A gamebook for Christmas Eve (France, 1619-1710)

Abstract

In 1619, a small collection of prayers for Christmas Eve appeared for the first time. On closer inspection, it is not a book but a collection of independent, detachable ‘notes’ designed for a role-playing game intended to spiritualize the evening of December 24. This collection is part of a spirituality of the childhood of Christ characteristic of the 17^th century and Franciscan traditions, which invites women to associate themselves with the motherhood of the Virgin Mary. This article presents the six known editions of the Tablature spirituelle and questions the paradox of a ‘book’ (with a binding) intended for destruction, since the pages must be detached and distributed at random. The article also examines the gradual heritage status of this small collection, now reduced to a traditional book with luxurious bindings.