Collection Des Meilleurs Dissertations: Notices Et Trait?s Particuliers Relatifs ? L'histoire De France, Compos?e, En Grande Partie, De Pi?ces Rares, Ou Qui N'ont Jamais ?t? Pub. S?par?ment; Pour

Collection Des Meilleurs Dissertations: Notices Et Traités Particuliers Relatifs À L'histoire De France, Composée, En Grande Partie, De Pièces Rares, Ou Qui N'ont Jamais Été Pub. Séparément; Pour Servir À Compléter Toutes Les Collections De Mémoires Sur Cette MatièreThis volume offers a critical, documentary-style examination of legends surrounding two intertwined topics: the Montargis dog duel and the contested origins of the French monarchy, including the alleged kingdom of Yvetot. It juxtaposes sensational chronicles with rigorous source criticism and philological scrutiny, tracing how romance narratives entered chronicles and how later editors and writers manufactured genealogies for royal prestige. The author inventories conflicting accounts (Olivier de la Marche, Scaliger, Belleforest, Expilly, Ribier) and flags chronology problems (city vs island settings, dates, inscriptions). It discusses editorial interventions and the question whether iconography (a painting of the Montargis scene) is contemporary or retrofitted. The broader genealogy section surveys five proposed lineages to the French crown, evaluating evidence and stressing method over acceptance of legendary pedigrees. It also places the Montargis tale within a wider tradition of canine legends as moral exempla, contrasting romance with documentary history.