As I mentioned not long ago, while spending an enjoyable afternoon last Saturday mooching round the London Library in an even-though-I’m-feeling-a-bit-lost-that’s-basically-OK kind of way, I found sufficient time to scan in the whole of Charles de la Roncière’s (1934) “Le Flibustier Mysterieux” and take home on a memory stick.
And now I’ve read it, I have to say it’s… really quite different from what I expected. The keel (if you like) of the book is de la Roncière’s quest to attribute the 17-line cryptogram to an Indian Ocean French pirate. He takes the approach of examining lots of pirate / treasure stories from broadly the right time and place, and seeing if he can use them to gain a glimpse of the mysterious man hiding behind the cryptogram’s curtain.
His book was clearly, I think, written for a popular audience: and even though he occasionally tries to affect academic detachment and skepticism of his sources, the raw evidence he’s moulding the whole thing from is simply too slight. Being brutally honest, I came to the book expecting a soupçon of the rigour and maritime erudition that he brought to his (literally) heavyweight six-volume “Histoire de la Marine Française” (from 1898 to 1932!): but found not so much as a single footnote. Perhaps he had footnoted himself out over those long decades.
On balance, though, perhaps that’s not so much of a issue for “Le Flibustier Mysterieux”, because it isn’t honestly that kind of a beast: rather, it’s both entertaining and an (on the whole) easy read.
All the same, I think it suffers from one big underlying problem, un éléphant dans la chambre: that History – and in particular historiography – has changed so much in 80 years that we would need the whole thing annotated and positioned within the context of what we now know in order to make proper sense of what he’s saying. Otherwise his book would be no more than a Parisian curio, a 115-page historical footnote (if you like).
Cipher Foundation Microproject #1
As I mentioned before, what I originally had in mind here was asking people to volunteer to transcribe two or three pages each from scans: but having now myself sat down and typed in sixty-five (small-ish) pages in one day, it became quickly clear that it would take far less time and effort to do it myself than to set up and coordinate a way of collaborating broadly to make that happen.
Hence what I want to aim for instead here is something a bit bigger, more thoughtful, and (I hope) more genuinely revealing; and something that overall better fits The Cipher Foundation’s charitable purpose (to “improve awareness of historical codes and ciphers”).
So rather than just transcribe it, what I’m now planning to do is commission an annotated translation of it. In short, The Cipher Foundation’s first historical cipher microproject will be: Translating “Le Flibustier Mysterieux”.
Inevitably, I haven’t worked out all the details yet (do you think Indiegogo would be the best crowdfunding platform? Or perhaps somewhere else entirely?) and it’ll take more than a few days to get the bank account, PayPal account, and the friendly-looking [Click Here To Donate] button all working etc. But it’s a plan, and – I hope you’ll agree – not an entirely bad plan either.
And if I do pretty much the opposite of everything Derek Abbott did with his attempt at crowdfunding, it should work out fine. :-p
Does that make sense to you?
Nick, I’ve been keeping up with your various posts in re “Flibustier Mysterieux”. So far, I can find no info — perhaps a mispelling of another word “filibuster” ?
I keep grinning at the idea of a pirate being interested in a woman’s garment: a “bustier” ……… Me? Sorry? Nope, just having a little fun at your expense.
Really, though, I DO understand your frustration. Several weeks ago, I found a Mexican website which discussed a small island which was a refuge for women (who worshiped the goddess Ixtal). Quite often, apparently, pirates on their ways to and from the Carribean would attempt to visit the ladies on the small island: Isla de la Munieres.
A website, named “Mexicolore” (if I’m remembering one of several websites which discuss that tiny island) may be able to give you info on piratical activities in Mexico and surrounding islands.
Nick,
I don’t know if you have had experience with translators before (I have!) but in this sort of project, penny pinching is a bad idea. It’s probably easy enough to find an Anglo-Franco translator working for 0.01€ a word online, but the quality of the translation you get back may not be much better than Google translate… especially if, as you say, the book is written for a popular audience.
The translator will need to bear in mind the era of the book and audience level in order to bring across the meanings of idioms and, dare I say it, translate the meaning, rather than just the words, in order for English readers to grasp the nuances of the text.
You may want to test the translator first 😉
Correction: the island was called “Isla de Mujeres”
😉
BD: a quick Google search will tell you that “flibustier” means (roughly) “pirate”. Corsairs, not corsets.
Hi Nick !
You read La Roncière ? What’s your opinion about the second sentence of the book ” Although it begins like a Poe’s tale, it’s pure history.” ? 😉 Do you believe it’s a hasard ?
An elephant in a room, that’s a minimum…La Roncière attribute the cypher to La Buse just analysing the word “KORT” which is a “north french” (cht’i) version of the word “CORDE” in litteral french… A little bit ledge in my opinion…and very ledge when you know that the word “KORT” doesn’t exist in “cht’i” language….
Have a good day and good luck in your project of numerisation. 🙂
Monsieur Hubert (M’sieu ‘uber) — Merci beau coup est la correction…….(French? Espanol? German? Polyglot?
Having aided my hearing deficit by reading lips/facial expressions/body language — for most of my life — I have enjoyed many brief conversations with European tourists who were visiting San Francisco (California).
Lately, I’ve been having memory “mis-recall” of various events in my life. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the four years I lived in Key West Florida. I also enjoyed my 10-day visit with Club-Med, Moorea. I danced the Tamure. I was able to have brief conversations with the bandleader musician and his beautiful wife, and the dance performers.
Shortly after I returned home to San Francisco, our Hawaiian and South Pacific neighbors celebrated a Pan-Pacific celebration of their cultures.
After the perfomance, I presented the Tahitian dancers with photographs I had taken of their performance at Moorea.
Apparently, not many ‘tourists’ had ever given the dancers any feedback (in the form of photography). They heaped some dozen leis on my neck and shoulders (chin-high).
Herein, I am not filibustering your communications — I’m just gabby. Just recalling some wonderful exchanges and experiences where ever I’ve lived or vacationed: Canyon d’ Chelley (Navajo) and the Hopi Museum visit with Valjean Joshevema (Senior — returnee WW II vet.) Apparently Mr. Joshevema’s son/grandson have contributed funds to film-makers (some documentary films) of some of the disastrous consequences of drilling for oil, and destruction of ‘holy places’ and wildlife not only in the US but Canada and South America.
Diane sometimes has a lot to say. She tends to stay within the ‘parameters’ of Nick’s various blog pages. AND she does have a sense of humor!
beady-eyed wonder – er
Manu and/or Sir Hubert’,
Is it at all possible that the word corte could refer to Cordirreal?
Hi Bbdid1dr,
What do you call “Cordirreal”, i didn’t found it in my dictionnary.
The word “KORT” doesn’t existe in french, and north french language. You can find the word “KORT” in old flemish and it means “short” ( “court” in french).
Have a good day.
Emmanuel Mezino.
Emmanuel, I will consult my dictionaries (English/French/Spanish/Latin): I vaguely recall a reference to ‘mountainous territories and regions’.
Here, in California, we have a very long mountain range called the “Sierra Nevada”.
In Mexico there is a mountain called “Malinche/ Malintze” (Same name as the young woman who was held captive by Cortez.)
Fray Sahagun discusses both the mountains and the mines (for turquoise/ gems, silver, and gold. (The precious stone ’emerald’ is also discussed).
So, take another look at the contents of B-408 and compare with the contents of the “Florentine Codex” — all twelve ‘books’. Fascinating!
Kort means short in modern Dutch, as in Flemish. In sentences it is inflected. In spoken Flemish it also means kaart, i.e. card or map.
Thanks, Rene!
Card, Carte (Passport?) Travellers Chart? What would be the word in “Lingua Franca” (Sabir?) Traders polyglot ?
Flibustier — Filibuster is still used in the US as a form of delaying or arguing political issues before the Houses of the US Government.
Cordelier : (1) A cord or girdle worn by the order. (2) A member of the Franciscan Friars; so named from their wearing a girdle of knotted cord. (3) A member of a Parisian political club during the time of the Revolution, which numbered Danton and Marat among its chief members: named from an old convent of the Cordeliers, where their meetings were held.
Reference from “Websters New Twentieth Century Dictionary (unabridged) – Second Edition-Deluxe Color”
🙂
So, round and round we go. So, this particular discussion most likely can be referring not only to the Parisian politicans, but also to the Franciscan Friar who wrote the “Voynich” document, and continued to ‘document’ his 50-some-odd-years of life in “New Spain”. ? que? Hey?
In more recent years, here in the US/Canada, the process of ‘girdling’ trees is practiced by paper and pulp factories.
“Cordeliering” ???
PS: Besides some fifteen Missions in California, we have a small town called “Cordelia”
Still grinning! 😉 Beadier-eyed than ever! (All those dictionaries! Bleh! )
There can be found on the WWW a beautiful piece of art which portrays the “The Cord” which is the emblem of the French Revolutionaries (and their occupation of what was once a Monastery.
:’)
I’ll be trying to find some discussion in re D’anton and Marat.
With that beautiful manuscript (Parisian “Declaration of Independence”) is a translation of its contents. Take note of the elaborate ‘rope’ border. Both D’anton and Marat were beheaded. (executed by guillotine).
Nick, you whine about those libraries you recently roamed through; bad lighting, gloomy corners, miles of cross-refencing, etc. etc. Take a look at the Boenicke Library’s physical layout. Egads! Talk about climbing mountains with not enough air. On second thought, if you are fearful of great heights with open space below each ‘platform’ — be grateful for what’s in your area for research.
I am so grateful for the tri-county library system we have available, I have to restrain myself from hugging the librarians. I just recently found some of the earliest historical maps of pre-Gold Rush California. General Vallejo’s takeover of a huge chunk of real estate.
bd
The very earliest Cordillerans were (itinerant ?)Franciscan monks who had avowed a life of poverty (at least no property). A monastery eventually was built by the Franciscans, who apparently even today wear a knotted belt.
Can anyone determine, for me, if the rosary developed from a knotted cord?
Apparently several centuries went by before the French Revolutionary rebels occupied the monastery. Today the monastery’s Cloister is a winery (apparently, per Google).
So, I guess my earlier guess makes more sense?
ps: Our Napa Valley (California) is famous world-wide. Also apparent is the success many vineyards worldwide are having in preventing phyllloxera vastatrix; by exchanging root stock world wide.
I refer you to a couple of web discussions which also have illustrations — very interesting:
A manuscript of the earliest illustration of St. Francis — knotted rope belt; and with his manuscript held in his left hand (his right hand is across his chest).
Lecture notes from Keith Aksel (MRS 215) Title: Convent of the Cordeliers (date 11-25-07) The key words which caught my attention: “Friars Minor” — “The Franciscans are characterized by their dedication to ascetism, and their brown rope-tied robes.” “The name “Cordeliers” came from the French word for cord, referring to the ropes the Friars wore.”
End of quotes.
bd
Nick, you are exposing my email address on this page. Will this result in my email box being spammed?
bdid1dr: I don’t believe I am exposing anyone’s email address on this (or any other) page. Can you please tell me where on the page you think this has happened?
Oh dear me! I was just worried that there might be changes (in the form of passwords etc.) which might inadvertently reveal our personal/email info. Please accept my apology for interrupting the flow of your communications. Also, I thank you wholeheartedly for giving us this marvelous forum!
bdid1dr
Of course, this forum is the best in the world.
So bdid not have to worry. Everything is time and well.
Champollion.
is fine….no time. 🙂
Correction: D’Anton was assassinated, (previous to Marat’s beheading). I shall return to my earlier investigations to clear up any other erroneous info I’ve posted in re the Cordillerean/Franciscan histories.
There are several illustrations of the Cordillerean document, online — and the church building’s evolution into a Cloister — and even later evolution of the Cloister into a winery (19th and 20th centuries ?)
Nick (and Friends): Forgive me if I’ve been filibustering your ‘flibustier’ mystery pages. I kind of go into full-fledged research mode. ’tis fascinating !
(Still reading with only one eye.)
beady-eyed wonder-r
Perhaps Sally Caves (recently posted on Nick’s other most recent discussion) may have some new information in re the Cordeliers. Cordeliers were early Fransiscan monks. In later (more recent) centuries, in Paris, the Filibustiers (rebels) occupied the old Cordelierian Monastery for their meetings. Sally Caves may find this blog page of some interest. Perhaps Nick might alert her to this ‘parallel’ discussion.
Fascinating!
I am interested in buying a translated version. Could you email me about this?