BALLIN (A.-G.). Notice historique sur l'Académie des Palinod - Lot 492

BALLIN (A.-G.). Notice historique sur l'Académie des Palinods. Rouen, Nicétas Periaux, 1834. In-8 half green morocco with small corners, spine with ornate nerves (period binding). Frontispiece with two engraved figures and 5 engraved plates out of text. The palinod is a religious poem dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, recited during Norman festivals in honor of the Virgin Mary. The tradition is said to have originated with the vow of Helsin, Abbot of Ramsey, who was sent by William the Conqueror to negotiate peace with the King of Denmark, and who escaped a storm at sea on his way home. The term also refers to poetic competitions organized by literary brotherhoods called "puys" in the Middle Ages. In Rouen, the Confrérie de la Conception de Notre-Dame launched religious poetry competitions as early as 1486. Participants mainly composed royal songs, ballads and rondeaux with a repeated refrain known as the "ligne palinode". The movement then spread to other towns such as Dieppe, Amiens and Caen. These competitions became very famous, attracting great authors such as Pierre Corneille, Jean Marot and Fontenelle. The tradition of palinods continued until the French Revolution. Scattered foxing. Ex-libris JM.