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The "New Edition" of 1876 (copyright date, 1874) appears to be revised from the earlier Prescott/Lippincott issue of 1856; First Thus. Hard cover, 8vo, in a contemporary fine unsigned rebinding, in three quarter black leather over marble paper-covered boards, the spine with five raised bands gilt with decorations and titles in second and fourth compartments, marbled text block edges, matching endpapers, and each volume with the engraved bookplate of Etta Mary Arnold. xviii, 544pp, viii, 549pp., vi, 530pp., including Prescott's essay on Charles V and index. Note: This issue is not illustrated.** CONDITION: Very Good Plus, with minor shelf wear to lower edge and lower corners. Otherwise, books remain firmly bound, clean and unwritten in, with very mild age toning to pages. **CONTENTS: This classic of early European history is useful background reading for consideration of any art, poetry or literature of the thirteenth through seventeenth century in Italy or Europe, and for understanding the history of the Ottoman invasions, the rise of Lutherism and myriad other topics. Consolidation of European power by the HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR CHARLES V (1500-1558) is explored in detail, through consideration of the rise of various European monarchies and noble families through the preceding centuries. Outlines developing political rivalries, advance of the techniques of warfare and governance from the Middle Ages through to the sixteenth century. Topics of VOLUME I include background history from the decline of the Roman Empire, the rise of medieval European codes of chivalry and justice, the birth of modern commerce and banking in Venice, and "barbarian" incursions (Goths, Vandals, Huns, Danes, Swedes, Poles, Russians) during the post-Roman power vacuum. Formation and characteristics of the European monarchies in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries are enumerated, with the rise of standing armies, use of mercenaries, new weapons and experiences of war by separate regimes, including Spain, France and England, and in Italy, Rome, the Kingdom of Naples, Republic of Venice, Duchy of Milan and other Italian principalities and republics. The subsequent foreign invasions of The Italian Wars contesting the thrones of Italy by the Austrian, English, Spanish, and French armies, and political intrigues of the Catholic Holy See are outlined, as are the personalities involved in the battle for succession of these various thrones which would result in the uniquely strategic elevation of the House of Hapsburg. VOLUME II continues the detailed account of Charles V's governance of the vast, multi-cultural empire, complex political struggles, and the upheavals of the Protestant Reformation, and the roots of long and costly wars in Italy between the Hapsburgs and France's Francis I. VOLUME III takes the focus back to Germany, and the struggle for Charle's continued control is embroiled in intrigue as anti-Catholic forces such as the Maurice, Elector of Saxony, and his French and German Lutheran allies, who challenge his authority. Simultaneous wars in Italy between the Hapsburgs and France's Francis I, who allies with the Ottomans, revolts in Spain and the Netherlands, lead to the voluntary division of the Empire's extensive lands among Charle's sons and successors, Phillip II and Ferdinand. The final four chapters, by Prescott, detail Emperor Charles V's life after abdication.**Original compiler, AUTHOR WILLIAM ROBERTSON, D.D., (1721-1793) was a Scots Enlightenment historian, minister and Principal of Edinburgh University. He was also an anti-Jacobite Whig, whose own version of this material was published in 1800. Robertson was also Fellow of the Royal Society, Historiographer for Scotland to His Majesty George III, and Member of the Royal Academy of History at Madrid.** Boston historian and Series editor WILLIAM HICKLING PRESCOTT, (1796-1859) has been recognized for" his meticulous use of archival documents and rare books as original sources, (often footnoted within these pages) [and] he is often called America's first scientific historian." (LOC). In the Introduction to his 1876 "New Edition" of these works, Prescott remarks that he has made use of new materials and techniques then not available to Robertson. Along with a staff of readers, including his wife Susan Amory Prescott, WHP produced a series of titles spanning Europe and the New World. Provenance: Etta Mary Arnold Clark (d. 1952) from western Massachusetts, a known collector of rare books. REFS: Library of Congress. (AMJ)
Ref: HISTEU 9733
$375.00