1895 Rare Limited First Edition - Knighthood and Chivalry Medieval History of Aucassin and Nicolette.
(Description)
Author: Andrew Lang, translator.
Title: Aucassin and Nicolete. Done into English by Andrew Lang.
Language: Text in English.
Publisher: Portland, Maine: Thomas Mosher, 1895. First Edition (stated), one of 925 limited copies printed on Van Gelder paper.
Size: 7 " X 4 ".
Pages: 87 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good, near fine, full navy morocco leather binding, finely bound by Hatchards, with gilt title and double gilt rules on the front cover (hinges fine, overall slightly scuffed - as shown) under a protective mylar cover. Upper edge gilt.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight, and clean - as shown, nice ex-libris from a previous owner on the first endpaper - as shown).
Illustrations: Complete with the beautiful frontispiece full-page illustration.
The book: Attractive and very nice limited first edition of Aucassin et Nicolette (12th or 13th century) the anonymous medieval French fictional story. It is the unique example of a chantefable, literally, a "sung story", a combination of prose and verse (similar to a prosimetrum). The story recounts the tale of Aucassin, son of Count Garin of Beaucaire, who so loved Nicolette, a Saracen maiden, who had been sold to the Viscount of Beaucaire, baptized and adopted by him, that he had forsaken knighthood and chivalry and even refused to defend his father's territories from enemies. Accordingly, his father ordered the Viscount to send Nicolette away, but instead, the Viscount locked her in a tower of his palace. Aucassin is imprisoned by his father to prevent him from going after his beloved Nicolette. But Nicolette escapes, hears Aucassin lamenting in his cell, and comforts him with sweet words. She flees to the forest outside the gates, and there, in order to test Aucassin's fidelity, builds a rustic home to await his arrival. When he is released from prison Aucassin hears from shepherd lads of Nicolette's hiding-place and seeks her bower. The lovers, united, resolve to leave the country...
The translator: Andrew Lang FBA (31 March 1844 – 20 July 1912) was a Scottish poet, novelist, literary critic, and contributor to the field of anthropology. He is best known as a collector of folk and fairy tales. The Andrew Lang lectures at the University of St Andrews are named after him.