Froissart, Jean

Two volumes in one, folio (12 x8 1/4 in.; 305 x 210 mm). Title of vol. I within border composed of seven ornamental woodcut blocks, title of vol. II within woodcut border after Holbein (McKerrow & Ferguson 8), full-page woodcut arms of Henry VIII on verso of each title, black letter, text in two columns, woodcut initials (historiated and criblé), Pynson's full-page woodcut arms on the verso of the colophon leaf. Vol. I: title-page soiled with tiny tear at top mended, small portion of lower right corner of g2 torn away slightly affecting text; s1,6 and 3h2,5 browned, S3 fore-edge tear just touching text repaired, 2m2 stained at bottom. Vol. II: minor dampstaining along top margins of quires A–I, slightly stronger dampstaining along bottom margins of quires L–P, T–U, 2O–2Q, some text browning. Contemporary London calf over beveled wooden boards, tooled in blind to a panel design with two rolls (inner Oldham, Panel Bindings 504, pl. 35; the outer Oldham 913, pl. 54), two brass clasps and catches, the spine in six compartments with raised bands, later lettering piece; rebacked, one clasp rehinged to upper board.

Sir Philip Mainwaring, probably the Secretary for Ireland (1589–1661) (signature and note "pret:18s" on front free endpaper) — Sir Henry Mainwaring (eighteenth-century bookplate) — Rev. Thomas Corser, bought at his sale, Sotheby's, 17–20 March 1869, (pencil note) by John Wilkinson for William Tite (letter from Wilkinson to Tite dated ?20 March 1869 pasted in) — John Patrick Crichton Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute (bookplate on lower pastedown; sale, Christie's London, 15 March 1995, lot 109)

Vol. I: STC 11396.5; ESTC S121320. Vol. II: STC 11397; ESTC S121319 

First edition of the second volume; second edition of the first volume, a line-for-line reprint of the first edition, from the Bute Library. The chronicle covers the years 1325 to 1400 and was translated by John Bourchier, Lorde Berners (1467–1533) at the command of Henry VIII. "The Chronicles were a new sort of history, fresh and lively and related with enthusiasm—a far cry from the dull heavy chronicles of earlier years. Lord Berner's translation ... succeeds in making an English classic from a French one ..." (Cambridge Guide to Literature).