Description

Rare first edition, printed by and for John Nicols, London, 1779. Complete in 2 volumes. Volume I contains 5 plates: 3 being full page engravings, 1 fold-out engraving [frontis], and 1 fold-out map. Volume II contains 3 plates: fold-out frontis, 1 full page engraving, and i fold-out map. {All called for}. Appended to each volume is an Index of place names mentioned therein. Bound in contemporary half calf with red leather spine labels. Book plate of Thomas Grahame in each volume. Author’s name pencilled in at title volume I as J. Warburton. This first editon was published without reference to Warburton. In the new edition, published in 1786, again by Nicols, the title page reads “collected from the Mss of John Warburton, Esq. and Dr. Ducarrel. Neither of these names appear in the first printing, and indeed the latter is reported to requested that his name not be associated with the book. Alien Priories were religious establishments in England, such as a monestery or convent, which were under the control of another relgious house outside of Engalnd. Usually the mother-house was in France. Beginning with the reign of King John [1199-1216] the English Kings began to seize control of the priories, mainly for economic purposes, until by 1378 all monks were expelled. It was under the Tudor king Henry V that the alien priories finally came to an end. In 1414 those priories not already assigned with the Popes assent to other religious purposes, were finally suppressed by the Parliement of Leicester, and their revenues taken into the King’s hands. A well-preserved set, complete in 2 volumes, with wide margins and stong hinges. All pages are firmly attached. Covers show modeate to heavy rubbing and wear, spine leather quite dry, amd several pages are mildly toned, though most are quite clean and there is virtuaslly no foxing to text. Volume shows one page [p. 113/114] with closed tear extending from foredge, no loose of text. A good or better copy of a very scarce title in the original edition. Pictures available upon request.