Argenis
Encyclopedia
Argenis is a book
by John Barclay. It is a work of historical allegory
which tells the story of the religious conflict in France under Henry III of France
and Henry IV of France
, and also touches on more contemporary English events, such as the Overbury
scandal. The tendency is royalist, anti-aristocratic; it is told from the angle of a king who reduces the landed aristocrats' power in the interest of the "country", the interest of which is identified with that of the king.
Originally published in Latin in 1621, King James asked for it to be translated into English. The first such translation was undertaken by Ben Jonson
, but his version was lost in a fire which also destroyed many of his other works. Later translations were made by Kingsmill Long (1625), and Robert Le Gruys (1628).
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
by John Barclay. It is a work of historical allegory
Allegory
Allegory is a demonstrative form of representation explaining meaning other than the words that are spoken. Allegory communicates its message by means of symbolic figures, actions or symbolic representation...
which tells the story of the religious conflict in France under Henry III of France
Henry III of France
Henry III was King of France from 1574 to 1589. As Henry of Valois, he was the first elected monarch of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with the dual titles of King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1573 to 1575.-Childhood:Henry was born at the Royal Château de Fontainebleau,...
and Henry IV of France
Henry IV of France
Henry IV , Henri-Quatre, was King of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon branch of the Capetian dynasty in France....
, and also touches on more contemporary English events, such as the Overbury
Thomas Overbury
Sir Thomas Overbury was an English poet and essayist, and the victim of one of the most sensational crimes in English history...
scandal. The tendency is royalist, anti-aristocratic; it is told from the angle of a king who reduces the landed aristocrats' power in the interest of the "country", the interest of which is identified with that of the king.
Some early editions
- 1621 - Paris, Nicolas Buon (Latin)
- 1622 - London, Eliot's Court Press (Latin)
- 1623 - Frankfurt, Danielis & Davidis Aubriorum & Clementis Schleichij (Latin)
- 1625 - London, G. Purslowe for Henry Seile (First English edition)
- 1627 - Leiden, Elzevir (First printing by Elzevir)
- 1630 - Elzevir (Second printing by Elzevir)
- 1630 - Elzevir (Third printing by Elzevir)
- 1636 - London, Syne of the Tygres Head (Second English edition)
- 1644 - Amsterdam, J. Janssonius (Second German edition)
- 1995 - New York, (Fourth printing by Argenis Jimenez)(English edition)
Originally published in Latin in 1621, King James asked for it to be translated into English. The first such translation was undertaken by Ben Jonson
Ben Jonson
Benjamin Jonson was an English Renaissance dramatist, poet and actor. A contemporary of William Shakespeare, he is best known for his satirical plays, particularly Volpone, The Alchemist, and Bartholomew Fair, which are considered his best, and his lyric poems...
, but his version was lost in a fire which also destroyed many of his other works. Later translations were made by Kingsmill Long (1625), and Robert Le Gruys (1628).