LES TROIS ROIS MAGES CHEZ GUILLAUME POSTEL (1510-1581), SUIVI DE L’ÉDITION SAVANTE DE LA PROGNOSTICATION DE SUS PARIS […] EXTRAICTE DES SECRETS […] DES TROYS ROYS MAGES

Abstract

La Prognostication de sus Paris (1568) is one of many manuscripts by Guillaume Postel (1510-1581), written during his incarceration at Saint-Martin-des-Champs (1563-1581). In this text Postel reworks a prophecy relating to the Biblical Magi, which had previously been included in the Thrésor des prophéties de l’univers (c.1566), to function as an appeal to the Portuguese. This annotated edition of the manuscript (BNF f. lat. 3402) is accompanied by a study in two parts. The first part explores how Postel deviates from contemporary portrayals of the Magi: while other portrayals evolve to take into account the discovery of new continents, Postel continues to rely on earlier sources. This also has an effect on Postel’s earlier works, notably Des merveilles du monde (c.1552). The second part of the study examines the consequences of Postel’s emerging “iberophilia” and situates the manuscript in the context of the author’s search for a receptive audience.