The History of the Civill Warres of France

Item Details

London, Printed by R. Raworth, 1647, Contemporary full leather

First edition in English, See images

2 folio folio volumes. 9 x 13.75 x 4 inches. Contemporary calf with gold tooling to covers. V. 1: [8] l. (including privilege, title, dedication to Charles I), 757 (including the title page for The Continuation and Conclusion of the Civill Warres of France... London, Ruth Raworth, 1648, between pp. [406]-409). V. 2: 757-1478. V. 1 with large engraved title page monogram combining the initial of the translators. Woodcut ornaments and initials. Note: V. 1 ends on p. 757 and V. 2 opens on p. 757, but with the addition of a woodcut device (see images). 

Condition: See images. Internally very clean and crisp. Some foxing to initial pages including title. All four boards detached. Spine labels wanting. Spines with raised bands are intact with a split starting to v.1. Front free endpapers missing from both volumes. Pencil notations on insides of rear free endpapers (present) to both volumes. Unobtrusive mending of first two pages to v.2. Ownership inscriptions dated 1802, 1840, 1893 on verso of privilege page.

A very good study copy or candidate for re-backing and restoration.. 

The subject is the series of eight French civil wars that occurred during the late 1500s, primarily a conflict between French Catholics and Huguenots (French Calvinists). Context: This title was published in the middle of the English Civil Wars (1642-1651). Its publication was dedicated by the translators (Sir Charles Cotterell and William Aylesbury) on January 1, 1648 to King Charles I--who requested the translation and was executed thirteen months later on January 30, 1649.