Recueil de l'origine de la langue et poesie francoise, ryme et romans. Plus les noms et sommaire des oeuvres de CXXVII poetes francois, vivans avant l'an MCCC

FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST STUDY OF MEDIEVAL FRENCH LITERATURE, OR INDEED OF ANY MODERN (i.e., post-classical) LITERARY TRADITION. ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PHILOLOGICAL WORK EVER PUBLISHED. (8), 209, (2) pp, complete. By the late 16th century, medieval French literature had long since fallen into oblivion. Fauchet (1529-1601), a magistrate and historian, was named official court historiographer by Henri IV. He was also the first President de la Cour des Monnaies, and was the most important historian of his time. Often called "the first medievalist", he studied manuscripts for years, and here provides notes--both biographical and critical--on the works of 127 Old French poets, along with substantial excerpts from their works. THESE EXCERPTS ARE THE FIRST FRAGMENTS EVER PRINTED IN OLD FRENCH. In fact, Fauchet was apparently the first person to realize that the French language had changed radically around 1300, thus paving the way for the modern distinction between Old French and Middle French. Fauchet, furthermore, coined the name "Marie de France", which is used for the first time in this book. Even today, medievalists often cite this work in their books and articles. 4to. Attractively bound in 19th-century quarter calf. Light wear to extremities of binding, else very clean, with the paper very white and very good margins. Brunet II, 1192: "Ouvrage estimé et peu commun." Graesse II, 555. An excellent copy of a very rare and important book.