THE MANEIGE ROYAL or L'Instruction du Roy: Wherein can be seen the Manner in which one Schools Docile Horses and everything that is required and ... many excellent Figures realistically execut - Hardcover

De Pluvinel, Antoine

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 093331616X ISBN 13: 9780933316164

Publisher: Xenophon Press LLC, 2015

Synopsis

Unquestionably one of the most important books ever written about the art of horsemanship, de Pluvinel's treatise is complete with the celebrated illustrations by Crispin de Pas. Translated from the 1926 edition, this is the foundation stone of any collection of equestrian literature. Pluvinel's "Le Maneige Royal" was published posthumously in 1625 in its complete form with beautiful engravings by the Flemish engraver Crispijn van de Passe II, edited by Pluvinel's friend Menou de Charnizay, under its definitive name "L'Instruction du Roy en l'exercice de monter a cheval" ("Teaching the King how to ride a horse"). Pluvinel is perhaps most well-known for his kind, humane training methods. Pluvinel used praise, careful use of aids, and softer bits (simple curb bits) to get the horse to work with him. He is also known for his extensive use of the pillars in his training of collection and levade. Additionally, he employed the two-track movements, such as shoulder-in, and voltes to supple the horse. His theories include that the horse must take pleasure in work, due to gentle, understanding riding, and that such a horse will move much more gracefully if he enjoys being ridden. 8.5"high x 11" wide Hardback, with adhered cover. Translated by Hilda Nelson.

About this title

About the Author

During a visit to Holland, de Pluvinel met a certain Crispin de Pas, an artist whom he engaged as drawing-master for his academy. He then asked de Pas to make the engravings for his manuscript, L'Instruction du Roy. However, before the book could be published, de Pluvinel died. He had been engaged in revising it at the time of his death. After de Pluvinel's death, de Pas obtained an unrevised copy of the manuscript from a servant named Peyrol. Then in 1623, de Pas, published this unrevised and unfinished manuscript, with his own engravings with the title, Le Maneige Royal. All of this was done without the consent of de Pluvinel's literary executor, René Menou de Charnizay who had official custody of the revised manuscript. Eventually, after many difficulties, René Menou de Charnizay rewrote the text of Le Maneige Royal in 1625 and later obtained the plates of the de Pas engravings-which incidentally are wonderful examples not only of a horse's position but also of the fashions of the day. Thus, in 1626, the book was produced in its present form. Le Maneige Royal is an extremely important equestrian classic, which is also of vast artistic and historical interest and merit. Xenophon Press is pleased to make this work available once more to the English speaking world.

Review

Pluvinel's book was published posthumously by the Flemish engraver Crispijn van de Passe II and the royal valet de chambreJ.D. Peyrol, first in 1623 under the name "Le Maneige Royal," with magnificent engravings, but having never been edited. In 1625 the book was published in its complete form, having been edited by Pluvinel's friend Menou de Charnizay, under its definitive name "L'Instruction du Roy en l'exercice de monter à cheval" ("Instruction of the King in the exercise of horse riding"). It has since been re-printed several times, and translated into many languages.

Edition details

• Publisher: Xenophon Press LLC
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 093331616X
• ISBN 13: 9780933316164
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 204
• Illustrator: De Pas Crespin