PEYRAT, Guillaume du. L'Histoire Ecclésiastique de la cour, ou Les Antiquitez et Recherches de la chapelle et oratoire du roy de France depuis Clovis jusques à notre temps, divisée en trois livres et dédiée au Très Chrétien Roy de France Louis XIV. Published in Paris by Henry Sara in 1645. In-folio format. Full brown grained basane. Spine ribbed, decorated with a fleuron in the center and gilded corner fleurons, title in gold in a gilded cartouche. Gilt roulette on the edges (faded in places). Red edges. Contemporary binding. 27 ff. (dedication, preface, chapter and author tables) + 886 pages + 32 ff. (table of contents). Title page illustrated with a handsome royal engraving, text embellished with superb bands, ornamented lettering and decorative headpieces. Epidermized but solid binding, a few snags on the nerves, old and barely visible restorations to the headpieces. Paper very slightly foxed, rare spotting. First edition of this rare work of great erudition, a major work by Guillaume de Peyrat (1563-1645), an illustrious Cistercian monk, theologian and historian, who was Catherine de Médicis' page. The author recounts the history of royal chapels and oratories, the word chapel being taken in all its meanings: monuments, places, religious institutions in charge of officiating and singing, which lasted for several centuries from Clovis to the throes of the Revolution. A solid contemporary copy, with an overall fresh interior.