[COURT CASE]. Various memoirs relating to the trial of Fathe - Lot 1

[COURT CASE]. Various memoirs relating to the trial of Father Girard, a Jesuit, and Marie-Catherine Cadière. Texts published in various places and printers in 1731. One volume, in folio format. Brown calf. Spine ribbed and decorated with gilt fleurons and gilt boxing. Approx. 400 pages. Leather loss to headpieces and bottom of upper spine, spines tired, rubbed, corners rounded, bottom of hinges brittle with cracks in some, heavy light spotting in places and a few pages browned. This highly original work contains a collection of texts relating to the famous trial of the Jesuit Jean-Baptiste Girard and Marie Catherine Cadière. Father Girard's relationship with one of his penitentiaries, Marie Catherine Cadière, gave rise to a resounding trial in Aix-en-Provence in 1731, with accusations including witchcraft, sexual relations and spiritual incest. From a trial of influence between Jansenists and Jesuits, the case left Provence to become a national affair, and became a judicial chronicle followed by the public, as the 18th century would know others. This copy contains 23 texts, ranging in length from 2 to 84 pages, from the various parties or camps involved in the trial: supplications, disinterested reflections, observations, accusations, protests, memoirs and counter-memoirs follow one another under suspicion of witchcraft and crimes of enchantment. A very interesting historical document on one of the major cases of the first half of the 18th century.