Memoirs of the Cardinal de Retz Containing All the Great Events during the Minority of Lewis XIV

The first English abridged edition of Cardinal de Retz's memoirs, in an attractive gilt crushed morocco binding. The first abridged edition of the English translation, published the same year as the four-volume edition.Translated from the French by P. Davall and dedicated to William Congreve. Collated complete.In a beautiful decorative early eighteenth century full crushed morocco binding. Marbled endpapers, retaining the original blanks. First front blank is clipped. Jean François Paul de Gondi was one of the chief politicians of 17th-century France, plotting against Mazarin and gaining both a cardinal's hat and a prisoner's uniform within a few years in the 1650s. He regained royal favour in 1662, under Louis XIV.Written during the last ten years of his life, Retz wrote these vivid memoirs, which break off in 1655. They are addressed in the form of narrative to a lady who is not known, though guesses have been made at her identity, some even suggesting Madame de Sévigné, a relative by marriage whom Retz wrote to during these last years.ESTC No.T88960Register: A6, B-X8, Y6. In a beautiful early eighteenth century decorative full crushed morocco binding. Externally, with slight rubbing to the extremities. Joints are cracked, with front joint starting but firm. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are toned, but generally clean, with occasional spotting. Minor loss to lower margin of signature S4, not affecting text. Good.…