Histoire du différend entre le pape Boniface VIII et Philippe le Bel, roi de France. Où l'on voit ce qui se passa touchant cette affaire, depuis l’an 1296 jusques en l’an 1311, sous les pontificats de Boniface VIII, Benoît XI et Clément V. Ensemble le procès criminel fait à Bernard, évêque de Pamiers, l’an MCCXCV. Le tout justifié par les actes et mémoires pris sur les originaux qui sont au Trésor des Chartes du Roi. Paris : Sébastien Cramoisy, 1655, folio.
A History of the Dispute Between Pope Boniface VIII and Philip the Fair, King of France. In which is seen what took place concerning this matter from the year 1296 to the year 1311, under the pontificates of Boniface VIII, Benedict XI, and Clement V. Together with the criminal trial of Bernard, Bishop of Pamiers, in the year 1295. [...]. Paris: Sébastien Cramoisy, 1655, folio.
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This work, bound in a sumptuous contemporary royal binding bearing the arms of King Louis XIV, presents a detailed account of the conflict between Pope Boniface VIII and King Philip IV of France from 1296 to 1311, an important period in the historical struggle between secular and ecclesiastical power. Drawing on original documents from the Trésor des Chartes, it includes the criminal trial of Bernard, Bishop of Pamiers, a case both fascinating and highly symbolic of royal defiance against Papal authority.
More than a historical chronicle, the book was published during Louis XIV's reign under royal privilege to reinforce Gallican principles and legitimise the French crown’s supremacy over the Church. The presence of Louis XIV’s arms on this copy is especially significant: this is no ordinary example in a royal binding. It may have belonged to the king himself, been presented to a senior court official, or formed a part of the royal household or state library (such as at Versailles or the Bibliothèque du Roi). At the very least, it was produced for use within Louis XIV’s political and ideological orbit. As such, it is not only a document of historical importance but an instrument of Bourbon political theology, affirming a direct ideological lineage from Philip the Fair to the Sun King.
The copy bears a contemporary manuscript shelfmark on the front blank, reading “CI. II” (or possibly “CL. II”, "C. 111", or other permutations), typical of 17th/18th century classification systems used in institutional and court libraries. When considered alongside the royal privilege with which this book was printed ("Avec Privilege du Roy", foot of title page), the richly gilt red morocco royal binding, and the Gallican content, the shelfmark supports the likelihood that this copy was intended for official or courtly circulation under Louis XIV.
The binding itself is exceptionally well preserved and superior in execution to typical royal bindings of the period. Louis XIV bindings in folio format are notably scarce on the market, particularly in such excellent, unrestored, and original condition. A magnificent copy.
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Another, later (1702), folio work in a Louis XIV royal binding, though of a very slightly different form of design, sold for $10,625 at Christie's 29th Jan 2021 lot 2. This was on a book which ordinarily sells at auction for circa £400-£500 (Medailles sur les principaux evénéments du règne de Louis le Grand, 1702) and also has direct relevance to Louis XIV himself, just like this book - though this book is arguably much more of a significant connection and is significantly rarer with USTC recording only one copy held institutionally worldwide (at the Bibliothèque nationale de France), though with WorldCat showing a handful more copies held across several entries, though still remaining very rare.
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Size: 242 x 375 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(2), ā⁴, a–d⁴, e⁶, A–E⁴, F⁶, A–Z⁴, 2A–2Z⁴, 3A–3Z⁴, 4A–4P⁴, 4Q⁶, (2)]
Contemporary full red morocco gilt, arms of King Louis XIV to boards, triple fillet borders, gilt turn-ins. Repeating gilt interlocking L motif underneath a crown in compartments between raised bands to spine. Retains both original tooled morocco labels. Both boards securely attached, joints and hinges uncracked, rubbed. Binding secure and stands without shelf lean. All edges gilt. No attached bookplates or ownership inscriptions, but with a contemporary shelf reference inked to upper left of preliminary blank recto.
Collates as complete, including blanks (not part of the collation). Minor scattered spotting, intermittently toned, but generally bright and clean throughout, large paper with wide margins. An excellent copy in a beautiful fine binding.
[USTC 6079858].
