Italian manuscript of "De Arte Militaria", about Louis XIV's reforms of the French Army, c.1696

LOUIS XIV--MARSHALS OF FRANCE 

Late seventeenth-century Italian manuscript of "De Arte Militaria", about Louis XIV's military reforms and the honours due to the Marshals of France, c. 1696

in a clear Italian hand, on up to twenty-four lines per page, with decorative finials ending the chapters, titled "Servitio che l'infanteria Francese, e Straniera deve far giornalmente all' Armata"; "Ordine del Rè che si deve osservare nelle Guardie, che si faranno nell'Armate, Piazze alli Prencipi, Marescialli di Francia...che li sono dovuti del dodici Maggio 1696"; "Per formare il Battaglione"; "Il Commando per il Maneggio dell' Armi"

47 leaves, small 4to (c.190 x 130mm.), contemporary limp vellum, title on spine ("De Arte Militaria Mano[scri]tta"), fragments of early bookplate, possibly lacking a title page, small old stamp to first page, tears to covers, the front repaired with translucent tape, light spotting and occasional foxing

On 12 May 1696, Louis XIV ordered reforms in the French Army, establishing the honours due to a Marshal of France. Among the stipulations were that when a Marshal entered a city he had to be greeted by several cannon shots and receive a personal guard of 50 men.