[Michel de Castelnau] Les memoires de messire Michel de Castelnau,

seigneur de Mauvissiere, illustrez et augmentez de plusieurs commentaires & manuscrits, tant lettres (...) avec des eloges des rois, reines, princes (...), l'histoire genealogique de la maison de Castelnau (...). Par J. le Laboureur (...). Nouvelle édition (...) avec pres de 400 armoiries gravées en taille-douce &c. Brussels, Jean Leonard, 1731, 3 vols., (38),864,(12); (8),782,(6); (4),560,(7) p., with 2 engr. portraits, enr. title vignettes, woodcut or engr. head- and tailpieces, num. engr. illustrations of coats of arms, contemp. unif. mottled calf, gilt and ribbed spines w. (dam.) mor. letterpieces, folio.

Occas. sl. browned or vaguely waterst.; vol. 2 joints splitting; vol. 3 dam. at top of spine. All vols. corners bumped and other small imperfections. Attractive set. Brunet I, 1626. The memoirs of Michel de Castelnau (1520-1594), French soldier and diplomat, ambassador to Queen Elizabeth, whose memoirs are considered to be a quite reliable source for that period (1559-1570, his second embassy to England). He recalls many interesting facts of British history, notably with respect to Mary Queen of Scots. He is the only writer who took notice of the daughter of Mary by Bothwell, who died a nun in the convent of Soissons. His memoirs are here offered in the best and most complete edition, by Jean Godefroy (1656-1732). Published before in 1621 and 1659.