One of the outstanding
characteristics of the 16th century was the media explosion caused by the
rapid growth of the printing industry. Western Europe was flooded with
classical and religious texts, how-to manuals, propaganda, lurid tabloids,
cheap popular music, and decorative prints. Jehan is not a scholar or intellectual,
but his home has a few volumes in it that are very representative of his
demographic.
La Bible, qui est toute la saincte escriture: contenant le Vieil
et le Nouveau Testament.
The most influential book of the century was the Bible. Printing made
it widely available, and translation into the vernacular languages brought
it to classes of people who had never had access to it before. It fueled
the Reformation, with all
its myriad of religious, social, and political consequences. Jehan's 1588
edition of Bible was printed in Geneva, which was to French Protestants
what Rome was to Catholics -- the center for doctrinal development, training,
and evangelization. This Bible, a revision on the Olivetan translation
of 1535, became the standard Huguenot bible for many generations. Not being
given to excessive contemplation, Jehan doesn't necessarily read it all
that often, but the important thing is that he could if he wanted to.
Les Pseaumes de David mis en rime Francois par Clement Marot et Theodore
de Beze
Among Huguenots, the singing of psalms in
paraphrased vernacular French meter was an essential community experience.
Jehan has no musical talent, but he happily joins in singing psalms whenever
he feels the need to hum a tune, perk up his spirits, express his happiness
with life, or psych himself up for combat. Like the Bible, the psalter
originated from Geneva and was produced in many editions from the 1560s
onward.
L'agriculture, et maison rustique ; plus un Bref recueil des chasses...
et de la fauconnerie / de MM. Charles Estienne, & Jean Liebault,...,
1583
The Estiennes were one of the leading printing families of France.
The Maison Rustique (translated into English as The Countrye
Farme by Charles Stevens) was a guidebook to running a country estate.
It was immensely popular, and was printed in many editions with periodic
revisions for over two more centuries. The upper middle classes were
working their way into the nobility through purchase of government office
and acquisition of seigneurial properties devalued during the wars. Demobilized
captains like Jehan were buying up country property with their profits
from the wars and settling into civilian life. All them were eager for
a little guidance on how to live the life of the gentry and manage their
property efficiently. The peasants who actually do the work on his estates
tolerate him. This edition has an addendum on hunting and falconry -- hunting
is far and away Jehan's favorite pastime, as it is for many of his social
class.
Essais,
by
Michel de Montaigne
Jehan doesn't quite know what to make of this. But it was written by
a local fellow and it only seemed polite to get a copy. He especially likes
the bits about the cannibals from Brazil.
Commentaires de messire Blaise de Montluc, maréchal de France,
où sont décrits les combats, rencontres, escarmouches...
Although Monluc passed away in 1577, Jehan has always held a personal
grudge against him for the "pacification" of Guyenne in the 1560s, having
lost his favorite brother then. However, even Henri IV called Monluc's
memoires the "soldier's bible." Monluc was everything Jehan would like
to have been -- a poor but noble Gascon who made good in the professional
military service, rising to the highest possible levels at court and acquiring
great wealth and estates in the process.
Discourses Politiques et Militaires, by François
de la Noue, 1585
Francois de la Noue was the very image of the righteous, high-minded
Huguenot warrior, and Jehan has always admired him. He was held captive
in the Low Countries by the Spanish for 5 years and during his rather hard
imprisonment he wrote his Discourses, musing on the political issues
of his day and weighing in on the raging debates on modern military strategy
and tactics.
Brevis narratio eorum quae in Florida Americae... by Jaques Le
Moyne de Morgues, published by Theordor De Bry, 1591.
Jehan's Latin is almost non-existent, but this is a lush picture book
of Le Moyne's engravings from the ill-fated French expeditions to Florida
in the 1560s. Jehan's wild brother perished on the last expedition, which
gives him a personal interest, but apart from that the New World is a topic
of endless fascination. This is one of his most prized possessions.
Scads of cheap newsheets, pamphlets, and prints of battles, maps,
and curious wonders, bought from travelling colporteurs or from
the big city.
Getting the news was always a source of excitement, pleasure, and entertainment
as people read it aloud and discussed it together in taverns and homes.
Amadis de Gaule, one of many volumes and editions throughout
the century
This is stuffed away in a cabinet and dragged out when the young nephews
come to visit. Jehan will not admit to owning such idle romances, but it
is well-thumbed..
A
BOOK OF COOKRYE Very Necessary for all such as delight therin.Gathered
by A. W., AT LONDON, Printed by Edward Allde. 1591.
This is one of the commercially printed cookbooks
Morwenna owns. She also keeps a handwritten book of receipts for food,
drinks and medicinal remedies collected from friends, family, and other
published books.
The
Metamorphoses of Ovid
Morwenna keeps two copies of this, her favorite
classical work. One is in Latin which translates for her own amusement
and the other was translated into English by Arthur Golding in 1567.
>> more to come <<
Luke has a great collection of military manuals and reports, he says in preparation for writing in his memoires of the wars in the Low Countries. Said collection still in progress, check back later...
The politicke and militarie discourses of the Lord de La Nouue VVhereunto
are adioyned certaine obseruations of the same author, of things happened
during the three late ciuill warres of France. With a true declaration
of manie particulars touching the same. All faithfully translated out of
the French by E.A.
Additional Titles: Discours politiques et militaires du Seigneur de
la Noue.
Author: La Noue, François de, 1531-1591.
Other Authors: Aggas, Edward.
Imprint: At London : Printed for T[homas] C[adman] and E[dward] A[ggas]
by Thomas Orwin,
Date: 1588
The arte of shooting in great ordnaunce Contayning very necessary matters
for all sortes of seruitoures eyther by sea or by lande. Written by William
Bourne.
Author: Bourne, William, d. 1583.
Imprint: Imprinted at London : [By Thomas Dawson] for Thomas Woodcocke,
Date: 1587
Certen instructions, obseruations and orders militarie, requisit for
all chieftaines, captaines, and higher and lower men of charge, and officers,
to vnderstand, knowe and obserue. Composed by sir Iohn Smythe: knight,
1591.
Author: Smythe, John, Sir, ca. 1534-1607.
Imprint: Imprinted at London : By Richard Iohnes: dwelling at the signe
of the Rose and Crowne, neer to Saint Andrewes church in Holborne,
Date: 1594
Theorique and practise of warre. Written to Don Philip Prince of Castil,
by Don Bernardino de Mendoza. Translated out of the Castilian tonge into
Englishe, by Sr. Edwarde Hoby Knight. Directed to Sr. George Carew Knight
Additional Titles: Theorica y practica de guerra.
Author: Mendoza, Bernardino de, 1540 or 41-1604.
Other Authors: Hoby, Edward, Sir, 1560-1617.
Imprint: [Middelburg : Printed by Richard Schilders],
Date: 1597
A myrrour for English souldiers: or, An anotomy [sic] of an accomplished
man at armes Whereunto is ioyned, an exact opinion, touching the gouernement
of a coronall generall of a towne of warre. Being written for the generall
reading of all sorts of persons. Aswel those that professe armes, as loue
artes: or, that hath any liking of vertue, or resolution of valour.
Author:
Imprint: At London : Printed [by V. Simmes] for Nicholas Ling,
Date: 1595
Instructions, obseruations, and orders mylitarie Requisite for all chieftaines,
captaines, and higher and lower men of charge, and officers to vnderstand,
knowe, and obserue. Composed by Sir Iohn Smithe Knight, 1591.
Additional Titles: Certen instructions, observations and orders militarie
Author: Smythe, John, Sir, ca. 1534-1607.
Imprint: Imprinted at London : By Richard Iohnes, at the signe of the
Rose and Crowne next aboue S. Andrewes Church in Holborne,
Date: 1595
Certain discourses, vvritten by Sir Iohn Smythe, Knight: concerning
the formes and effects of diuers sorts of weapons, and other verie important
matters militarie, greatlie mistaken by diuers of our men of warre in these
daies; and chiefly, of the mosquet, the caliuer and the long-bow; as also,
of the great sufficiencie, excellencie, and wonderful effects of archers:
with many notable examples and other particularities, by him presented
to the nobilitie of this realme, & published for the benefite of this
his natiue countrie of England
Author: Smythe, John, Sir, ca. 1534-1607.
Imprint: At London : Printed by [Thomas Orwin for] Richard Iohnes,
at the signe of the Rose and Crowne neere Holburne Bridge,
Date: 1590
The practice, proceedings, and lawes of armes described out of the doings
of most valiant and expert captaines, and confirmed both by ancient, and
moderne examples, and praecedents, by Matthevv Sutcliffe.
Author: Sutcliffe, Matthew, 1550?-1629.
Imprint: Imprinted at London : By the deputies of Christopher Barker
printer to the Queenes most excellent Maiestie,
Date: 1593
A briefe discourse of vvarre. VVritten by Sir Roger VVilliams Knight;
vvith his opinion concerning some parts of the martiall discipline. Newly
perused
Author: Williams, Roger, Sir, 1540?-1595.
Imprint: Imprinted at London : By Thomas Orwin, dwelling in Paternoster
Row, ouer against the signe of the Checker,
Date: 1590
A path-vvay to military practise Containinge offices, lawes, disciplines
and orders to be obserued in an army, with sundry stratagems very beneficiall
for young gentlemen, or any other that is desirous to haue knowledge in
martiall exercises. Whereunto is annexed a kalender of the imbattelinge
of men: newlie written by Barnabe Rich souldiour, seruaunt to the right
honorable Sir Christopher Hatton Knight. Perused and allowed.
Author: Rich, Barnabe, 1540?-1617.
Imprint: At London : Printed by Iohn Charlewood, for Robert Walley,
Date: 1587
A breefe discourse, concerning the force and effect of all manuall weapons
of fire and the disability of the long bowe or archery, in respect of others
of greater force now in vse. With sundrye probable reasons for the verrifying
therof: the which I haue doone of dutye towards my soueraigne and country,
and for the better satisfaction of all such as are doubtfull of the same.
Written by Humfrey Barwick ...
Additional Titles: Certain discourses.
Briefe discourse of warre.
Author: Barwick, Humfrey.
Imprint: At London : Printed [by E. Allde] for Richard Oliffe, and
are to be solde in Paules Churchyard at the signe of the Crane,
Date: 1592
Nevves from Sir Roger Williams VVith a discourse printed at Rheines
[sic] containing the most happie victorie, lately obtained by the Prince
de Conty, lieutenant generall ouer the kinges forces, in Aniou, touraine,
Maine, Poictu, Berry, Blaysois, Vendomois, Dunois, high and lower Limosin,
and Perche, against the rebellious leaguers, enemies to his Maiestie. VVhereunto
is annexed the order or agreement of the Court of Parliament, held in Normandy
at sundry times, and now lastly confirmed the eighteenth of August, to
the vtter abolishing of the Popes authoritie, the taking away of his reuenewes,
and the burning of his bulles.
Author: Williams, Roger, Sir, 1540?-1595.
Imprint: [London] : Printed by Iohn Woolfe, and are to be sold by Andrevv
VVhite, at the Royall Exchange, ouer against the Conduit in Corne-wall,
Date: 1591
>>> in progress <<<