Title
Fiction in the Archives: Pardon Tales and Their Tellers in SixteenthCentury France,Used
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To receive a royal pardon in sixteenthcentury France for certain kinds of homicideunpremeditated, unintended, in selfdefense, or otherwise excusablea supplicant had to tell the king a story. These stories took the form of letters of remission, documents narrated to royal notaries by admitted offenders who, in effect, stated their case for pardon to the king. Thousands of such stories are found in French archives, providing precious evidence of the narrative skills and interpretive schemes of peasants and artisans as well as the wellborn.This book, by one of the most acclaimed historians of our time, is a pioneering effort to us the tools of literary analysis to interpret archival texts: to show how people from different stations in life shaped the events of a crime into a story, and to compare their stories with those told by Renaissance authors not intended to judge the truth or falsity of the pardon narratives, but rather to refer to the techniques for crafting stories.A number of fascinating crime stories, often possessing Rabelaisian humor, are told in the course of the book, which consists of three long chapters. These chapters explore the French law of homicide, depictions of 'hot anger' and selfdefense, and the distinctive characteristics of women's stories of bloodshed.The book is illustrated with seven contemporary woodcuts and a facsimile of a letter of remission, with appendixes providing several other original documents. This volume is based on the Harry Camp Memorial Lectures given at Stanford University in 1986.
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- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book has two hundred seventeen pages. It provides an in-depth exploration of crime stories and pardon narratives in sixteenth-century France.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: This book is a paperback. The paperback binding makes it lightweight and easy to handle.
- Q: What are the dimensions of the book? A: The book measures six inches in length, zero point five nine inches in width, and nine point zero two inches in height. These dimensions make it portable for reading.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of the book is Natalie Davis. She is a renowned historian known for her literary analysis of archival texts.
- Q: What is the main topic of this book? A: The book focuses on pardon tales and their narrators in sixteenth-century France. It explores how individuals crafted narratives to seek royal pardons.
- Q: Is this book suitable for young readers? A: This book is primarily intended for adult readers due to its historical themes and complex narratives. It may not be suitable for children.
- Q: Can this book be used for academic purposes? A: Yes, this book can be used for academic purposes. It contains valuable insights into historical narratives and the law of homicide during the Renaissance.
- Q: What themes are explored in the book? A: The book explores themes of crime, narrative construction, and social status. It examines how different people shaped their stories of crime.
- Q: Are there illustrations in the book? A: Yes, the book includes seven contemporary woodcuts and a facsimile of a letter of remission. These illustrations enhance the understanding of the text.
- Q: What is the publisher of this book? A: The publisher of the book is Stanford University Press. This publisher is known for its scholarly works in history and literature.
- Q: Is the book in good condition? A: Yes, the book is described as a used book in good condition. It is suitable for reading and study.
- Q: What makes this book unique? A: This book is unique because it applies literary analysis to historical pardon narratives. It offers a rare perspective on personal storytelling in legal contexts.
- Q: Does the book provide original documents? A: Yes, the book includes appendixes with several original documents. These documents provide additional context to the narratives discussed.
- Q: Is there a focus on women's stories in the book? A: Yes, the book discusses the distinctive characteristics of women's stories of bloodshed. It highlights their perspectives within the historical context.
- Q: What is the historical context of the book? A: The book is set in sixteenth-century France and examines the process of obtaining royal pardons for various types of homicide. It reflects the legal and social dynamics of that era.