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Les Divines Revelations Et Promesses Faites a Sainct Denys Patron de la France, Et a Sainte Geneviefve Patrone de Paris en Faveur Des Francois. Contre le Tyran Mazarin. Apportées Du Ciel en Terre par L'Archange S. Michel

A Paris: Fleurissant, 1649. First Edition. Disbound. With wood-engraved title vignette Water stain to bottom of all pages. A few discrete wormholes not affecting legibility. Slight wear to pages. ; The Mazarinades were a significant form of political propaganda during the Fronde, a series of civil wars in France between 1648 and 1653. These pamphlets, named after Cardinal Mazarin, were a response to widespread dissatisfaction with his financial policies, foreign origins, and perceived corruption during the regency of Anne of Austria and the minority of Louis XIV. Over several thousand Mazarinades were published, blending satire, personal attacks, and political critique to challenge Mazarin’s authority. They became a powerful tool for expressing the grievances of various factions, including the parlement of Paris and discontented nobles, against what they saw as centralized despotism and foreign influence. The historical context of the Mazarinades lies in the broader unrest of the Fronde, which was fueled by financial crises, heavy taxation, and noble resistance to Mazarin’s consolidation of power. These pamphlets were not just tools of rebellion but also an early example of mass media influencing public opinion. They accused Mazarin of embezzlement, undermining French institutions, and even immoral behavior, turning him into a symbol of everything wrong with the government. While the Fronde ultimately failed to remove Mazarin from power, the Mazarinades left a lasting legacy as an early form of political journalism that foreshadowed later revolutionary discourse. One notable example is Les divines révélations et promesses faites à saint Denis patron de la France et à sainte Geneviève patronne de Paris en faveur des Français contre le tyran Mazarin, published in 1649. This pamphlet invokes religious imagery and divine intervention to critique Mazarin’s rule. It presents Saint Denis and Saint Geneviève—patron saints of France and Paris respectively—as protectors of the French people against Mazarin’s tyranny. The text claims that these revelations were delivered from heaven to earth by Saint Michael the Archangel, emphasizing a cosmic struggle between good (represented by French saints) and evil (Mazarin). Such themes align with broader efforts in Fronde propaganda to frame opposition to Mazarin as both patriotic and divinely sanctioned. The pamphlet uses Saint Denis’s established role as a protector of the monarchy and national identity to rally support against Mazarin. Saint Geneviève is similarly depicted as a defender of Paris during times of crisis, reinforcing her revolutionary voice during the Fronde. By invoking these figures alongside Saint Michael—traditionally seen as a warrior angel combating evil—the pamphlet seeks to galvanize public sentiment against Mazarin’s administration. It blends religious mysticism with political critique, portraying resistance to Mazarin not merely as a civic duty but as a spiritual imperative. Moreau 1164; 22.2 x 17 cms; 8 pages. Good+ .

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Book number: LCK90135

Catalogue: Mazarinades

Keywords: Frondes History & Topography

[ROUSSE, JEAN]

Lettre D'Un Religieux Envoyée a Monseigneur le Prince de Condé à S. Germain en Laye Contenant la Verité de la Vie & Moeurs Du Cardinal Mazarin: Avec Exhortation Audit Seigneur Prince D'Abandonner Son Party

A Paris: Chez Rolin De La Haye, Ruë D'Escosse, Prés Le Puits Certain, 1649. First Edition; 1st Printing 2nd State. Disbound. Some spots of foxing. Light soiling to some pages. Slight wear to pages. ; The Mazarinades were a significant form of political propaganda during the Fronde, a series of civil wars in France between 1648 and 1653. These pamphlets, named after Cardinal Mazarin, were a response to widespread dissatisfaction with his financial policies, foreign origins, and perceived corruption during the regency of Anne of Austria and the minority of Louis XIV. Over several thousand Mazarinades were published, blending satire, personal attacks, and political critique to challenge Mazarin’s authority. They became a powerful tool for expressing the grievances of various factions, including the parlement of Paris and discontented nobles, against what they saw as centralized despotism and foreign influence. The historical context of the Mazarinades lies in the broader unrest of the Fronde, which was fueled by financial crises, heavy taxation, and noble resistance to Mazarin’s consolidation of power. These pamphlets were not just tools of rebellion but also an early example of mass media influencing public opinion. They accused Mazarin of embezzlement, undermining French institutions, and even immoral behavior, turning him into a symbol of everything wrong with the government. While the Fronde ultimately failed to remove Mazarin from power, the Mazarinades left a lasting legacy as an early form of political journalism that foreshadowed later revolutionary discourse. One notable Mazarinade is Lettre d’un religieux envoyée à monseigneur le prince de Condé, attributed to Jean Rousse, the curé of Saint-Roch. Published in January 1649, this pamphlet is addressed to Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé, urging him to distance himself from Mazarin. It condemns the cardinal’s life and morals as corrupt and unworthy of French leadership while appealing to Condé’s sense of loyalty to France. The letter reflects the broader themes of the Fronde by portraying Mazarin as a foreign usurper enriching himself at France’s expense and calling for his removal in favor of more virtuous governance. This pamphlet was widely circulated at the time and survives in multiple editions, indicating its contemporary impact. It was printed in Paris by Rolin de La Haye. With its blend of moral exhortation and political critique, Lettre d’un religieux exemplifies how the Mazarinades sought to influence key figures like Condé while shaping public opinion against Mazarin. Today, it remains an important artifact for understanding 17th-century political culture and the role of print media in resistance movements. Moreau 1895; 22 x 17 cms; (1), 11 pages. Very Good with no dust jacket .

Literary Cat BooksProfessional seller

Book number: LCK90133

Catalogue: Mazarinades

Keywords: History & Topography Rare & Antiquarian Books

[RETZ, JEAN-FRANçOIS PAUL DE GONDI, CARDINAL DE

La Verité Reconnue, Ou Les Intrigues de Sainct Germain

A Paris: Chez Arnould Cotinent, Ruë Des Carmes, Au Petit Jesus, 1649. First Edition. Disbound. With wood-engraved title vignette & decorated initial. Slight wear & slight soiling to spine, covers & corners. Slight creasing to front page. ; The Mazarinades were a significant form of political propaganda during the Fronde, a series of civil wars in France between 1648 and 1653. These pamphlets, named after Cardinal Mazarin, were a response to widespread dissatisfaction with his financial policies, foreign origins, and perceived corruption during the regency of Anne of Austria and the minority of Louis XIV. Over several thousand Mazarinades were published, blending satire, personal attacks, and political critique to challenge Mazarin’s authority. They became a powerful tool for expressing the grievances of various factions, including the parlement of Paris and discontented nobles, against what they saw as centralized despotism and foreign influence. The historical context of the Mazarinades lies in the broader unrest of the Fronde, which was fueled by financial crises, heavy taxation, and noble resistance to Mazarin’s consolidation of power. These pamphlets were not just tools of rebellion but also an early example of mass media influencing public opinion. They accused Mazarin of embezzlement, undermining French institutions, and even immoral behavior, turning him into a symbol of everything wrong with the government. While the Fronde ultimately failed to remove Mazarin from power, the Mazarinades left a lasting legacy as an early form of political journalism that foreshadowed later revolutionary discourse. One prominent example is La Vérité reconnue, ou, les intrigues de Sainct Germain, published in 1649 and attributed to Cardinal de Retz. This pamphlet critiques the political manipulations surrounding Cardinal Mazarin during the Fronde. It opens with a condemnation of corrupt ministers who exploit religion and royal authority for personal gain while masking their ambitions under false appearances of piety and loyalty. The pamphlet specifically targets Mazarin and his allies, portraying them as tyrannical figures who undermine the monarchy for their own enrichment. It also discusses key figures such as the Duke of Orléans and Prince de Condé, highlighting their conflicting ambitions and their roles in perpetuating instability within France. The title suggests an intent to "reveal the truth" about the intrigues at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a royal court closely associated with Mazarin’s influence during this period. The pamphlet focuses on exposing political machinations behind alliances and decisions that consolidated power at the expense of national unity. Like other Mazarinades, it aligns with broader themes of resistance against corrupt governance and foreign domination. Through its critique, it seeks to rally public opinion against Mazarin’s administration while emphasizing moral condemnation and calls for reform. Cardinal de Retz (Jean François Paul de Gondi) was one of the most prominent figures in the Fronde. Born in 1613 into an influential family, he became Archbishop of Paris in 1644 and used his position to organize resistance against Mazarin. Known for his charisma and political cunning, Retz was both a critic of absolutism and an ambitious power player deeply involved in plotting against Richelieu and Mazarin. His Memoirs, written after his active involvement in politics, provide a vivid account of the Fronde’s events and his own role in them. Despite imprisonment during the later stages of the Fronde (1652–1654) , Retz eventually reconciled with Louis XIV and retired from active politics after resigning his archbishopric in 1662 in exchange for the abbacy of Saint-Denis. His writings remain essential for understanding 17th-century French politics, offering insight into both his personal ambitions and broader critiques of centralized power. Together with works like La Vérité reconnue, Retz’s legacy highlights how literature served as both a weapon and a record during one of France’s most turbulent periods. Moreau III, 4000; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 8 pages. Very Good with no dust jacket .

Literary Cat BooksProfessional seller

Book number: LCK90134

Catalogue: Mazarinades

Keywords: History & Topography