1897 Rare Book bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe - MEDIEVAL HISTORY of Aucassin and Nicolette. Knighthood and Chivalry.
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Author: Andrew Lang.
Title: Aucassin and Nicolete. Done into English by Andrew Lang.
Language: Text in English.
Publisher : London: David Nutt, in the Strand, 1897. Reprint of 1887 First edition.
Size : 7 " X 4.5 ".
Pages : xx-51 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good, near fine, full leather binding by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, London Binder (signed at the bottom of the back of the front cover) (hinges fine, overall slightly scuffed as shown) under a protective mylar cover.
Content: Very good content (bright and tight, rare light foxing or staining - as shown).
The book: Very nice 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.
The bookbinders: Sangorski & Sutcliffe is a firm of bookbinders established in London in 1901. It is considered to be one of the most important bookbinding companies of the 20th century, famous for its luxurious jeweled bindings that used real gold and precious stones in their book covers.
Sangorski & Sutcliffe was established by Francis Sangorski (1875–1912) and George Sutcliffe (1878–1943). They had met in 1896 at a bookbinding evening classes taught by Douglas Cockerell at the London County Council's Central School of Arts and Crafts.