the ecclesiastics, than any other which he had ever seen
written by persons of that profession.
Le Pelerin de 'vie humaine compose en rime par
GVILLAUME DE GuiLLEViLLE, et apres a etc mis
dernierement en prose, en forme, qui s'ensuit. 4.
Mich, le Noir.
GUILLAUME DE GUILLEVILLE is denominated "moine
de Chaliz." The original work appears to have been
thus intitled " Le Romant des trois Pelerinaeges . le
premier est de I'homme durant qu'est en vie . le second
de Tame separ^e du corps, le tiers est de notre Seigneur
Jesus. Par. chez Maitre Barthole et Jehan Petit," 4.
There were two impressions Lugduni, Matth. Husz
1485, 4. 1494, fol. avec figures. The author was born
circa 1 295, and wrote his romance abovementioned circa
1330. This work was very favourably received at its
first appearance; and was turned into prose at the
request of Jeanne de Lavac, queen of Jerusalem and
Sicily, &c. Ant. Verard gave a new impression in
prose, Par. 1511, fol.
DE BURE notices also an impression of this " Romant"
Par. 4. goth. sans date, held in great request. There
was a magnificent copy on vellum in the collection of le
Due de la Valiere. I have mentioned " Le Pelerinage
de T4me" sub anno 1480; from which the spiritual
romance under our present consideration appears
essentially to differ. Not only in early ages, but in
later also, mankind have been found less willing to be
instructed by abstract reasoning, than by fables or
similitudes. Hence the popularity of these old religious
246
fictions. The " PILGRIM'S PROGRESS" of our days,
confessedly excels all other productions of its kind : and
though some have endeavoured to trace its prototype
in earlier works, it was probably, a perfectly sponta-
neous and original effort of the genius of its unlettered
author.
M. ANN. Luc AH I Pharsalia cum gemino Commentario
Jo. Sulpitii Verulani et Jod. Badii Ascensii. foL
Joan. Parvus.
ANTONH DE RAMPEGOLIS Figure Biblica, sive mora-
litates in S. S. Scriptur. ordine alphabetico dispositte.
8. Fr. Regnault. (Ante sub anno 1497.)
LVCANI Pharsalia cum notis Chapusoti et Thiboust. 4.
BlBLIA LATIN A. fol.
JUSTINI Historia. L. FLORI Epithomata in X. T.
Livii Decades. A. SEXTI RUFFI de historia romana
opus. fol.
M.D.VII.
Epistola S. PAULI, gallice, cum glossis. fol. Antoine
Verard.
BIBLIA cum pleno apparatu summariorum, Me. 4. P.
Pigouchet.
Histoire des nobles #* vaillans Chevaliers nommez
MILLES ET AMY. 4. Michel le Noir, a Venseigne
de la rose blanche couronnee. ( Inter Libros sine nota
anniante 1500.)
247
The " Cat. de la Valiere," vol. 11, p. 622, notices
two impressions with the name of Verard : one of which,
printed on vellum, is most beautifully decorated with
52 miniatures. This was from the collection of Honore
d'Urfe.
PRAGMATIC A SANCTIO ; cum commentario. 8. Andr.
Bocard.
STET liber hie, donee fluctus formica marines
Ebibat, et totum testudo perambulet orbem,
M. T. CICERO de officiis. de amicitia. de senectute.
Paradoxa. 8. Ex officina Ascensiana.
P. AVLI PERSII familiaris explanatio cum Jo. Bri-
tannici interpretatione. 4. Ex eadem.
Opera FIRGILIANA docte et familiariter exposita. foL
Ex eadem.
BED A de temporibus sen, de sex atatibm. 4. in Bellovisu
pro Johanne Petit.
GUILHELMUS (Parisiens.) deClaiistroanime. HUGONIS
de S. FICTORE de Claustro anime libri IV. 4. Ex-
cudit Henricus Stephanas.
E PISTOL JE Apostolorum et Apocalypsis. 8. Idem.
CORPUS Juris Canonici. 4. Th. Kervcr.
POMPONIUS MELA de totius Orbis descriptione. 4.
Egidius Gourmont.
M. T. CICERONIS Officia, Cato, Ltelius, Paradoxa ab
Erasmo adnotata. 8. Idem,
248
Le Triomphe de neuf Preux & de leurs Triomphes..
fol. Michel le Noir. (unknown to Panzer.)
FAVYN (p. 1686 de son Theatre d'Honneur et de
Chevalerie) gives the names of these " neuf Preux" or
nine worthies : viz, Joshua, Gideon, Sampson, David,
Judas Maccabeus, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar,
Charlemagne, and Godfrey de Bouillon. This is a
remark of M. de la Monnoye.
DE BURE (Cat. de la Valiere) mentions an impression
of this work, to which is added " L'Histoire de Bertrand
du Guesclin," Abbeville 14-87, fol. goth. the first edition
very rare. The life of the constable Du Guesclin, a
French hero of romantic valour, who lived inter 1311
and 1380, is very interesting, and includes many
particulars relating to our early wars with France. It
was composed first by Menard anno 1387 ; next by Du
Chastelet, Par. 1666, fol.; lastly by de Berville, Par.
1767, 2vols. 12.
SINE NOTA ANNI SED ANTE M.D.
CRISPI SALLUSTII libri de conjuratione Catilin*, et de
belloJugurthino, cum Ciceronis invectivis in Catilinam.
Per magistrum Udalricum cognomento Gering. 4.
M. T. CICERONIS Orationes contra Catilinam, #c. 4.
Gering ut videtur.
SILVII Poet a Laureati (PH II.) disputatio de
Curialium miseria. 4. Gering. (Sub anno 1476,
1497, etiam 1489, Alain Chartier.J
Of the Egloges of ALEXANDER BARCLAY, prest,
(mentioned sub anno 1497) the " first thre conteineth
249
the miseries of couriers and courtes, of all Princes in
generall. The mattier whereof was translated into
Englyshe by the saied Alexander in forme of dialogues,
out of a boke named in Latin, Miserie curialium, &c."
These "Egloges" were printed by HUMPHREY POWEL,
4. sine anno. For other early editions consult also
Ames and Herbert, pp. 579, 797, 1761, &c.
POGGII Florentine, 6<V. facetiarum liber. Facetia
morales LAVRENTII FALLENSIS, alias jEsopus Gr&-
cusper dictum L. Vallam translates. Et FRANCISCI
PETRARCHJE de salibus virorum illustrium acfacetiis.
Par. (Ferisimiliter circa an. 1 477, 78^ Gering, ant
Cesaris X Stol, 4.
ROBERT i GAGUINI Ars versificatoria. 4.
In laudem petri Cesaris artium liberalium magistri.
Et Johannis Stol . Impressorie artis peritissimorum
auctorum . Roberti gaguini Epigramma.
" Hos QUOCIENS sumraes lector uenerande libellos :
Artificum tociens semper amabis opus
Quod cita uix poterat perscribere dextra quotannis :
Mense dat ars, nee inest sordida menda libro.
Pluris erat nuper calamo ruganda papirus
Quam modo pregrandis ueniat ipse codex
Hoc tulit inuentum foelix germania terris.
Artis et ingenii nobile scema sibi."
There was another impression of the " Ars versifica-
toria" of R. Gaguin, with his " Epigrammata varia"
subjoined, char. goth. 4. It has the "Iconismus 3.
scutorum," with the motto " Honneur au Roy et a la
Cour, &c,"
K K
250
2>. TERENTH Afri Comoedia?. Paris, in vico S. Jacobi
sub signo Follis Firidis. (circa an. 1476.J/0/.
3-
L. CRISP I SALLUSTII libri de bdlo Catilinario et
Jugurtino, Kc. Infine,fol. 28, Versus octo legwitur,
quorum ultimiis " Itur ut in facinus et labat oinne
decus." char. P. Cesaris, 4.
FRANCISC! FLORII FLORENTINE de amore Camilli et
Emilie Aretinorum. Accedit Libellus de duobus
amantibus Leonardi de Guischardo et Sigismunda
Tancredi filia, ex Boccacio transfiguratus in lat.
serm. per Leon. Aretinum. (Casaris K Stol, circa
an. 1475,; 4.
At the end of the former tract the words " Francisci
Florii Florentini de duobus Amantibus liber feliciter
expletus est Turonis : .editus in domo Dom. Guillermi
Archiepiscopi Turonensis prid. Kal. Jan. A. D. millesimo
quadringentesimo sexagesirno septimo," seem to have
occasioned some perplexity to Bibliographers. But
Panzer considers the word " editus" here, to refer not
to the year when this tract " ex typographi officina, sed
ex auctoris museo prodiit"
Qiiatuor nffvissimorum liber ^ de morte videlicet, penis
iiiferni^ juditio et celesti gloria^ quern plcrique
( ORDIALE compellant. (Ctzsaris tt Stol, circa an.
1473,) 4.
The first edition of the CORDIALE was printed Colonize
by Petrus de Olpe, 1477, fol. There were upn'ards of
twenty, ante 1500; but the preceding was the only
Parisian impression.
Anno 1478 it was printed in English by CAXTON.,
under this title u THE BOKE NAMED CORDIAL 5 R
251
MEMORARE NOVISSIMA:" which treateth of the four
last things, and begins with a short exhortation, thus
" Al Jngratitude vtterly settyng apart, we owe to calle
to our myrides the many folde gyftes of grace, with the
benefaittis that our lorde of his moost plentiueuse bonte
hath ymen vs wretches in this present transitoire lif,
&c. M Caxton's epilogue at the conclusion says " This
book is thus translated out of Frenshe into our maternal
tongue by the noble and vertuouse lord Anthoine Erie
Ryuiers, Lord Scales, &c. Vncle & gouernour to my
lord prince of wales." And after relating the divers
" pilgremagis" of this nobleman, and the large indul-
gence and grace procured by him from the pope e( vnto
the Chapel of our lady of the piewe by seint stephehs
at Westmestre," he adds tc Yet ouer that tenriche his
vertuous disposicion, he hath put him in deuoyr at all
tymes when he might have a leyser . whiche was but
startemele to translate diuerse bookes out of Frensh
into English. Emong other passid thurgh myn honde
the booke of the wise sayinges or dictes of philosophers,
& the wise & holsom prouerbis of xpristine of pyse set
in metre. Ouer that hath made diuers balades ayenst
the seuen declely synnes. Furthermore it semeth that
he conceiueth wel the mutabilite and the vnstablehess of
this present lyf. and that he desireth with a greet zele
and spirituell loue our goostly helpe and perpetuel
saluacion. And that we shal abhorre and vtterely
forsake thabhominable and dampnable synnes, whiche
comunely be vsed now a dayes, as Pride, periurye,
terrible swering, thefte, murdre, and many other.
Wherfore he took vpon hym the translating of this
present werke named Cordyale, &c." Another impres-
sion of the book named " Cordyall/' without date, was
executed by Wynken de Worde. It has two wooden
252
prints at the beginning and end, representing the
horrors of deadly sin, and the story of Dives and
Lazarus. (Harl. Cat. No. 6916.;
GUILLERMI TARDIVI Aniciensis Rhetorice Artis ac
Oratorie Facultatip Compendium. 4.
The work is char, rom. Caesaris & Stol, ut putatur.
C. JULIUS SOLINUS de situ Orbis ac Mirabilibu*
mundi. 4. charact. eorundem.
Some rude verses of the bishop of " Saintes" (Lodoici
xantonensis episcopi) are found annexed to this volume,
of which Tardif was the editor. Du VERDIER and his
annotators consider it as one of the earliest fruits of
the French press. A copy of this edition of SOLINUS,
denominated "tres-belle & tres-rare," was preserved
in the library of M. de Bequigny.
Summa Rethorice condita per egregium P. DE LA
HAZARDIERE nacionis normanie rothomagensium
canonicum. 4. char, corund.
BIBLIA gallica glossal a. Ant. Ferard,fol.
Iterum sine anno, M. le JVoir, 4.
Of these two editions sine anno, LE LONG seems to
give the priority to that of Le Noir. He considers
them both as re-impressions of the " Bible Hystoriale
or Historiee," translated by GUIARS DE MOULINS from
the " Historia Scholastica" of Pierre le Mangeur ; and
revised by JEAN DE RELY, as noticed sub anno 1487.
Verard's impression sine anno has a new preface^ in
which it is asserted, that to this French translation
nothing has been added which is repugnant to the verity
of the Latin copies 3 nothing omitted " nisi ea quae
253
transferri minime debent ;" that the version is intended
not for the learned but the illiterate, " pro laicis et
idiotis Regularibus ac Heremitio qui literas non
didicerunt." Le Long enumerates many subsequent
impressions by Verard and others.
PSALTERIUM gallice. Ant. Verard, 8.
PSALTERIUM Gallicum cum glossis N. de Lyra gallic?
reddita ab eo qui hanc editionem curavit cum cjus
epistola ad Carolum Fill. Circa an. 1478, tt/pis
P. de Rouge, 4.
These are the only Parisian " Psalteria" mentioned by
Panzer, ante 1500. There is " Le PSAUTIER NOTRE
DAME," (probably a "Psalter" titulo tenus only) said to
be translated from the Latin of ALAIN DE LA ROCHE, a
German jacobin, or rather a Breton, natus circa 1428,
mart, circa 1475 ; printed Par. Jean Jehannot, 16. sine
anno. Tiiis translation is now very rarely, or rather
not at all to be met with. It was suppressed by the
jacobins, who were aware that the simplicity of the old
language augmented the ridiculousness of those narra-
tions with which the book abounds. They aliedge that
these pious fables, originally invented with a good
intent, and calculated in remoter ages ("dans un temps
de simplicite") to edify "les bonnes ames," would at
present produce an effect quite opposite. They
moreover pretend that these fictions, softened down by
the name of parables, are to be understood mystically,
and not in a literal sense. Bibliotheque jde Jacobins,
Art. " Alanus de Rupe," (M. de la Monnoye.)
BOCCACE des nobles malheureux \ Ant. Verard, ayec
figures, fol. (Sub anno 1 48 3 .)
254
Le Livre de Decameron, ou BOCCACE des cent nouvelles.
avec figures, foL A. Verard. (Sub anno 1485J
These are the translations by LAURENT DU PREMIER-
FAlT; who also translated into French, " Cicero de
Senectute, et de Amicitia ;" whence the early English
versions of these treatises printed by CAXTON in 1481.
" Thus endeth the boke of TULLE of OLD AGE, trans-
lated out of latyn in to frenshe by laurence de primo
facto . . . and emprynted by me symple persone William
Caxton into Knglysshe, &c." (Ames, p. 32.J
IS incur nation et nati-vite de nostre Seigneur. Laquelle
fut montree par personnaiges ainsi que cy apres est
escripte ran mil cccc LXXinr. Lesfestes de Noelen
la Ville de Rouen dedans la neuf M archie. (Char, ut
videtur Ant. Verard,, fol.) Vid. sub anno 1490,
Art."Mystere"
Les GESTES Rommaines. 4. Verard. Sub anno 1499.
Of this translation by R. GAGUIN, of the " GESTA
ROMANORUM," Ant. Verard appears to have given more
than one impression, " avec figures" 4. sine anno: M.
le Noir another in fol. anno 1515. Of the Latin
original, some think there was an impression prior to
that anni 1473, which PANZER considers as the earliest.
Sixteen impressions ante 1500, evince the extreme
popularity of the work. That anni 1488, fol. sine loco,
is said to be most esteemed.
MR. WARTON in an interesting dissertation prefixed
'to vol. 3, of his " Hist, of Eng. Poetry," attributes the
" GESTA ROMANORUM" (as I have elsewhere observed)
to the pen of PETRUS BERCHORIUS, (Pierre Bercheur
of Poictou) who died prior of the Benedictines at Paris,
anno 1362. This is. reported by GLASSIUS, in his
253
" Philokgia Sacra :" and Mr. Warton thinks that the
character of other works extant by the same Berchorius
confirms the tradition. These are I. " REDUCTORIUK
MORALE super totain Bibliam. in xxiv. books." II.
" REPERTORIUM MORALE." III. " DICTIONARIUM
MORALE."
WARTON asserts, that " at the commencement of
typography WYNKEN DE WORDE published this book
(viz. Gesta Romanorum) in English" that " this trans-
lation was reprinted by one ROBINSON in 1557" -and
that " afterwards of the same translation there were six
impressions before the year 1601." He adds too, that
there is an edition in black letter so late as the year
1689. (Dissertation, ut supra.} Mr. Dibdinj I observe,
seems to express a doubt whether these English GESTA
were ever printed.
LUDOLPHI Carthusiensis vita Christi gallice.foL goth.
Verard.
This work, which was translated by " frere GUIL-
LAUME SEMENAUD," a Franciscan, is ornamented with
wood cuts. It appeared also Par. 1490, and Lugduni
1493. The original work of LUDOLPHUS DE SAXONIA
(Argent.) 1474, Colon. 1474, Parisiis 1497, fol. et
alibi.
HECUEIL des HISTOIRES TROYENNES. fol. Antoine
Ferard, avec figures, char, got h. circa 1498.
Iterum, Vera.rd, sine anno.
PANZER (Index, voL 5) seems to confound this" work
with <c L'Histoire de la Destruction de Troye la
Grand," noticed sub anno 1480, The " recuyel" is
however distinguished from it both as being in prose
and comprehending a greater extent of subject. The
256
title bespeaks it to be the original of CAXTON'S
^RECUYEL OF THE HISTORYES OF TROY," which is the
first book known to have been printed by him in the
English language. This book, he says, was " composed
and drawen out of diuerce bookes of latyn in to frensshe
by the ryght venerable persone and worshipfull man.
Raoul le ffeure . preest and chapelayn vnto the ryght
noble gloryous and myghty prynce in his time Phelip
due of Bourgoyne of Braband &c In the yere of the
Incarnacion of our Lord god a thousand foure honderd
sixty and foure, And translated and drawn out of
frenshe in to englisshe by Willyam Caxton mercer of
the cyte of London, at the comaundement of the ryght
hye myghty and vertuose Pryncesse hys redoubtyd
lady . Margarete by the grace of god Duchesse of
Bourgoyne of Lotryk of Braband &c, Whyche sayd
translacion and werke was begonne in Brugis in the
Countee of. fflaundres the fyrst day of marche the yere
&c a thousand foure honderd sixty and eyghte, And
ended and fynysshid in the holy cyte of Colen the .xix.
day of septembre the yere of our sayd lord god a
thousand foure honderd sixty and enleuen, &c."
The original work of RAOUL LE FEUBURE, who
flourished according to Du Verdier anno 1464, is said
also to have been first printed by Caxton, Cologne
1 47 1 . (Vid. Ames, p. 3. ) Of this circumstance Caxton
himself furnishes no notice. He says that " to eschewe
slouthe and ydlenes" he " toke a frenshe booke and
redde therin many straunge and meruellous historyes
where in (he adds) I had great pleasyr and delyte, as
well for the nouelte of the same as for the fayr langage
of the frenshe whyche was in prose so well and com-
pendiously sette and wreton whyche, me thought I
vnderstood the sentence and substance of euery mater,
257
And for so moche as this booke was nevve and late maad
and drawen in to frenshe and neuer had seen hit in
oure englissh tonge, I thought in my self hit shold be a
good besynes to translate hyt into oure englissh, to
thende that hyt myght be had as well in the royame of
Englond as in other landes, and also for to passe
therewyth the tyme and thus concluded in my self to
begynne this sayd werke, and forthwith toke penne and
ynke and began boldly to renne forth as blyride bayard
in thys presente werke why c he is named the recuyel of
the troyan historyes And aftervvarde whan I reniemberyd
my self of my symplenes and vriperfightnes that I
had in bothe langages, that is to wete in frenshe and in
englisshe for in france was I neuer, and was born and
lerned myn englissh in kente in the weald where I
doubte not is spoken as brode and rude englissh as in
ony place of Englond and have contynued by the
space of .XXX. yere for the most parte in the contres of
Braband . flandres holand and zeland &c . . . y fyll in
dispayr of thys werke and purposid no more to haue
contynuyd therein, &c." Caxton nevertheless at the
instance of the duchess of Burgoine, persevered in his
undertaking, and concludes the third and last book
by " Praying her said grace and all them that shall
rede this book not to desdaigne the symple and rude
werke. neither to replye against the sayyng of the maters
towchyd in this book, thauwh hyt acorde not vnto the
translacion of other which haue wreton hit, ffor dyuerce
men haue made dyuerce bookes, whiche in all poyntes
acorde not as Dictes . Dares . and Homerus for dictes
& homerus as grekes sayn and wryten fauorably for the
grekes, and gyue to them more worship than to the
troians, And Dares wryteth otherwyse than they doo,
And also as for the propre names, hit is no wonder that
L L
258
they acorde not, ffor some oon neme in thyse dayes
haue dyuerce equyuocacions after the contrees that they
dwlle in, but alle acorde in conclusion the generale
destruccion of that noble cyte of Troye, And the deth
of so many nobk prynces as kynges dukes erles barons,
knyghtes .... which may be ensample to all men
duryng the world how dredeful and Jeopard ous it is to
begynne a war, &c. Terfore thapostle saith all that is
wreton is wreton to our doctrine, whyche doctryne for
the comyn wele I beseche god may be taken in suche
place and tyme as shall be moste nedefull in encrecyng
of peas loue a|d charyte whyche graunte us he that
suflfryd for the same to be crucyried on the rood tree,
And saye we alie Amen for charyte." To the end of
this singular book are subjoined fourteen Leonine
Verses, the most intelligible of which are these in the
commencement :
PERGAMA flere volo . fata danais data solo
Solo capta dolo . capta redacta solo
Causa mali talis . meritrix fuit exicialis
ffemina lelalis . femina plena malis. &c.
" GUIDO DE COLUMNA," saith Mr. Warton, " a native
of Messina in Sicily, engrafting on DARES and DICTYS
many new romantic inventions which the taste of his
age dictated, and which the connection between Grecian
and Gothic fiction easily admitted ; at the same time
comprehending in his plan the Theban and Argonautic
stories from OVID, STATIUS, and VALERIUS FLACCUS,
compiled a grand prose romance in Latin, containing
XV. books, and intitled in most manuscripts " Historia
de Bello Trojano." . . . Dares Phrygius and Dictvs
Cretensis seem to hava been in some measure superseded
by this improved and comprehensive history of the
Grecian heroes: and from this period ACHILLES, JASON,
259
and HERCULES were adopted in romance, and celebrated
in common with LANCELOT, ROWLAND, GAWAIN,
OLIVER, and other Christian champions whom they so
nearly resembled in the extravagance of their adven-
tures. This work abounds with oriental imagery ; of
which the subject was so extremely susceptible. It has
also some traits of Arabian literature. The Trojan
horse is a horse of brass : and Hercules is taught
astronomy, and the seven liberal sciences. Hence
CHAUCER'S Trojan horse, &c. It was professedly
paraphrased by LYDGATE in the year 1420, in a prolix
English poem called ^ THE BOKE OF TROYE, &c." at
the command of king Henry V, and became the
groundwork of a new compilation on the same subject
written by RAOUL LE FEURE, chaplain to the duke of
Burgundy, in the year 1464; and partly translated into
English prose in the year 1411 by CAXTON, under the
title of the " RECUEIL, &c." (Hist, of Eng. Poetry,
vol. 2, p. 127..;
In the Cat. de la Valliere, No. 4087, will be found
a particular description of a most superb manuscript of
" Le Recueil des hystoires de Troyes." On this
occasion De Bure notices the early popularity of the
work, the preceding translation by CAXTON, and " une
traduction Flamende," which he says closely follows
that of Caxton.
Le Roman de JASON et MEDEE, contenant differentes
Avantures chevaleresque et amour wises, char, got.fol.
PANZER places this amongst the " Libri indicia anm\
loci, et typogmphi destituti" It is however very probably
from an early press of Paris, being certainly as the
Cat. de la Valliere (No. 4085) acknowledges, a work
of RAOUL LE FEVRE, whom I have mentioned in thq
260
preceding article. It was reprinted Par. Phil, le Noir
1528, 4. goth. with some variation of title, (Cat. de la
Valliere, No. 4086) viz. " L'Histoire du preux et
vaillant Chevalier Jason, fils au noble Roy Eson, & de
sa mie Medee (par Raoul le Fevre.)
The BOOK OF JASON printed by CAXTON anno 1475,
is doubtless a translation of the beforementioned French
romance. "For asmoche as late by the comaundement
&c. J translated a boke out of frenssh into Englissh
named RECUYEL of the histories of Troye, in whiche is
comprehended how Troye was thries destroyed, and
also the labours & histories of Saturnus, Tytan, Jubyter
Perseus and Hercules, & other moo therin rehersed, but
as to the historic of Jason, towchyng the conquest of
the golden flese, myn auctor hath not sett it in his boke,
but breuely and the cause is for asmoche as he hadde
made before a boke of the hoole lyf of Jason, whiche
he presented vnto the noble Prynce in his dayes Philip
Due of bourgoyne, &c Therefore under the
proteccion & suffraunce of the most hyghe puissant and
xpen king, my most dradde natural liege Lord Edward
by the grace of god kyng of englond and of Fraunce,
and lord of Jrland, J entende to translate the said boke
of thistories of Jason, followyng myn auctor as nygh as
J can or may not chaungyng the sentence, ne presumyng
to adde ne mynusshe ony thing otherwyse than myne
auctor hath made in Frensshe." Thus Caxton himself
has shewn us that the " Book of Jason" is supplementary
to the f( Recueil," and both translated from the French
original of the same author Raoul ie Fevre. " Finally,
of this sayd litil boke," Caxton says " not presumyng
to presente it vnto his (the king's) hyghnesse, for
asmoch as J doubte not his good grace hath it in
frensh, which he wel vnderstandeth, but not displesing
261
his most noble grace J entende by his licence & congye
& by the supportacon of our most redoubted liege lady,
most excellent princesse the Queen to presente this
sayd boke vnto the most fayr, and my moost redoubted
yong lorde, My lord Pry nee of Wales our tocomyng
sourayne lorde, whom J praye god saue, &c. To
thentent he may begynne to lerne rede Englisshe, &c."
Les Ocuvres de SENECQUE translatez par maistre laurens
de premier fait. fol. Antoine Verard.
Les XXI. Epitrts d'OviDE mis en rime Francoise par
Octauien de St. Gelais, evesque d'dngoulesme. 4.
Idem.
LA CROIX DU MAINE mentions also " Les Eneides dc
Virgile," translated by OCTAVIEN DE S. GELAIS, and
revised by Jehan d'lvry, fol. goth. 1509, and according
to Panzer Par. Nic. Couteau, 1529, fol. Of the
** Heroides" of Ovid translated by him, there was also
an impression by la veuve Trepperel, 4. goth. sans
date; another 4. goth. avec figures, and " le Latin en
marge ;" besides others of uncertain place and date. He
is said to have translated also some books of the
Odyssey," made after bad Latin versions, and to
have intermingled his own crude thoughts in a style
obscure, prolix, and abounding with barbarisms. To
the same author is attributed " Le Sejour d'Honneur,"
a performance consisting of 26 feiiilles, and inscribed to
Charles VIII. It treats " de la Conduite de Thomme,"
&e. Of " La Verger d'Honneur" which some ascribe
in part at least to his pen, I have made mention sub
anno 1495. Other works attributed to this writer are
mentioned by Du Verdier, viz. " La Chasse & Depart
262
d* Amours, ou il y a de toutes sortes de rimes, que Ton
pourroit trouver," Par. 4. Phil, le Noir; and " Le six
Comedies de Terence partie en rime partie en prose,' 7
impr. a Paris, fol. par Jean Petit 1539, and perhaps
also by Verard sine anno. He translated the " Amours
of Eurialus and Lucretia," of which work he makes
mention in his " Sejour d'Honneur." (z) See also the
next article. Having thus far noticed the works of this
prelate, I shall subjoin what I further find recorded :
that he spent his youth in dissipation and debauchery ;
but after a dangerous illness he entered upon a new
career, viz. that of ambition, and procured an introduc-
tion at court; where his talents and poetry recommended
him to Charles VIII, who obtained for him from pope
Alexander VI. the bishopric of Angoulesme anno 1494.
He died anno 1502, aged only 36 years.
() A copy of this work was lately in the library of W.
Roscoe, Esq. It is thus intitled " Sensuyt le sejour Dhonneur
Compose par reverend pere en dieu messire Octavien de sainct
gelaiz Evesque d'angoulesme . Nouvellement imprime a Paris
xxvi." The title is "en rouge et noir" alternately: has a
large wood cut in the front, and another on the reverse.
" Sensuit le prologue de Lacteur," with another curious wood
cut. The work is in mingled verse and prose, and seems to be
a sort of dialogue in which " LACTEUR," (the author) " FOL
ABBVS," and " VAINE ESPERANCE," &c. are the speakers.
The colophon thus: " Cy finyst le sejour dhonneur qui trak-te
de la conduide humain Nouvellement imprime a Paris per la
veufue fere jehan trepperel. Et Jehan Jehannot imprimeur et
libraire jure en luniversite de paris demourant en la rue neufue
nostre dame a Penseigne de lescu de france" A wood cut
beneath, representing " L'ACTEUR." This work is in Gothic
characters, 4.
263
Le Livre des persecutions des Chrestiens de messire
BONIFACE SIMONET, abbe du Moustier de Come
translate de latin en francois par OCTAVIEN de S.
GELAIS evesque d 1 Angoulesme par le commandement
du Roi Charles VIII. chez Antoine Gerard (Ve-
rard.J 4.
ASSOPI Fabulte. circa an. 1487, 4. In fine:
EGREGIUM Esopi librum feliciter istum
Petrus Leuet parisea impressit in urbe.
Commentaria magistri PETRI DE DSOMA in symbolum,
Quicunque vult salus esse. P. Levet,foll. IS. 4.
Lesfaiz maistre ALAIN CIIARETIER. In fine : Finis-
sent les Faicts, Dictes et JSallades de Maistre Alain
Chartier. With wood cuts, P. le Caron, (circa an.
148 4 )/<?/. Vid. sub anno 1489.
OFFICIUM B. Marie Virginis cum Missa ejusdem et
septem Psalmis poenitential. cum officio Defunc-
torum, sdncte Crucis et sancti Spiritus, Me. wood cuts
and ornamented margins, 8. Tielman Kerver.
BIBLIA cum Concordantiis. 8. Idem.
OVIDIUS de remedio amor is cum commentar. 8. Phil.
Pigouchet.
SB.NEC& Tragoedia. J. higman wilhelmus propositi
& wolfgangus hopyl socii. 4.
" -#Ltas," says PANZER, <c colligitur ex Disticho
TE balbi (Hier.) meminisse decetj qui codice multo
Collate, hec tribuit munera tanta tibi."
" BALBUS enim anno 1485, Lutetian* accessit."
264
STATII PAPINU Neapolitani Sylvarum Libri V. 4.
Par. (utputatur circa 1498.)
PAULI JEmiLii FERONENSIS Canon. Eccl. Parisiensis
de rebus gcstis Francorum ad annum 1110 Libri IV.
Par.fol.
Iterum ad annum 1223, Libri VI. Par. ap Badium
(circa J500.)
This history cost the author the labour of thirty years.,
and he so long- employed himself in revision and cor-
rection ; though it is not considered after all, as intirely
correct, either as to the facts, sentiments, or diction.
See the opinions of the learned apud Sir T. Pope Blount.
Other editions from the press of Ascensius appeared
anno 1536 and sine anno. The author was in the reign
of Lous XII. a canon of the church of Paris. He died
anno 1529.
Perjucundus (juuenum quoque mirum in moditm de-
mulcens animos) libellus quern nugarum Maximiani
immitis Alexander (in doctrinali) intitulat. 4.
Steph. Johannot # P. le Dru.
" Hune si parvo nummismate comparare cupis, vena-
lem in vico sancti Jacobi reperies in domo quadam ante
Mathurinos sita iuxta carnificem sanissimas (humano
pro corpore) carnes vendentern." Sub anno 1489.
HE URES de Nostre Dame trad, en vers Francois. Par. 4.
Les JRegnards traversans Its perilleuses voyes defolles
fiances du Monde, tire des vers Latins de SEBASTIEN
BRANT, en rime. Ibid. foL Probably the impres-
sion of Verard. (see De Bure.J
There were other impressions of this work, viz. Paris,
sine, anno M. le Noir 1504, 4. Denys Janet
265
1530, 4. The earliest edition was published under the
name of SEBASTIEN BRANT, but the real author was
JEAN BOUCHET. He was born circa 1475, and rilled
the office of " Procureur" at Poictiers. His very nu-
merous works frequently exercised the presses of this
age. Amongst those which were published, PANZER
enumerates " Les ancienries & modernes Genealogies
des Rois de France," Poitiers 1527, 4. 1531, 4.
1535, 4. -1536, 12. and Par. 1541. " Histoire et
Chronique de Clotaire I, Roi de France," Poitiers
1517, 4. 1524, 4. 1527, 4. " Le Temple de bonne
renommee," Par, Gal. du Pre 1516,4. " La deplo-
ration de Peglise militante," Par. Eustace 1512, 8.
" LTnstruction du jeune Prince," Par. Idem. 1517, 4.
" Le Panegyrique du Chevalier sans reproche," Poi-
tiers 1527, 4. "Labyrinthe de Fortune," Poitiers
1522, 1524, 4. Par. Al. Lotrian, 8. sine anno. " Les
Triomphes de la noble et amoreuse Dame," Poitiers
1532., 1536, fol. Par. Ambr. Girault 1536, fol.
" Les exclamations et epitre de la noble Dame amou-
reuse," Par. Janot 1535,8. " Opuscules de Traver-
seur des voies perilleuses," Poitiers 1526, 4. "Les
angoysses et remedes d'amour," Poitiers 1536, 12.
" Les elegantes epitres extraits de Panegyrique du
Louis de Tremouille," Par. Janot 1536, 8. "Ron-
deaux et XXV Ballades," Par. Idem 1536, 12.
Other works of this author were " LES ANNALES D'
AauiTAiNE," Poitiers 1524, 1531, 1555, fol. which,
says Du VERDIER. is " un oeuvre extremement labo-
rieux & plein de belles Histoires tres-memorables."
Amongst all the old historical works of the kind, this is
said to be most deserving of a Latin translation. There
have been various other editions of these " Annales,"
but they are all rare. The latest and most valuable is
M M
266
that a Poicliers 1644, fol. He composed at a late
period of his age " Les Triomphes du Roi Francis I."
a Poitiers 1550. I shall lastly mention " Les Epitres
morales & familieres" of this author, of which there is
an impression Poicliers 1545, fol. and which rude as
they are (say the editors of Du Verdier) well merit
perusal, for the particulars which they contain of con-
temporary authors, and those of the preceding century.
From ' c Les REGNARDS TRAVERSANS," the work first
mentioned, BOUCHET obtained the appellation of " Le
Traversetir." A passage in the work last particularized,
viz. " Les Epitres &c." cited by M. Monnoye (ap. Du
Verdier) shews not only the age at which " Le Tra-
verseur'' composed his " Regnards" &c. but also
alludes to the quarrel which the publication of it occa-
sioned between the author and our printer ANTOINE
VERARD, Of his works, meaning in the order of
composition rather than strictly of publication, he says
" LE PREMIER fut les Renars traversans
L'an mil cinq cens qu' avois vingt & cinq ans,
Ou feu VERARD, pour ma simple jeunesse
Cbaugea le noin, ce fuit a lui finesse,
L'institulant au nom de Monsieur Brand,
Un Alemand en tout Savoir tres-grand,
Qui ne sut one parler langue Fran9oise
Dont je me tus sans pour ce prendre noise,
Fors que marri je fus, dont ce Verard
Y ajouta des choses d'un autre art,
Et qu'il laissa tres-grand part de ma prose,
Qui m'est injure, & a ce je m'oppose
Au chatelet ou me pace fia
Pour un present lequel me dedia."
In explanation of VERARD' s publishing the " Reg-
nards traversans" under the name of SEBASTIAN BRAND,
26t
and of the preceding lines, it must be observed that
amongst the Latin poems of that German, Argent. 4.
1498, there is an elegy of an hundred verses addressed
to Maximilian, king of the Romans, under the title of
" ALOPEKIOMACHIA, de spectaculo, conflictuque vul-
pium :" and that on account of the circulation which
the piece obtained at that period, VERARD thought the
f( Renars traversans" of Bouchet would find a more
extensive sale, if given to the public under the name of
SEBASTIAN BRAND. The mortified author in conse-
quence of this treatment immediately instituted a
process at law against the printer ; whom he would not
have failed to prosecute, had not Verard found means
to appease him by a sum of money.
La Chronique ou Histoire faite par le Rev. Pere en
Dieu TuRPiN, Archevesque de Rheims, Tun des
Pairs de France, contenant les prouesses de Charle-
magne et de son neveu Rolland. traduit de Latin en
Francois par Robert Gaguin, par ordre du Roy Charles
VIII. a Par. char. goth. 4.
TURPIN or TILPIN mort. an. 794. This chronicle is
thought to be a Spanish fiction. It was originally
written in Latin. The fables which it contains were
adopted by the early French historians, and they have
found their way into " Les Chroniques de S. Denis."
It was translated into French circa 1200 : Gaguin trans-
lated it anew. The French translations appeared in
print before the Latin original, which was first printed
" dans le Recucil des Historiens d'Allemagne de Simon
Schardius," Franco/. 1566: afterwards by Jean Ruber-
tus 1584. Gaguin's version had been published by
order of Charles VIII. Par. 4. goth. sans date: reprinted
in 1527. The old French translation before-mentioned
was not published till 1583 in 8.
268
Gaguin has added " beaucoup de Moralites & de
Miracles que ne sont point dans le texte Latin." The
manuscripts generally differ from each other. (See M.
de St. Palaye's notice &c. Mem. de 1'Acad. de B.
Lettres : torn. vii. prem. part. p. 280 .)
La LEGENDE DOREE en Francois. Par. char. goth.
fol. Vid.subann. 1475, 1496.
Le PROPRIETAIRE enfrancois, with figures, fol. Ant.
Verard. {'Panzer torn. 4. p. 400 .)
This is a translation of the well known work " DE
PROPRIETATIBUS RERUM," originally composed by
BARTHOLOM^EUS DE GLANVILLE, otherwise quaintly
denominated " BARTHELMEW GLENTUYLE, descended
of the noble familye of the Earles of Suffolke." He
^ras a Franciscan friar, and wrote this work in Edward
the third's time, about the year of our Lord 1366 (or
1 360.) Ames & Herbert, p. 7 1 , 12.
Of the Latin work there were many early editions,
but PANZER acknowledges none ante 1480. Of this
French translation, which JEHAN CORBICHON an Augus-
tine monk made by order of Charles V. there were
impressions Lugdun i annis 1485, 1487, 1491, and 1500,
all in fol. Amongst the rarest curiosities of the English
press we may also place a translation by JOHN TREVISA,
printed by WYNKEN DE WORDE in fol. sine anno.
It preserves the Latin title " BARTHOLOMEUS DE PRO-
PRIETATIBUS RERUM." It is divided into 19 books,
each containing several chapters. At the head of every
book is a wood cut adapted to the ensuing subject.
At the end " Endlesse grace, blysse. thankyng &
praysyng vnto our lorde god Omnipotent be gyuen by
vvhoos ayde and helpe this translacion was endyd at
269
Berkeleye the syxte daye of Feuerer . the yere of our
lorde. M. ccc.lxxxxviij . the yere of the reyne of kynge
Rycharde the second . ..xxij The yere of my lordes
aege syre Thomas lorde of Berkeleye that made ine
to make this Translacion xlvij." Ames cites at full
length the " Prohemium" which is in verse. We may
content ourselves with a specimen
PRAYSED be god whyche hath so well enduyd
The auctor wyth grace de proprietatibus
To se so many natural 1 thynges renewyd
Which in his boke he hath compyled thus
Where thrugh by redynge we may comfort vs
And wyth conceytes (lyuers fede our mynde
As bokes emprynted she wyth ryght as we fynde
By Wyken de Worde whyche thruh his dyligenc*
Emprentyd hath at prayer and desyre
Of Roger Thorney mercer and from thens
This mocion sprange to sette the hertes on fyre
Of such as loue to rede in euery shire
Dyuers maters in voydinge ydylnesse
Lyke has this boke hath shewed to you expresse.
There appear to have been earlier impressions of this
English translation, viz. annis 1494, W. DE WORDE,
mentioned by Mr. Warton ; 1498, Idem, in the Har-
leian library; (questioned by Ames) 1507, Idem; all
in folio also a subsequent impression anni 1535,
THOMAS BERTHELET, fol. without cuts, but said to be
amended by the "latyne examplare;" and by STEPHEN
BATMAN either as a printer or editor, with additions,
anno 1582. Whether Caxton gave any English im-
pression of this work seems very doubtful; but the
evidence is satisfactory that he printed the Latin origi-
nal at Cologn at a very early period. His impression
270
may be considered as anterior to any known to Pander.
The " prohemium" before cited says
AND also of your charyte call to remembraunce
The soule of William Caxton first prynter of this boke
Jn laten tonge at Coleyn hymself to auance
That euery well disposyd man may thereon loke
And John Tate the yonger Joye mote he broke
Whiche late hathe in Englond doo make this paper thynne
That now in our englyssh this boke is prynted Jnne.
The above-mentioned JOHN TATE, whose mill was
at Hartford, is considered by Ames as undoubtedly the
earliest manufacturer of " linen paper" in England.
He thinks the preceding book was probably printed
about the same time with the VITAS PATRUM; viz. circa
an. 1495.
Histoire du noble C vaillant Chevalier HEGNAVLT DE
MONTAUBAN, ou V Histoire des quatre fils AYMON
presentes a Charlemagne. Edition fort ancienne,
fol. grand pap. goth.
This very rare impression is supposed to be ante
1500. Panzer acknowledges only those Par. 1521, 4.
1525, fol. Anno 1504 WYNKEN DE WORDE printed
" The right PLESAUNT and GOODLY HYSTOUY of the
FOUR SONNES of AYMON the which for the excellent
endyting of it and for the notable prowes and great
vertues that were in them is no less plesaunt to rede
then worthy to be knowen of all estates both hyghe and
lowe." On the title a wooden cut (reversed from the
French original) of four men armed, sitting on one
horse, with their swords drawn: several other wood cuts
interspersed in the book. The translator, whosoever
he was, in his prologue commences thus : " As the
271
Philosopher in the fyrst book of his methafysyque sayth
that euery man naturally clesireth to know and to con
newe thynges . . . Therefore late at the request &c. of
the ryght noble and vertus Erie John Erie of Oxeford. .
J reduced & translated oute of Frenche . . . the life of
one of his predecessoures named Robert Erie of Oxforde
&c. And also that my sayd Lorde desyreth to haue
other Hystories of olde tyme passed of vertues chyualry
reduced in lykewyse into our Englishe tongue : he late
sent to me a booke in Frenche conteynyng thactes and
faytes of warre doone and made agaynst the great
Emperour and king of Fraunce Charlemayne by the
iiii. sonnes of Aymon, otherwise named in Frenche. 'Les
quatre fylz Aymon.' whych booke, &c." There was
another impression by WILLIAM COPLAND 1554, fol.
from which Ames drew his description of the work, as
he had not seen that of 1504. It was also printed by
THOMAS PETIT 1554, fol. and by ROBERT TOY 1554,
fol. if these be not, as I rather suspect, all one and the
same impression.
La QUENOILLE SPIRITUELLE, mise en rime frangoise,
par JEAN DE LAEN Chanoine de Lille. Par. 16. got.
I know nothing of this work or its author. There is
extant a singular old work bearing some resemblance
in the title, but possibly none in the contents, viz.
" Les EVANGILES DES QUENOUILLES, faits & racontes
par plusieurs notables Dames assemblies pour filer
durant six journees," a Lyon 4. Jean Mareschal 1493.
This work Pierre de Bury Chanoine d'Amiens (Latine
Petrus Burrus) thus notices in his " Poemata" Par. 4.
1503:
QUID ridenda et frivola texo ?
Mille alia extant codice muho
212
Cui nomen muliebria condunt
Arma, colus, teretes quoque fusi.
And Martin Eloi D'Amerlan de Bethune, Chap. 39, de
sa Diablerie :
N'ONT ils pas le gentil libelle
Que je repute une oeuvre belle
I>es Evangiles des quenouilles*
DE BURE notices an edition of the same work with
this title " Les Evangiles des Conoilles faictes a 1'hon-
neur & exaulcement des Dames en rime francoise," 12.
goth. sans date. OLIVER MAILLARD (Serm. 2, de
Stipendio peccati) says " Et ce n'est pas conte, ne
fable escrit an Livre des Conoilles." (EM. Franc, de Du
Verdier.) We have also in English printed by WYNKEN
DE WORDE, 4. sine anno, the " GOSPELLES OF DYS-
TAVES," thus described by Ames and Herbert " The
ordinaunce of this boke put in termes by dame
Ysengryne The vvhiche chapytres shall contayne the
gospelles of dystaues with the glosses that some wyse
and discrete matrones haue added and yet shall in
multeplyeng the text. The ordynaunce of the fyrst
daye and of the description of dame Ysengryne of
Glay and what she was." Then follpws a wooden cut
of Isengryne, dame Abunde, and Gamborde. It
begins " J wold vndertake to put in scripture a lytell
volume that for the name of it should be called the
gospelles of dystaues."
La Vie des trois Roys, JASPAR, MELCHIOR, &C
BALTHAZAR, 4. Trepperel (sub anno 1498^
The " HISTORIA TRIUM REGUM, seu historia de gestis
ac trina trium regum translatione," from which the
preceding was translated, appeared first Colonize 1417,
fol. Anno 1526 WYNKEN PE WORDE printed " THE
273
HUES OF THE THREE KINGS OF COLEIN," 4. of which
Herbert says he repeated the impression, 4. sine anno.
His copy was imperfect, but he describes it as a history
or romance, continued to the depositing of the bodies
of the three kings at Colein, or Cologne. ^{["And
thus endeth the translacyon of these thre kynges Mel-
chior Balthazer and Jasper." The author then proceeds
to finish the account of some customs in use among the
Christians in Preter Johan's country which he here calls
Inde. " Now to speke of the vsages in Jnde that we
haue begon before as well of crysten as heretykes and
sysmatykes, eche of them bothe relygyous and seculers
fasten on Chrystmasse day vnto it be nyght, & eche
man spredeth his table & setteth on it as moche mete
and drynke as may suffyse for his lyuynge from
Chrystmas day tyl the . xij daye. And so of that
that is set on the borde they ete and drynke with
theyr wyues chyldren and meyny with all Joye & myrth
that they can in that time . Also they lyght a candell
or a lampe, & that shal brenne bothe nyght & daye
fro Crystmas nyght vnto the xij. nyght besyde the
same borde. And in the vygyl of the Epyphany at
nyght euery frende gooth to others hous, & whan
he cometh to the dore he sayth (Bona dies) That is
to saye good daye . For yf he sayd (Bona nox) That
is to saye, good nyght, than wolde he accuse him
to fore the Justyce of the lawe as he had done to hym a
grete trespace . And so they wake all that nyght and
go fro hous to hous, & ete, drynke, and daunce, and
bere candelles lyght in their handes, in tokenynge that
the sterre appeared whan C^st was borne and ledde
these thre kinges in those dayes to Bedleem, and there
was no nyght in this tyme, but it was all one daye to
them, &c." (Herbert.)
N N
274
La Fontaine de toutes sciences du philosophe SYDRACK.
Verard^fol. (Ante sub anno [4S6.J
The " ROMANCE OF SYDRACK," says Mr. Warton,
" appears to have been very 'popular ; but is rather a
romance of Arabian philosophy than of chivalry. It is
a system of natural knowledge, and treats of the virtues
of plants. Sydrack the philosopher of this system, was
astronomer to an eastern king. He lived 847 years
after Noah, of whose book of astronomy he was
possessed. He converts Bocchus, an idolatrous king
of India, to the Christian faith ; by whom he is invited
to build a mighty tower against the invasions of a rival
king of India. But the history, no less than the subject
of this piece, displays the state, nature, arid migrations
of literature in the dark ages." Thus WARTON, who
adds that it is a work of considerable length. An
English metrical translation of it was printed anno 1510,
by THOMAS GODFRAY; intitled "The History of Kyng
BOCCHUS and SYDRACK how he confounded his lerned
men, and in the syght of them dronke strong venym
in the name of the Trinite and dyd him no hurt. Also
his dyuynyte that he lerned of the Boke of Noe. Also
his profycye that he had by Reuelacyon of the Aungell.
Also the aunsweris to the questions of wisdomeboth moral
and natural with much worldly wysdome contayned iit
number CCCLXII. Translated by HUGO of CAUMPEDEX
oute of Frenche in to Englisshe." This is printed over
a coarse wooden cut of Sidrack and king Bocchus. After
a table of contents, &c. the poem begins on sig. B. j.
" MEN may fynde in olde bokys
Who so therein lokys
Actes worthy of memory
Full of knowlege and mystery, &c."
275
Tfate epilogue commences
" PRAY we now with al our mygfat
Vnto God of heuen lyght
That he geue vs grace so to do
That we heuen my come vnlo
That we shal al to J wene
And that Hughe of caumpedene
That this boke hath throughe sought
And vnto Englysshe ryme brought, &c. M
Colophon: " Thus endeth the hystory and questyons
of kynge Boccus and Sydracke. Prynted at London
by Thomas Godfraye . At the coste and .charge of
dan. Robert Saltwode monke of saynt Austens at
Canterbury." 4. (Herbert, p. 319.>
L'Histoire de JOSEPHVS de la bataille Judaique, foL
with figures. Terard.
This is the impression anni 1492, (ante sub anno
1480.) MR. WARTON says there is a very old prose
romance, both in French and Italian, on the subject of
the DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, which is translated
from the Latin work (very popular in the middle ages)
intituled " HEGESIPPI de Bello Judaico et Excidio
Urbis Hierosolymitana3 Libri V." This is a licentious
paraphrase of a part of the Jewish history of Josephus
made about the IV. century. The name of Hegesippus
is probably a corruption from Josephus, perhaps also
called Josippus. The paraphrast is supposed to have
been Ambrose of Milan, who flourished in the reign of
Theodosius, On the subject of Vespasian's siege of
Jerusalem, as related in this book, our poet ADAM
DAVIE (who flourished circa 1512) has left a poem
intitled the " Battell of Jerusalem," never printed. Du
CANGE notices the old French play on this subject,
216
(probably " Mistere de la Vengeance, &c. v ) " The
DYSTRUCCION of JHERUSALEM by VASPAZIAN and
TYTUS," witb cuts, was printed by WYNKEN DE WORDE
an. 1 528, 4. and the impression several times repeated by
our early printers. R. PINION in particular gave " The
destruccyon of Jerusalem, &c." a quarto tract, (sine
anno) consisting of 38 leaves, and containing 26 curious
wood cuts. The frontispiece represents Vespasian and
his camp, with cannon mounted on carriages by his
side. He has the Roman eagle on his surtout, and is
holding a parley with Pilate and Archelaus upon the
battlements of Jerusalem. On the reverse of the title
is an hermit, with a Palmer's staff in one hand , and a
string of beads in the other, &c." (Fid. Ames, p. 294. )
Probably both these French and English dramas are
founded on the narrative of the spurious Josephus, or
Hegesippus.
Le Gowvernenient des Princes. ( ALGID. DE COLUMN A. J
Ante sub anno 1497.
Probably the edition anni 1497, Verard, before T
mentioned. This EGIDIUS, says WARTON, was a native
of Rome, a scholar of Aquinas, called " Doctor
futidatissimus," and an archbishop, circa 1280. His
" De Regimine Principum, Libri III." was a work
highly esteemed in the middle ages ; and translated early
into Hebrew, French, and Italian. In those days he
adds, ecclesiastics and schoolmen presumed to dictate to
kings; and to give rules for administering states, drawn
from the narrow circle of speculation, and conceived
amidst the pedantries of a cloister. It was translated
into English by JOHN TREVISA about the year 1390.
La MERCHANDISE JSPIRITUELLE, dwiset en IV. Re-
gions. 4.
2T1
LA CAILLE mentions t La Marchandise spirituelle,
traite devote & salutaire a tous Chretiens," 4. This
mixture of religion and allegory has in all ages met with
its admirers. Perhaps the early French press does not
furnish a more complete specimen than the following.
" LE QUADRAGESIMAL SPIRITUEL, ou la salade du
Careme, assavoir des feves frites, poix passes, la pure"e,
la lamproye, le saffran, les oranges, les pruneaux, les
figues, les amandes, le miel, le paix, les echaudes, le
y'm blanc & rouge, 1'ypocras, les Invites au diner, les
cuisiniers, les serviteurs a table, les chambrieres servant
de blanches nappes, serviettes, pots & vaiselle, les
graces apres diner, le luth ou harpe, la drager, paques
flories, les grands paques." Par. 4. 1521.
HENRI ESTIENNE (Chap. 37 of his Apol. pour Hero-
dote} cites several passages of this work for the diversion
of his readers. Thus he says the author speaks in the
commencement: "Pour parler spirituellement, par
ceste salade qui est faicte de diuerses choses, & qui
met les gens en appetit, pouuons entendre la parole de
Dieu, qui nous doit donner appetit & courage." Vn
peu apres, " Par Thuile de douceur & le vinaigre
d'aigreur" (qu'on met par equipollent autant de P vne que
de 1'autre, dedans la salade) " nous pouuons entendre
la misericorde de Dieu & la iustice." H. ESTIENNE
remarks that this extravagant little work was actually
reprinted at Paris anno 1565, under the revision of two
venerable "docteursen la faculte de theologie a Paris."
FALERE LE GRAND, ou VALERIUS MAXIMUS translate
de Latin en Francois par Simon de Hesdin et Nicolas
de Gonesse. foL goth. Ant. Verard.
Noticed sub an. \ 497. A fine copy of the first volume
only, printed on vellum, with four large miniatures and
2T8
the initials decorated with gold and colours, occurs in
the Cat. of Longman K Co. Supplement for 1817. Also
an intire edition of the same work, Lugd. Husz, 1485,
Ibid. (No. 9391, 2.J The seven first books are by
S. de Hesdin, the remaining by N. de Gonesse.
ORELOGE de Deuocion compose en Francoys par M.
JEHAN QUENTIN docteur en TheoL penitencier de
Paris. 8.
A copy, with numerous engravings on wood, which
as well as the initials are illuminated with gold and
colours, may be found described in the catalogue
mentioned in the preceding article. (No. 10017.) This
volume is said to have escaped the notice of most
bibliographers.
TERENTIUS Latine, translate en Francois, Prose tt
Fers.fol. Verard. (Sub anno 1483.J
This rare edition is ornamented with a very great
number of wood cuts; many of which are repeated.
(Vid. Brunei. " Manuel, Kc."J
Les CENT HISTOIRES de TROVES, auec VEpistrc
d'Othea Deesse de prudence envoy ee a V esprit cheva-
lereux d* Hector de Troyes mises en rime fr. par
CHRISTINE DE PISAN. with wood cuts, 4. goth. Ph,
Pigouchet.
Iterum, P. le Noir 1522, 4. wood cuts, and Lyon 1519, 4.
For an account of this work, termed by BRUNET
" Anciennes poesies ;" we are referred to the " Mem.
de Tacad. des Belles Lettres, (torn. xmi. p. 5I8.'V
ROBERT LE DIABLE (la vie du terrible) lequel apres
fut nomme homme Dieu. Par. J. Herouf, 4, goth.
279
BRUNET describes an edition Lyon P. Mareschall, 4,
goth. very rare; another Par. N. de la Barre 1497,
4. goth. almost equally so. A translation was printed
by " WYNKEN DE WORDE," 4. sine anno: " Here
begynneth the Lyfe of the most myscheuoust ROBERT
THE DEUYLL, whiche was afterwards called the seruant
of God." AMES gives the several titles of the chapters
of this extraordinary book, such as " How the Duke of
Normandye with grete Royaltie brought his Wife the
doughter of the Duke of Bourgon in to Roan in
Normandye after he had married her. ^f How vpoh a
Tyme this Duke and Duchesse allone sore complayninge
the one to the other that they coude haue no chylde
togyther. *[[ How Roberte the Deuyll was conceyued
and how hys moder gaue hym to the Deuyll in his
Concepcyon. ^J How Robert the Deuyll was borne,
&c." At the end, " Here endeth the Lyfe of the moost
ferefullest and vnmercifullest and myscheuous Hoberte
the Deuyll whiche was afterwarde called the Seruauante
of our Lorde Jhesu Cryst." At the back of the last leaf
is a wood print of the Virgin and the child Jesus, &c.
Le Mirouer Historial de VINCENT DE BEAWOIS.
(Ante sub anno 1496J
Bibliographers point out no impression of this
translation of the " SPECULA" sine anno. The only
re-impression, (Par. N. Couteau, 5 voll. fol. goth.) bears
the date of 1531. But in addition to my short notice
of this work, (sub anno 1496^ I add on the authority
of BRUNET, " That VERARD'S rare impression anni
1496 was, at the period of its date, the most
voluminous which the press of Paris had produced.
Though the five large folio volumes of which it consists
had been finished in the short space of eight mpnths,
280
yet in uniform beauty, and accuracy of execution, they
are scarce surpassed by any of the finest modern
specimens of the art." Brunet also expresses his surprize
that editions so fine as almost all those of VERARD
are should be so little esteemed in France, and scarce
indeed be objects of special research any where but in
England, f" Manuel, Wj
I find no Parisian impressions of the following works
ante 1508, or sine anno, but shall mention them in this
place on account of their manifest connection with our
earliest English literature. Probably a few other works
of a similar description will present themselves also to
our notice sub fine librorum sine anno, post 1500.
Le Chevalier de la Tour (par GEOFFROY DE LA
TOUR-LANDRY.J
Of this work, which Brunet terms " Ouvrage de
Morale," the only impressions which I have found
noticed, are Par. Eustace 1514, fol. goth. and M. le
Noir 1517, 4. It is considered as the original of " THE
KNYGHT OF THE TOURE," an impression by CAXTOK
anni 1483, fol. This is more particularly " The book
of thensignmentes and techinge of the Knight of the
Toure, made to his doughters . And speketh of many
fayr ensamples." Ames gives the description at length.
The author's prologue begins on signature a, j. {< In
the yere of our lorde a . M, thre honderd, Ixxj, as J was
in a gardyn vnder a shaddowe, as it were in thyssue of
Aprylle, all moornyng and pensyf, But a lytel J
rejoysed me in the sowne & songe of the fowles sauage,
whiche songe in theyr langage, as the Merle, the
mauys the thrustell, and the nyghtyngale, whiche were
281
gay, and lusty, This swete sorige enlustyed me, and
made myn herte all tenjoye, So that thenne J wente
remembryng of the tyme passed in my youthe." And
concludes " And by cause euery fader and moder
after god and nature ought to teche & enforme their
children . . . . J haue made two bookes, that one for my
sonnes, and that other for my doughters for to lerne to
rede &c." The colophon thus " Here fynysshed the
booke, which the knyght of the Towre made to then-
seygnement and techyng of his doughters translated out
of Frenssh in to our maternall Englysshe tongue by me
william Caxton, which book was ended and fynysshed
the first day of Juyn, the yere of our lord M. cccc.
Ixxxiij And enprynted at westmynstre the last day of
Janyuer the fyrst yere of the regne of kynge Rychard
the thyrd."
A copy of the French original, on vellum, with
miniatures, was sold at the sale of Gaignat for 200
francs ; at that of la Valiere for 300 francs. A copy
of Caxton's English translation, at the sale of Mr. Brand
anno 1807, was purchased for 105 guineas.
L'ORDRE DE CHEVJLERIE, auguel est contenue la
maniere comment on doit fair e les Chevaliers, K de
Vhonneur qui a eux appartient, & de la dignite
d'iceux, compose par un chevalier, leqnel en sa
meillesse fut Hermite.
The only impression of which I have yet found
mention, is that a Lyon, Vine, de Porthunaris de Trine
1510,/0/. goth. Vid. Brunet, and Cat. Valiere. (No.
3982.) Hence I presume must be wholly or partially
derived, " THE BOOK OF THE ORDRE OF CHYVALRY,
OR KNIGHTHODE," a small 4. one of the scarcest
books now remaining of our first printer.
o o
282
"Here begynneth the Table of this present books
Jntytled, &c. . . . And this book conteyneth viij. chapi-
tres. ^[ The first chapytre sayth, how a knyght beyng
an Heremyte deuysed to the Squyer the rule and ordre
of chyualrye. ^[ The second is of the begynnynge of
Chyualry. ^[ The thyrde is of thoffyce of chyualrye
The fouithe of thexamynacion, that ought to be made
to the esquyer whan he wylle entre in to the ordre of
chyualry ^[ The fyfthe is in what maner thesquyer
ought to receiue chyualry ^[ The syxthe is of the
sygnefyaunce of the armes longynge to a knyght al by
ordre ^f The seventh is of the custommes that apper-
teyne to a knyght ^[ The eyght is of the honour that
oughte to be done to a knyght .... Here endeth the
book of thordre of chualry, whiche book is translated
oute of Frensshe in to Englysshe .... by me William
Caxton dwellyng in Westmynstre besyde London in
the most best wyse that god hath suffred me, and
accordynge to the copye that the sayd squyer delyuered
to me, whiche book is not requysyte to euery commyn
man to haue, but to noble gentylmen that by their
vertu entende to come & entre into the noble ordre of
chyualry, the whiche in these late dayes hath ben vsed
accordyng to this booke here to fore wreton but
forgeten, and thexersytees of chyualry, not vsed,
honoured, ne exercysed, as hit hath ben in auncyent
tyme, at whyche tyme the noble actes of the knyghtes
of Englonde that vsed chyualry were renomed thurgh
the vriiuersal world, As for to speke to fore thyncarna-
cion of Jhesu Cryste, where were there euer ony lyke
to brenius and belynus that from the grete Brytayne
now called Englonde vuto Rome & ferre beyond
conquered many Royammes and lorzdes, whos noble
actes remayne in thold hystoryes of the Romayns, And
283
syth the Jncarnacion of oure lord, by hold that noble
kyng of Brytaytie kyng Arthur with al the noble
knyzhts of the round table, whos noble actes & noble
chyualry of his kuyghtes, occupye soo many large
volumes, that is a worlde, or as thy rig incredyble
to byleue, O ye knyghtes of Englond where is the
custome and vsage of noble chyualry that was vsed in
tho dayes, what do ye now but go to the baynes & play
at dyse And some not wel aduysed vse not honest
and good rule ageyn all ordre of knyghthode, leue
this, leue it and rede the noble volumes of saynt graal
of lancelot, of galaad, of trystram, of perse forest, of
percyual, of gawayn, & many mo, Ther shalle ye
see manhode, curtosye & geritylnesse, And loke in
latter dayes of the noble actes sith the conquest, as in
kyng Ry chard dayes cuer de lyon, Edward the fvrste,
and the thyrd, and his noble sones, Syre Robert
knolles, Syr Johan hawkwode, Syr Johan chaundos, &
Syre gualtiere Manuy rede Frossart, And also behold
that victoryous and noble kynge harry the fyfthe, and
the capytaynes vnder hym his noble bretheren, Therle
of Salysbury Montagu, and many other whoos names
shyne gloryously by their vertuous noblesse & actes
that they did in thonour of thordre of chyualry, Alias
what doo ye, but sleep and take ease, and ar al
disordered fro chyualry, J would demaund a question
yf J shold not displease, how many knyghtes ben
ther now in Englond, that haue thuse and thexercyse
of a knyghte, that is to wete, that he knoweth his
hors, & his hors hym, that is to save, he beynge redy
at a poynt to haue al thyng that longeth to a knyght,
an hors that is accordyng and broken after his hand, his
armures and harnoys mete and fyttynge, and so forth,
t cetera, J suppose an a due serche sholde be made
284
there sholde by many founden that lacke, the more
pyte is, J would it pleasyd oure souerayne lord that
tvvyes or thryes a yere, or at the lest ones he wold do
crye Justes of pees, to thende that euery knyght shold
haue hors and barneys, and also the vse and craft of
a knyght, and also to tornoye one ageynst one, or ij
against ij, And the best to haue a prys, a dyamond or
Jewel, suche as shold please the pry nee This shold
cause gentylmen to resort to thauncyent custommes
of chyualry to grete fame and renommee, And also
to be alwey redy to seme theyr pry nee whan he shalle
calle them, or haue nede, Thenne late euery man that
is come of noble blood and entendeth to come to the
noble ordre of chyualry, rede this lytil book, and doo
therafter, in kepyng the lore and commaundements
therin comprysed, And thenne J doubte not he shall
attevne to thordre of chyualry, et cetera .... Thys
lytyl book" Caxton presents "to kyng Rychard kyng
of Englpnd .... to thende, that he commaunde it to
be had and redde vnto other yong lordes knyghtes
&c." It is without date : but " from the short reign of
that prince to whom it is inscribed," Ames is led to
consider it circa 1484.
Histoire du tres vaillant Chevalier PARIS et de la belle
FIENNE jille du Dauphin, traduit du provenqal par
Pierre de Sippade.
The earliest and rarest impression is that of Anvers^
Gerard Leen, 1487. There is another Lyon 1520, 4.
and BRUNET mentions a third Lyon, Rigaud 1596, 8.
and says there were several others both a Paris, and
a Lyon, in 4. and 8. Hence " THISTORY OF THE
NOBLE KNYGHT PARIS," Caxton 1485, small folio,
" Here begynneth thystory of the noble and ryght
285
valyaunt & worthy knyght Parys, and of the fayr
Vyenne the daulphyns doughter of vyennoys, the
whyche suffred many aduersytees by cause of theyr
true loue or they coucle enioye the effect therof of eche
other, Jn the tyme of kynge Charles of Fraunce, the
yere of our Lorde Mcclxxj, &c." Ames observes that
about the middle of the XVII. century was published
in 4. " VIENNA, wherein is stoned the valorus
achievements, &c. of the most valiant knight Sir Paris
of Viennae and the most admired amiable princess the
fair Vienna." The author or translator, M. M. (a)
(probably a native of Cheshire) seems to have intended
that this romance should appear before the public as an
original work ; and such it was evidently considered by
Hey wood and others whose commendatory verses are
(a) Ames notices this writer's qualifications as a punster : to
illustrate which I shall present the reader with his punning
dedication of this romance :
To his worthy brother-in-law Mr. Richard Minshvll all
health and happiness.
More RICH-ART thou in mind then Mynes,
but MYN-SHALL be the joy of heart;
Since still thy love with mine combines,
and smels of Nature more then Art :
For bloud with bloud, and sacred writ,
Such knots of love in love hath knit.
To thee therefore J onely send,
this Spider's Web so vainely spunne,
Which my best thoughts to thee commend,
since what is done, for thee is done :
If any taxe my idle braine,
Say once a yeare fond fooles do raigne. M . M.
286
prefixed ; though it is doubtless taken either from the
French, or from Caxton's early translation.
VIRGILLE, traduit en Prose Francoise, avec figures, foL
This translation, specified in the " BIBLIOTHECA
ASKEVIANA," is from the press of Guillaume le Roy,
Lyon 1483, fol. goth. Panzer has also " Livre des
Eneides compile par Virgile translate de Latin en
Francois," annexed to " BOECE de Consolation, en
fr. translate par Jehan de Meun," Ibid. G. le Roy
1483, fol. This translator of Virgil is considered as
anonymous: but it is probably the original of " THE
BOKE OF ENEYDOS, COMPYLED BY VYRGYLE," CAXTON
1490, fol. AMES mistakes the original prose for a
metrical version, and the printer (Le Roy) for the
translator. He cites as usual, Caxton's loquacious and
amusing preface. " After dyuerse werkes made,
translated and achieued, havyng noo werke in hand J
sittyng in my study e where as laye many dyuerse
paunflettis and bookys, happened that to my hande
cam a lytyl book in Frenshe, which late was translated
oute of latyn by some noble clerke of fraunce whiche
book is named Eneydos, made in latyn by that noble
poete & grete clerke Virgyle, &c." One of the chief
singularities of this preface consists in Caxton's
complaint of what Ames calls the " fleeting fashions of
our English tongue." He says " Some gentylmen" had
u blamed me sayeng that in my translacyons J had
ouer curyous termes whiche eoude not be vnderstande
of comyn peple, and desired me to vse olde and homely
termes . . . fayn wolde J satisfye euery man, and so to
doo toke an olde boke and redde therin, and certaynly
the englysshe was so rude and brood that J coude not
weie vnderstande it ... And certaynly our langage
287
now vsed uaryeth ferre from that, which was vsed and
spoken whan J was borne. For we englyssh men, ben
borne vnder the domynacyon of the mone . which is
neuer stedfaste, but euer wauerynge, wexynge one
season, and waneth and dycreaseth another season, And
that comyne englysshe that is spoken in one shyre
varyeth from another . Jn so moche that in my dayes
happened that certayne marchauntes were in a shipp in
tamyse for to haue sailed ouer the see into zeland, and
for lacke of wynde they taryed atte forland . and wente
to lande for to refreshe them And one of theym named
shefFelde a mercer cam into an hows and axed for mete .
and specyally he axyd after eggys And the goode wyf
answerde. that she coude speke no frenshe . And the
marchaunt was angry , for he also coude speke no
frenshe. but wolde haue hadde egges, and she vnderstode
hym not, And thenne at laste a nother sayd that he
wolde haue eyren, thenne the good wyf sayd that she
vnderstode hym well, Loo what sholde a man in thyse
days now wryte . egges or eyren, &c." Caxton after
some interval says " J praye mayster John Skelton
late created poet laureate in the vnyversite of oxenforde
to ouersee and correcte thys sayde booke, &c. For hym
J know for suffycyent to expowne and Englysshe euery
dyffyculte that is therin, For he hath late translated the
epistles of Tulle, and the book of dyodorus syculus..
and diuerse other werkes, oute of latyn into englysshe
not in rude and olde langage . but in polysshed and
ornate termes craftely . as he that hath redde vyrgyle,
ouyde . tullye . and all the other noble poetes and
oratours to me vnknowen. And also he hath redde the
IX. muses and vnderstande their musicalle scyences.
and to whom of them eche scyence is appropred . J
suppose he hath dronken of Elycons well."
288
LUCID A i RE.
Ames says that Mr. Warton describes " A Lytel
Tretise, Jntytuled or named THE LUCIDARYE," printed
by Caxton, 4. sine anno, as a translation from a favorite
old French poem called " Li Lusidaire." Thus he
inaccurately. I find no early printed French work with
any such title, but French manuscript copies occur in
the " Bib. de la Valliere" The original is probably
an Italian tract which in early impressions is variously
intitled " Lucidario," (Flor. 1490, 4J " Lucidario,
Dialogo tra Maestro e Scolare," (Bonon.\^2, 4>J and
" Qui comencia el Libro de Maestro et del Discipulo,' 1
(Johannis Florentini, sec. Saxium) Mediolani 1496, 4.
In an impression Florent. sine loco & anno, it is said to
be the work " Honorii Augustodunensis." The above
English translation appears from Ames's description to
be in the form of a theological dialogue ; and was
translated by Andrew Chertesey. Vide Copland's
verses cited sub anno 1486.
BLANCHARDYNE.
" THE HYSTORYE OF KYNGE BLANCHARDYNE AND
QUEEN EGLANTYNE HIS WYFE." Neither PANZER'S
nor any other work which I have consulted acknowledges
any printed French original of this scarce translation
by CAXTON ; only one imperfect copy of which is
known to be existing. Our venerable printer, in his
address to " Margarete duchesse of Somercete," (mother
of Henry VII.) says he presents to her this little book
which he " late receyued in frenshe from her good
grace and her commaundement wyth alle, ffor to reduce
and translate it in to our maternal and englysh tongue. .
whiche boke specyfyeth of the noble actes and fayttes
of warre achyeued by a noble and victorious prynce
289
named Blanchardin sone vnto the kynge of ffryse, for
the loue of a noble pryncesse callyd Eglantyne other
vvyse named in frensche lorguylJeuse damours whiche
is as moche to say in englyshe . as the proude lady of
loue quene of tormaday : And of the grete aduentures .
laborous anguysshes, and many other great dyseases of
theym bothe to fore they myghte atteyne for to come to
the fynall conclusion of their desired loue, &c." The
book is divided into liiij. chapters.
Z4 FLEUR DES COMMANDEMENS DE DIEU, avec pht-
sieurs exemples K auctorites extraites des saint es
ecritures 5( des Peres.
The only impression of this work specified by Panzer
is Par. Ph. le Noir 1525, fol. Possibly there might be
earlier editions. We have in English " THE FLOURE OF
THE COMMAUNDEMENTES OF GOD, with many examples
and auctorytees extracte and drawen as well of holy
scry ptu res as of other doctours and good aunciente
faders, the whiche is moche vtile and prouffytable vnto
all people," WYNKEN DE WORDE 1509, 3510, and
1521, fol. Herbert minutely describes the last impres-
sion, of which he says the title is over a wood print of
Moses and Aaron supporting "The x commaundements
of the lawe." Under this title, " The fyue corn-
maundementes of the churche," is another cut of the
Pope sitting on a throne, a bishop and a friar on one
side, and on the other a group of laity ; emperor, king,
&c. all on their knees, as supplicants before him."
There are other like embellishments, some of them
concurring with those in " Thordinary of Crysten
Men," 1506. Conclusion: " By these examples of
this boke a man may knowe by experyence, &c." But
these examples, says Herbert, like the narrations in
p P
290
the " LIBER FESTIVALIS," contain some of the most
incredible and ridiculous stories that can well be
imagined. The best that can be said of many of them
is that they are " cunningly devised fables" ... chiefly
taken from the " Legends," the " Lives of the Fathers,"
the " Dialogues of S. Gregory," the " Promptuary,"
the " Honey of Bees," &c. . . The only intimation
of the translator is enigmatically represented on the
back of the last leaf, by a covered waggon, having
GHERTESEY on the tilt, over which is a coat armour,
&c. See the verses of Copland cited sub anno 1486.
SINE NOTA ANNI, POST M.D.
PHEBUS de Deduiz de la chasse des bestes sauvaiges C
des oyseaux de proye. with Jigures, fol. Ant. Verard.
"GASTON Comte de Foix," born circa 1331, was
surnamed PHOEBUS, as some think because he had "Le
Soleii" for his emblem or device. He is mentioned by
Froissard. Du Verdier and his editors say the above
work contains " L'Art de Fauconnerie," and speak of
an impression by Phil, le Noir, 1520, 4. unknown to
Panzer. BRUNET notices others, viz. Par. Jehan
Treperel, fol. goth. arid Le Noir, 4. goth. both sine
anno.
Le tresor de Noblesse , fait et compose par OCTAVIEN 2>
SAINT GELAIZ. fol. Ant. Verard. (Ante p. 26 1 .)
La NEF DE SANTE, avec le Gouvernail du corps
humain et la Condemnation des Bancquets, a la
Louange de Diepte 5C sobriete par Nicole de 1$
Chesnaye. with figures. Ant. Verard.
291
<e (Test une FARCE-MORALE qui a des pkisans en-
*lroits," says the annotator on Du VERDIER. De Bure
says this impression by Verard is very rare, and much
prized, as being the original edition of this work. He
mentions a copy preserved in the royal library ; which
is printed on veilum, and decorated with beautiful
miniatures. BRUNET terms it " Moralite a, 38 person-
nages," of which the reputed author is NICOLAS DE
CHESNAY. Impressions noticed by him are 1507, 4.
Ant. Verard; 15 H, 4. Mich, le Noir ; and sine anno,
4. goth. Jehan Jehannot, with wood cuts.
Lc livre nornme LE TRESOR DE L?AME : extrait des
saintes ecritures, et la plus grande partie de latin en
francois. fol. Idem.
Mr. DUNLOP observes that ff LE TRESOR DE L'AME'*
is a work somewhat of the same description with the
** LEG END A AUREA," and that it was composed or
compiled nearly 200 years before its first appearance
from the press. It consists of a collection of histories ;
but more frequently reports the miracles wrought by
the posthumous intercession of saints, than the prodigies
performed in the course of their lives. The longest
article contained in it is the account of S. PATRICK'S
PURGATORY ; which is mentioned in the " Legenda
aurea," but is here minutely described by a Spanish
knight, who had been sent thither to expiate his
crimes. (Hist, of Fiction, vol. 3, p. 10 .)
I have noticed the " Legenda Aurea," (sub annis
1475, 1490, and 1496^ which does not consist solely
of the biography of saints, but is interspersed with
other strange relations probably extracted from the
*' GBSTA LONGOBARDORUM," or other more obscure
sources. I was inclined, with Mr. Wartou in one part
292
of his " History of English Poetry," to consider the
" LEGENDA AUREA" of J. de Voragine as the only
source from which CAXTON drew his " GOLDEN
LEGENDE." But Mr. Warton afterwards says "thisi$
not strictly true. Caxton informs us in his preface to
the first edition anni 1487, that he had in his possession
a Legend in French, another jn Latin, and a third in
English, which varied from the other two in many
places ; and that many histories were contained in the
English collection which did not occur in the French
and Latin. 'Therefore,' says he, C J have wry ton ONE
oute of the sayd three bookes, which J have ordereyd
ptherwyse than in the sayd ENGLYSSHE LEGENDE which
was so to fore made,' " I have a species of Latin
" Legenda" from the press of Johan. de Westfalia^
Lovanii 1 485,fol. unknown t Panzer. It commences
" Jncipiunt historic plurimorum sanctorum nouiter
laboriose collecte." In fine " Expliciunt hystorie
plurimor . sanctor . Kc . . Nota quod omnes historic hie
collecte merito dicuntur nove . quia licet quedam de istis
etiam reperiantur apud plures . non tamen ita -emendate
Sf prolongate sicut in hoc libro, 5Cc." The work consists
of 305 folios, or pages numbered on one side only j
and is finely printed.
Les Oewores de SENEQUE, translates de latin en
francois. foL Idem.
This translation is ascribed to LAURENS DE PRE-
MIERFAICT. (Vid.sub anno 1494.^ (( Les mots dorez
des quatre Vertus en francois," Verard 1491, fol. is
considered also by Panzer as a translation of Seneca
" De quatuor virtutibus Cardinalibus."
LE CUEUR de philosophic, translate de latin en francois.
4. Idem.
293
This work which is generally adorned with wood
cuts, is said to. have been reprinted Par. P. le Noir (or
D. Janot) 1520, 4, and J. Petit 1534-, fol. Either as a
translation or as an original work it is ascribed to
SIMON GREBAN, of Compiegne in Picardy, who with
his brother ARNOUL flourished under Charles VIII.
These brothers also in conjunction turned into rhyme
(or dramatized) " LES ACTES DES APOTRES," to which
is added " LE MYSTERE DE L* APOCALYPSE," in three
parts, forming a large volume in folio : or rather, the
first edition was printed " a Paris chez les Angeliers,"
circa 1537, 2 voll. fol. (b) the second anno 1540, 2
voll. 4. the third, to which is added " L' APOCALYPSE,"
1541, 3 voll. fol. but commonly bound together.
(6) Mr. Edwards's catalogue for 1794 has the impression
anni 1537, and also " Mystere des Actes des Apotres, mis par
personnages en rime fr. <$c." 2 vojl. fol. Par. 1534. To this
is subjoined the following note. " These MYSTERIES were
theatrical representations of subjects in the Old and New
Testament, which originated in the enthusiasm of Crusaders,
and fanaticism of Pilgrims. It was usual for the Pilgrims, on
their return, to travel in companies, and stop in the public
places of towns to recite the songs which they had composed in
their journey; in which gome parts of the life and passion of
Christ were generally introduced. A troop of these, fantasti-
cally dressed, with hats and cloaks covered with cockle shells,
excited the pity of some Citizens of Paris, to raise a fund
for the purchase of a theatre where they could have these
amusements on holy days; which soon produced a regular
theatrical society under the name of * Confreres de la Passion
de J. C.' They sometimes gave public invitations to any who
chose to act a part in them. These and other theatres were
abolished by the state in the year 1548.
294
All these editions are rare: the two first alike; the latter
most complete. This mystery was first represented
a jBourges, in 1536, and the representation continued
forty days. It was afterwards performed at other
places; and finally at Paris anno 1541, when the
proclamation of thus spectacle, written in verse, was
published with great solemnity. It may be found
" dans les Recherches sur les Theatres" de Beauchamps,
p. 127, edition in 4. PASQUIER speaks highly of the
two GREBANS, especially of ARNOUL. " Le MYSTERE
des Actes des Apostres, translate fidelement a la verite
historiale, escripte par sainct Luc a Theophile, et
illustre des legendes autenticques et vies de Sainctz
regues par leglise, par Arnoul et Simon Greban," lettrcs
got/i. 2 voll. 4. Par. 1540, (a fine copy, from the Prefond
collection) is rated (Sup. to the Cat. of Messrs. Longman
and Co. No. 9515 ) at 24.
Le traite des Betes, Oiseaux, Poissons, pierres preci-
etises, et urines, da JARDIN DE SANTE. Anthoine
Verard i fol.
This is a translation of the f f ORTUS SANITATIS."
The original appeared Moguntia 1491, fol. and sine
anno C loco, fol. I find mention of no French impres-
sion of the latin work ; in which the figures are generally
coloured. DE BURE describes a copy of the translation
printed by Verard, taken off upon vellum, and orna T
mented with more than 60Q figures, painted jn gold
and colours.
Ji,e Ro&iANT DE LA ROSE, translate de tfime en prose.
4. A. Verard. (Vid. infra "Roman de la Rose."J.
JEAN MOLINET or MOULINET, a native of Valen-
ciennes, ar poet and orator, turned ff Le Roman de la
295
Rose" into French prose, and enriched it with " plusieurs
allegories de son invention." PANZER has " Le Roman
de la Rose moralise cler et net, translate de rime en
prose par Jean Molinet" avec figures, M. le Noir, 1 52 1 ,
foJ. BRUNET describes an impression a Lyon, Balsarin,
fol. goth. and the above by Verard, a copy of which,
on vellum, with miniatures, was sold for 490 francs at
the sale " de la Valliere." Other impressions are extant.
Brunet mentions " Les faictz et dictz, de Jean Molinet,''
Par. Longis 1531, fol. goth. Jean Petit 1537, 8. goth.
and 1540, 8. lettres rondes. These are said to consist
of plusieurs beaulx Trait6s et Chants Royaux. He
was denominated " Le gentil Poete Molinet." Other
works are ascribed to him, viz. " L'Histoire du ronde
et du carre," Ant. Blanchard, sine anno " Les Vigiles
des Morts par personnaiges" " Creator omnium"
" Vir fortissimus" " Homo natus de muliere" >
" Paucitas dierum," Par. Janot, 16. sine anno.
Le JARDIN de Plaisance K fleur de fihetorique. fol.
Ant. Verard.
Of this anonymous work there were impressions also
Par. M. le Noir, 4. and Ibid, sine anno, fol. an im-
pression also unknown to Panzer, a Lyon, par Oliv.
arnollet, pour Martin bouillon, 4. sine anno. The title
(f Serisuyt le Jardin, &c." is in alternate " rouge &
noir." Tlie tivst part consists of precepts and definitions
of grammar, rhetoric, (c) poetry, &c. all in rhyme,
(c) Mr, WARTON speaking of this work, says " The
rhetoric is written in short French rhyme. The x chapter
consists of rules for composing " Moralities," " Farces,"
" Mysteries," and other " Romans". The Latin rubrics are
296
with specimens of the various kinds of poetry. After-
wards follows a very miscellaneous series of ballads, and
other poems, chiefly of the romantic and amatory
species. Rude wood cuts occur in various parts
of the book, viz. of " L' amant," " La dame," " L'
acteur," " Esperance," " Loyalte," " Bonadvis," &c.
A well preserved copy was lately in the collection of
W. Roscoe, Esq.
Le livre des loups ravissans, ou autrement doctrinal
moral (en vers K en prose) par ROBERT GOBIN. 4.
with figures. Ant.Verard. (sub anno 1506.^
PANZER mentions also by this author " Confession
generate," en rime, Par. M. le Noir, 4. sine anno.
Les HYMNES, enfrancois translatees nouvellement. 4.
Ant. Ferard.
GYRON LE COURTOIS, avec la devise des armes de tous
les Chevaliers de la Table-ronde. fol. Ant. Verard.
Said to be translated from the latin of " RUSTICIEN
DE PISE," whom however RLTSON considers as an
imaginary personage. The " Cat. de la Valliere"
notices a copy on vellum, with 57 miniatures. An
impression by VERARD of the date of 1494, fol. is men-
tioned by Mr. Dunlop, of which I find no notice in
Panzer ; who however points out another curious im-
pression by Verard, ornamented with wood cuts, sine
anno. (vol. 4, p. 40\.J This scarce romance is said
exceedingly curious. "Decimum Capitulum pro forma compi-
landi Moralitates, pro Comedio, pro misteriis compilandis."
Receipts to make poems have generally been thought dull, but
what shall we think of dull receipts for making dull poems."
29t
also t6 have been reprinted anno 1519. It is remarkable
as being one of the oldest romances of the class to which
O
it belongs, and as the source from which LUIGI ALA-
MANNI drew his Italian poem entitled " GYRONE IL
CORTES E." Mr. Dunlop observes that a great part of
the " Gyron le Covrtoys" is uncommonly interesting;
the narrative introduced with an art infinitely superiour 1
to that exhibited in other works of a like nature ; and
the language probably the finest of all the old fabulous
histories of Britain. (Rom. of Chivalry, vol. \ , p. 264, 5.J
L'Histoire du tres vaillant Chevalier TRISTAN, fils
du noble Roi Meliadus de Leonnoys. fol. Antoine
Verard.
BRUNET mentions an impression Rouen 1489, fol.
very rare. The above by Verard is equally so, and
beautifully printed. There was a third, Par. D. Janot>
fol. goth. Mr. DUNLOP informs us that this has been
considered as the most popular of all the romances
of the " Round Table," and the work which best
characterises the ancient spirit of French chivalry.
That the story of this knight/ current from very early
times, was versified by French minstrels, probably from
ancient British authorities; and that from the same
original documents was compiled the Sin TRISTRAM,
attributed to THOMAS of ERCELDOUNE, and lately edited
by Mr. SCOT. This romance he says was reprinted
at Paris annis 1522 and 1569. The adventures of
Tristram appear also to form the sequel of another
romance, that of " MELIADUS OF LEONNOYS," feigned
to be the work of Rusticien de Pise, printed Par. Galliot
du Pres anno 1528 Denys Janot \ 532, fol. goth. The
above impression by Verard brought at the Roxburg
sale 32. Os. 6(1.
Q Q
298
Le Rommant nomme OGIER LE DANOIS, parlant des
belles victoires K grands prouesses qiCil eut ; ensemble
plusieurs nobles Princes Frangois contre les Sarrasins
K Infideles (Trad, de rime du Roi Adencs, en
prose, fol. Ant. Verard.
Iterum, with figures, 4. Lotrian fy Janot.
This is one of the series of romances relating to
CHARLEMAGNE, (d) The reputed author was ADENES,
(<f> The earliest FRENCH ROMANCES OF CHIVALRY are
generally divided into two classes, viz. Those which relate to
ARTHUR and the ROUND TABLE, and Those which have
relation to CHARLEMAGNK. Of those which relate to the fabu-
lous monarch of Britain :
1. MERLIN is considered as the most ancient. Of this
romance I have noticed the earliest impression (by Verard)
sub anno 1498. De Bure acknowledges this impression in 3
voll, petit in fol. gotique, and an edition also in 4 goth. sine
anno, Gordon de Per^el seems to describe three early im-
pressions ; the last with some variation of title, Par. sine anno,
4. 3 torn, comprised in one vol. These are all of great rarity,
but the folio is most esteemed. The " Roman de Merlin" (says
Mr. Dunlop) comprehends all the events connected with the
life of this enchanter, from his supernatural birth to his magical
disappearance ; and embraces a longer period of interesting
fabulous history than most of the works of chivalry. De Per$el
says it is more ample in the manuscripts than in the printed
copies.
2. SANGREAL or ST. GRAAL, which De Bure ranks not as
the second but as the first of the Round Table, originally com-
posed according to De Pe^el, "en vers," par direst, de Troyes.
thence translated into Latin prose, and finally into French
prose, as some think by GAUTIER MAP; according to others by
ROBERT BORRON. This prose translation appeared first Par.
299
herald to the duke of Brabant. Mr. Dunlop has given
an entertaining analysis of it, and pronounces it one of
the most interesting of the class to which it belongs.
The hero of this romance has been the subject of two
well known Italian poems of a like character; " IL
DANESE UGGJERI," and " LA MORTE DEL DANESE."
He is also frequently celebrated by Ariosto and
Boiardo. Of the various editions of " Ogier le
2 torn. fol. goth. 1516, Gallyot duPre: afterwards anno 1523,
2 torn. 1 vol. Idem: both impressions extremely rare, but said
to be far less ample than the manuscripts. The work itself is
considered as one of the least amusing of this class. The history
of the " Sangreal" or holy blood which flowed from the body
of our Saviour, is however the commencement of a series of
others in which the acquisition of that relic is a leading object.
(Hist, of Fiction, vol. \.J
3. PERCEVAL forms a continuance of (he story of its quest
and attainment. It is thus intitled " Le ROMAN du vaiilant
PERCEVAL LE GALLOYS Chev. de la Table Ronde, lequel
acheva les Adventures du sainct Greaal ; avec aulcuns faicts
belliqueux du Chevalier GAUVAIN & autres," Par. Longis,
1530, fol. This is supposed to be the only impression ; it is
consequently very rare. Copies of the ancient metrical romance
by "CHRESTIEN DE TROVES, ou MENESSIER," from which this
is taken, are preserved in manuscript, and said to consist of
more than sixty thousand vei;ses. In this separate romance of
the Welch knight PERCIVAL, the incidents va.y considerably
from those detailed in the u llecueii" or collection of ROMANCES
of the ROUND TABLE. The early part is said to be particularly
comic.
4. LANCELOT DU LAC, especially connected also with the
quest of the SAN GRAAL. repeats (but variously) many of the
incidents of the preceding. I have noticed an impression by
300
Danois," the earliest is said to be this by Verard ; the
second that of Lyons 1525. There is also " L'Histoire
du preux & vaillant Chevalier MEURVIN, fils d'Ogier
Verard, intitled "Tierce Partie de Lancelot du Lac," sub
anno, 1488; and his impression of the entire work anni 1494,
3 vols. fol. which is most valued ; and other editions (sub anno
1494.) A copy of the latest impression, viz. Par. 1533, fol.
3 torn. 1 vol. was purchased at the Roxburgh sale for 21.
This is the last of the series especially relating to the matter of
the Sang real.
5. 6. MELIADUS DE LEONNOYS, and TRISTAN. The latter
has been noticed inter libros sine anno post 1500. De Bure
recites the title of the former thus " LE ROMAN DE MELIADUS
DE LEONNOYS, Chev. de la Table-ronde ou sont contenues,
#vec les fails d'armes. plusieurs prouesses deChevalerie faitespar
le bon Roi Artus, Palamedes, & autres Chevaliers estant an
terns dudit Roi Meliadus : translate du latin par Rusticien de
Pise, & remis depuis en nouveau langage," Par. Den. Janot,
fol. got. The Cat. de la Valiere has an impression " Les
nobles Faits d'armes du vaillant Roi MELIADUS DE LEONNOYS
translate Ac," Par. Gal. du Pre 1528, fol. got. Mr. Dunlop
mentions an impression with other variations of title, Par. G.
du Pre, sine anno. Copies are rare. The country of LEON-
NOYS where Meliadus reigned, said to be once contiguous to
Cornwall, is feigned to have disappeared ; and to be more than
forty fathoms under water. Of the heroes relating to the
country thus overflowed, MELIADUS is the first in order of
events, though not the earliest written.
7. ISAIE LE TRISTE. 4b L'Histoire de YSAIE LE TRISTE,
fils de TRISTAN de Leonnois, jadis Chevalier de la Table-
ronde &de la Royne ISEULTE DK COIINOUAILLE," was printed
Par. Gal. du Pre 1522, fol. got. and Ph. le Noir, 4. got.
sine anno. De Bure says the scarcity of the folio edition gives
$, value to the re-impression in 4. which it would not otherwise
301
le Danois, lequel par ses prouesses conquist Hi6rusaiem
& le Royaume de Babylone sur les infideles," Par. sans
date, 4. goth. ; reprinted anno 1539, 4. 1540, 8. goth.
possess. The chief merit of this romance consists in its exhi-
biting the variation of manners between the xii and the end
of the xiv centuries.
8. ARTHUR " contains" says Mr. Dunlop, " little more
than the events recorded in the preceding fabulous stories of
the knights of the Round Table ;" but " the incidents are
better arranged, and presented in one view." Of the edition*
of this romance sufficient mention has been made (note r) sub
anno 1494.
9. GYRON LE COURTOIS, supposed to have been contempo-
rary with Uter the father of Arthur : a romance of superiour
merit, first printed Par. Verard, sine anno, fol. got* a rare
impression; which brought at the Roxburg sale 33. 12*.
Iterum, anno 1519, in a smaller form (but also in fol.) less
esteemed. Vid. inter libros sine nota anni post 1 500.
10. PERCEFOREST is a romance which, though it exhibits
a different train of heroes from those of the Round Table, is
enumerated amongst them, because it comprehends the fabulous
history of Britain before the age of Arthur. Mr. Dunlop
says it is a work from which Mr. deSt. Palaye and others have
selected largely for illustrating the manners of the times and
the institutions of chivalry. De Bure describes it thus " La
tres elegante delicieuse, melliflue & trea plaisanle Histoire du
noble Roi PERCEFOREST Roi de la grande Bretaigne," Par.
Gal. du Pre 1528, 6 torn, (generally bound in 3) fol. got.
Of all the romances of chivalry (he says) this is most esteemed,
having been compiled with great care ; but he adds, the copies
are not very scarce. An impression however anni 1528 pro-
duced at the Roxburg sale 30. There was another, Par.
anni 1531, Gilles Gourmont, which is also "en lettres Got."
but less beautiful than the former. A fine .copy on vellum.
302
DE BURE says this last-mentioned romance is not easily
procured: but MR. DUNLOP considers the work as
totally uninteresting. (Vid< sub anno 1501.^
superbly ornamented, was in the collection of " Le Due de la
Valliere." Some say this work was " une des lectures ordi-
naires qu* on faisbit a Charles IX," by order of Catherine de
Medicis.
11. 12. ARTUS DE LA BRETAGNE, and CLERIADUS, are
generally the last of romances arranged under this class. Im-
pressions of the former have been noticed sub anno 1502. The
latter, according to De Bure thus intitled, fci Le Roman &
Cronique de CLERIADUS, fils au Comte d' Esture & de Mlia-
dice, fille au Roi d' Angleterre," was printed Par. Le Noir,
1514, 4. golh. and Lyon, Oliv. Arnoullet, 1529, 4. golh.
Gordon de Perel mentions an impression 4. sine anno. This
romance also has been enumerated with those of the Round
Table, merely because the scene of the adventures lies for -the
most part in England. To them also is sometimes added
" L' Histoire de GIGLAN fils de Messire Gauvain qui fut Roi
de Galles & de GEOFFROY DE MAYENCE souCompaignon,
tous deux Chevaliers de la Table-ronde," Lyor.. 4. got. This
romance is a translation from the Spanish. Though scarce,
it is held in no high estimation.
II. Amongst the FRENCH ROMANCES of CHIVALRY relating
to CHARLEMAGNE and his peers, some give a place :
1. To 4i LA CHRONIQUE DE TURPIN ARCHKVEQUE de
RHEIMS, &c. contenant les prouesses & fails darmes du Roy
CHARLEMAGNE & de son neveu ROLLAND. traduite du Latin
en Fran9<)is par Robert Gaguin," Par. Vidove, 1527, 4 goth.
and Lyon, 1583, 8. of which also De Perc,el says there are
many other editions. (Vid. Art. Gaguin, sub anno 1495.)
Mr. Dunlop says ;t this chronicle was not in fact written till
the end of the XI or beginning of the xn century ; that the
author is supposed to have been a canon of Barcelona, who
303
Le Romant de MILLES K AMYS. fol. Ant. Fcrard.
Of this romance, which is allied to the same class as
the preceding, vide Mr. Dunlop's entertaining analysis.
attributed his work to Turpin ; and that it turns upon the ex-
pedition of Charlemagne to Spain."
2. De Bure has " LA CONQUESTE DU GRAND ROY C HAR-
LEM AIGNE, DES ESPAGNES, avec les faits & gestes de douze
Pairs de France, & du grand Fier-a-Bras," &c. Lyon 1501,
4. goth. avec figures ; and Par. Bonfons, 4. goth. alike orna-
mented. What relation this work has to the preceding, I know
not. " Le Roman de FIER-A-BRAS le Geant" appeared also
Geneve 1478, fol. got. which De Bure terms " fort rare &
precieuse, par Tanciennete de son impression."
3. HUON DE BORDEAUX, a romance particularly noticed,
(supra, inter libros sine anno, post 1500) of which La Veuve
Trepperel gave an impression sine anno, 4. Iterum Jean
Bonfons. avec figures, 4. M. le Noir, 1516, fol. goth. Re-
printed also a Lyon 1586, 4.
4. LA TRES PLAISANTE HlSTOIRE DE PREUX & VAILLANT
GUERIN DE MONTGLAVE (trad.de rime en prose) Par. Lotrian,
4. goth. De Pergel notices an impression in fol. goth.
Par. sine anno. It appeared also in conjunction with MAUGIS
D'AYGRKMENT, Le Noir, 1518, fol. goth. Guerin was the
son of the Duke of Aquitaine, and ruled in Montglave (Lyons)
a city which he had acquired by his own prowess. (Hist, of
Fiction, vol. 1 .)
5. " GALIEN RHETHORE (or RESTAURE) noble & puissant
Chevalier, fils du Cointe Olivier de Vienne pair de France."
Of this romance de Percel enumerates impressions Par. 1 500,
1546, fol. and Lyon 1575, 1589, 4.~Troyes 1660, 4. De
Bure an impression Par. Serpent, 4. got. The hero of this
romance was surnamed Rhetore or Restaure by the fairy who
presided at his birth, because by his means the spirit of chivalry
vvas to be revived in France; which was in danger of being
lost by the death of the peers of Charlemagne. (Ibid.)
304
MILES was the son of Anceaume, count of Clermont;
and AMYS of his Seneschal. They are said to have
perished anno 774, in an expedition of Charlemagne
6. " MILLES ET AMYS." Concerning this romance
supra (inter Libb. sine anno, post 1 500.) De Perc,el notices
only the separate impression by Verard, sine anno ; but says it
occurs in a " Recueil" of romances of chivalry, Par. 15.34, 4.
as do some of the preceding in a " Recueil," Par. 1514, 4.
7. " JOURDAIN DE BLAVES," Par. M. le Noir, fol. 1520
Lyon.fol. goth. sine anno Par. also 4. sine anno. This
may be partly considered as a continuation of the preceding.
8. " DOOLIN DE MAYENCE," already noticed sub anno 1501 ;
printed Par. 1501, fol. got. Ibid sine anno, 4. got. in the
" Recueil" Par. 15S4, 4. and Rotterdam (or Lyons) 1604.
9. " QGIER LE DANOIS," " MEURVIN," &c. supra inter
libros sine anno, post 1 500.
10. HISTOIRE du noble & vaillant CHEVALIER REGNAULT
DE MONTAUBAN ou THistoire des quatre fils Ayrnon, presentes
a Charlemagne, fol. goth. sine anno <$ loco (noticed ante, page
270.) De Bure considers this as very rare, and describes it
More particularly " Cat. de la Valiere" num. 4036. There
were many re-impressions ; but the most esteemed of them is
that of " La meme Hist, des quatre fils Aymon & de leur
cousin le subtil Maugis, lequel fut Pape de Rome, ensemble la
Chronique de Mabrian Roi de Hierusaleni," Par. 1525, fol.
There is also " LE MARRIAGE des quatre FILS AYMON & des
FILLES DAMPSIMON," Rouen, 8. and a sequel to, or "Le
reste des faits & gestes des quatre fils Aymon, semblablement
ia Chronique de Mabrian, reduit de viel langage," Lyon 1581,
8. and the same perhaps under the title of " La Chronique de
Mabrian," Par. Nyverd, 1530, fol. goth. Thus Mr. Dunlop
observes that " there are different French romances, both in
prose and verse, concerning the adventures of the enchanter
MAUGIS (the Malagigi of Ariosto) and of the four sons of
305
against the Lombards. In the " Speculum Historiale"
of Vincent de Beauvois, their story is related with some
variations.
Of the above-mentioned impression by VERARD the
(( Cat. de la Valiere" notices a very curious copy, on
vellum, ornamented with 52 miniatures and other
splendid decorations. It was from the collection of
Claude d'Urfe". DE BURE observes also that this
romance (like many others of those here enumerated)
was deduced, or as he says translated into prose from
an ancient poetical romance. These compositions have
probably gained little besides dulness and verbosity
from such metamorphoses. It is to be regretted that
the early French press has in few or no instances been
the means of transmitting to us the ancient poetical
Ayinon, in which however the same circumstances are fre-
quently repeated. The concluding scenes of the life of Maugis
are exhibited in the Chronicle of Mabrian. There is also
46 La ires plaisant Histoire de MAUGIST D'AYGREMONT & de
VIVIAN son frere, en laquelle est contenue comment Maugis,
a L'aide deOriande la Face sa mye alia en L'isle de Boucalt,"
&c. Par. Lotrian, 4. goth. The romances relating to Maugis
and his brother Vivian are said by Mr. Dunlop "to derive
considerable interest from the novelty of (he character of the
hero, and the singular enchantments which he employs." This
History was reprinted Lyon 1551, 4. goth.
Lastly, De Bure (Cat. de la Valiere) seems to place in this
class " Les faits & gestes du noble & vaillarit Chev. THESEUS
DE COULOGNE . . & de son fils GADIFER. Par. Bonfons, 4.
got. and Ant. Bonnemere, 2 torn. 1 volfol. got. "avec figures,"
and even " L'Histoire des deux nobles el vaillants chevaliers
VALENTIN & ORSON," Bonfons, 4. goth. and indeed several
ethers.
R R
306
compositions of their t( Chansonniers" in their original
and genuine state.
Le Livres de BEUFUES DE HAN TONNE, et de la belle
JOSIENNE sa mye. fol. Ant. Verard.
I have found mention of an impression by M. le
Noir, Par. 1502, fol. This is perhaps nearly allied
to the old English poem or romance intitled " SIR
BEVIS OF SOUTHAMPTON," from which WARTON cites
largely in his observations on Spenser, vol. 1, p. 69.
Possibly in this instance the English might be the
parent work, and the French a translation or imitation.
MR. WARTON however (Hist, of Eng. Poetry) thinks
this romance was originally received from the French.
He says that it is of considerable antiquity ; and that
there was an impression Par. 1502. " Ascapart," he
adds, " was one of its giants, a character found in very
old French romances. BEVIS was a Saxon chieftain,
who seems to have extended his dominions along the
southern coast of England ; which he is said to have
defended against the Norman invaders. He lived at
Downton in Wiltshire. Near Southampton is an
artificial hill, called " Bevis mount," on which was
probably a fortress. It is pretended that he was earl of
Southampton. His sword is shewn in Arundel castle."
There is in English " SIR BEVIS OF SOUTHAMPTON,
THE SON OF GUY ERLE OF SOUTHAMTON," 4. R.
PINSON, sine anno : " BEVYS OF HAMPTON," JOHN
TISDALE 1562; also, THOMAS MARSHE 1558; and
again, THOMAS EAST, 4. with cuts, no date. (Fide
Ames K Herbert.}
The French had another romance apparently
of English origin, viz. " Le Roman de GUY DE
WARWICK, Chevalier d'Angleterre, & de la belle FELIX
go?
3a mye," Par. 1525, fol. goth. Brunet mentions as a
work of great rarity, " GUY DE WARWICK Chev.
d'Angleterre, qui en son temps fit plusieurs prouesses
et conquestes en Angleterre, en Allemagne, Ytalie et
Dannemarche et aussi sur les infidelles, &e." Par. Fr.
Regnault, pet. in fol. goth. said to have been sold at the
Roxburgh sale for 33. 125. Mr. Warton remarks
that the English monasteries were full of romances.
Bevis of Southampton, in French, was in the library
of the abbey of Leicester, &c. (Hist. v. 1 , p. 88. J
La Mer des Histoires traduit du latin de JEAN COLUMN A
&( continue par un nomme Brochart. Toll. II. fol,
Ant. Verard.
I have mentioned this and other works with a similar
title sub anno 1485. This designation, " LA MER DES
HISTOIRES," seems as a popular one, to have been
given to French chronicles of various descriptions.
Two impressions thus intitled appeared Parisiis, post
1500, viz. "MER DES HISTOIRES ET CHRONIQUES de
France: extrait en partis de tous les anciens Chroniquers
&c. jusqu' au temps de Francois I." 2 wll. fol. Galliot
du Pres 1514, 16: and more especially " LA MER DES
HYSTOIRES ET CRONiQUES DE FRANCE: Extraict en
partie de tous les anciens croniquers," 4 voll.fol. " Le
PREMIER vollume," Galliot du pre 1517 ; " Le SECOND
volume," M. le Noir 1517 ; " Le TIERS Volume," sine
anno K impressoris nomine ; " Le QUATRIESME liure,"
Par. 1518. PANZER says that both these chronicles, of
which the latter seems to be an improved edition of the
former, are said to have been compiled by JOHANNES
DESCOURTILS, the French king's historiographer.
Le premier Volume de FR01SSART des croniques, #V,
fol. (Sub anno 1503J
308
In addition to what has been before said of this
author, I here add MR. WARTON'S interesting remarks.
*-' CAXTON in his exhortation to Knights, &c. of his
age, ranks FROISSART'S History as a book of chivalry,
with the romances of LANCELOT and PERCEVAL. It
was an age when not only the courts of princes, but the
castles of barons vied with each other in the lustre of
their shews : when tournaments, coronations, royal
interviews, and solemn festivals were the grand objects
of mankind. FROISSART was an eye witness of many of
the ceremonies which he describes. His passion seems
to have been that of seeing magnificent spectacles, and
of hearing reports concerning them. Although a canon
of two churches, he passed his life in travelling from
court to court, and from castle to castle; thus providing
materials for his history. He was familiarly known to
two kings of England, and one of Scotland. But the
court which he most admired was that of GASTON, Earl
of Foix, at Orlaix in Bearne : for as he himself informs
us, it was not only the most brilliant in Europe, but
the grand centre for tidings and adventures ; and
crowded with Knights of England and Arragon.
Froissart from his youth was strongly attached to
carousals, the music of minstrels, and the sports of
hawking and hunting. He cultivated the poetry of the
Troubadours ; and was a writer of romances. This
might have some share in communicating that romantic
cast to his history. During his abode at the court of
the Earl of Foix, where he was entertained twelve
weeks, he presented to the earl his collection of the
poems of the duke of Luxemburg, consisting of
c sonnets,' ' ballades,' and i virelays.' Among these
was included a romance composed by himself, called
'MELIADER, or the KNIGHT of the SUN of GOLD.'
309
Gaston's chief amusement was to hear Froissart read
this romance every evening after supper. He also
presented to Gaston four greyhounds, ' Tristran,'
* Hector/ ( Brut,' and * Roland :' and we are told
that this earl actually kept no less than six hundred
dogs in his castle.'*
" FROISSART, at his introduction to Richard II, also
presented that monarch with a book beautifully
illuminated ; engrossed with his own hand, bound in
crimson velvet, and embellished with silver bosses,
clasps, and gold roses ; comprehending all the matters
of * Amours and Moralities,' which in the course of
twenty-four years he had composed." MR. WARTON
thinks this was his romance of " Meliader." This was
in the year 1396. When he left England the same
year, the king sent him a massy goblet of silver, filled
with one hundred nobles.
Mr. Warton records that there were in his time
existing in the British Museum two or three finely
illuminated manuscript copies of Froissart's chronicle ;
and that among the stores of Henry VIIL at his manor
of Bedington in Surrey, we find the fashionable reading
of those times exemplified in the following books :
<c ftem, a great book of parchmente written and
lymned with gold of graver's work <De Confessione
Amantis;' with xvm other books ' Le premier
volume de Lancelot' < FROISSART' ( Le grant voyage
de Jerusalem' (e) * Enguerain de Moristrelet/ <kc."
(e) "Le grand Voyage de Jerusalem, lequel traite des
Peregrinations de la sainte Cite: du monte sainte Catherine
de Synai, et autres Lieux," Par. Regnauit 1517, fol. with
wood cuts. Panzer says this is a translation "par Frere
Nicole de Huen," Query, from whence? There is " Latine:
310
He says BAYLE was wrong in not searching for
particulars of FROISSART'S life from his own chronicles,
rather than in Moreri, Vossius, et alibi ; which would
have saved the trouble of reconciling contradictions.
La Complainte douloureuse de I?AME DAMPNEE. 4.
M. le Noir.
JLes DITS MORAUX des PHILOSOPHES (traduit du
latin par Guillaume de Tignonville ; } et les Prouesses
du vaillant Roi ALEXANDRE. 4, Idem.
" Les DiTS, &c." is wholly or in part derived (through
a Latin translation) from the very rare Greek collection
" ARSENII (Arch. Monembasiensis) PRJECLARA DICTA
PHILOSOPHORUM," 8. Roma sine anno. The translator
of these " Dits Moraux," GUILLAUME TIGNONVILLE,
is understood to be the same person who is otherwise
Itinerarius a terra Angliae in partes Jherosolimitanas,"
1483, 4. fy sine loco $ anno: but this Panzer considers as
derived from the English work of Sir John Maundeville.
The French have also " Le Livre appelle MANDEVILLE fait
&c. par M. JEHAN MANDEVILLE Chev. d'Angleterre, &c. et
parle de la terre de promission. c'est a scavoir de Jerusalem et
de plusieurs Isles de mer, & les diverses & etranges choses
qui sont esdites Isles, &c. In fine: Gyfinist ce tres playsant
liure nomine Mandeville, &c." a Lyon 1480, pet. fol. goth.
very rare. And again Par. Bonfons, 4. sine anno. SIR JOHX
MANDEVILLE performed his voyage about the middle of the
XIV century : but the English text of his narrative was
printed for the first time, anno 1499, by WINKYN DE
WORDE, 8. There was another impression anno 1503.
Others 1670 and 1696, 4. goth. but the most complete edition?
are those of Lond. 1725 and 1727. 8.
311
sailed JEAN DE TEONUILLE, provost of Paris ann
1408. The work itself is considered as the original of
" THE DICTES AND SAYINGES OF THE PHILOSOPHERS,"
printed by CAXTON anno 1477. In the preface the
English translator, " J. Antoine Wydeuille Erie Ry-
uyeres. lord Scales," says after other matter, "During
a certain season J vnderstode the Jubylee & pardonn
to be at Seynt James in Spayne whiche was the yere of
grace a thousand . cccc . Ixxiij . J determyning me to
take that voyage shipped at Southampton in the moneth
of Juyll . . . And so sayled from thens till J come in to
the spayriyssh see there lackyng syght of alle londes,
the wynde beying good and the weder fayr Thenne for
a recreacion & a passyng of tyme J had delyte & axed
to, rede some good historye And among other ther was
that season in my companye a worshipful gentylman
callid lowys de Bretaylles whiche gretly delited hym in
alle vertuouse and honste thynges, that sayd to me he
hadde there a booke, that he trusted J shuld lyke it right
wele, and brought it to me, whiche book J had neuer
seen before, and is called the saynges or dictis of the
Philosophers And as J vnderstande it was translated
oute of latyn into frenshe by a worshipful man called
messire Jehan de Teonuille sometyme prouost of parys.
Whan J had heeded and well looked vpon it as J had
tyme and space J gaaf ther to a veray affection, &c.". .
insomuch that after his return to England he says, " J
concluded in my self to translate it in to thenglyssh
tonge." Ames has given the preface and Caxton's
conclusion or epilogue at very full length ; and ends his
description by saying that the book contains 75 leaves
not numbered, without catchwords, signatures, or
capital initials ; and is in the royal library.
312
As to the work accidentally connected with the " DITS ?
&c." I presume it is the same with " L'HISTOIRE DU Roi
ALEXANDRE LE GRAND jadis Roi & Seigneur de tout le
monde avec les grandes prouesses qu'il a faites en son
terns," Par. Bonfons, sans date, 4. (DeBure.) PANZER
specifies an impression Par. N. Bonfons, 4. with
figures. Mr. Dunlop informs us that "the Macedonian
hero was chief] y indebted for romantic embellishment
to a fabulous life which appeared in Greek about the
XI century, compiled by SIMEON SETH, an officer of
the palace of Constantinople, from eastern and par-
ticularly Persian romances, which are full of incredible
fictions concerning Alexander ; that Simeon Seth's
work was early communicated to the west of Europe by
a Latin translation ; that on this was founded the
ROMAN D'ALEXANDRE, one of the oldest pieces of
French poetry; which in its turn became the origin of
the above prose romance on the same subject." See
his analysis of it vol. 2, p. 112. Mr. Dunlop's account
appears to accord in substance with what is said by
Mr. Warton, (Hist, of Eng. Poetry) who observes,
that CHAUCER says
u ALISAUNDRES storie is so commune
That everie wight that hath discrecioune
Hath herde somewhat of or al his fortune."
It appears also that " Adam Davie," an English poet
of the XIV century, wrote a poem on the life of
Alexander, chiefly founded on Simeon Seth's work, but
deriving many passages from the French " Roman
d'Alexandre." This poem is still in manuscript ; but
Mr. Warton thinks it on many accounts deserving of
publication.
PHILIPPE GUALTHER DE CHATILLON, a native of
Lille in Flanders, (say the anriotators on Du Verdier)
313
wrote at a very early period a Latin poem, intitled
" ALEXANDREIS," in 10 books. It was inscribed to
William archbishop of Rheims, who did not survive the
year 1202. This poem was in those dark ages in high
esteem. Alexander de Villa Dei ^or his early annotator)
in his " Doctrinale," cites the poem of Gualther as a
work of classical authority. Thus on one occasion he
says " mussare est murmumre" Galrerus in Altx-
andreide, " Mussat iota cohors i. e. murmur at " I have
somewhere seen it remarked that the line
44 Incidit in Scyllam cupiens vitare Charybdin"
Which had become familiar and proverbial, though few
could point out its author, is in fact found in the
" Alexandreid" only. On this ROMANCE, (for such the
French critics term it) and perhaps on other Latin
originals, LAMBERT LE COURT dit LE CORS, of Chateau-
dun, founded one of the most ancient and esteemed
Provencal poems on the same subject ; which was
finished by ALEXANDRE DE BERNAY, surnamed " de
Paris :" for as Paquier observes, at that period when a
work commenced by one person of genius was left
unfinished, it was continued by another. ALEXANDRE
DE BERNAY is by some supposed to have invented
that species of verse termed ALEXANDRINE, and it is
thought to have been thus denominated from his name.
Others say the term originated from the circumstance
of four contemporary poets having in concert written
in that measure the life of Alexander the Great. These
four poets of the twelfth century were Lambert li Cors,
Alexandre de Paris, Pierre de S. Clost, and Jean li
Nivelois, all in the reign of Louis le Jeune. " From
this Provencal romance, says CRESCIMBENI, was derived
an Italian poem on Alexander, called c TRIONFO
MAGNO/ presented to Leo X. by Dominico Faiugi
s s
314
Anciseno anno 1521." The French have also "La
Conqueste de Grece, faite par PHILIPPE DE MADIEN,
autrement dit le Chevalier u 1'Esparvier blanc," with
figures, Par. Jacques Nyverd 1527, fol. said to be
written by Perrinet du Pin.
Ymago . Fig.ura . Seu Represcntatio . ANTICHRISTI .
Pessimi . en latin, et trad, en vers francois . with
fgures, 4. Idem.
I have mentioned some works of a kindred nature
sub annis 1492 and 1494. A tract " De Nativitate et
moribus Antichristi," appeared Colon. 4. sine anno.
" Antichrist! vhse compendium," sine loco, 1475, 4.;
Par. 1498, fol. ; &" sine loco tt anno. Thence perhaps
the "Traite de PAvenement de TAntichrist," Par.
Verard 1492, foL and "La Vie du mauvais Anti-
christ," Lugd. 1499, fol. There is also " Genealogia
Antichristi," sine IQCO, 1513, 4. The work under our
consideration, "YMAGO, &c. " though in French
rhyme, appears to claim a Latin origin. Mr. Warton
mentions an old French " ROMAN D'ANTECHRIST," a
poem by HUON DE MERI, written circa 1228. The
author of it supposes that Antichrist is on earth, that,
he visits every profession and order of life, and finds
innumerable partisans. The Vices arrange themselves
under the banner of Antichrist, and the Virtues under
that of Christ. These two armies at length come to an
engagement : and the battle ends to the honour of the.
Virtues, and the total defeat of the Vices. The tide
however of Huon de Meri's poem is more strictly
" TURNOYEMENT DE L'ANTECHRIST." The author was
a monk of S. Germain des Pres, near Paris. " The
allegory," Mr. Warton says, " is much like that which
we find in the old dramatic moralities. The theology
315
of the middle ages abounded with conjectures and
controversies at a very early period concerning Anti-
christ, who was commonly believed to be the Roman
Pontiff."
In the early English compilation intitled the " CRAFTE
TO KNOW WELL TO DYE," (sub anno 1494J the
" Corny nge of Antecryste" precedes "the fyftene
sygnes," "the grete Judgement," &c. WARTON says
that our early poet ADAM DA VIE has also " His Fifteen
Toknes before the day of Judgment." These seem to
bear some relation to the French tract.
** THE first signe thar ageins, as our lorde hymselfe sede,
Hungere schal on erthe be, treacherie and falshede
Batteles and litell love, sekenesse and haterede
And the erthe schal quaken that vche man schal ydrede
The mone shal turue to blood, the sunne to darkhede, &c."
POGGII Florentini Faceti<e. 4. Idem. (Ante p. 26. J
ISHistoire du noble Roy PONTHUS, fils du Roy de Gah'cc
et de la belle SIDOYNE, fille du Roy de Bretaigne. 4.
Idem.
Iterum, N. Chrestien. sans date, 4. goth.
BRUNET considers editions of this romance as of rare
occurrence. There is an English translation printed
by WYNKEN DE WORDE anno 1511, 4. intitled "The
noble history of the most excellent and myghty Pry nee
renowned Knight KYNGE PONTHUS of GALYCE and of
LYTELL BRYTAYNE:" with many cuts: one of the
rarest productions of our early press.
Les Arrets tf amours de MARTIAL D'AurERGNE. 4.
Idem. (Sub anno 1493.^
316
La SALAUE, laquelle fait mention de tons les pays du,
monde par ANTHOINE DE SALLE. with figures, fol.
M. le Noir.
Iterum* Ph. le Noir 1527, fol.
MR. WARTON ttlso ascribes this work to ANTOINE DE
LA SALK, a Burgundian, and says it is a book of
ceremonies, which has been frequently cited by our
learned countryman SELDEN. It is quaintly denominated
" LA SALADE" from the author's own name. The
author, he adds, came into England to see the solemnity
of the queen's coronation anno 1445.
The same person is still more distinguished as author
of the romance intitled " L'HiSTOiRE et plaisante
CHRONIQUE du PETIT JEAN DE SAINTRE, de la jeune
Dame des belles Cousines, sans autre nom nommer, avec
Fhistoire de FLORIDAN, & de la belle ELLINDE, &
1'extrait des Chroniques de Flandres," Nicol. le Noir
1517, fol. This famous romance of "SAINTRE," says
Mr. Warton, " was evidently the performance of a
herald." JEAN DE SAINTRE, the knight of the piece,
was a real person ; and according to FROISSART was
taken prisoner at the battle of Poictiers anno 1356.
But the compiler confounds chronology ; and ascribes
to his hero many pieces of true history belonging to
others ; which was a common practice in such works.
Mr. Warton adds, that "he has not seen any French
romance which has preserved the practices of CHIVALRY
mor<3 copiously than * SAINTRE.' It must have been
an absolute master-piece for the rules of tilting, martial
customs, and public ceremonies prevailing in its
author's age." DE PERCEL (i. e. Du Fresnoy) in his
<c Bibl. des Romans," mentions the same work as " La
Chronique du petit Jean de Saintre, &c." Par. 1517,
311
fol. 1523, 4. 1528 and 1553, 4. and lastly, Par.
1724, 3 voll. 12.
Le PURGATOIRE SAINT PATRICE. 4. Jean TrcppereL
I have already mentioned the " PURGATORY OF ST.
PATRICK," (ante, page 29 1 , art. " Tresor, Kc."J There
is a celebrated history of "GuERiNO MESCHINO," which
js described as an intermediate work between the
chivalrous and spiritual romances. It is supposed to
have been the production of a Florentine author in the
XiV century. PANZER notices several early impressions
of the original Italian work ; but no French translation.
Mr. Duniop however says there is a French translation
which was printed in 1490. In the multifarious
adventures of Guerino the PURGATORY of ST. PATRICK
makes a conspicuous figure. See Mr. Dunlop's
entertaining analysis of this romance. (Hist, of Fiction,
Hoi. 3, p. 30. )
La vie de Monseigneur SAINT AULZIAS DE SABRAN,
extraite par rev. M. J. Raphael. 4. Idem.
La CONTENANCE de la TABLE. 4. Idem.
In the Cat. of MR. EDWARDS for 1794, (No. 247 \)
the same title appears in a " Recueil d'anciennes
Poesies," 4. goth. viz.
Le Conge pris du siecle seculier
La belle Dame qui eut mercy (/)
Le Contenance de la Table
Le Testament de Taste Vin Roy de Pions
Les Ventes d'Amours.
(/) An early French poem of considerable length, but of an
opposite title, viz. "LA BELE DAME SAUNS MERCY," was
318
The compiler of the abovementioned catalogue
observes, that " These rare specimens of the early
minor French poetry for popular amusement, are
supposed to have been printed by ANT. VERARD, circa
1500.'*
JLe Mystere de la CONCEPTION, NATIVITE, MAR i AGE,
& ANNONCIATION de la benoiste Fierge MARIE avec
la Nativite de J. CHRIST et son enfance a 97
personnages par JEHAN MICHEL. 4. Idem.
Le Mystere de la PASSION de N. S. K R. J. CHRIST
avec les additions Kc. faites par M. JEHAN MICHEL,
par personnages. 4. Idem.
Le Mystere de la RESURRECTION par J. MICHEL. 4.
Idem.
To the first of the three preceding MYSTERIES printed
by Trepperel, BRUNET says those of the PASSION and
RESURRECTION by the same author are generally found
annexed. An impression Par. pour Jehan Petit 1507,
petit infol. goth. avec figures, is denominated " Edition
precieuse." Of the " Mystere de la CONCEPTION,
&c." as above, there are impressions Alain Lotrian, 4.
goth. and P. Sergent, 4. goth. Of " Le Mystere de la
translated " out of Frenche in to Englysshe by GEFFRAV
CHAUCER, flour of poetes in our mother tong :" printed with
other minor poems of Chaucer by RICHARD PINSON, anno
1527. (Ames and Herbert, p. 277.) Colophon: "f Thus
endeth the boke, called * La "belle dame sauns mercy.' " In
URRY'S Chaucer the French original of this " poetical
dialogue" is ascribed to M. ALEYN, secretary to the king of
France. (Possibly Alain Chartier,)
319
JPASSION," (as acted triumphantly at Angers) Par.
Dryard l486,/o/. goth.; Verard 3490; and 1499, foL
Another 1490, without name of place or printer.
Another N. Desprez, foL goth. sine anno. Several of
these have been before noticed. Later impressions,
Lotrian, 4. goth. sine anno ; Ph. le Noir 1532 or 1537,
4. goth.; and lastly, Par. Al. Lotrian 1539, 4.
Mystere de V institution des FRERES PRESCHEURS, et
commence S. Dominique, lid estant a Rome, vestu en
Inhabit de chanoyne regulier, a XXXVI personnaiges.
4. goth. Jehan Trepperel.
Very rare. Vid. BRUNET.
Mystere de monseigneur S. PIERRE et S. PAUL, con-
tenant plusieurs aultres vies, martires et consversions
de saints, Sfc. 4. goth. Veuve Trepperel et Jehan
Jehannot.
Mystere de NoTRE-DAME a la louenge de sa tres-dignc
nativile, d^une jeunne file, laquelle se voulut haban-
donner a peche pour nourrir son pere et sa mere
en leur extreme pouvrete^ et est $18 personnages,
8. goth.
<( Tres-rare," BRUNET.
Mystere du CHEVALIER qui donna safemme. au diable,
dix personnages, represente en 1505. 8.
" Fort rare," BRUNET.
MISTERE du tres glorieux sainct CHRISTOFLE par
personnages Me. (11 est a xxxun personnages.) 4.
goth. Veufve Jehan Trepperel, & Jehannot.
320
" MISTERE dont les exemp. sont de la plus granc}
rarete," Brunei, who mentions another impression
Par. 4. sine noru. impressoris.
The five articles last mentioned are given on the
authority of BKUNET. (Ante sub anno 1490.^
Lts Commandemens de DIEU et du DIABLE. 4. Jean
Trepperel.
These, according to Brunet, are " anciennes poesies."
Les Menus Propos par PIERRE GRINGORE. 4. Idem.
Maiire PIERRE PATHELIN par P. BLANCHET. 4. with
Jigures. Idem. (Sub anno 1490 )
Les SOUHAITS des Hommes. 4. Idem.
La Patience GRISELIDIS Marquise de Saluces (traduit
du latin de Petrarque.) 4. Idem.
BKUNET places this amongst the class of MYSTERIES.
He specifies at least, " Le Mystere de Griselidis
marquise de Saluces (a 35 personnages.") 4. goth. Jean
Bonfons, sine anno : a work of considerable rarity.
The term " Mystere" in process of time appears no
longer to have been confined to religious dramas, but
to have been applied to several which are of a ludicrous,
and apparently even of a profane description, as we
have seen above. Or to speak more correctly, the
most serious of these pieces have a strange mixture
of the ludicrous; and perhaps the profanest are not
without some extravagant compound of the religion,
or rather superstition of the times.
Les J aits merveilkux de FIRGJLLE. 4. Idem.
321
MR. WARTON (Hist, of Eng. Poetry ', vol. 3, p. 229 )
ays " There is an old book (or as he elsewhere terms
it, an old English black lettered history) of the
necromancer VIRGIL, printed anno \ 5 i 0." " This boke
(intitled Virgilius) treateth of the lyfe of Virgilius, and
of his deth, and many marvayles that he did in .bis lyfe
tyme, by whitchcraft and nigramansy, thorouhg the
help of the devylls of hell." The Colophon" Thus
endeth the lyfe of Virgilius, with many dyvers consaytes
that he dyd. Emprynted in the cytie of Andewarpe
by me JOHN DOESBORCHE dwelling at the Camer
Porte," with cuts, 8. Mr. Warton also says that this
enchanter VIRGIL is introduced in the Ivii chapter of
the " GESTA ROMANORUM," and that the story there
given is in the beforementioned black lettered book.
" VIRGIL'S LIFE," he adds, " is mentioned by Laneham
among other romantic pieces." (" Killingworth Castle"
p. 34, edit. 1575, 12 .) "This fictitious personage
however seems to be formed of the genuine Virgil;
because from the subject of his 8th. Eclogue he was
supposed to be an adept in the mysteries of magic and
incantation."
" VINCENT of BEAUVAIS relates many wonderful
things done (" mirabiliter actitata") by the POET
VIRGIL, whom he represents as a magician. Among
others, he says that Virgil fabricated those brazen
statues at Rome called " Salvacio Rom<e" which were
the gods of the provinces conquered by the Romans.
Every one of these statues held in its hand a bell framed
by magic : and when any province was meditating a
revolt, the statue or t idol of that country struck a bell.
This fiction is mentioned by an anonymous author of
the " Mirabilia Romae," written in the XIII century,
and printed by Montfaucon, (early impressions of
T T
322
which are also specified by Panzer.) It occurs in
Lydgate's " BOCHAS :"
'* ETERY image had in his hands a bell
As appertayneth to every nacion
Which by crafte some token should tell
. When any kingdom fill in rebellion, &c."
Mr. Warton adds that " this fiction is not in
BOCCACE," Lydgate's original. He believes GOWER'S
Virgil is from the same romance. (Hist, of Eng. P.
ut supra.)
La Fie de Madame SAINTE KATHARINE de Sienne. 4.
Idem.
CAXTON printed " THE LYF OF ST. KATHERINE OF
SENE; with the REUELACIONS of SAYNT ELYSABETH
the Kynges doughter of Hungarye," fol. without date.
" This legende (of St. Katherine) compyled a wor-
shypfule clerke fryer Reymond of the ordre of saynt
domynik whiche compyled this boke in latyn, &c."
The translator is uncertain ; and it is perhaps equally
doubtful whether he translated from the Latin original,
or some early French translation.
La grant DYABLERIE. 4. Veufoe de Jehan. Trepperel,
(Ante sub anno 1490, not. p. 118.^
BRUNET denominates the author of this work ELOY
DAMERVAL, and not DAMERLAN, as he is otherwise
termed. He mentions two impressions, viz. " Le Livre
de la DIABLERIE, en rimes et par personnages," Par. M.
le Noir 1508, fol. goth. and under the title of " LA
GRANT DIABLERIE," Alain Lotrian, 4. goth. sans date.
The cuts in this work are of a very extraordinary
description. (See also the Cat. de la Valliere.)
323
Les Louanges des Benoist SAINTS K SAINTES dc
Paradis. 4. Eadem.
Le Lime du resolu en manage: traitant et demontrant
la grande provesse et resistance qiC ont eu et ont
de present les femmes contre les hommes et prin-
cipalement contre les puissans, fors C preux. par
JEHAN LE FEVRE. 4. Eadem. (Ante, sub anno
1492.J
Le Pavement K triumphe des Dames (en vers et en
prose) par M. OLIVIER DE LA MARCHE. 8. Eadem.
(Fide sub anno 1489, $" notam. p. 23 1. )
This very allegorical work furnishes an idea of the
gallantry of that age, especially among such as piqued
themselves on ancient manners. As to the author's
mistress, for whose sake it was composed, it provides
her with a complete toilette, which might serve as a
pattern for other ladies of rank and modesty. " Les
PANTOUFFLES d'humilite, les SOULLIERS de soing &
bonne diligence, les CHAUSSES de perseverance, le
JARRETIER de ferme propos, la CHEMISE d'honnetete,
le CORSET ou la COTTE de chastete, la PIECE de bonne
pensee, le CORDON ou LACET de Loyalte &c. et enfin
le MIROER d'entendement par la mort." " A grave
toilette for a fine woman," says the annotator on Du
Verdier, " which (he ungallantly insinuates) the ladies
of the present age are willing in a great measure to
dispense with." These different heads serve as titles to
as many moralities written in verse, 26 in number.
Mention is made of an " impression goth." Par. 1510.
The author, bom circa 1422, died anno 1501. His
profession Arms, Gallantry and Letters.
324
Le depart et renoncement d"> AMOURS lequel est moult
utile et proufitable pour jeunes gens qui se veultnt
garder dejolle amour. 4. Veuve Trepperel.
La Conqueste de r Empire de Trebisondc, faite par
Regnault de Montaubon, fils de Due de Dardayne. 4.
Eadem.
Les Prouesses et Fails merveilleux du noble HUON DE
BORDEAUX, Pair de France, Due de Guyenne, 4.
Eadem.
WARTON (on Spenser) has observed that the famous
" Exploits of SYR HUGH OF BORDEAUX," was translated
from the French by JOHN BOURCHIER, LORD BERNERS,
in the reign of Henry VIII. and that the book passed
through three editions: none of which I believe are
specified by Ames and Herbert. Mr. Dunlop considers
this romance as posterior to the invention of printing ;
but as a favorite work not only with the French but
other nations. He observes that it has lately formed
the subject of the finest poem in the German language ;
and that the incidents of the " OBERON" of Wieland,
now well known through the beautiful translation of
Mr. Southey, are nearly the same with those in this old
French romance.
Les CRONIQUES DE FRANCE abregees avec la generation
d^Adam et de five: avec les noms de tous les roys de
France & combien Us out regnc et ou Us gisent. 4.
Eadem.
Le Roman de MELVSINE par Jean d' ' Arras, with
figures, fol. P. le Caron, # Jean Petit.
325
LABYRINTH de fortune et Sejour des troys nobles
Dames, compost par V act tar des Regnars t raver sans
&( Loups ravissans. 4. Alain Lotrian.
Histoire romaine de la belle CLERIENDE, laquelle sauva
la vie a son ami REGINVS le Romain, en habit de
char bonnier, avec la piteuse mort de C ICE RON, trans-
latee de latin enfrancois. 8. Lotrian $ Janot.
Les Prouesses et Vaillances de preux et vaillant
HERCULES. 4. Alain Lotritn.
Mr. DUNLOP observes that RAOUL LE FEBURE, who
composed the romance of " Jason and Medea," is also
the author of this of HERCULES, which was written
anno 1463. Though it appears here in a separate
form, it originally formed a part of his more extensive
work, " Le Recueil d'Histoires Troyennes." The story
commences with the amour of Jupiter and Alcmena, of
which this hero's birth was the fruit. His labours are
described as spontaneously undertaken to gain the love
of the princess of Boeotia: Pluto is metamorphosed
into a king, who resides in a gloomy castle ; the fates
become duennas, who watch over Proserpine ; and
Cerberus is a giant who guards the mansion. Much of
the romance turns upon this hero's conquest of Spain.
See more on the subject of this romance (ante pp. 255,
seqq. article " Le Recueil, Kc."J
Les Angoysses douloureuses qui precedent d'amours,
contenant trois parties, (par dame HELISENNE DE
CRENNE.J with figures, 4. Denys Janot.
Le Livre du Roi MODUS tt de LA REINE RACIO, qui
parle du Dcduit de la Chasse a toutes betes sauvages,
326
comme cerfs, biches, daims, ttc. avec figures. 4.
Jehan Janot.
This singular work, on the subject of hunting and
the various sports of the field, was first printed at
Chamberry, parAnthoine Neyret^ anno I486, under this
title, " Le livre du ROY MODUS et de LA ROYNE
RACIO, lequel fait mencion commant on doit deviser de
toutes manieres de chasses." This very rare book is in
fol. goth. and ornamented with wood cuts. Du Verdier
(or his annotator) considers the impression above-
mentioned by Janot to have been executed anno 1503;
says there was also another, a Paris 1526, 4. gothique ;
and again, with the diction corrected, by Vincent
Sertenas anno 1560.
The book, they add, is divided into five parts,
which treat respectively of the several " especes de
Chasse." It consists of dialogues, in which "le Roi
MODUS explique a ses disciples Tart de la venerie. La
Roine debite, en quelques endroits, des Moralites
allegoriques exprimees sou vent d'une maniere peu
ddcente." The edition of 1526 is remarkable for wood
cuts, some x)f which are said to be " assez bizarres."
61 II y en a une (says the annotator of Du Verdier) qui
represente un horn me assis & lisant, ay ant sur ses
epaules, une femme nue c'est sans doute le Roi
MODUS & la Roine RACIO dont 1'attribute n'est pas
plus decente dans la gravure, que son langage dans
1'ouvrage rneme."
Whether the celebrated " BOKE OF ST. ALBANS,"
which was first printed in the year 1486, and of which
W. DE WORDE appears to have given an impression
circa 1496, in fol, was partially compiled from the
preceding, and other French works of a similar descrip-
tion which have been previously noticed, I have no
327
means at present of ascertaining. The " Book of St.
Albans," which is otherwise intitled " A TREATISE
OF HAWKING, HUNTING, FISHING, AND OF COAT
ARMOUR," is attributed to DAME JULYANA BERNERS.
This lady who was prioress of the nunnery of Sopewell,
was, according to Mr. Warton, sister of LORD BERNERS.
The " Livre, &c. de la Faulconnerie et des Chiens de
chasse," par GUILLAUME TARDIF, might possibly be
one source from whence the two former parts of this
English treatise was taken. As the " Faulconry" of
TARDIF teaches first, " a connoitre les oiseaux de
proie, &c. " and secondly, " les maladies desdits
oiseaux, &c." so the English work appears to consist in
the first place of like general description ; and especially
teaches in the second place to " vnderstonde the
sykenesses and infyrmytees of these Birds," and also
" to knowe medecynes for theym accordynge. "
Perhaps the conformity between Dame Juliana's book
and " Le Livre du Roi MODUS," may be found to
consist chiefly in the miscellaneous maxims or " mo-
ralites" in which each work abounds. These DAME
JULIANA, like QUEEN RACIO, scatters profusely ; and
sometimes in a strain of coarseness alike incompatible
with modern notions of female delicacy. Some
however of the remarks of the lady prioress evince
strong sense and accurate observation. Witness her
celebrated poetical effusion which commences thus :
" A FAYTHFULL frende wolde J fayne fynde
To fynde hym there . he myghte be founde
But now is the worlde . wext so vnkynde
That frenship is fall . to the grounde
Now a frende J haue founde
That J woll nother . banne ne curse
But of all frendes . in felde or towne
Euer gramercy . myn own purse, &c."
328
The " BOKE OF BLASYNG OF ARMYS," the last of the
treatises contained in the " Boke of Seynt Albons,"
which by some has been attributed to a different hand,
seems to be confessedly a translation or compilation :
" Here now endyth the boke of blasyng of armys
translatyt and compylyt togedyr at Seynt Albons the
yere, &c. AI. cccc. LXXXVI."
Eegula canomcorum regularium per HUGONEM dc
SANCTO VICTORE commentario declarata. 8.
This tract was printed by Gaspard philippe, but has
in the title the device ana motto of DENIS ROCE. Near
the conclusion the following lines occur :
" Vos QUI servitis christo : servire studete
Ut memores sitis : hos versus sepe videte
Psallite devote: distincte metra tenete
Vocibus estote Concordes : rana cavete
Nunquam posterior versus : prius incipiatur
Donee anterior omnino perficiatur."
Le ROMMANT DE LA ROSE. In fine :
" CEST LA fin du rommant de la rose
Ou tout lart damours est enclose." (g)
Probably the earliest impression, but whether before
or after 1500, it appears uncertain.
Qr) EDITIONS of the " ROMANT DE LA ROSE."
Le ROMMANT DE LA ROSE. fol. goth. min. sine nota anm, loci
ff typogr* (PANZEA, torn. 4, p. 184.J In fine:
" Cest la fin du rommant de la rose
Ou tout Tart damours est enclose."
Le ROMANT DE LA ROSE. M. le .ZVbi'r, 1509, 4. (Tom. 8 T
p. 510
329
Concerning our own early poet, who invested the
" ROMMANT DE LA ROSE" with an English dress, MR.
GODWIN has observed after Leland, that " it was during
the years that CHAUCER resided at the university of
Paris, that he imbibed all the beauties, elegance,
charms, wit, and grace of the French tongue to a
degree that is scarcely credible. Nothing indeed can be
C'est le Rommant de la Roze, Ou tout lart Damour est
enclose. Histoires et Auctorites, Et maintz beaulx propos
usitez. Qui a este nouvellement corrige suffisament. Galliot
du Pre 1526, fol. avec figures. (Ibid. p. 99.^
Le ROMMANT DE LA RosE r nouvellement Reueu et corrige oultre
les precedens Impressions. P. Fidove pour G. du Pre, 8,
(Ibid. p. 126.J
Le ROMANT DE LA ROSE. G. du Pre 1 531 ,/o/. (Ibid. p.Ul.)
Le ROMMANT DE LA ROSE. (Par. Verard) fol. goth. figg.
(BRUNET.)
Jferuwi, Verard, 4. sine anno Jehan Petit ^foL sine anno
M.leNoir, 1519,4.
Very fine, and difficult to be met with.
LE MEME. Par. G. du Pre 1526,/o/. goth.
A copy of this, on vellum, decorated with a great number of
miniatures, was sold for 450 francs; (sale la Valliere.)
The edition of 1526 and all the subsequent ones of the xvi
century are formed on the corrections of CLEMENT MAROT,
which are so bold and frequent that they may be considered as
alterations of the text. Even the older impressions being
taken from manuscripts of the xv century, have been " corriges
dans 1'orthographe & dans les expressions qui avaient vielli ;"
but at least they approach nearer to the original.
U U
330
more indubitable than that Chaucer was a consummate
master of the language, and of all the literary pro-
ductions which had then appeared in France." (Life
of Chaucer, vol. 1, p. 354, 4.J The same author
observes, <c that the French have a just claim to priority
over all the European nations in the invention of
romances of chivalry, and the production of every
Le ROMMJNT DE LA ROSE nouvellement reveu et corrige (ut
supra.} P. Vidove pour G. du Pre, 8.
A beautiful edition, printed " en lettres rondes," and orna-
mented with little vignettes in wood. Perfect copies are much
esteemed.
LE MEME, accojnpagne de plusieurs autres ouvrages. d'une
preface historique, <5jfc. (par Lenglet du Fresnoy) Par. 1735,
3 vols. 12.
To this edition must be added 4t Supplement au glossaire du
roman de la rose, (par J. B. Lantin de Dameray.)" Dijon
1737, in 12. rare. These four volumes are become very
scarce.
LE HEME) nouveile edition, avec des notes, un glossaire^ fyc*
Par. Fournier, (T798J 5 voll. large B.figg.
This edition is said to contain all the faults of the preceding,
with many additional ones.
LE MEME, revu et corrige sur Ics meilleurs et plus anciens
AISS. par M. Meon. Par. P. Didot, 1813, 4 voll. S.figg.
This edition, which was anno 1814 still in the press, was
Expected to be preferable to all others. Copies had been
taken on all the various species of paper, and two on vellum.
ie RVMAN DE LA ROSE, en leltres goth. avec figures en bois.foL
Par. Eustace, (Edward? Cat. 1797.^
331
species of offspring of the imagination. The ' Roman
de la Rose' which was written during the thirteenth
century, placed their pre-eminence as to these early
ages beyond the reach of rivalship. It may justly be
regarded as the predecessor and progenitor of all that
is most admirable in the effusions of modern, in con-
tradistinction to the chivalrous poetry." (Vol. 2, p. \ >)
Yet this poem is not without its blemishes. Mr. Godwin
again observes, " that the favorite measure in which
the old romances are usually written, and in which the
* Roman de la Rose' is composed, is nearly the measure
of the poem of Hudibras : and as this measure seems to
carry with it an irresistible temptation to lead on the
poet from verse to verse, and from page to page, we
may conceive in what manner it operated upon the
unformed taste of poetical writers of the middle ages.
There are many passages in the ' Roman de la Rose'
^extending themselves through successive pages, which
are distinguished by rhyme and measure alone from the
laxest and most flagging prose. But if we would
estimate truly any work of human intellect or genius,
we must compare it not with the more finished ideas
and art which may afterwards have arisen, but with the
degree of merit exhibited in preceding compositions ;
though there are passages in the f Roman de la Rose*
which do not need -to be compared with inferior works
to enable them to command our admiration. The
6 Roman de la Rose' was principally preceded by tales
of chivalry : and though in these there are often
manifested brilliant imagination, wild and striking
inventions, grand sentiments of honour, and a noble
enthusiasm, yet the main topics of which they treat
are so remote from the simple and unsophisticated
sentiments of the human mind, and are so distended,
332
colossal, and unnatural, as to exclude the writers who
narrate them from the most genuine and unfading
beauties of poetry. Compared then with the romances
of chivalry, the ' Romance of the Rose' oilers to us the
most striking improvements. It commences with a rich
vein of allegory and personification ; and undoubtedly
nothing can be more precisely and emphatically
poetical, than a well sustained personification. It has
also by means of the discourses and episodes occasionally
inserted in it, a character of genuine humanness and
life, and presents us with a finished picture of the
manners, in many respects, of individuals in private
society, as they existed in the thirteenth century."
(Ibid. vol. 2, p. 8.J
The earliest impressions of the various works of
Chaucer by CAXTON, WYNKEN DE WORDE, and
PINSON, appear not to contain his translation of the
" ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE." If we may credit the
author of the preface to Urry's Chaucer, it is first found
printed in a large folio intitled " The Workes of
GEFFRAY CHAUCER newly printed, with dyuers workes
whiche were neuer in print before," printed by THOMAS
GOD FRAY anno 1532, see also Ames, vol. 1, p. 319.
Again by JOHN RAYNES 1542, fol. THOMAS PETIT
and ROBERT TOY, sine anno, fol. WYLLIAM BONHAM,
sine anno, fol. and perhaps regularly afterwards.
I shall here subjoin some of the most remarkable
particulars which I have met with in the " Bibliotheque
Francois" of Du Verdier, Par. 1772, 4. on the subject
of this interesting poem.
" LE ROMAN DU LA ROSE" was commenced by
GUILLAUME DE LORRJZ (hodie DE LORRIS.) He having
left it in an unfinished state, it was continued and
completed by JEAN DE MEUN or MEHUN, surname4
333
CLOPINEL. GUJLLAUME DK LORRIS lived in the time
of St. Louis. He was u poet and jurisconsult of the
little town of " Lorris en Gatinois." Du Verdier says,
that having become enamoured of a certain lady, he
composed this celebrated romance in French rhyme, in
imitation of the little work of Ovid "de Arte Amandi."
La Croix du Maine observes " en somme" that it
contains the precepts of love in order to arrive at
enjoyment. The said Maitre Guillaume de Lorris, adds
the former of these bibliographers, does not acquaint us
either with the name of his mistress, or the place of her
birth. He says indeed :
" C'EST celle qui a lant de prix
Est tant est digne d'estre amee
Qu'el doit estre ROSE clamee."
It is agreed that he possessed most of those qualities
which constitute a poet, viz. an agreeable wir, a lively
imagination, and great fruitfulness of invention. He
understood the charms of fiction ; of which contem-
porary poets knew little. His descriptions still please
by their simplicity and truth, and are very characteristic
of the times in which they were written. The curious
reader is particularly referred to his description of
SPRING, (g ) and that of TIME ; than which, it is pretended,
(g) I cite for 'the reader's amusement this celebrated de
scription of spring from the translation of Chaucer.
" THAT it was May me thoughten tho,
It is five yere or more ago ;
That it was May, thus dremed me,
In time of love and jolite,
That al thing ginneth waxen gay,
For there is nether buske nor hay,
334
none, ancient or modern, are more happy. Some
again are delighted with the perusal of the " Roman de
In May that it n'ill shrouded bene,
And it with newe leves wrene ;
These woddes eke recoveren grene,
That drie in winter ben to sene,
fc And the erthe wexeth proude withall
For sote dewes that on it fall,
And the pover estate forgette,
In whiche that winter had it sette
And then becom'th the ground so proude,
That it wol have a newe shroude,
And mak'th so queint his robe and fayre,
That it had hewes an hundred payre
Of grasse and flours, Inde and Pers,
And many hewes full divers ;
That is the robe I mean iwis,
Through whiche the grounde to praisen is.
The birdes that han left her songe,
While thei han suffred cold ful stronge
In wethers grille, and derke to sight,
Ben in May, for the sunne bright,
So glad that they shewe in singing,
That in her hert is suche liking,
That thei mote singing and ben light ;
Than dothe nightingale her might
To maken noise and singen blithe ;
Than is blissfull many a sithe
The chelaundre' and the popingay ;
Than younge folke entenden aie,
For to ben gaie and amorous,
The time is than so savorous.
Harde is his herte that loveth nought,
In Mey, when al this mirth is wrought,".
335
la Rose" on account of " la Philosophic cacheV' which
they think it contains; others for the licentious passages
" les Discours amoureux" which provoked GERSON to
take up his pen against it. Some moreover as P.ASQUJER
says, compare the authors of this romance to Dante.
Pasquier himself would challenge with them all the
poets of Italy.
On the subject of this romance, JEAN ANTOINE DE
BAYF composed the following sonnet, which he addressed
to Charles IX.
" SIRE, sous le discours cTun songe imagine
Dedans ce vieil ROMAN vous trouverez deduite
D'un AMANT desireux la penible poursuite,
Centre mille travaux en sa flamine obstine.
Paravant que venir a son bien destine,
FAUSSEMBLANT 1'abuseur tache le mettre en fuite.
A la fin BEL ACUEIL en prenant la conduite,
Le loge, apres avoir longuement chemine.
L'amant dans le verger, pour loyer des traverses
Qu'il passe constamment, souffrant peines diverses,
Cueil da rosier fleuri le bouton precieux.
SIRE, c'est le sujet du ROMAN de la ROSE,
Ou d'amour epineux la poursuite est enclose,
LA ROSE, c'est D'AMOUR le guerdon gracieux."
GUILLAUME DE LORRIS died circa 1260. Of the
before-mentioned romance he wrote only the first 4150
verses. JEAN LE ME UN or CLOPINEL continued the
work (h) forty years after the death of de Lorris, in the
reign of Philippes le Bel ; or at the latest anno 1 300.
(A) MR. WARTON thinks " that there is a considerable
difference in the merits of these two writers. WILLIAM DE
LORRIS," he says, " who wrote not one quarter of the poem,
is remarkable for his elegance and luxuriance of description ;
336
Du Verdier says " the first verses of Clopinel cont-
inence after tliese last of Guillaume de Lorris :
JAMAIS iViert riens qui me contort,
Si je perds vostie bienveillance
Que je n'ay mes aillcurs fiance,
Jean de Meun continues thus :~
Et si i'ay-je perdue espoir, &c.
Proceeding to the end where he says :
Et sus ce point je me reveille.
For there is great probability that the last 30 or 40
verses, found afterwards in some copies, are not his."
JEAN DE ME UN (say the French critics) had more
learning than G. DE Loiuus. Some think he was not
only contemporary with Dante, but the associate of his
studies. If the licentiousness of his muse gave just
offence to some, the pungency of his satire did not fail
to enrage others. He found himself assailed by enemies
of every class. The court ladies were in particular
with great reason indignant at the perusal of such
passages as the following :
" TouTfcs estes, serez, ou fustes,
De fiiict ou de volonte, putes."
They determined, says Du VERDIER, one day to
chastise him. The poet coming on some business to
court was stopped by the fair assembly in one of the
and is a beautiful painter of allegorical personnages. JEAN DE
MEUN is a writer of another cast. He possesses little of his
predecessor's inventive and poetical vein : and in that respect
was not properly qualified to finish a poem begun by W. de
Lorris. But he has strong satire ; and great liveliness. He
was one of the wits of Charles le Bel. Chaucer luckily
translated all that was written by William of Lorris: he givfcg
* part only of the continuation of Jean de Meun."
33t
apartments ; in presence of many lords, who to please
them had ,engaged not to interrupt their purpose. JEAN
DE ME UN seeing them armed with rods, and hearing
them importunately urge the gentlemen to strip him,
implored one boon : swearing he would not ask a
remission of punishment from such as he had justly
offended, but rather its execution. At the earnest
instance of the lords present, his suit is with difficulty
granted. Maitre Jean then began thus: " Mes Dames
puisqu'ii fa ut que je receive chatiment, ge doit etre de
celles que j'ai offensees. Or n'ai-je parle que des
mechanics, & 11011 pas de vous, qui etes ici toutes belles,
sages & vertueuses: partant celle d'entre vous qui se
sentira la plus oftense'e commence a me frapper, comme
la plus forte putain de toutes celles que j'ai blamees."
There was not one found who would accept the honour
of beginning the chastisement on such terms : and
Maitre Jean escaped, leaving the ladies covered with
blushes, and furnishing to the lords present a very
diverting occasion of laughter.
Passages in the " Roman de la Rose" so derogatory
from the honour of the fair sex, excited other poets to
stand forward in their vindication. MARTIN FRANC, (2)
(i) MARTIN FRANC, or LE FRANC, of Arras, or Artois,
author of " Le Champion des Dames," was secretary to the
" Due de Savoye," and at length to pope Felix, and to pope
Nicholas anno 1447. He flourished in the time of Philip of
Burgundy, and inscribed to him various works. Philelphus
speaks honourably of him in his third elegy to his son Marius ;
but notwithstanding his eulogium, French critics assert that
few of their ancient poets were more ignorant than Martin le
Franc ; though they confess he has very pleasant passages in
his " CHAMPION DES DAMES," especially on the subject of the
X X
338
a native of Normandy, and an ecclesiastic of " Lauzane
en Savoie," is said to have written a book in opposition
to this romance, which he intitled " Le CHAMPION des
DAMES." It appeared long after the decease of Jean
de Meun, and was inscribed to Philip II. duke of
Burgundy, surnamed the good. Du Verdier also
" Maid of Orleans," where one "MALEBOUCHE," always ready
to contradict " le Champion des Dames," relates strange things,
which may have suggested ideas to modern poets. This
MALEBOUCHE has a second named VILAIN PJENSER, who still
aggravates all that is said against the fair sex. Malebouche
does not forget the story of the papesse Jean, to shew that
there is nothing of which women are not capable.
" O benoist Dieu ! comme oza famme
Vestir chasable & chanter messe."
This poem is very little known, and " est plaisant par Pespece
de ridicule qui y regne." Two editions are mentioned : one
in fol. double columns, sans date fy lieu; the other 8. Par. par
Jean Vidoue pour Galiot Dupre, 1530.
DE BURE particularly notices < ; Le Roman de la Rose,"
1529, 8. (probably that of G. du Pre before-mentioned) which
edition he says is " la plus recherchee," because it is executed
" en lettres rondes." It is ornamented with small wood cuts,
which are very beautiful. Well preserved copies are extremely
rare. He notices also " Le Champion des Dames," Par. 1530,
8. which is, like the preceding, highly treasured by the curious
on account of the Roman character : being the only impression
of that description. It is also ornamented with handsome
wood cuts; and is sometimes found annexed to the last mentioned
edition of " Le Roman de la Rose." It is a very rare book.
Another work of Martin le Franc is " L'Estrif de Fortune &
de vertu," Par. M. le Noir 1505, 4. Idem. 1519, 4. Panzer
acknowledges the latter only.
339
describes a work intitled " Lc CHEVALIER aux DAMES;"
a rhyming apology for the ladies, in answer to " Le
Roman de la Rose." It was printed a Mttz 1516, 4.
with wood cuts. He says the author is anonymous.
The writer of the *' Roman de la Rose" is therein
designated by the name " VILAIN CUEUR," who by his
injurious attacks had wished to degrade " NOBLESSE
FEMININE" from the honours which she enjoyed.
(e NOBLE CUEUR le vengeur des dames" undertakes to
revenge them for all the unjust imputations charged
upon them. " NATURE" conducts and supports him
in this enterprize. He paraphrases the litanies of the
virgin to assert the prerogatives of women. At last he
fights with " VILAIN CuEUii" and " MALEBOUCHE"
his brother, whom he covers with wounds and puts to
flight.
The "Chroniqued'Aquitaine" furnishes " un t.rait de
risee que le bon Maitre JEAN DE MEUN fit aux Freres
Precheurs ou Jacobins de Paris." He ordered in his
last will that his remains should be interred in their
church : and bequeathed to them a certain chest, with
all that it contained, on condition that it should not be
.opened till after his interment. Maitre Jean died ; and
"son service mortuaire" was performed agreeably to
his directions. Thefreres hastened to take possession
.of the chest : but found it full of nothing but large
pieces of slate, (d'ardoisc) on which perhaps the
deceased had been accustomed to describe geometrical
figures. The indignant monks, finding that both alive
and dead he selected them for a subject of ridicule,
disinterred his body : but the court of parliament
informed of this inhumanity, ,obliged them to allow it y.
decent sepulture in the cloister of their convent. From
this anecdote Du Verdier concludes that he was not, a?
340
fcome say, himself " Docteur en Theologie :" although
in these times the students of the university of Paris
were hostile to these mendicants, for their arrogance,
and thrusting themselves as well into the high offices of
confessors to kings and princes, as also into the chairs
of public lecturers. Maitre Jean retaliates upon them
as far as lies in his power, both in his " Roman de la
Rose 1 ' and other compositions : representing the vices
of certain of them, under the character of " FAUX-
SEMBLANT."
Lastly, noticing the indignation of GERSON against
this work, " what would the good doctor," asks Du
VERDIER, " have said of the productions of an Aretino
or a Rabelais." " What would he have said," asks his
commentator, " of the * soi-disant philosophies' of
modern times ; who assail at one and the same time both
religion and decency."
The preceding observations of Du VERDIER and
his annotators strongly remind me of a passage of
CHEVILLIER (ch. ix, p. 221 ) applicable to this particular
subject. Speaking indeed primarily less of licentious
authors than of sordid tc Impri incurs" and " Libraires,"
he tells us that a learned jurisconsult, whom he terms
" VITAL DE THEBES," so early as the year 1500 brings
against printers this heavy charge, " that to gratify
their own avarice, many of them were ready to prostitute
that fine art by the impression of infamous books,
* pleins de saletez & des abominations.' " It is in the
epistle dedicatory which he prefixed to the " Volumen
Decretalium," printed by Gerinjj and Rembolt, that
Vitalis thus expresses himself: " Est enim videre
nonnullos qui turpis lucri gratia non erubescunt
impritnere quosdam libellos tantse spurcitiae atque
obscaenitatis, ut ne quidem in foedorum numinum sacris
341
admitterentur. Quorum impudica ingenia odio &
execratione digna sunt, quod coeleste Palladiumque
imprimendi muniis, ad oruatum castarum mentium ab
immortali Deo homiuibus concessum, ad lusus noxios
atque obscsenos, & quod aurium pace dixerim, ad
prostibula transferant." " He is here speaking," says
Chevillier, " of certain romances, &c. ' de quelques
Livres deshonnetes, & des comedies infames, qui furent
imprimez en ce terns la.' r
"It is now," adds CHEVILLIER, (k) "two hundred
years since GERSON wrote a treatise against a wicked
book current in his time, which is attributed to Jean de
Meun, autrement ( Clopinel,' who was living in 1 300."
Gerson exclaimed also from the pulpit against this
book. He says in his sermon for the 4th. Sunday in
advent, "Si esset mihi Liber Romancii de Rosa (/) qui
esset unicus, & valeret mille pecuniarum libras" (which
Chevillier translates by " mille francs") "comburerem
potius quam venderem . . . . Et si scirem ipsum (Joan.
Meldun.) non egisse poenitentiam, non potius rogarem
pro eo quam pro Juda. Et augmentant hi qui in malo
earn legunt poenam suam, si est damnatus, vel in
purgatorio." Gerson intends to say by this barbarous
Latin, "that if he were in possession of the only copy of
the work, he would destroy it, though it were valued at
_
(fc) L'Origine de ITmpr. de Paris, chapt. ix, p. 221.
(/) On this subject Du Verdier or his annotator cites a
passage from the "Opuscula" of Gerson to the like effect:
" Si mihi sit Romantius Rosas qui et unicus exfet, & viginti
sestertiis, sive (ut apertius dicam) quingentis aureis esset, mihi
combureretur potius quam vseniret in hoc, ut qualis est
publicaretur." And with equal resentment of the author alibi
in eod. opusc.
342
a thousand francs: and that if he were assured the
author had not repented of the sin which he committed,
in composing such a work, he would no more think of
praying for him, than for Judas : and that assuredly
his sufferings in purgatory (if he were yet there) were
augmented in proportion to the increasing wickedness
of those who please themselves in the perusal of his
work." This sentiment, he says, is an imitation of that
of S. Basil, who says of Marcion and other heresiarques,
that the destruction of those souls who perish through
their doctrine, causes them to be tormented with severer
pains.
" An excellent lecture this," Chevillier proceeds to
intimate, " which that great Chancellor of our Univer-
sity gave the printers of early days : and which, by-
parity of reasoning, should have its effect on such as
continue to print or sell books still more abominable
than the ' ROMAN DE LA ROSE.'" " In our times,"
says he, " there are but too many of these infamous
works, which have no other tendency than to precipitate
to the pit of destruction both their readers, and those
who are concerned in their production. For (he adds)
if the ' Pastor Fido' of BAPTISTA GUARINI, has been to
many of the fair sex the occasion of the loss of their
honour; (as Janus Nicias Erythrseus observes in his
' PinacothecaJ .96,) what must be the effect of books
far more dangerous ; to which the combined wickedness
of authors and printers have since given currency."
Of the following works, borrowed also by our
EARLIEST PRESS from the FRENCH, some of the originals
do not appear in PANZER'S list. Others by their date
or place of impression are excluded from our regular
343
series. I shall give them a place here, for the reasons
before assigned, sub fine librorum sine anno, ante
M.D.
"THE BOKE NAMED THE ROYALL." CAXTON 1484.
" The ryal book, or book for a kyng, in which ben
comprysed the x commandements, the xii artycles of
the fayth, the VII dedely synnes, the vii petycions of
the pater noster, the vn. yeftes of the holy ghoost, the
vii vertues." At the end, " This boke was compyled
& made atte requeste of kyng Phelip (le Bele) of
Fraunce. Jn the yere &c. M. cc. Ixxix. and translated
or reduced out of frensshe into englysshe by me
Wyllyam Caxton, &c." PANZER is certainly mistaken
when he names as the original of Caxton's " Royal
book," " LA SOMME RURALE" of JEAN BOVTHILLIER,
(Brugis 1479, Abbat. Fill. 1481, Par. 1488,/o/J for
" LA SOMME, &c." is a work of ecclesiastical jurispru-
dence. " The boke named the Royall" was reprinted
by W. DE WORDE anno 1507, 4. It has several curious
wood cuts.
" THE CHASTYSING OF GODDES CHYLDREN." CAX-
TON, sine anno. To this is generally annexed a
" Treatise of love, &c." said to have been " translated
out of Frenche into Englyshe the yere of our Lord
M. cccc. LXXXXIII. by a persone that is vnperfight in
suche werke." HERBERT is inclined to consider " the
treatise of love" as in reality the concluding part of
the first mentioned work.
" THE CASTELL OF LABOUR, wherein is Rychesse,
Vertue and Honour." W. DE WORDE 1506; an
allegorical poem in seven lines stanzas ; with many
wood cuts: translated from the French by ALEXANDER
BARCLAY ; probably from " LE CHATEAU DE LABEUR,
et les faintisesdu Monde," Par. Augereau. 1532, 12,
344
" KYNGE APPOLYNE OF THYRE ; " an ancient
romance translated from the French by ROBERT COP-
LAND ; who in his prologue says, "My worshypfull
mayster Wynken de Worde hauynge a Jytell boke of
an auncyent hy story of a kynge somtyme reygnynge
in the countree of Thyre called Appolyn, concernynge
his malfortunes and peryllous aduentures right espou-
uentables, bryefly compyled and pyteous for to here,
the which boke J Robert Copland e haue me apply ed
for to translate out of the Frensshe language into our
maternal Englysshe tongue at the exhortacyon of my
forsayd mayster, accordynge dyrectly to my auctor,
gladly follouinge the trace of my mayster Caxton,
begynnynge with small storyes and pamfletes and so to
other." See more of this favourite old romance, said
to have existed before the year 1 190, in MR. WARTON'S
dissertation on the " GESTA ROMANO RUM." (Herbert,
p. 149. )
Panzer has this work, Latine " Incipit hysteria
APOLLONII REGIS," 8. sine loco 5C anno ; a Dutch trans-
lation, Delphis 1493, 4. and Italice " Istoria di
APPOLLONIO DI TIRO in ottava rima," Venez. 1486, 4.
Iterum, sine anno, 1489, 4. and reformata per P. de
Taegia, Mediolani 1492, 4. The earliest mention of
any printed French translation is the following : u La
plaisante & agreable Histoire d'AppOLLONius Prince
du Tyr en Afrique et Roy d'Antioche," (trad, par
Guil. Corrozet)" Lotrian & Janot 1530, 8.
"THE KNYGHT OF THE SWANNE." A Copy of this
printed on vellum, with figures, 4. anno 1512, is noticed
by AMES. It was reprinted by WILLIAM COPLAND, 4.
sine anno. " Here begynneth the history of the noble
Helyas, knyght of the swanne, newly translated out of
Frensshe in to Englisshe at thynstygacyon of the
345
puyssaunt and illustryous prynce, lorde Edwarde duke
of Buckyngham." Beneath this title is a cut of the
knight in a ship drawn by a swan. The preface states
that the above-mentioned duke of Buckingham "co-
horted Copland's mayster Wynken de Worde to put this
sayd vertuous hystorye in prynte....and for this purpose
hath soughte and founde a true approued copye
enprynted and corrected in the French language, &c.'*
Panzer (I believe) does not indicate a single French
impression of this romance. The book concludes,,
" Thus endeth the life &c of the moste noble and
illustryous Helyas, kn}^ght of the swanne, with the
byrth of the excellent knight Godfrey of Boulyon one
of the nine worthyes and the last of the three crysten.
Jm printed, &c."
" HYSTORIE OF OLYUER OF CASTYLLE and of the
fayre HELAYNE daughter vnto the kyng of England :'*
with many wooden cuts, 4. W. DE WORDE 1518.
Panzer notices only " Histoire d' OLIVIER de Castille et
d'ARTUs d'Algarbe et de HELEYNE, fille au Roi
d'Angleterre & de HENRI fils d' Olivier qui grands faits
cTarmes firent en leur terns : translated de latin en
francois par Philippe Camus." A Geneve .148 2, char,
goth.foL
" THE ORCHARDS OF SYON, in the whiche is con-
teyned the reuelacyons of seynt Katheryne of Sene, with
ghostly fruytes &c." W. DE WORDE 1519, fol. The
title printed in red, over a wood cut of S. Katharine in
the habit of the order of S. Dominick. The volume
contains other wood cuts of singular design, described
by AMES, p. 158. At the end " 51 Lenuoye of Dane
James the translator, &c." I have noticed " The Lyf
of S. Katherin of Sene," by CAXTON, and the probable
French original, ante., page 322 : but whether these
Y Y
346
" reuelacyons, &c." are from the French, or from the
Latin or Italian, does not appear.
" NYCHODEMUS GOSPELL." W. DE WORDE 1532,
4. " Nychodemus whiche was a worthy pry nee dyd
wryte this blessyd story in Ebrewe . And Theodosius
the Emperour dyd it translate out of hebrewe into
latin . And bysshoppe Turpyn dydde translate it out
of latyn into frensche . And here after ensueth this
blessyd story." This singular tract of 23 leaves
contains several wood cuts. (Herbert, p. 184J The
" EVANGELIUM NicoDEMi" appeared early. PANZER
specifies three impressions ante 1 500, sine loco &C anno, ;
but mentions no French impression.
The Names of English Printers are expressed in Capitals^ and thew
Impressions are subjoined to their respective Names.
le-
gendi modus 180
Aemiiius Paulus 264
^Esopus 263
Aiguillon de I' Amour divine 61
Alain (Maistre) 129
Albans (S.) Boke of 328
Albertus Magnus 125
Alexandre (Roman) 312
Alexander de Villa Dei 104,
264
Alexis Guillaume 94, 142
Allyaco Petrus de 84
Amant rendu Cordelier 60
Amours depart de 324
Andrelinus Faustus 121, 162
Antichrist 131, 154, 197,314
Antoninus Arch. Flor. 85
Appollonius du Tyr 344
Aquitaine Annales de 265
Aretio Angelus de 68
Arimino Gregorius de 81
Aristoteles (Aristote) 71, 91,
99, 101
Ars vivendi et moriendi 85,153
. Gallice 162
Art of good lywing and deyng
236
Artus or Arthur, Roman, or La
Morted'Arthurl46n,301n
de Bretagne, 221,302n
Arras Jean de 324
Aulzias de Sab ran 317
Auvergne Marcial de 102,
138, 196,315
Aymon Quatre Fib de 270,
304n
Baconthorpius Joannes 87, 89
Badius Jodocus 168, 1 74, 23
Barclay Alex. 171, 173,248,
343
Barreletc 187
Bartholomaeus de Glanville
268
Bayf Jean Antoine de 335
Beda 247
Belial Livre de 80
Belle Dame sans mercy 31 7
Benedicii Regula212
Berchorius Petrus 201, 254
Bernardus S. 140
Bernay Alexander de 313
Beroaldus Philippus 157,202
BERTHELET THOMAS
Regimen Sanitatis 82
Barthol. de Proprietatibuf
269
Bessarion 53
Beufues de Hantonne 306
Bevis of Southampton 306
348
Bible Hystoriee 95
Biblia Latina 68, 181, 208,
213, 220, 246, fos. 263
Biblia Gallica 252
Bien Vivre (Le libre de) 131
Blanchardyne 288
Blason des fausses amours 1 42
Boccace 83, 89, 135, 181,
253, 254
Boece 151
Boethius 81, 160
Bonaventura 61, 123
BONHAM WILLIAM
Workes of Chaucer 332
Bonnor Honore 77, 136
Borron Robert 145, 298n
Bouchard Alain 230n
Bouchet Jean 242n, 265, 325
Bouchier J. Lord Berners
221.227,324
Bourdigne Jean de 23 In
Boussart N- 241
Bradwardinus Thomas 157
Bratidano di Sienna 1 1 8^
Brandt Sebaslien 168, 186,
239, 264
Breviarium Cameracense 166
Eboracense 194n
Leodiense 236
. Parisiense 72, 73,
132 ter.
Brito 164
Buridanus Joannes 97, 143
Bury Richardus de 210
Castel 207
Cato Dionysius 96
Caumpeden Hugo of 274
CAWOOD JOHN
Stultifera Navis 173
CAXTON WILLIAM
Book of good manners 57
Doctrinal of Sapyence 60
CAXTON continued
Speculum vite Christ! 62
Ymage or Mirroure of the
Worlde 63
Lyfe of Charles the great 64
Golden Legende 65,292
Festyvall 67
Pylgrimage of the Sowle 75
Harbor of Battailes 77
Fayt of Armes & Chivalry
77,98
Vitas Patrum 91
Catho 96
Curial of Alain Charetier
111
Books of Metamorphoses
133
Boke of diverse Ghostly
maters t34
Lyfe of K. Arthur 146
Prouerbes of Cristyne 1 66
Godefroy of Boloyne 215
Game of the Chesse 238
Cordiale 260
Recueyl of Troye 256
Jason 260
Berthol. de Proprietatibui
269
Knyght of the Toure 280
Ordre of Chyualry 281
Noble Knyght Paris 284
Boke of Eneydos 286
Lucidarye288 .
Blanchardyne 288
Dictes & Sayenges 311
Lyf of S. Katherine 322
Works of Chaucer 332
Boke named Royale 343
Cbastysing of Goddes Chil-
dren 343
Cessolis Jaques de 237
Champerius Symphorianus
2J3, 235n
Champion ues Dames 33$
349
Charlemagne Romans de 302n ||
Chartier Alain 110, 230n, 263 ;
Chastelain George 109
Chertesey Andrew 94
Che valeric Pordre de 281
Chevalier aux Dames 339
Chevaliere delibere 99, 109
Christine de Pise 97, 166
Chroniques de France (or S.
Denys) 70
Grand Chroniques
136
abregees!56, 324
et Annales de
France 196
des Rois de France
129
Martinienne 206
Chryseas et Philocrisius 197
Ciceronis M. T. Officia 58,
71, 196, 200, 247, bis.
Rhetorica 7 1 bis.
De Finibus et Tusculanas 71
Epist. ad Familiares 71
Orationes 132,248
Clemens (S.) 236
Cleriende Histoire de 325
Cleriadus 302n
Columna ^Egid. or Guido 76,
167, 258, 276
Comestor Petrus 95
Comines Philippe de 232n
Commandemens de Dieu, &c.
320
Compost et Kalendrieres 113,
177
Consobrinus Joannes 162
Consolation Dialogue de 199
Livrede210
Consolations Livret de 199
Contenance de la Table 317
COPLAND ROBERT
Arthur of Brytan 221
Appolyne of Tyre, 344
COPLAND WILLIAM
Four Sonnes of Aymon 271
Knyght of the Swanne 344
Coquillart Guillaume 142
Corbichon Jean 268
Cordiale 250
Corpus Juris Canon. 231 , 24T
Court Lambert le 313
Crescens Pierre de 90
Croy Henry le 136
Cueur de Philosophic le 292
D
Damerlan (or Damerval) 117,
118n, 272, 322
Danese Uggieri 299
La Morte del 299
Danse Macabre 92, 122, fo>,
126
des Aveugles 128
Davie Adam 275, 312, 315
Decretales 203, 217
Destructorium Vitiorum 178
Diablerie la petite 117
LivredellSn
Dicta Philosopher, or Ditt
Moraux, 310
Diomedes 197
Diurnale Parisiense 161
. Trajectense 244
Doolin (or Oolin) 217, 304n
Dormi Secure 223
Drouyn Jehan 169
Dsoma Petrus de 263
Durantius Gulielraus 65
E
EAST THOMAS
Beuys of Hampton 306
Echecs moralises 237
Eguilion de crainte divine 130
Elegantiarum Prsecepta 140
Epistolae Apostolor, &c. 247
Esclavonie George de 236
350
Esray Pierre del 80, 185
feienne Henri 277
Eurialus et Lucrece 138
Evangilies de QuenouiJIes 271
Eximenes Franciscus 238
Eyb Albertus de 71
F
Faber Stapulensis 132, 163n
Fasciculus Temporum 240
Faustus Andrelinus 162
Festivalis (Liber) 67, 290
Feubure Raoul le, (or le
Fevre) 256, 259, 325
Feu re Jehan le 323
Fichetus Gulielm. 50, 51, 53
Fier-a-bras (Roman) 303n
FJeure des Commandemens la
289
Flores Legura 162
Florius Franciscus 250
FJorus L. A. 50, 246
Foix Gaston de 290
Franc Martin 337
Fratrum Min. et Observant.
Separatio 202
Froissard Jehan 224, 237, i
307, 308
G
Gaguinus Robertus 101, 159,
202, 206, 208, 249, 267
Galien Rhetore 303n
Gariandia Johannes del 55,164
Gelais (S.) Octavien 1 59, 261,
263, 290
Gerson Johannes 102, 140,
244, 341
Gesta Longobardorum 291
Romanorum 201,202,
254
Gestes Rommaines 202, 254
Giglan Roman de 302n
Gilles Nicole 196
Gobin Robert 244, 296
Godefroy de Bouillon 214
GODFRAY THOMAS
Bocchus & Sydrack 274
Workes of Chaucer 332
Gratianus 236
Greban Simon 293, 294
Arnoul 293, 294
Gregorius Papa 144, 181,
198,217,220
Gringore P. 241, 320
Griselidis Patience de 320
Grosnet Pierre 233n
Gualther Philippe 312
Guarini Baptista 342
Guerin Franc. 160
de Montglave 303rc
Guesclin Bertrand du 248
Guido de Monte 59
Guillelmus Carthusiensis 145
Guillermus Ahissiodorensis
209
Parisiensis 102 r
Guilleville Guillauine de 245
Guisardus & Sigismonda 141,
250
Guy de Warwick 306
Gyron le Courtois 296, 301-
H
Hassia Henricus de 72
Hazardiere P. de la 252
Hegesippus 74, 275
Helisenne de Crenne 325
Hentiberry Gulielmus 81
Heraclides, <fe c . 236
Hercules Prbuesses de 325
Hermannus Guielermus 177^
Hesdin Simon de 277
Hesen Johannes de 114
Heures 115,264
de Liege 210
de Poitiers (Lat.) 244
de Rome 99, 178
351
Heures de Toul 199
Hi-spanus Petrus 100
Histoires Troyennes 255
Hoikot RobertuslOl
Horae ad usura Eboracensem
194n
in usum Romanum 93.
181, bis
ad usum Saruni 187, 19.3
Horatiusl97,201,213, 222,
239
Houppelandc Guillermus 129
Hugo Cardinalis 73, 247
Huon de Bordeaux 303, 324
Hymnorum Expositio 100,
132, 222
Januensis Joannes 202
Jardin de Plaisance 295
de Sante 294
Jason & Medee 259
Insulis Alanus de 129
Johnes Thomas, Esq. 227,
229n
Joinville Sire de 229n
Josephus 74
Gallice275
Jourdain de Blaves 304n
Jouvencelle 135, 167
Justinianus 198
Justinus 210, 246
Juvenalis 157. 196,239
Gallice 143
K
Kalendayr of the Shippars 113,
177 "
Katharine (S.)Vie de 322,345
Kempis 103, 132
Labyrinthe de Fortune 325
JLaen Jean de 271
Lancelot du Lac 99.1 45,299w
Lapidanus, or Lapierre. J.H.
53
Laurentius Bernhard. 220
Legende Doree 161, 268,
291,292
Lenda Jacobus de 199
Leoninus & Leonine Verse
105
LiviusT. 81, 90. 95
Lorris Guiiiaume de 332, 335
Lotharius 84
Louenges de LouisX[I.233n
des Roys de France
234n, 241
Lucan 220, 246
Lucain, Suetone & Salluste
115,203
Lucidaire 288
Ludofphus de Saxonia 220,
255
Luliius Raymundus 198
Lyndewode Gulielmus 219,
*237
Lyra Nicolaus de 82
M
Magnus Jacobus 56
Maillard Oliver 175, 176,
186,210,272
Malory Sir Thomas I47n
Mamerot Sebastien 207
Mancinus 87, 1 73
Mandeviile Jehan 31 On
Manipulus Curatorum 59
Marche Olivier de la 109,
231n, 323
Mantuanus Baptista 155, 200
Manuale Parisiense 180
Romanum 236
Map Gautier 298n
MARSH THOMAS
Bevys of Hampton 306
Martin (S.) GuileJmus 199
352
Marrinus Magister 123
Martyrologium Romanum 129
Martyrologue des i'aulses Ian-
gues 143
Matheolus Livre de 130
Maugis 303n
Maugist & Vivian 305w
Maximianus 264
Mela Pomponius 247
Meliadus 297, SOOn
Melusine Roman de 324
Mendicite Spirituelle 210
Menot 187
Mer de Chroniques 208n
desHistoires89,100,307
Merchandise spirituelle 276
Meri Huon de 314
Merlin 181.298n
Meschinot Jean 158
Meun Jean de 97, 218, 332,
335
Michel (S.) Statuts de 70
MIDDLETON WILLIAM
Chronicle of Froissart 227
Milles & Amys246,303,304n
Minshull Richard 285n
Missale Cameracense 1 58
Cenomanense 155
Cisterciense 97
Coloniense 244
Eboracense 194/t
Edunense 141
Meldense 132
Parisiense 80, 132
Pictaviense 194
Romanum 78, 80
Sarum 195n, 222
Trajectense 179
Xantonense 127
Missarum Valor 158
Modus & Racio le Livre de 325
Molinet Jean 294
Montaltus Ludovicus 143
Montfiquet Radulphusde 77
Monstrelet Enguerrand 182
Moralite de S. Catherine 121
. de Freres Precheurs
121,319
de Thomme juste,
&c. 120
de Phomme pecheur
120
ou vie de S. Laurent
121
deS.Marguerite!21
-'de S. Pierre & de
S.Paul 121,319
de S. Yppolite 121
Moulines Guiars de 95
Mystere des Actes 293, 294
de TAnnonciation
318
119
318
de PApocalypse 293
de bien advise, &c.
du Chevalier, &C.319
de S. Christofie 319
de la Conception 120,
de I'lncarnation 254
de la Nativite 318
de Notre Dame 319
de la Passion 94,1 16,
196, 198,318
de la Resurrection
117,318
de la Vengeance 1 1 7,
135
de Viel Testament
120
Mysteries 116, 293n
N
NefdesFolz 168,173,198
de Folles 173, 218
de Same 290
Nemorarius Jordanus 163
Nestor Dionysius 165
353
Nicodemi Evangelium 346
Nominalists and Realists 54
NOTARY JULIAN
Shepherd's Kalendar 114
Nouvelles Les Cent 243
Nyder Joannes 59, 81
O
Ockam Guilielmus 68
Odo Cameracensis 122
Officiarium Curatorum 222
Officiura B. Virginis 87,218,
263
Laodiense 208
Ogier le Danois 298, 304n
Olivier de Castille 345
Oolin de Mayence 217
Oras (Horse Hispan.) 160
Orbellis Nicolaus de 101
Ordinaire des Chretiens) 151,
157
Oreloge de Devocion 278
Oresme Nicole 91
Orloge de Sapience 134
Orose Paul 126
Ortus Sanitatis 294
Ovidius 160. 164,241, 263
Moralise 133
Epitresde 261
P
Pamphile (Pamphilus Mau-
rilianus) 149
Paris & Vienne Hist, de 284
Pathelin (or Pathelinus) 123,
320
Nouveau 125
Pauli D. Epistola;, &c. 125
Gallice 246
Pelerinagede I'Ame 75, 116,
198
Peraldus Gulielmus 144
Perceforest301n
Perceval 299
Peres (S. 8.) Vies de 91
Pergamensis Gasparin. 49
Perottus Nicolaus 71, 200,
203
Persius213, 247
PETIT THOMAS
Four Sonnes of Aymon 27 1
Works of Chaucer 332
Phalaris 52
Phebus 290
Philelphus 197,217
Philippe de Madien 314
Picus Miranduia Joann. 199
Pierre de Provence 133
Pilgrim's Progress 246
PINSON RICHARD
Myrroure of the Life of
Christ 62
Life of S. Francis 62
Hist. Sege, & Dystr. of
Troye 76
Boccace fall of Princes 83
Myrrour of good manners
88
Shepheard's Kalendar 114
Ship of Folys 171
Rule of S. Benet212
Lindewode 219
Chronicle of Froissart 227
Destruccion of Jerusalem
276
Bevys of Southampton 306
Pise Rusficien de 296
Platea Francisc. de 68
Platina241
Poggius 26,315
Poliiianus Angelus 157, 160,
201
Polonus Martinus 206
Ponthus & Sidoyne 315
Post ills 83
POWKL HUMPHREY
Egiogues of Barclay 249
Pragmatica Sanctio 86, 217
Z
354
Premier Faict Laurent, de 1 5 1 ,
261
Preux (Neuf) 248
Propertius 201
Proprietaire Le 268
Psalterium 100, 144
Gall ice 253, ter.
Purgatoire S. Patrice 317
Pyndarus 197
Q
Quadragesimal Spirituelle 277
Quenoille Spirituelle 271
R
Radulphus Richardus 165
Rampigolis Anton, de 1 79,246
RAYNES JOHN
Workes of Chaucer 332
REDBORNE ROBERT
Arthur of Brytan 221
REDMAN ROBERT
Constitutions Prouincialles
220
Reginaldetus Petrus 239
Registre des ans passes 235n
Regnault de Montauban 270,
304n, 324
Regula Canon. Regular. 328
Robert le Diable 278
Rois trois (la Vie de) 195,272
Rollewinck Wernerus 241
Romant de la Rose 294, 328,
Editions of 328n
Rosier Historial de France
231n
Ruffus 246
S
Sacrobusco Joan, de 155
Saintre (J. de) Chronique, &c.
316
Saints & Saintes. Louanges de
323
Salicetus Nicolaus 158
Salle (de la) Anthoine 316
Sallustius 51, 72, 179, 248,
250
Sancio Rodrigo 58
Sangreal 298n
Sapientiales Libri 127
Sauvage Denis 184, 224, 226
Schola Salernitana 82
Scotus Joannes 58
Scripturae (S.) Exempla 71
Seneca 67, 156, 197,217, 263
Senecque 261, 292
Seth Simeon 312
Simonet Boniface 263
Solinus 252
Songe du Vergier 127
Sophologium 56
Souhaits des hotnmes 320
Speculum Humanae Vitas 57
Statius 181, 264
Suffrages & Oraisons 1 1 5
Summa in Virt. Cardinal. 74
Summula Pauperum 143
Sydrack Roman de 90, 274
Sylvius ^Eneas 69, 248
Table Ronde Romans de 298n
Tambaco Johannes de 140
Tardif Guillaume 131, 244,
252
Tartaretus Petrus 164
Tate John 270
Terentius 84, 132, 201 , 250,
278
. en Francois 84
Theramo Jacobus de 80
Theseus de Cologne 305n
Thomas (S.) Cantuar. 1 58
Thomas of Erceldoune 297
Tignonville Jean de 310
TISDALE JOHN
Bevys of Hampton 306
355
Tour Chevalier <le la 280
TOY ROBERT
Four Sonnes of Aymon 271
Workes of Chaucer 332
Tresor de 1'Ame 291
Tristan 297, 300n
TroyeBokeof259
la grande 75
Cent Histoires de 278
Turpin Chronique <&c. de
267, 302n
Turricremata Joan. de. 156,
160
Valentine & Orson 305n
Valerius Flaccus 21 7
Maximus 67
le Grand 167,277
Valla Laurentius 53, 239
Vegece 97
Vergier Le 127
Victore (S.) Hugo de 328
RicharduslM
Vie des Saints 1 1 5
Vienna (Romance) 285
Vigne Andre de la 159
Villon Francis 197
Vincent de Beauvais 16 1,279,
321
Vincentius Bellovacensis 62
Violier des Histoires 202
Virgilius 71, 114, 157, 160,
181,209,210, 220, 239,
247
Virgilius Polydore 240
Virgille (prose Fran^.oise) 286
faits de 320
Virgill's life 321
Vita Scholastica 1 77
Voragine Jacobus de 65, 115,
161,222
Voyage de Jerusalem 309
Usuardus 121
Utino Leonardus de 64
VuertGuil.de 158
W
Waleys Thomas 133
WALLEY JOHN
Shepherd's Kalendar 114
WYNKEN DE WORDE
Myrroure of the life of J.
Criste 62
S. Bonaventure his lessons
62
Myrroure of golde, &c. 74
Passion of our Lord J. C.
94
Imitation of Christ 104
Doctrinale 104
Sheppeardes Kalendere 114
Parabola Alani 130
Medytatyons of S. Bernard
141
Guiscard & Sigismond 142
Ordinarye of Crysten Men
151
Crafte to lyve well, &c.
153,315
Ship of Fools 169
Provinciale 219
Gesta Romanor. Eng. 255
Bartholomseus de Propr.
268
Four Sonnes of Aymon 270
Gospelles of Dystaues 272
Liues of the three Kings
273
Destruccion of Jerusalem
276
Robert the Deuyll 279
Floure of the Commandc-
mentes 289
Kynge Ponthus of Galyce
315
Boke of S. Albons 326
Castell of Labour 343
356
W. DE WORDE continued
Olyuer of Castylle 345
Orcharde of Syon 34.5
Nychodemus Gospell 346
X
Ximenes Franciscus 238
Y
Ysaie le Triste 300n
Z
Zaraorensis Rodericus 57
Zutphen Gerard de 141
Corrtgenfca,
Preface, page viii. for xzitflwts read
page ix, line 1, for Abraham, read Alexander.
Page 33, line 3, for BONHEUR read BIEN.
104, 13, appeard read appeared.
106, 4, 1054 read 1154.
190, ,,.31, ,, sorthon read forth on.
324, 22, Mr. Southey read Mr. Sotteby.
333, 14, Es*readE*.
Directions for placing the Plates.
Portrait of GERING, to face the Title.
Device of BOCARD, or BROCARD to face page 32
REGNAOLT n 45
VERARD 74
G. MERCATOR, or G. MARCHAND .. 85
PiaoncHET n 93
F. BALLIGADT n \Q\
M.LENOIR n J09
P. LEVET n j^g
T.KERVER n jgj
DE MARNEF n 212
G.EUSTACE 224
R. If W. Dean, Printers, Manchester.
