BASSOMPIERRE François deLivre Rare Book
Francois Marechal de BASSOMPIERREBiblio.com
Ambassade du Mareschal de Bassompierre en Espagne l'an 1621 ; en suisse l'an 1625 ; en Angleterre l'an 1626
166845845à Cologne Amsterdam: ElsevierChez Pierre du Marteau 1668. Fine. Elsevier Chez Pierre du Marteau à Cologne Amsterdam 1668 7.50 x 13.50 cm 4 parties reliées en 2 volumes First edition printed by the Elsevier press. 4 title pages with the sphere two of which for L'Ambassade en Suisse. Contemporary full brown speckled sheep binding. Spine with raised bands decorated. Brown morocco title and volume labels decorated with roll tools. A slight lack to the joint at the head of each volume. Good copy. Important diplomatic relations by one who was a great lord and great military man concerning the Valtellina affair with Spain and Switzerland and that of the projected marriage of the king's sister and the Prince of Wales in England. A collection of articles and letters that allow one to realistically follow the progress of diplomatic missions a historical introduction each time allows one to grasp the stakes of each embassy: these missions which greatly interested France prove Bassompierre's position with Louis XIII. Upon his return and after having taken part in the siege of La Rochelle he was imprisoned in the Bastille for 12 years for intrigues by Richelieu. It is traditionally accepted that like his Mémoires these Ambassades were also written in prison but it is difficult to see how from such a place Bassompierre could have realized such a work which required numerous researches and access to archives especially as the work appears greatly to be that of a historian; it bears the mark in its writing and structure; but it could have been initiated realized in collaboration to complete the work of the memoirs. [ Elsevier]Chez Pierre du Marteau hardcover
