220 - [MONTPELLIER] AIGREFEUILLE, Charles d'. History of the City of Montpellier, from Its Origins to the Present Day; with a Historical Summary of All That Preceded Its Founding: to Which Has Been Added the Specific History of the Ancient and Modern Judicial Districts of This City, Along with Its Own Statutes.

[MONTPELLIER] AIGREFEUILLE, Charles d'. History of the City of Montpellier, from Its Origins to the Present Day; with a Historical Summary of All That Preceded Its Founding: to Which Has Been Added the Specific History of the Ancient and Modern Judicial Districts of This City, Along with Its Own Statutes. First edition of this indispensable source for the history of the institutions, law, and urban planning of the capital of Lower Languedoc. A very complete copy, including all three maps, in a full contemporary binding. Montpellier, published by Jean Martel, 1737. Folio, full marbled calfskin, spine with raised bands richly decorated with gilt metal tools, double gilt fillet framing the covers and edges, gilt interior roulette, guilloché caps, blue marbled edges. 6 ff.n.ch, XXXIV-(2) pp., 1 f.n.ch, 707 pp., and 3 ff.n.ch. (table of contents). 3 fold-out maps (approximately 20 x 70 cm) Small wormholes on the spine and front cover; lower cap missing; slight rubbing; small tears along the center fold of the map of the city before the Wars of Religion and the map of the siege. First edition illustrated with three superb large fold-out maps drawn and engraved on copper by Villaret: “Map of the City and Citadel of Montpellier, with its Surroundings,” “Map Prior to the Wars of Religion,” and “Map of the Siege of Montpellier in 1622.” Charles d’Aigrefeuille (1668–1743), a canon at Saint-Pierre Cathedral, used his position to delve into the region’s religious and civil archives. He thus spent the end of his life compiling a monumental body of documents. This Herculean effort gave rise to this imposing work. Although his narrative at times seeks to highlight the city’s Catholic roots in an 18th century still marked by religious tensions, his documentary rigor remains exemplary. A pleasant copy, well preserved.