Chapter X: Section III: Works Published by Tory for François I

1

LE SACRE ET CORONNEMENT DE LA ROYNE, IMPRIME PAR LE COMMANDEMENT DU ROY NOSTRE SIRE. (Pot Cassé no. 6.) On le vend a Paris, en la rue Sainct Iaques, devant lescu de Basle, et devant leglise de la Magdaleine, a lenseigne du Pot Cassé.--Avec privilege.

Quarto, of three signatures. [Paris, Geofroy Tory, 1531.]

The title which I have transcribed is set in a pretty portico-shaped border, decorated with arabesques, at the foot of which is found the word 'salvs.'

On the verso: 'Il est permis a maistre Geoffroy Tory de Bourges, marchant libraire, demourant a Paris, imprimer et mettre en vente ce present livre,' etc. On the recto of the second leaf: 'Cest Lordre et forme qui a este faicte et tenue par le commandement du Roy nostre Sire au Sacre et Coronnement de la Royne ma dame Leonore Daustriche, seur aisnee de Lempereur, le cinquiesme iour de mars M. D. XXX. Lequel ... a este mis et redige par escript au vray par moy Guillaume Bochetel, son notaire et secretaire, signant en ses finances....'

The text begins immediately under this, with the beautiful decorated letter (L) which is reproduced on page 1 of this book.

The license, printed on the last leaf but one, informs us that Tory had then become a printer, whence we may conclude that it was he who printed the volume, although there is no definite statement to that effect.

'We have given to maistre Geoffroy Tory, bookseller, and printer, leave to print the Queen's Coronation, and do forbid all other printers to print the same for the term of one year,[257] on pain of summary fine on conviction thereof. Done at Paris the tenth day of March one thousand five hundred and thirty. DE LA BARRE.'

On the last page, which is set in a border of the same type as that of the title-page, we read, above the Pot Cassé: 'The printing of this present book was finished the XVI day of March M. D. XXX,[258] and it is for sale,'[259] etc.

2

LENTREE DE LA ROYNE EN SA VILLE & CITE DE PARIS, IMPRIMEE PAR LE
COMMANDEMENT DU ROY NOSTRE SIRE. (Pot Cassé, no. 6.) On la vend
a Paris, en la Rue Sainct Iaques devant Lescu De Basle, & devant
leglise de la Magdaleine, A Lenseigne du Pot Casse.--Avec Privilege.
Quarto, of six signatures. [Paris, Geofroy Tory, 1531.]

This title is set within the charming title-page border of the Colines copies of the Hours of 1524-1525. On the verso of the title-page: 'Il est permis,' etc., as in the preceding volume. On the second leaf the text begins with a beautiful decorated letter (A) after the style of the L of the volume last described. This page also is set in a portico-shaped border, with arabesques; but the latter are different from those in the 'Sacre.'

We find, too, three other and different borders in the balance of the work, which gives us in all six pages with borders in addition to that of the title-page and that of the last page, which is identical with that of the last page of 'Champ fleury'; some floriated letters also have been borrowed from this last-named work. Though none of these are signed, they are surely Tory's, so far as the designs are concerned, at least.

The text of this book, as of the preceding, is by Guillaume Bochetel, who signed it. Following his text, Tory inserted a charming cut, representing the gift presented by the city of Paris to the Queen--a magnificent candelabrum. At the top are the words: 'Deseing du present faict a la Royne en deux chandeliers.'[260] The license granted to Tory for printing this book is identical with that of the preceding, except that it is dated at Anet, April 26, 1531. We learn from the last page that the printing was finished on Tuesday, May 9, 1531.

Geofroy Tory was not simply the printer of this little volume; he was also the publisher, and he added to the text three poems in Latin, of his own composition. Here they are:--

_Geofroy Tory of Bourges to Queen Leonora._[261]

We are about to celebrate this triumph of yours, Leonora, which your Parisians have conferred upon you. You are a queen so loving-kind to us that we all can say that you are a real goddess. We can certainly say that you are a benign goddess, since you at last bless us with grateful peace. With peace you bless all who inhabit the French kingdom, so kind have been the fates in establishing you in power. As one upright, aye, holy, gentle, and a true bestower of blessings, you have brought our lilies back to their country. By your leave, I will speak in few words, and I will proclaim the truth: in you resides full national salvation for us all.

_The same to the same._

May the gods long continue your happy lot, Leonora. You are our Joy, our Peace, and our grateful Repose.

_The same Tory to the French People._

Exult and be glad, people of France; you see what happiness Leonora now brings to you. She, sent, be sure, by the manifest will of God, enables you at last to enjoy the blessings of peace. Strew roses, laurel, violets, nard, and saffron, and merrily revel to your hearts' content. But be careful too that you, best of people, be not backward in rendering pious prayers to God. If you never cease to sing God's praises and to frequent his temples, believe me, you will long enjoy the blessings of peace. You will behold the golden ages beneath the smiling heaven, and on earth you will reap in prosperity golden harvests. Add to this that you will in similar manner become a race all golden too. Continue, therefore, your holy services to the most high God.

3

IN LODOICÆ REGIS MATRIS MORTEM EPITAPHIA LATINA ET
GALLICA.--EPITAPHES A LA LOUENGE DE MA DAME MERE DU ROY FAICTZ PAR
PLUSIEURS RECOMMENDABLES AUTHEURS. (Pot Cassé no. 6.) On les
vend a Paris devant Leglise de la Magdeleine, a Lenseigne du Pot
Casse.--Avec privilege.

Quarto, of two and a half signatures. [Paris, G. Tory, 1531.]

The license, dated Paris, October 13, 1531, and signed DE LA BARRE, like the two preceding, gives Tory at last the title of king's printer: 'We have granted to maistre Geofroy Tory, marchant libraire et _imprimeur du Roy_, leave,' etc. On the last page, which, as well as the first, is set in a border,[262] are the words: 'Printed at Paris, at the sign of the Pot Cassé, by maistre Geofroy Tory de Bourges, bookseller and king's printer. The XVII day of October, M. D. XXXI.'

As the title-page indicates, this volume contains verses in Latin and in French by divers contemporary authors. Among the former is one by Geofroy Tory himself, which I will give as a specimen.

_Louise, royal mother, addresses and consoles her France: written by Geofroy Tory of Bourges._[263]

France, why do you in deepest sorrow mourn for me? Do you not know that the whole human race is destined to die? Revive, and consider how I by my foresight preserved you from the bitter and ruthless enemy. I leave to you a son, king by divine will, who under my guidance cherishes you in glorious peace. Joyfully he beholds in your arms his pledges, who will bring the whole world under your sway. You have a queen who is the foster-daughter of virtue and peace, and who blesses your lot with good fortune. You have also another queen, who is the sister and good counselor of your consecrated king. With such guides as these, dear France, you should not complain. You are fortunate in having such leaders. Moreover, when I die, I will not desert you, for you have my immortal name. Devotedly I will ever pray for you before the mighty Thunderer, asking that you may reign victoriously and nobly. Strew laurel for me, violets, nard, and saffron; strew also flowers, lilies, garlands, and roses. Add to these, moreover, hymns with most exalted praises, rites, melodies, incense, myrrh, and prayers. Hesitate not to erect altars to me. For, as a benign goddess, I now proceed to fly to Heaven. Farewell.

* * * * *

The first two of these three opuscula exhibit three different kinds of type: that of 'Champ fleury' and two others. In the third we find a fourth size. It will be seen that Tory's printing-office was increasing in importance.[264]

4

ORDONNANCES DU ROY (François I), etc.

Quarto, of four signatures (A to D). Paris, 1532.

I have seen only the last signature of this collection. It has a special title-page, embellished by the border of the Colines copies of the Hours of 1524-1525; but the signature letter (D) and the first word of the title demonstrate the existence of at least three others. It seems that Geofroy Tory treated the legislative documents of François I in the sixteenth century as the Imperial printing-office treats the 'Bulletin des Lois' to-day: that is to say, each fold has a title, although it forms a part of the same publication with that which precedes and that which follows.

I transcribe the title of the signature that I have seen,[265] made up of six leaves, that is a sheet and a half quarto[266] (_encartées_):--

AUTRES ORDONNANCES NOUVELLES DU ROY NOSTRE SIRE SUR LESTAT DES TRESORIERS ET MANYMENT DES FINANCES, PUBLIEES EN LA CHAMBRE DES COMPTES ET AU CONSEIL DE LA TOUR CARREE. (Pot Cassé.) Imprimees a Paris par maistre Geofroy Tory de Bourges, libraire et imprimeur du Roy. Devant Leglise de la Madeleine, a lenseigne du Pot Casse.--Avec privilege comme il appert cy apres en la fin.

Then follow four ordinances of the king, of the year 1532, 'sur lestat des tresoriers,' etc. They are dated, the first at Hamby, April 19, the second at Châteaubriant, June 14, the third and fourth also at Châteaubriant, May 16. On the recto of the last leaf is the duplicate of the license, in these words:--

'The judges appointed by the king in the Chambre de la Tour Carree to administer the finances, having considered the petition presented by Geofroy Tory, bookseller and king's printer, praying that he may have permission to print the ordinances of late issued by the king touching the administration of his finances and the officers engaged therein, which have been published in said chamber, and that all other booksellers and printers may be forbidden to print or to cause to be printed the said ordinances until the expiration of three years next ensuing, on pain of summary fine, the said judges have permitted and do permit the said Geofroy Tory to print the said ordinances, and forbid all other booksellers and printers to print or cause to be printed the said ordinances for one year,[267] on pain of summary fine. Done at Paris the eighteenth day of July, in the year one thousand five hundred thirty-two. Signed: Bordel.'

On the last page is the beautiful final border of 'Champ fleury,' in which is the Pot Cassé; and beneath it are the words: 'The printing of these present ordinances was finished the twentieth day of July M. D. XXXII, by maistre Geofroy Tory de Bourges, bookseller and king's printer.'

5

LHISTOIRE ECCLESIASTIQUE [of Eusebius] TRANSLATEE
DE LATIN EN FRANÇOIS PAR MESSIRE CLAUDE DE SEYSSEL, EVESQUE LORS
DE MARSEILLE, DEPUIS ARCHEVESQUE DE THURIN.--Imprimee par
le commandement du Roy (Pot Cassé).--On les vend a Paris, devant
leglise de la Magdelaine, a lenseigne du Pot Casse. Par maistre
Geofroy Tory de Bourges, marchant libraire et imprimeur du
Roy.--Avec privilege pour six ans.

Paris, G. Tory, 1532. Folio; 6 preliminary leaves, 151 leaves of text, numbered, and a final unnumbered leaf, on the verso of which are the words: 'The printing of this present book was finished the XXI day of October, M. D. XXXII, by maistre Geofroy Tory,' etc. Then follows the Pot Cassé, surmounted by the arms of France, borrowed from the verso of the title-page of 'Champ fleury.'

6

LES TROYS PREMIERS LIVRES DE LHISTOIRE DE DIODORE SICILIEN,
HISTORIOGRAPHE GREC. TRANSLATEZ DE LATIN EN FRANCOYS PAR MAISTRE
ANTHOINE MACAULT NOTAIRE SECRETAIRE ET VALLET DE CHAMBRE ORDINAIRE
DU ROY, FRANCOYS PREMIER.--Imprimez de l'ordonnance et
commandement dudit seigneur.--Avecques privilege a six ans.--On les
vent a Paris en la rue de la Iuifverie, devant la Magdalaine, a
l'enseigne[268] du pot cassé.

At the end: 'Imprimé a Paris, en avril M. D. XXXV.'[269]--Quarto.

The title-page of this book is embellished by a portico-shaped border, which is found in the first three opuscula described in this section. On the verso of the title, in the vellum copy at the Bibliothèque Nationale, is the final border of 'Champ fleury,' in which are depicted the arms of England, with the device, DIEV EST [_sic_] MON DROICT.

The author's exordium begins with a large letter S, decorated with an escutcheon bearing two fasces accompanied by nine besants, three by three, with this device in Greek: MHKETI ('not at all'); these are Macault's arms, doubtless. This letter appears again on folio 148. Facing the first page of text is a magnificent engraving representing François I surrounded by his court, listening to Macault as he reads his book to the king. The author is represented in a clerical costume, with a calotte on his head. Beside him are the three sons of François I: François, who died a few years later, Henri, who became Henri II, and Charles, Duc d'Orléans. This engraving is a faithful copy of the painting on Macault's original manuscript, which was still in France in 1811, but has since crossed over to England. It is described in Part 3, section 1 (pages 166-168).

The printed book forms a quarto volume of 8 unnumbered preliminary leaves, 152 numbered leaves (signatures A to Q), and 8 leaves of index: 168 leaves in all. On the last page is the final border of 'Champ fleury,' which appears also on the verso of the title.[270]

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 257: The license had no sooner expired than the book was reprinted, as may be seen by a copy of an edition in gothic type, of eight octavo signatures, dated 1531, in the Bibliothèque Nationale.]

[Footnote 258: 1531 new style.]

[Footnote 259: A new edition of this book has recently been published at Brussels, being a photo-lithographic reproduction of the copy in the Bibliothèque du Roi.]

[Footnote 260: See what M. A. de Montaiglon says of this engraving in the _Archives de l'Art français_, vol. ix, p. 266.]

[Footnote 261: [For original Latin, see Appendix X, _y_.]]

[Footnote 262: The borders are the same as those at the beginning and end of the _Entree de la Royne_.]

[Footnote 263: [For original Latin, see Appendix X, _z_.]]

[Footnote 264: These three opuscula are bound together in one volume at the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal. The Bibliothèque Nationale also owns them all, bound separately and more or less imperfect. The omission of the last of the three from the new catalogue is an error, for it is in the library.]

[Footnote 265: At the shop of M. Potier, bookseller, Paris. M. Alkan, senior, also owns the last leaf of this signature.]

[Footnote 266: If the other three signatures are complete, they should contain six sheets, folded two and two, according to custom.]

[Footnote 267: It will be observed that the judges granted the license for but one year, instead of the three that Tory had asked. I have seen another similar collection of ordinances in the name of Galiot Dupré, dated 1528, for which the judges extended the license to two years.]

[Footnote 268: Here and elsewhere we find the apostrophe, but its use is not yet constant. The compositors were not used to the sign, which was employed to designate the suppression of a letter for euphony's sake.]

[Footnote 269: It may be that we should read 1536 new style, as Easter fell in that year on April 16. We add this book to Tory's list, although he was dead at that time, because it was evidently begun by him and finished by his widow.]

[Footnote 270: M. Ambroise Firmin Didot owned a copy of this book, on paper, in its ancient binding, with the Pot Cassé. He owned also another copy, on vellum.]