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A briefe description of what I have seen most remarquable in France
Creator
Title
A briefe description of what I have seen most remarquable in France, [1656].
Physical Description
1 v. (90 p.) ; 14 x 8 cm.
Language
English
Notes
Shelf mark on front pastedown.
Binding: contemporary full red morocco, decorated in gilt, with central gilt lozenges on both boards.
Provenance
Ex libris John Mordaunt Cope. Purchased from Arthur Freeman on the Hazel M. Osborn Fund, 2004.
Biographical / Historical Note
Sir John Cope was the third son of Sir John Cope of Hanwell by his second wife, Lady Elizabeth Fane, daughter of the Earl of Westmorland. He matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford in 1651; held a command at Dunkirk in 1662, and succeeded to the baronetcy in 1675. He married Anne Booth. Cope served as MP for Oxfordshire 1679-90, and for Banbury in 1699-1700. He died January 11, 1721 and was succeeded by his eldest son, also named John.
Summary
Manuscript, on paper, in a single secretary hand of a travel narrative relating Cope's observations and experiences during an 18-month sojourn in France. Following some careful general notes on French geography and history, Cope details his journey to Paris, where he toured the principal cathedrals, palaces, public buildings and parks. He viewed the Carnival observances and attended services at the Jesuit church in St. Germain, hearing a sermon "against the protestant religion, and....cheifly against the English nation" which was also attended by "the English queene." Cope then traveled through Orleans to Saumur, where he lived and studied for a year. He calls it "a very little Citty....but one of the most agreeable in France" and carefully describes landscapes, gardens, bridges and buildings, the politeness of its citizens, and local pastimes such as golf, tennis and squittles [skittle]. He also took excursions to sites such as Richelieu's palace at Champigny, and lived for some months in Angers, which he found "stuffd with churches." Cope returned to England via Paris and Rotterdam.
Dedicatory preface to "the right honourable my most deare mother the Lady Elizabeth Cope," offering her this volume as "speciall testimony of his duty."
Format
Archives or Manuscripts
Added to Catalog
December 14, 2004
References
Sir John Cope, A Briefe Description of What I Have Seen Most Remarquable in France. James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.
Cite as
Sir John Cope, A Briefe Description of What I Have Seen Most Remarquable in France. James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.
Subjects
Subjects (Local Yale)
Genre/Form
Diaries.
Bookmark As
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