BEDE | The history of the Church of Englande; Stapleton, A fortresse of the faith, Antwerp, 1565, half morocco

The Property of the Downside Abbey General Trust

BEDE AND THOMAS STAPLETON

Two works translated or written by Stapleton, comprising:

BEDE. The History of the Church of Englande... translated out of Latin in to English by Thomas Stapleton. Antwerp: Hans de Laet, 1565, woodcut printer's device on title-page, large woodcut arms of Elizabeth I on verso of title-page, woodcut initials and tailpieces, woodcut illustrations, title-page slightly soiled and repaired at head, G2 torn without loss

STAPLETON. A fortresse of the faith first planted amonge us englishmen, and continued hitherto in the universall Church of Christ. The faith of which time Protestants call, Papistry. Antwerp: Hans de Laet, 1565, woodcut device on title-page, woodcut initials and tailpieces

2 works in one volume, 4to (196 x 136mm.), modern quarter morocco, old gilt and gauffered edges, some water-damage throughout with staining and the loss of a few words

The first translation of Bede's influential Ecclesiastical History of the English People into "modern" English, by the Catholic writer Thomas Stapleton (1535-1598), alongside his polemical supplement to Bede entitled A fortresse of the faith, which were published together. Stapleton's English prose style is considered to be superlative.

LITERATURE:

Allison & Rogers II 733 & 730; STC 1778 & 23232

PROVENANCE:

C.H. Owen, inscription on first title-page dated 1566