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PIERRE BOAISTUAU - eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

PIERRE BOAISTUAU - eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

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keep the peace: ‘Maintenant ie conuertiz mes parolles à vous Monarques, Empereurs<br />

Roys, Princes et autres de l’authorité desquelz le pauure peuple despend’. 691<br />

Boaistuau’s pacific theory was based on a theological argument. Christ did not come<br />

to Earth to reconcile Man with God as a triumphant warlord but as a Prince <strong>of</strong> Peace:<br />

‘nous annonçans la venue de Jesus Christ en terre, ne nous promettent pas un Satrape,<br />

un expugnateur de Republiques, un bellateur ou triomphateur, mais un Prince de<br />

paix’. 692 Imitating His example, Christian rulers should not only lead a life <strong>of</strong> peace<br />

themselves but also encourage it for their subjects. Man was destined to live in peace<br />

as he was promised in Scripture, and the goal <strong>of</strong> a good ruler was to safeguard this<br />

objective. For support, Boaistuau cited the Biblical authorities <strong>of</strong> St. Paul and St.<br />

John, as well as Church writers who exhorted monarchs to choose peace and unity<br />

rather than war. His pacific calling communicated a moralising message addressed not<br />

only to kings but to humanity:<br />

Mais ie vous prie, Chrestiens, quel tesmoignage d’amitié, quand il [Iesus<br />

christ] nous exhorte de laisser l’oblation que nous voulons laisser à son<br />

temple, si nous nous recordons d’auoir quelque haine ou rancune contre nostre<br />

prochain, et cherchions les moyens de nous reconcilier à luy deuant que<br />

l’<strong>of</strong>frir! 693<br />

Boaistuau’s appeal for peace, however, was not only affected by Christian morality,<br />

but also by the values <strong>of</strong> sixteenth-century humanism. Neoplatonic philosophy<br />

endorsed the idea <strong>of</strong> peace and stability as means <strong>of</strong> attaining true harmony, and<br />

influenced the work <strong>of</strong> many Renaissance writers. Similarly, Boaistuau successfully<br />

691 Boaistuau, P., L’Histoire de Chelidonius Tigurinus, p. 127r.<br />

692 Ibid, p. 114v. No doubt Boaistuau refers to Isaiah 9:6: ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is<br />

given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,<br />

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince <strong>of</strong> Peace’. Bold font is mine.<br />

693 Ibid, p. 117v.<br />

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