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Small 4to. Collation: A-T6 (lacking two leaves at end, including colophon on T6v). Foliation: cv, [7] (of 9) ff. Woodcut title-border and initials throughout (see below). Bound in modern (Italian?) full vellum, title in calligraphic manuscript on spine in red and black, marbled endpapers, edges (at one time) stained red. Title-page with two small worm tracks in lower blank margin, diminishing through first two gatherings; verso of title with contemporary MS title and early ownership inscription (abrasions suggest the removal of something that had been pasted down at one time); upper and outer margins closely cropped, with frequent loss of headlines and shoulder notes; foxing and blemishes throughout; fol. K6 with large tear. A washed copy, and strongly (and inexplicably) pungent. Preserved in a marbled slipcase tipped with citron morocco. With stated faults, and priced accordingly. VERY EARLY FRENCH PROVENCAL LAWS AND STATUTES, A RARE AND IMPORTANT EDITION, BEAUTIFULLY PRINTED IN AN ELEGANT BATARDE TYPE, WITH THE TEXT IN HIGH RENAISSANCE FRENCH AND A WOODCUT TITLE BORDER ATTRIBUTED TO GUILLAUME LEROY. This is a significant collection of royal ordinances and edicts promulgated by Francois I for Provence, more specifically for the town of Forcalquier and adjacent lands. The original sheets were printed in 1536 in the Papal city of Avignon by Jehan de Channey with a privilege; the work was then reissued with a new title-page in 1540, either in Lyon by Thibaud Payen (ut Bechtel) or by Channey's son Bernard (ut Betz). "Perhaps the priviledge might have been usurped or contested, because the true first edition of the Ordonnances was printed in Lyon by Denys de Harsy in 1536, with a privilege of three years [.] Thus the edition of Channey could well be only a counterfeit favored by the political position of Avignon, a dependence of the Papal States" (M. Rouard in the 1860 Bulletin du bibliophile, p. 1404, "Note sur les editions de la 'Meygra Entrepriza' d'Antoine Arena"). Francois I ordered to be printed this collection of Provencal laws which sought to consolidate his authority as king of Provence (which was subject to the incursions of Emperor Charles V), and to bring regional justice closer to "common" (i.e. Parisian) forms. The collection shows that the king wished to appease Provencal legal custom by not modifying the existing Privileges or administrative frameworks; nonetheless, the entire Provencal legal system was effectively brought under his control. Every aspect of the Provence law is addressed; of particular interest: -- The ordinance of Is-sur-Tille, an edict intended to curb the abuses of Provencal magistrates by forbidding them, among other things, to use Latin during trials (i.e. Villers-Cotterets ordinance). -- The edict of Joinville 5 September 1535 which carries out a reform of justice and administration by strengthening the powers of parliament. -- Ordinance on the of the Navy -- January 17, 1517 -- one of the first of its kind. -- Ordinance of Dijon 23 November 1535. -- Ordinance on wheat. -- Ordinance of King Rene of September 4, 1438 against imperial and apostolic notaries -- Ordinance of King Rene, prohibiting imperial and apostolic notaries if they were not invested with the royal investiture. -- Ordinances of Louis XII (1501 and 1502), an edict establishing the Parliament of Aix. -- Ordinance on the Gendarmerie Bordeaux, July 15, 1530. -- Ordinance of Saint Germain -- July 24, 1534. -- Edict establishing the 7 legions of "Gendarmerie" (or footsoldiers), an ordinance on tolls and repair of highways Fontaine, September 1535. -- Edict on "reforming the justice [system]" of Marsailles (dated in manuscript "1535"). -- Table of Ordonnances of Provence (our copy lacks the final two leaves of the Table). Provence was not annexed to France until 1486, but even then was preserved as a separate administrated organization. Francois I strengthened royal authority through a series of reforms to control and optimize. Seller Inventory # 3843
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