1849 The Court and Reign of Francis The First, King of France

Description

First Edition, Illustrated, Original Binding, Publishers' Original Binding

Complete in two volumes. First edition. Volume one is illustrated with a frontispiece and five plates. Volume two is illustrated with a frontispiece and four plates. Collated complete. A detailed and comprehensive history of the life and reign of Francis I, King of France from 1515 until his death in 1547. A prodigious patron of the arts, Francis promoted the emergent French Renaissance by attracting many Italian artists to work for him, including Leonardo da Vinci, who brought the Mona Lisa, which Francis had acquired. This volume explores the important cultural changes with the growth of central power in France, the spread of humanism and Protestantism, and the beginning of French exploration of the New World from the time of Francis' accession to his last illness and death. With biographical notes of important historical figures mentioned from the court of Francis I. Written by Julia Pardoe, an English poet, novelist, historian and travel writer.