This third story of the second Decade of Balzac’s tales, entitled by the publishers of the only illustrated version I have “About The Monk Amador, Who Was A Glorious Abbot Of Turpenay”.
We are told of conflicts between church and state arising from that between two rival popes. This was manifested by hatred of the “rough” Lord of Candé for local monasteries. He therefore tormented any priests who encroached upon his land.
Amador, “a pilfered, a loiterer, and a bad soldier of the ecclesiastical militia”, was the only monk who dared to cross his lands. We learn of the strength and trickery with which he outwitted the temporal lord, and saved his Abbey.
The Folio Society edition bears no drawing by Mervyn Peake, and I do not have the third Decade illustrated by Jean de Bosschère.
Gustave Doré more than compensates for this lack in The Bibliophilist Society’s publication, dated 1874, just 37 years after first publication by Gosselin of Paris, and the first in English. At some point the volume has been skilfully rebound, but the pages are clear and undamaged.
The confessionals of tomcats and little pigs sound like they might be interesting, Derrick. 🙂
Thank you very much, Lavinia
Sounds like a fun tale to read.
Thank you very much, Pat
Looks and sounds delightful!
“…to make the monks as wild as April moons.” Ha!
“As you will, my father; but you must answer to God for our sins.” “Willingly, madame; if it be your pleasure to take mine, you will be a gainer.” Ha!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
Evocative illustrations
Thank you very much, Merril
This tale is a little less ribald than some of the others?
It is. Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.