01 May 2026
The book L’Histoire de France by Lancelot Voisin de La Popelinière (1541-1608) – a historian on the side of the reformation during the French wars of religion – was published in 1581 but had never known a second edition
This considerable undertaking, which aims to recount the French civil wars and their causes, joins an ensemble of Protestant narratives about the religious troubles as well as the general reflection surrounding the writing of history and the methodology of it – both being trends of that time. Volume V is comprised of books 11, 12, and 13 of L’Histoire de France. It concerns itself with the second civil war, from the surprise of Meaux (26th to 28th of September 1567) to the Peace of Longjumeau, confirmed by the decree of Paris of the 23rd of March 1568. It also includes the battles of St-Denis and of Cognat as well as the siege of Chartres. As always, the author broadens the scope of his work and not only discusses France but also branches out to its neighbouring countries. Two aspects are noteworthy: on the one hand, the three books of this volume are the three first opuses of La Vraye et entière histoire in its 1572 version, which highlights the process of reconstitution undertaken by the author and the editor; on the other hand, the narration of the battles carried in Poitou and Aunis are first-hand accounts. Indeed, La Popelinière, who was born there, partook in those conflicts. These two combined factors reinforce the personal tone of this account.
Lancelot Voisin de LA POPELINIÈRE
Avec Guilhem de CORBIER
Édité par Fabrice MICALEFF, Pascal RAMBEAUD
Sous la direction scientifique de Thierry RENTET
Travaux d’Humanisme et Renaissance
