Catalogue Information
Author: Anonymous from the printed information in this copy other than the phrase, “Escrite par vn Greffier de l’Hostel de ville de Paris” (Written by a court clerk from the Paris City Hall). Though first attributed to Jean de Troyes, the authorship was later attributed to French jurist and administrator Jean de Roye by the French historian and archivist Bernard de Mandrot in 1891. See Contents section for more information.
Title: Histoire de Loys XI Roy de France, et des Choses Memorables advenuës de son Regne, depuis l’an 1460. iusques à 1483. Avtrement dicte la Chronique Scandalevse. Escrite par vn Greffier de l’Hostel de ville de Paris. (Alternately: Histoire de Loys XI Roy de France, et des Choses Memorables advenuës de son Regne, depuis l’an 1460. iusques à 1483. Autrement dicte la Chronique Scandaleuse. Escrite par un Greffier de l’Hostel de ville de Paris.)
Translation: The History of Louis XI King of France, and the memorable things that happened during his reign from the year 1460 until 1483. Otherwise called the Scandalous Chronicle. Written by a court clerk from the Paris City Hall.
Publisher and Place of Publishing: Not explicitly stated, though because of the material and language I am assuming it was published in Paris or Lyon, France.
Year of Publication: 1620
MSU Call Number: XX DC106.A2 R75 1620
Physical State of the Book
Comprised of a limp vellum binding, the front cover of the book has been written on. Additionally, the pastedowns and endleaves at the front and back of the book, the title page, and the dedication page have been written on as well. See Provenance section for more information on the content of the writing.
While the bulk of this copy is in fine condition, there are still quite a few instances of folds and rips, along with a part of the title page that was cut out. There are a few instances where bookworms have chewed through the paper. Also, some of the pagination is incorrect or the numbers are in the wrong order (E.g., pg. 286 is followed by pg. 782). Finally, the bottom of the binding on the spine has been damaged slightly but the top remains intact, and a label has been pasted to the top of the spine that says, “K 853.”
Contents of the Book
Histoire de Loys XI chronicles the day-to-day life of Louis XI’s reign in France. These accounts of the monarch sometimes referred to as ‘the Universal Spider’ or ‘l’universelle araignée,’ detail the large and small happenings relating to King Louis XI, either directly or indirectly. This record gives valuable insight into the events of the King’s reign, such as his ascension to the throne, the end of the Hundred Years’ War, and the beginning of an organized, consolidated France.
As an example of the kinds of entries included in the book, this is a quote which roughly translates to, “and it is confirmed that on Thursday the 23rd day of July of the said year 61, which was the day after the aforementioned death around 12 at night, a very long comet was seen racing through the [sky/heavens] very fast, which spread through the air a great resplendence and great light, so much so that it seemed that all of Paris was on fire and in flame, may God preserve it from this fire.”
Though this might seem insignificant, July 23rd of 1461 is the day after King Louis XI’s father, King Charles VII, died. Notably, Louis XI once participated in a rebellion against his father and was at one time banished from court. Nevertheless, when his father died, Louis XI ascended the throne and led the way to a united France as opposed to the feudal system.
The Author
The story of the author is interesting as well. Though the original manuscript of the text was initially thought to be anonymous, when French printer, publisher, and bookseller Gilles Corrozet found a note seeming to claim authorship within one of the manuscripts in the late 16th century. Corrozet attributed the book to the name on this note when he printed it, resulting in the authorship going to one “Jean de Troyes.” This name is not printed in this copy, though it was penciled in on one of the endleaves, likely in the 20th century.
![Image of the penciled note from the book seeming to read [Jean de Troyes], additionally there are two more notes. One says, "C917" and the other says "hey/abs."](https://provenance2.leadr.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_8283-2-3.jpeg)
After the book was attributed to Jean de Troyes in the late 16th century, a few historians in the 18th and 19th centuries thought it could have been written by Denis Hesselin, an elected representative of Paris and provost of merchants. However, in French historian and archivist Bernard de Mandrot’s 1891 article titled, “Quel est le véritable auteur de la Chronique anonyme de Louis XI dite la Scandaleuse?” for the journal Bibliothèque de l’École des Chartes, Mandrot claims that Corrozet misread the note in the first manuscript, and what was actually written was the name Jean de Roye. Since the article’s publication in the late 19th century, Jean de Roye has generally been accepted as the author of the book, given that he was a notary at the Châtelet of Paris, and generally in the vicinity of King Louis XI for seemingly most of his life.
Provenance Information
Date of Purchase:
Though the book was printed in 1620, the first evidence of ownership comes over 160 years later in 1783. This is on the title page of the book, which has a margin note written in French that translates to, “Bought the 11th of June 1783 by le Chevalier D’Urre captain of the regiment of Flandres, knight of S. Lazare and S. Louis. This work is 326 years old.” The information on the rank and affiliation was crucial in determining the identity of this owner. There were quite a few people named D’Urre around this time that could have been this owner, such as Joseph-François D’Urre de Molans, François D’Urre de Molans, and Pierre-Xavier D’Urre. However, there were inconsistencies with all of these possibilities and the titles that were written on the title page.
After some more digging with an emphasis on the connection to the Orders of S. Lazare and S. Louis, André Joseph D’Urre came to light. According to the records of the Service Historique de la Défense, André Joseph D’Urre, born August 30th, 1745, was captain of the 19th regiment of Flandres. Not only this, but a record of the criminal proceedings from the March on Versailles on October 5th, 1789, titles André Joseph D’Urre as ‘chevalier de l’ordre royal et militaire de Saint-Louis, capitaine au régiment de Flandre,’ which matches the titles written in this copy of Histoire de Loys XI. Also, the cover of this copy asserts that it was bought in Pontoise, which is a county just outside of Paris, and there is reason to believe that André Joseph D’Urre’s regiment could have traveled through this area in 1783.
Marginalia:
There are many notes on the pastedowns and endleaves in this copy, and due to the handwriting, ink color, and historical context, it seems like André Joseph D’Urre probably wrote them, though they are not signed, so it is hard to say for sure. Still, it would make sense for André Joseph D’Urre to have written these notes because their general theme is the condemnation of Napoleon Bonaparte and ‘princes of low birth,’ and D’Urre seems to have been a royalist. His actions during the revolution support this. For example, D’Urre defended the king during the March on Versailles while some of his men defected, and the regiment he was captain of was a part of the Army of France, rather than one of Napoleon’s armies. After King Louis XVI was forced to return to Paris during the French Revolution, D’Urre’s regiment allegedly remained at Versailles and continued to be loyal to the King, so he could probably have written these virulent notes about Bonaparte and other historical figures.
The Cover Problem:
Though the title page has the date and name of the presumed owner, le Chevalier D’Urre, or André Joseph D’Urre as we now know him, the cover seems to present a slight incongruency upon first glance. There is a note written in French that translates to, “Bought in 1811 in Pontoise by the knight of Urre.” It at first appears odd that the cover and title page should have different acquisition years by the same person. However, upon further inspection, it seems as though the year from the title page, 1783, was originally written there, with someone later writing 1811 over it. It is not clear why someone changed the year without also changing or crossing anything else out, though it probably has something to do with whoever owned it after André Joseph D’Urre.
The Lost Owner and the Librarian’s Mark:
Sometime after the book was owned by André Joseph D’Urre, there is evidence of other ownership: there is part of what looks like a bookplate left on the front pastedown that seems like it was placed after the notes that were possibly written by D’Urre. Unfortunately, I was not able to find out who the bookplate could have belonged to because of how little of it there was left. Next, the recto of the front flyleaf has “Louis XI” written on it along with “K 853,” while the verso has “[Jean de Troyes]” written on it, as well as “C217 hey/abs.” These pencil markings could have a few different explanations. First, it is possible they were made by a librarian or a bookseller sometime in the 20th century, though this is not certain because there is no identifying information. Given that Mandrot’s article about the misattribution to Jean de Troyes was published in 1891, it may seem puzzling that someone in the 20th century would write the incorrect author’s name in the book. However, the librarian or bookseller was likely following centuries-old tradition, so this error is not uncommon. Alternately, the “C217” and “hey/abs” could be some combination of inventory/catalogue numbers or bookseller’s codes, though I was not able to find any further information on them in that context. Finally, the “K 853” marking likely has to do with MSU’s acquisition of the copy, indicating that it could have come to MSU in 1961 with the rest of the French Monarchy Collection.
Transcriptions & Translations
Front Cover:
To start, the marginalia on the front cover begins with a shortened title, “Chronique, journal du regne de Louis Onze roi de France / Depuis l’an 1460 jusqu’en 1483.” or [chronicle, journal of the reign of King Louis the 11th of France / From the year 1460 until 1483]
Below is a note that looks like it could be written by the same person which says, “achete en 1811 à pontoise. Par mr le chev D’Urre” though, upon further inspection, it seems as though 1811 was written over the original year of 1783, which would match the note on the title page. This phrase roughly translates to [bought in 1811/1783 in Pontoise. By the knight of Urre].
Below this note, there are two more paragraphs in which the handwriting looks similar, though I cannot be certain it is the same person. I have tried my best to transcribe and translate these portions, which follow.
Je voue Bonaparte a l’execration de l’univers cet homme a fait plus de mal que les Tamerlans, les attilas, et que tous les ministres qui ont désoles l’humanité et il a eu des partisans horrible, perversite, de l’homme Ney, Otrante, la Bedoyere, Carnot, Sava?, Beaudeau, et mille autres noms certaines pis que Carto une et [...] la France! Tu es déchue de ta gloire !
I dedicate Bonaparte to the execration of the universe this man has done more harm than the Tamerlanes, the Attilas, and all the ministers who have desolated humanity and he had supporters! The men Ney, Otrante, Bédoyère, Carnot, [Sava?], Beaudeau, and a thousand other certain names some worse than Carto and [...] France! You are stripped of your glory!
Front Pastedown
Les peuples sont toujours très disposés à secouer le joug d’un prince de basse naissance, surtout s’il est injuste et cruel. C’est nommer Bonaparte, Corse d’une naissance obscure, et perfide Comme une Corse.
The people are always very willing to shake off the yoke of a prince of low birth, especially if he is unjust and cruel. It is to name Bonaparte, Corsican of an obscure birth, and treacherous like a Corsican.
Title Page
The title page has two distinct notes seemingly with different ink or written at different times, though the handwriting does not look too dissimilar. The transcription and translation for each follow:
Acheté le 11 juin 1783. Par Mr le chev D’urre capitaine au rgt de Flandres chev de St Lazare et de St Louis / cet ouvrage a 326 ans
Plutarque. Vie d’__
Les peuples sont toujours très disposés à secouer le joug d’un prince de basse naissance, surtout s’il est injuste et cruel. C’est nommer Bonaparte.
Bought the 11th of June 1783 by monsieur the knight of Urre, captain of the regiment of Flanders Knight of St Lazarus and of St Louis. This work is 326 years old.
Plutarch. Life of__
The people are always very willing to shake off the yoke of a prince of low birth, especially if he is unjust and cruel. It is to name Bonaparte.
Author’s Note Page
Attila, Tamerlan, et Bonaparte ont été les 3 plus grands fléaux de la terre, le dernier a fini comme un vil aventurier.
Attila, Tamerlane, and Bonaparte were the three greatest scourges of the earth, the last one ended up as a vile adventurer.
Thank you!
A huge thank you to everyone who helped with this project, including but not limited to: Tad Boehmer, Professor Laëtitia Kokx, Professor Steinberg, Andrew Lundeen, and my classmates!
Works Cited
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“Holdings: Histoire de Loys XI, Roy de France : Et Des Choses Memorables Aduenuës de Son Regne, Depuis l’an 1460. Iusques à 1483 : Avtrement Dicte La Chronique Scandalevse / Escrite Par vn Greffier de l’Hostel de Ville de Paris. :: Library Catalog.” 2025. Msu.edu. 2025. https://catalog.lib.msu.edu/Record/folio.in00000833520?sid=59560163#details.
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Mandrot, Bernard de. 1891. “Quel Est Le Véritable Auteur de La Chronique Anonyme de Louis XI Dite La Scandaleuse ?” Bibliothèque de L École Des Chartes 52 (1): 129–33. https://doi.org/10.3406/bec.1891.447643.
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Roye, Jean de. 1611. “Chronique Scandaleuse.” Google Books. 1611. https://books.google.com/books?id=iqu3YQfuUPYC.
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Werner, Sarah. 2019. Studying Early Printed Books, 1450-1800 : A Practical Guide. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.
Wikipedia Contributors. 2019. “Charles VII of France.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. November 5, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_VII_of_France.
———. 2020. “Women’s March on Versailles.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. March 10, 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_March_on_Versailles.
———. 2021. “Hôtel de Ville.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. July 13, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B4tel_de_Ville.
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By Brooke Brinkerhuff, for Professor Brockey’s HST 475 class, Spring 2025.
