Description:

France - Two medieval French manuscripts (one 1369), and one with large signatures.

Two medieval French manuscripts pertaining to civic and ecclesiastical government in the modern-day region of Poitou-Charentes, situated in western France. Both documents are inscribed in Latin on parchment and bear later "Archives de l'Ordre de Malthe" stamps located in the left margins.

According to late 19 th/early 20 th C. provenance material, the first document recorded details of a business exchange conducted in August 1369 between Pierre Michel of Auge parish and Guillaume Andrenti of Saint-Christophe parish. Our page was one of four that would have originally borne the seal of the Archpriest of Saint-Maixent. Various period and later inscriptions verso. Calligraphy recto is uniform and decorative. In very good condition, with expected minor warping to edges and isolated browning. Missing the top and bottom left corners, the total document measures 10" x 7.125".

The second document is a circa 1516 fragment bearing multiple dignitary signatures. Signed "Morault", "Favereau", and "Torcheron" at bottom, each signature embellished with fanciful marks and flourishes.

In very good condition, with tear at bottom right partly repaired with sinew ties. Minor darkening to right edge does not impact text, the document measuring 13.25" x 5". Late 19 th/early 20 th C. provenance material accompanying this piece suggests that signatures were those of local officials.

Poitou-Charentes was historically significant because of its geographical location. It is situated halfway between Paris and Bordeaux, connects to various inland rivers and waterways, and abuts the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. From the Middle Ages, Poitiers was the cultural, political, ecclesiastical, and intellectual capital of the region. The city hosted the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Aquitaine, the university, and dozens of powerful churches.

Two documents inscribed during and just after the Hundred Years' War! The Battle of Poitiers was waged in 1356, just thirteen years before our first document was signed!

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