The Wars of the Roses: A Field Guide & Companion

Publication: Stroud, Sutton Publishing Limited, 2007 Formatting: 8vo, pp. 274. Condition Report: Near Fine. The volume is remarkably well-preserved, presenting a firm, square text block and sharp corners devoid of bumping. The black cloth boards are fresh, and the gilt lettering to the spine remains entirely unoxidised and bright. Internally, the pages are crisp and exceptionally clean, free from foxing, handling marks, or tears. The dust jacket is wholly intact and visually striking, showing only the most superficial trace of shelf-wear to the extreme extremities, with no chipping or clipping. A highly attractive, tightly bound copy. Catalogue Note: First edition, first printing in the hardback format. The text is richly supplemented with historical illustrations, maps, battle plans, portraits, and photographs. Of notable provenance, the front endpapers feature two attractive bookplates. The front pastedown bears the armorial bookplate of Reverend Father Robert Geoffrey Hilton, accompanied by the motto 'Spiritus Gladius'. An additional Ex Libris sticker for 'Rev. Dom. Robert G. Hilton' is affixed below a notable inscription on the front free endpaper. This inscription is a neatly handwritten ink quotation from Shakespeare's Richard III: '"That cat, the rat, and Lovell the dog, Ruleth all England, under the hog."'. Finding a true first edition hardback in such clean, collector-grade condition is increasingly uncommon. Peter Bramley's comprehensive field guide and companion explores 260 surviving historical sites linked to the Wars of the Roses throughout England and Wales. The text provides essential historical context, including biographies for all the key personalities involved in the dynastic conflict, while giving full directions for each site to aid modern historical explorers. …