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]
[Illustration: PIERRE ROFFET]
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.]