The Tales of the Heptameron, Vol. 1 (of 5)Marguerite, Queen, consort of Henry II, King of Navarre
General
The Tales of the Heptameron, Vol. 1 (of 5)
Marguerite, Queen, consort of Henry II, King of Navarre
Love stories, French -- Translations into English; Tales -- France -- Translations into English
12 The letters of remission which were granted to St. Aignan
on this occasion will be found in the Appendix to the First
Day (B). It will be noted that Margaret in her story gives
various particulars which St. Aignan did not fail to conceal
in view of obtaining his pardon.--L.
To this end he went in disguise to Paris with his wife. She, finding
that he used to shut himself up for a great while in a room with Gallery
without acquainting her with the reason thereof, spied upon him one
morning, and perceived Gallery showing him five wooden images, three of
which had their hands hanging down, whilst two had them lifted up.(13)
“We must make waxen images like these,” said Gallery, speaking to the
Proctor. “Such as have their arms hanging down will be for those whom
we shall cause to die, and the others with their arms raised will be for
the persons from whom you would fain have love and favour.”
“This one,” said the Proctor, “shall be for the King by whom I would
fain be loved, and this one for Monseigneur Brinon, Chancellor of
Alençon.” (14)
13 This refers to the superstitious practice called
_envoûtement_, which, according to M. Léon de Laborde, was
well known in France in 1316, and subsisted until the
sixteenth century. In 1330 the famous Robert d’Artois, upon
retiring to Brabant, occupied himself with pricking waxen
images which represented King Philip VI., his brother-in-
law, and the Queen, his sister. (_Mémoires de l’Académie des
Inscriptions_, vol. xv. p. 426.) During the League the
enemies of Henri III. and the King of Navarre revived this
practice.--(L.) It would appear also from a document in the
Harley MSS. (18,452, Bib. N’at., Paris) that Cosmo Ruggieri,
the Florentine astrologer, Catherine de’ Medici’s
confidential adviser, was accused in 1574 of having made a
wax figure in view of casting a spell upon Charles IX.--M.
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