First Part of the Life and Raigne of King Henrie

Sir John HAYWARD

Item#: 42291 We're sorry, this item has been sold

First Part of the Life and Raigne of King Henrie

HAYWARD’S 1626 LIFE OF HENRY IV, FINELY BOUND

HAYWARD, Sir John. The First Part of the Life and Raigne of King Henrie the IIII. London: John Wolfe [M. Parsons for William Stansby], 1599 [circa 1626]. Small quarto, early 20th-century full crushed blue morocco gilt, marbled endpapers.

Second edition of the Life of Henry IV.

Any publication about the usurper Henry IV was disturbing to Queen Elizabeth. However, Hayward's First Part of the Life enraged her, particularly due to Hayward's attempt to compare her to the deposed King Richard II. Elizabeth hated being criticized during the later years of her reign and she feared challenges to her supremacy. Hayward's effusive dedication to the Earl of Essex, Elizabeth's one-time favorite who she later executed for treason, only heightened Elizabeth's hatred. Ultimately, "she caused both the author and the publisher to be examined and imprisoned [in the Tower of London] and was apparently only dissuaded from hanging the former by Bacon's comment, after reading the book, that the author was not guilty of treason but only of felony since he had stolen the better part from Tacitus" (Pforzheimer, 458). Hayward was only released after Queen Elizabeth died. Though the colophon is dated 1599, this is a later variant issue, published circa 1626. STC 12997a (variant). Pforzheimer 457, note.

Expert paper restoration to bottom margin of title page, interior generally fine. A beautiful copy.

add to my wishlist ask an Expert