Book I.
LETTERS TO MAXIMILIAN.
In illustrating Busbecq’s letters from France reference is frequently made to contemporary writers, and it may be useful to the reader to have some idea of their different characters, and positions, and of the historical value of their statements.
(1). J. A. de Thou, the historian, son of Christopher de Thou, President of the Parliament of Paris. Jurist and statesman. Busbecq’s intimate friend and warm admirer. Quoted as Thuanus. Edition, Geneva, 1620, &c.
(2). Pierre de l’Estoile. Audiencier de la Chancellerie de Paris. A quiet man, who took no part in politics. He kept a diary which is generally known as Journal de Henri III. and >Henri IV., but is really his own private diary during the reigns of those monarchs. Quoted as De l’Estoile. Edition, Paris, 1875, &c.
(3). Pierre de Bourdeille, Abbé and Seigneur of Brantôme. Soldier and courtier. Gentleman of the Chamber to Charles IX. and Henri III. His ideas are those of the French Court of that period, and consequently his standard of morality is very low. He was a friend of Alençon, du Guast, Bussy, de Viteaux, La Noue, &c., and a great admirer of Marguerite, to whom he dedicated several of his works. Having been disabled by a fall from his horse, he devoted his last years to writing memoirs of the celebrated men and women he had known, a treatise on duelling, &c. Quoted as Brantôme. Edition, Paris, 1822.
(4). Marguerite de Valois, wife of Henry of Navarre, sister of Charles IX., Henri III., and Alençon, wrote an autobiography which she addressed to Brantôme. Quoted as Mémoires de Marguerite. Edition, Paris, 1842.
(5). Theodore Agrippa d’Aubigné. Friend and adherent of Henry of Navarre. He wrote a Histoire universelle and Mémoires. Quoted as Aubigné, Histoire. Edition S. Jean d’Angely, 1616, &c. The Mémoires are quoted from the Panthéon Littéraire. Paris, 1836.
(6). Louis Gonzaga, Duc de Nevers. Soldier and statesman. The compilation known as his Memoirs is quoted as Mémoires de Nevers. Edition, Paris, 1665.