Memoirs of Maximilian de Bethune, Duke of Sully Prime Minister of Henry the Great

A very scarce collection of the memoirs of Maximilien de Bethune. With a folding map to the first volume (collated, complete). To which is annexed the trial of Francis Ravaillac. Maximilien de Bethune, first Duke of Sully (13 December 1560 22 December 1641) was the doughty soldier, French minister, staunch Huguenot (Protestant) and faithful right-hand man who assisted king Henry IV of France in the rule of France. Historians emphasize Sully's role in building a strong centralized administrative system in France using coercion and highly effective new administrative techniques. His policies were not original, and most were reversed. Historians have also studied his neo-Stoicism and his ideas about virtue, prudence, and discipline. Complete in five volumes. In a mottled calf binding. Externally, rubbed, with some wear to the extremities. One board is detached, with all other joints cracked and tender. Internally, generally firmly bound. Previous owner's bookplates to front pastedown. Ink signature to four title pages. Pages have some foxing throughout. Good Only. …