Pierre Sala

Pierre Sala's Little Book of Love (Le Petit Livre D'Amour-Halblederband in Leinenschuber) Fine Facsimile Illuminated Edition of 16th Century

      Faksimile Verlag Luzern. New Pierre Sala's Little Book of Love, 16th century-British Library, London, Stowe MS 955A Tribute to Love Love and Romance in the Renaissance One of the most intimate Renaissance manuscripts of the world is today part of the collections of the British Library: a little book that the French poet Pierre Sala from Lyon once presented to his future wife Marguerite Bullioud. In an exquisite selection of miniatures accompanied by verse, this little volume contains a message of love. It is one of those gems that men of the 15th and 16th centuries used to dedicate to the woman of their heart and of which only a few have been preserved. This little book will fascinate the curious reader because of its text, which partly in verse, partly in prose, is steeped in magic and secrecy. The pictures betray Sala's love for his beloved Marguerite. Pierre Sala, A Romantic of the Renaissance The presenter of this little volume is far from unknown in the world of literature. Pierre Sala was born in 1457 in Lyon, son of an old wealthy family of the Lyon bourgeoisie. Around 1480 he started to work in the services of the French royal family and his first employer was Charles VII. Sala undertook a number of journeys that led him as far as the Ottoman Empire. Under Louis XII and Francis I he was first valet de chambre and later shield bearer. At the beginning of the 15th century he spent more and more time in his home town Lyon where he finally settled down in 1514. In 1522 king Francis I paid a personal visit to his manor, an honour of which Sala was particularly proud. He died in 1529. The Little Book of Love Sala presented the book to his Marguerite when they were still courting, i. E. Before they got married. However, we are not able to date this event with accuracy. It must have been in the years between 1500 and 1519, presumably the latest possible date for their marriage. The work begins with a dedication describing the relationship between the author and the woman of his heart. His...