MEDIEVAL FRANCE

[MEDIEVAL FRANCE]. A collection of nine documents from Medieval France, written on vellum and arranged according to the king's reign during which they were written. They provide a fascinating glimpse of life in Medieval France from the middle of the thirteenth century to the middle of the fifteenth century. All of the documents are in fine condition. THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY Coming to the throne in 1226, Louis IX -- of "St. Louis" -- carried on the work of his father, Philip Augustus, in the concentration of power in France. He abolished trial by combat and insisted that guilt be proved by evidence alone. His representatives administered justice throughout France, and his "parlement" was established to decide final appeals. Louis promoted peace with England by returning some of the territories seized by Philip Augustus. He died in 1270 on a crusade, leaving the throne to his son, Philip III, who was relatively unsuccessful in both domestic and foreign affairs. Philip did, however, manage to increase the royal domain through shrewd diplomacy. Meanwhile, science, literature and art flourished in thirteenth century France. This was the time of the "Romain de la Rose," and of the birth and development of the Gothic style in northern French architecture, painting, manuscript illumination and tapestries. (LOUIS IX, "St. Louis"). A document written during his reign, 31/2 by 81/2 inches, May 4, 1247, by which Guillermus de La Mayra, with the assent of his wife Lucia, grants the use of his part of a wood called "Lapineda" to the prior and monks of the Church of Maria de Insula in Arv(er)to (Avert, in the Saintogne region of the department of Charente-Maritime, in western France). The prior and monks are not to sell the timber or anything else deriving from the land, nor are they to alienate it from the public. The charter was recorded by P. Baudi, chief priest of Arverto. THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY The sense of security and progress at the beginning of the fourteenth century was disrupted by a series of calamities, including war, the plague, and social unrest, which were to have lasting effects. In 1337 the war between France and England that would last a hundred and sixteen years began; it was chronicled by Jean Froissart in his famous "Chronique de France, d'Angleterre, d'Ecosse et d'Espagne." Philip IV, who had deposed Pope Boniface and effected the election of the Archbishop of Bordeaux as Clement V, reorganized the financial system of France, increased taxes, and added to his lands. It was he who included the representatives of the towns, together with the clergy and the nobility, in the Estates General. With the aid of this body, he instituted taxes on the clergy and won the approval of the burghers; but he alienated the nobility, who refused to support the crown's increasingly large bureaucracy. After the capture of King John II at Poitiers in 1356, the Dauphin, Charles, controlled the throne. In 1356 the Estates General called for a constitutional monarchy and a share in tax revenues, but Charles defused their meeting. Two years later the constitutionalists stormed the king's chambers and murdered his advisers. Charles narrowly escaped and later organized an effective opposition to his captors. He also succeeded in ridding the countryside of English and Navarrese marauders. During the regency of his son, Charles VI, popular discontent again erupted into riot and disturbance; and the hapless Charles went insane after only four years of rule. Numerous intrigues led to the assassination of the Duke of Orleans by John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, an event which touched off a civil war lasting twenty-five years. (PHILIP IV). Document written during his reign, 8 1/2 by 10 1/4 inches, 1312, by which Gausbert DeLauriac, a lord, grants a piece of land at a place called "Als Plas Dacelgues" in the territory of Espinas to B. Castanet of Espinas. (CHARLES IV). Document written during his reign, 6 by 9 3/4 inches, 1327, in which Madona Comtore de Larnagol leases a yard or outbuilding at Caylus in the suburb of Del Vinhal to P. del Colombier. (PHILIP VI). Document written during his reign, 11 1/2 by 101/2 inches,1331, by which Posat, Lord of Caylus, grants a meadow and piece of land in the territory of Ginebrieras Vielhas to Mari de Varayre of Caylus. (JOHN II). Document written during his reign, 91/2 by 121/2 inches, 1358, by which Peire Delhaganh, a merchant at the castle of Caylus, acknowledges that he holds a house in the castle belonging to Lord Ramonat. (CHARLES V). Document written during his reign, 10 by 9 3/4 inches, 1374, concerning a certain vineyard, called "De Costalgilda," with an adjoining thicket in the area of Caylus and naming Johannes Debossaco and Guillermus de Airdalhaco. (CHARLES VI). Document written during his reign, 8 by 10 3/4 inches, 1386, by which Lord Raimundus Anthonis of Caylus grants an oven to Alricus Deymier, a baker at his castle of Caylus. THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY France in the fifteenth century was in serious internal disorder. The civil war which broke out after the assassination of Charles VI's principal adviser, the Duke d'Orleans, encouraged Henry V to attack the French at Agincourt, where they were utterly destroyed. The Dauphin's followers assassinated the Duke of Burgandy, and his successor, Philip the Good, committed Burgandy's support to England. The treaty of Troyes in 1420 gave Henry V the French throne upon the death of Charles VI, eliminating the Dauphin from the line of secession. Charles VII's forces at this time were disorganized and ill-trained, and Henry VI's regent, the Duke of Bedford, went to France to force England's claims. Laying siege to Orleans, waiting for starvation to bring about its capitulation, he was defeated in 1429 by Joan of Arc, who lifted the seize and recaptured Rheims. By 1453 the English had been driven from the continent except for Calais and the County of Guines, Charles had made peace with Philip of Burgundy, and the Hundred Years' War was over. (CHARLES VII). Document written during his reign, 15 1/2 by 113/4 inches, October 3, 1427, by which Simon Morheir, knight, Seigneur of Villers and the King's counsel, makes a statement of judgement concerning the defaulting of partners who have declared to furnish two houses in Paris and who therefore are rejected from all rights whatsoever in the said two houses and are condemned to pay the costs of the court proceedings. (LOUIS XI). Document written during his reign, 291/2 by 131/2 inches, Orange, September 8, 1469, by which Giraud Motet, a farmer of the diocese of Geneva, renounces all pretensions to his family inheritance in favor of his brother, Jean Motet, a butcher in Orange.

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