- 109
[Gascoigne, George]
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description
- The spoyle of Antwerpe. Faithfully reported by a true Englishman, who was present at the same. London: Richard Jones [for Thomas Berthelet], [?1576]
- paper
8vo (132 x 88mm.), title within woodcut border, woodcut printer's device on verso of final leaf, woodcut initial, eighteenth-century Dutch floral paper over calf, morocco lettering-piece, modern brown morocco fitted box with title in gilt on upper cover, [STC 11644, recording 2 copies], lower corner of outer margin nibbled with some loss to title-page border and catchwords, tear to A4 with loss to a few letters
Gascoigne, cash-strapped "Poett with a Speare" and professional flatterer, had, in the autumn of 1576, secured the government employment that he had long desired. After sojourning at the French court to test the political temperature vis-a-vis the military situation in the Netherlands, Gascoigne journeyed to Antwerp where he witnessed, on Sunday 4 November, the rape of the city by some thousands of Spanish soldiers, baying for blood and booty. He remained on site for over a fortnight before returning to London to report to Sir Francis Walsingham, senior secretary to Queen Elizabeth I.
Gascoigne's account of the bloody debacle is immediate and graphic. His catalogue of the woeful and gore spattered sights that were on view after the carnage is particularly potent: "heapes of carcases... the thicknesse whereof , did in many places exceede the height of a man... the huge nombers, drowned... as many sundry shapes and formes of mans motion at the time of death: as ever Mighel Angelo dyd portray... the infinite number of poore Almains, who lay burned in their armour: som thentrailes skorched out, and all the rest of the body free, some their head and shoulders burnt of: so that you might looke down into the bulk and brest, and there take an anatomy of the secrets of nature."
Gascoigne, cash-strapped "Poett with a Speare" and professional flatterer, had, in the autumn of 1576, secured the government employment that he had long desired. After sojourning at the French court to test the political temperature vis-a-vis the military situation in the Netherlands, Gascoigne journeyed to Antwerp where he witnessed, on Sunday 4 November, the rape of the city by some thousands of Spanish soldiers, baying for blood and booty. He remained on site for over a fortnight before returning to London to report to Sir Francis Walsingham, senior secretary to Queen Elizabeth I.
Gascoigne's account of the bloody debacle is immediate and graphic. His catalogue of the woeful and gore spattered sights that were on view after the carnage is particularly potent: "heapes of carcases... the thicknesse whereof , did in many places exceede the height of a man... the huge nombers, drowned... as many sundry shapes and formes of mans motion at the time of death: as ever Mighel Angelo dyd portray... the infinite number of poore Almains, who lay burned in their armour: som thentrailes skorched out, and all the rest of the body free, some their head and shoulders burnt of: so that you might looke down into the bulk and brest, and there take an anatomy of the secrets of nature."
Provenance
The library of the Earls of Macclesfield, removed from Shirburn Castle, sale in these rooms 13 March 2008, lot 3998
Condition
the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Gascoigne, cash-strapped "Poett with a Speare" and professional flatterer, had, in the autumn of 1576, secured the government employment that he had long desired. After sojourning at the French court to test the political temperature vis-a-vis the military situation in the Netherlands, Gascoigne journeyed to Antwerp where he witnessed, on Sunday 4 November, the rape of the city by some thousands of Spanish soldiers, baying for blood and booty. He remained on site for over a fortnight before returning to London to report to Sir Francis Walsingham, senior secretary to Queen Elizabeth I.
Gascoigne's account of the bloody debacle is immediate and graphic. His catalogue of the woeful and gore spattered sights that were on view after the carnage is particularly potent: "heapes of carcases... the thicknesse whereof , did in many places exceede the height of a man... the huge nombers, drowned... as many sundry shapes and formes of mans motion at the time of death: as ever Mighel Angelo dyd portray... the infinite number of poore Almains, who lay burned in their armour: som thentrailes skorched out, and all the rest of the body free, some their head and shoulders burnt of: so that you might looke down into the bulk and brest, and there take an anatomy of the secrets of nature."
Provenance: The library of the Earls of Macclesfield, removed from Shirburn Castle, sale in these rooms 13 March 2008, lot 3998