Second edition of the French translation of the biography of Saint Francis of Borgia, a Spanish Roman Catholic reformer and third general of the Jesuits. The original work was written by the famous Spanish jesuit Pedro Ribadeneyra (1527-1611), the present translation, first published by the same printer in 1596, was made by Michel d'Esne de Bétencourt (1540-1614), one of the pages of King Philip II of Spain. Several chapters touch on Jesuit missionaries in the Americas: one on Florida, L'entrée de la Compagnie aux Indes Occidentales, & la mort de neuf de nostres en la Florides, one on Peru and the Spanish colonies in South America, Les nostres s'en vont au Péru et à la nouvelle espagne, and another on Brasil Les hérétiques mirent à mort mort 39 de la Compagnie qui alloient au Brésil.
Ribadeneyra was personally acquainted with famous 16th-century Jesuits like Francis of Borgia, Ignacius of Loyola, and father Lainez. Borgia was a member of the famous Borgia family, great-grandson of Pope Alexander VI, and cousin to Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Borgia was the talk of Spain, since he had given up on his own duchy to become a Jesuit after the death of his wife. His preaching made a deep impression, and many young people from high society were encouraged to join the order due to his work. In 1565, Borgia succeeded Lainez as master-general of the order.
With a manuscript owner's inscription on the front paste-down "Au convent des Carmelites de Rouen K 23" and a manuscript annotation in the outer margin of p. 97 "ce livre est de permitage de notre mere [...] chresse(?)". The vellum of the binding is slightly creased and dust soiled, occasionally slightly browned, quire P is loose. Otherwise in good condition. De Backer-Sommervogel VI, 1734; Bibl. Belg. R22; USTC 1116632 (12 copies); not in Borba de Moraes; Sabin; STC French.