Enguerrand de Monstrelet; Thomas Johnes [trans.] — The Chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet

Hafod, Hafod Press, by James Henderson, 1809. First edition. Leather. The complete first edition of Thomas Johnes translation of Enguerrand de Monstrelet's important account of fourteenth century European history. The first edition, complete in five volumes.The first edition of Thomas Johnes's English language translation of the work. Published at his own press at Hafod House in Wales, Johnes's translation was the standard for most of the nineteenth century.Enguerrand de Monstrelet was a French chronicler who 'lived from 1337 to about 1410, and wrote chiefly of contemporaneous events. The "Chronicles" are universally considered as the most vivid and faithful picture we have of events in the fourteenth century. As a picture of the most favourable side of chivalry, the work has no equal' (Adams, Manual of Historical Literature, pp. 334-5).Illustrated with fifty-one plates to volume V.Collated, complete.The centre of each board is stamped 'Conservative Club', with their library bookplates to each front pastedown.This work includes an account of the latter part of the Hundred Years' War. Three volumes in half morocco, with marbled paper covered boards, and two volumes in calf backed cloth covered boards. Significant rubbing to joints. Worming to volume I joints, most concentrated to joint tails, with boards firmly held. Rear joint of volume III starting, with board firmly held. Significant worming to tail of front joint of volume IV, with board firmly held. Volume II hinges strained with front board tender. Volume III front hinge strained but firmly held. Volume V front hinge strained but firmly held. Library bookplates to front pastedowns. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright. Instances of handling marks throughout, most concentrated to the fore edges of volume IV-V plates and text leaves. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .