Innovating the Sixteenth-Century French Popular Songbook in Lyon

Abstract This article examines a popular French unnotated songbook (1538), that is unique for its material characteristics. Set in roman type and abundantly illustrated with woodcuts, this edition stands out from contemporary unnotated songbooks published in France and neighbouring regions. To investigate this remarkable publication, the songbook is analysed as part of the activities of its printer, who can be identified as Denis de Harsy in Lyon, based on the Orion device. Although unusual for a songbook, the book’s design fitted in exceedingly well with De Harsy’s way of working, for he consciously re-edited the well-known song collection. He did so for three purposes: facilitating the voluminous collection’s use, highlighting Clément Marot’s authorship of some of the songs and characterizing song as offering a space for women’s discourse. Additionally, the absence of any privileges resting on these songs is used to further previous reflections on the objectives of the Orion books.