On the Nobility and Excellence of the Female Sex

TO THE MOST DISTINGUISHED MAN, LORD

Maximilianus Transylvanus, Councilor to the Emperor

and Caesar Charles V, from Henricus Cornelius Agrippa. Greetings.

A large, decorative initial A begins the text, adorned with floral patterns and classical motifs. Almost twenty years have passed, splendid Maximilian, since the time when I was appointed to the lecture chair at the University of Dole in Burgundy. At that time, to the great admiration of all, I was interpreting the book of Johann Reuchlin original: "Ioan. Capnionis." Agrippa uses the Greek version of Reuchlin's name, "Capnion," which means "little smoke," a common humanist practice. titled On the Wonder-Working Word original: "de Verbo Mirifico." Reuchlin’s work was a foundational text of Christian Kabbalah. in honor of the divine Princess Margaret, our sovereign. During those lectures, I delivered a notable oration in praise of her virtues.

At that time, many men of high standing in that city urged me—among others, Simon Verney original: "Symon Vernerius." Verney was the Dean of the Church of Dole and a high official at the university., whom you know, the Dean of the Church of Dole and Vice-Chancellor of the University—to dedicate some written work to the aforementioned Princess. They all pleaded with persistent requests, urged me with letters, and suggested that by doing so, I would enter into no small favor with the Princess. I agreed, thinking it a crime to reject the prayers of such men or to ignore the favor of so great a Princess that was offered to me.

And so, I began the theme of a work on the nobility and excellence of the female sex. I thought it not unworthy to devote and dedicate this specifically to that Princess who, above all the famous women of our age, seemed to be a unique example of female nobility and excellence. My hope was that, with her as patron and witness, this little book might gain significant authority against those who, in disparaging the female sex, leave nothing undone.

As for why I did not fulfill this vow to her Highness at that time, it was not due to the distance of the place, nor the passage of time, nor a fickleness of mind, nor a change of purpose. It was not even because of the narrowness of the subject matter or a poverty of talent. Rather, the slander of a certain "Catiline" original: "Catilinei cuiusdã calũnia." Agrippa is referring to Jean Catilinet, a Franciscan friar who accused Agrippa of heresy for his lectures on Reuchlin, forcing him to flee Dole. Agrippa uses the name of the Roman conspirator Catiline as a biting insult. was the cause. You will be able to see the nature of this slander from my own formal complaint against him, which I am sending to you along with these present writings. Overcome by his hypocrisy and filled with indignation, I suppressed the book. Until now, I have been unwilling to "whitewash any other wall with this same pot of lime" original: "fidelia aliã quãuis etiã pretiosum parietẽ dealbare." This is a Latin proverb suggesting he did not want to apply his efforts to any other project or patron until the time was right., though I knew it would one day...