A collection of 91 legends in verse

Originally a continuation of Lydgate's Fall of princes, by William Baldwin and others, published in 1559; a first part covering the earliest period was added later by John Higgins and Thomas Blenerhasset; the present editor, Richard Niccols, adds "A winter nights vision" containing ten additional tragedies, and "Englands Eliza." His dedication to the Earl of Nottingham, prefixed to the latter portion of the work, was suppressed but is here retained

"The variable fortune and vnhappie falles of such princes as hath happened since the Conquest" (i.e. part 3), "A vvinter nights vision", and "Englands Eliza" each have separate dated title page (the first dated 1609); pagination and register are continuous

Signatures: A⁸ B² C-3K⁸ 3L⁶

Title page vignette (printer's device); head- and tailpieces; initials

Leaf 2O₄, a cancel, has a dedication to the Earl of Nottingham. Variant 1: with cancellandum, with a dedication to Henry, Prince of Wales.--ESTC

Leaf 3E₃ is a cancel. Variant 2: 3E₃ is uncancelled, with verso lines 10-11 with phrase "and by an analysis of euery chiefe exploit inserted in their proper places" (cancel lacks this phrase). The cancel leaf recto is signed "Niccols". Variant 3: cancel leaf signed "Nicols".--ESTC

Boston Public Library. Barton collection catalogue

ESTC

STC (2nd ed.)

Boston Public Library (Rare Books Department) copy broken into three volumes and bound in calf double panelled in gilt. An early inscription is present on the front flyleaf of vol. 1, along with a leaf showing an engraved portrait and facsimile autograph of Thomas Sackville, Earl of Dorset. A dealer's description, dated 1849, is tipped on to the verso of the flyleaf opposite the title page of vol. 1. The autograph of Thomas Hinton is present on the title page of vol. 1, and has been inscribed over another, now illegible, autograph. The bookplate of Charles Meigh is present on all front pastedowns, and the armorial bookplate of the Barton Library is present on all rear pastedowns. The rear made endpaper of vol. 1 has a manuscript binder's instruction laid on, showing a diagram of the proposed spine design, along with instructions

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