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The Stuart and Mimi Rose Collection /

The Chivalric Romance

Item 15C

Theuerdank Die Geuerlicheiten und Einsteils

1517
First Edition
Hand-Colored Illustrations

This book is a beautiful example of a very popular literary form, the chivalric romance: tales of heroic adventures, all in a search for love. Theuerdank tells of the dangerous and heroic adventures of Emperor Maximilian I on his journey to claim his bride, Mary of Burgundy. The story was written in rhyming couplets. The knight Theuerdank (a figure representing Maximilian) reaches his bride, vanquishes his enemies, and is finally sent off on a crusade to prove beyond all doubt his worthiness as a Christian knight.


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Visit the Folger to see this object on exhibit

Imprints in Time

Imprints in Time

This special exhibition at the Folger features rare books from the collection of Stuart and Mimi Rose that present literary, cultural, and historical high points.
Through Sun, Jan 5, 2025
Rose Exhibition Hall