A. F. Pollard; T. F. Henderson — Henry VIII and James I and VI

London, Goupil & Co, 1902 - 1904. First edition. Cloth. A set of two limited edition volumes looking at two historic British monarchs, Henry VIII, and James I, illustrated throughout with coloured frontispiece and contemporary portraits of prominent figures. Both volumes are limited editions. 'James I and VI' is numbered 610 of 800 copies printed on Fine Paper. 'Henry VIII' is number 653 of 1150 copies printed on Fine Paper. 'Henry VIII' is possibly one of the most infamous figures of the British royalty. His six marriages, none of which ended well, has placed him in a legendary status in history. He was of the House of Tudor, and was the father to Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. This biography follows him throughout his life, not only looking at his relationships, but looking at his status and stature as King, taking a more political viewpoint on him. 'Henry VIII' was written by Albert Pollard, a British historian who specialised in the Tudor period. Some of opinions have been greatly discussed and criticised by other historians, such as his negative view of Mary I, and his opinion that the Tudor's foreign policy was driven by Thomas Wolsey's desire to become Pope. 'James I and VI' looks at James I of England, who was also James VI of Scotland, who came to the throne after the extinction of the Tudor monarchy. The Gunpowder Plot took place during his reign. James was very learned, and sponsored a translation of the bible into English, which is now the standard English translation. 'James I and VI' was written by Thomas Henderson, a Scottish historian and author. He has contributed many entries of Scottish figures to the 'Dictionary of National Biography&apos. He acted as the editor for various collections of poetry, including ones of Robert Burns, of whom Henderson was considered an authority. He was also considered an authority on Mary Queen of Scot, and wrote a biography about her published in 1905. Illustrated throughout. 'Henry VIII' with a frontispiece, and forty-three plates and in-text illustrations. 'James I and VI' with a frontispiece, and thirty-nine plates and in-text illustrations. Bookplate to the front pastedowns, 'Folia Perevnt Crescit LVX . Caroli Ricardi Nairne Rovth&apos. Prior owner's pencil inscription to the recto to the front endpaper of 'Henry VIII', 'V. J. A. Flynn, Oxford, Sept 1975' Plate facing page 16 in 'Henry VIII' has been misbound, and is facing page 24. Errata slip is bound in facing page 38 in 'Henry VIII&apos. Collated, complete. In the original cloth binding. Externally, smart. Light markings and the odd spot to the boards, mostly due to the light colour of the cloth. Minor bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. Very light discolouration to the spine. Bookplate to the front pastedowns, 'Folia Perevnt Crescit LVX . Caroli Ricardi Nairne Rovth&apos. Offsetting to the recto to the front pastedowns, due to the bookplate. Prior owner's pencil inscription to the recto to the front endpaper of 'Henry VIII', 'V. J. A. Flynn, Oxford, Sept 1975&apos. Internally, generally firmly bound. Pages are bright and generally clean with some odd scattered spots. Tissue guards are age-toned. Plate facing page 16 in 'Henry VIII' has been misbound, and is facing page 24. Errata slip is bound in facing page 38 in 'Henry VIII&apos. Small closed tear to the fore edge of page 61/62 in 'Henry VIII', and a small closed tear to the bottom edge of page 103/104 in 'Henry VIII&apos. Tissue guard for plate pacing pages 104 - 105 of 'Henry VIII' is adhered to an additional leaf, which has been bound in. Closed tear to the bottom edge of the tissue guards to plates facing pages 16 and 139 of 'James I and James VI&apos. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Various. Very Good Indeed .