A History of England From the First Invasion By the Romans to the Accession of Henry VIII

A scarce to see set of the first edition of John Lingard's brilliant history of England, an extra illustrated edition with many plates bound in. The first edition, very scarce to see a set of the first edition volumes together.Complete in six volumes; this work was later expanded with more volumes added, but this set is complete in six as when published.An extra illustrated set, with a prior owner adding many plates to highlight the text, the original published work was not illustrated. Plates have a neat handwritten note to the reverse on pink paper tipped in.Volume I illustrated with one folding plate and fifteen plates.Volume II illustrated with four folding plates and five plates.Volume III illustrated with eight folding plates and eleven plates.Volume IV illustrated with two folding plates and seven plates.Volume V illustrated with three folding plates and three plates.Volume VI illustrated with three folding plates and three plates.A very important and influential 'History of England'. The author, John Lingard, set out to research and write this history in order to emphasise the disastrous effects of the Reformation. Using primary sources, Lingard offers a sober and factual account of British history from the first Roman invasion to the Commonwealth.Lingard's history is very interesting as he, a Roman Catholic priest, shows the positions of Catholics throughout history and into the early nineteenth century, when they were politically a minority body. His history is impartial in its opinions regarding the fraught religious turmoil that plagued Britain for centuries.Volumes I-III end with the accession of Henry VIII, Volume IV the accession of Mary, Volume V the accession of James I, and Volume IV to the Commonwealth.Volumes I, II and III published in 1819. Volume IV published in 1820. Volume V published in 1823. Volume VI published in 1825.Two pages of adverts to the rear of Volume III.Half-title to Volume VI.Pages 113 to 216 of Volume V are misbound between pages 56 and 57. In a half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, generally smart. Light rubbing to the boards and spines, including to the joints. Bumping to the extremities. Small amount of leather to the head of the spine of Volume V is lifting. A touch of discolouration to the leather. Small chip to the spine label of Volume I. Rear joint and hinge of Volume II is starting. Small crack to the tail of the rear joint of Volume III. A little loss of leather to the tail of the front board of Volume VI. Front hinge of Volume VI is starting but firm. Internally, firmly bound, Volume V is generally firmly bound. Pages are a little age toned and generally clean with the occasional spot. Some plates are age-toned and spotted due to being printed on different paper. Closed tear to plate facing page 575 in Volume III. Pages 41-48 and 107-112 of Volume V are detaching. Pages 113 to 216 of Volume V are misbound between pages 56 and 57. Very Good.…