THE HISTORY OF THE REBELLION AND CIVIL WARS IN ENGLAND, BEGUN IN THE YEAR 1641. With the Precedent Passages, and Actions, That Contributed Thereunto, and the Happy End, and Conclusion Thereof by the Kings Blessed Restoration, and Return upon the 29th of May, in the Year 1660.

Clarendon Edward, Earl of

Published by Oxford Printed at the Theater 1702, 1704

3 volumes. First Edition, Large Paper Copies with all plate marks intact. With three fine engraved portrait frontispieces, beautifully engraved title-pages and very large exquisitely designed extra-illustrated head-pieces and cul-de-lamps throughout, 19 superb 10 line historiated, illustrated initial letters for each section, half-titles for each book present . Super Folio (445 x 290 mm.), in contemporary bindings of fine English paneled calf, the spine panels sometime restored to style, raised bands gilt ruled, black morocco lettering labels gilt, edges gilt tooled. [ii], xxiii, 557; [xiii], 581; [xxi], 603, [xxi index] pp. An especially fine and clean set of this rare and important work, the restoration skillfully accomplished, the text-blocks crisp and clean and unpressed, the hinges strong and the volumes all tight and in good order. FIRST EDITION, LARGE PAPER COPY. Clarendon, who had risen to high office largely through his literary and oratorical gifts, was much admired by both Evelyn and Pepys. As an historian he occupies a high place in English literature, his works composed in the grandest of styles. THE HISTORY OF THE REBELLION. is considered his greatest work. DNB claims that Clarendon's "History" is "the most valuable of all the contemporary accounts of the civil wars." Clarendon was in an excellent position to write on the English Civil War having been active on both sides. On the onslaught he sided with the opposition, but being a firm Anglican he changed alliances in 1641 and became one of the chief supporters of the King. It was in exile with the Prince of Wales that he began work on his "History". After the Restoration he became Lord Chancellor to Charles II and his daughter, Anne Hyde, was married to the future James II. Anne s daughter with James would later be Queen Anne, to whom this edition of the "History" is dedicated. This first edition of Clarendon s "History" was printed from a transcript under the supervision of Clarendon s son. The profits from its publication were presented to Oxford University from which a new printing house bearing Clarendon s name was opened for the University Press. First editions of such an important work in English history are very scarce, to find such a handsome and clean copy in a contemporary binding is extremely fortuitous. Seller Inventory # 31493

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE HISTORY OF THE REBELLION AND CIVIL WARS ...
Publisher: Oxford Printed at the Theater 1702, 1704
Binding: Hardcover
Edition: 1st Edition