David Murray Copy (1 results)

Chambery: Andre Perrin, 1886. (illustrator). Chambery: Andre Perrin, 1886. The Infamous Droit du Seigneur Foras, Amedee de [1830-1899]. Le Droit du Seigneur au Moyen-Age: Etude Critique et Historique. Chambery: Andre Perrin, 1886. xix, 281, [1] pp. Octavo (7-1/2" x 5"). Stiff printed wrappers bound in later three-quarter morocco over marbled boards, raised bands, blind fillets and gilt title and date to spine, top-edge gilt, fore and bottom edges untrimmed. Light fading and a few tiny scuffs to spine. Moderate toning to interior, light foxing to a few leaves, owner signature (of David Murray, Glasgow) to inside of front wrapper. $150. * Only edition. This essay discusses the historical legend of le droit du seigneur. Also known as le droit de cuissage or ius primae noctis, le droit du seigneur was an alleged feudal privilege allowing a lord to have sexual relations with the bride of a vassal on her wedding night. Considered a myth by many historians, its veracity was hotly debated by French historians during this period. Foras was a scholar specializing in genealogy and heraldry. David Murray [1842-1928] was a Scottish lawyer, antiquarian and bibliophile who amassed one of Scotland's finest private libraries.