Annales of England.

First edition in English. The first edition in English of Francis Godwin's Rerum Anglicarum, a history of the reigns of the middle Tudors, Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Queen Mary.

It documents the principal events of the chaotic years leading up to England's split with Rome, through the King's divorce, the execution of Anne Boleyn — noted for her 'excellent quicke wit, and being a ready speaker' — the brief reign of Edward VI, the downfall of Lady Jane Grey, Wyatt's Rebellion, the Marian Martyrs, up to Elizabeth's succession and the restoration of Protestant religion.

Godwin (1562-1633) enjoyed rapid preferment in the Church, rising to become Bishop of Llandaff at the age of 39, and later Bishop of Hereford, but it is for his activities as a historian and association with the antiquarian William Camden, a lifelong friend and godfather to his son Thomas, that he's principally remembered today.

Inspired by the first part of Camden's Annales, which covered the reign of Elizaebth I, the Rerum Anglicarum addresses the preceding decades of the sixteenth century. Gowin drew upon both contemporary foreign accounts by the likes of Guicciardini and Joahnnes Sleidan, as well as English sources such as John Stow's chronicles and the yet-unpublished life of Cardinal Wolsey by George Cavendish, as well as unspecified 'publique records'. This translation was produced by Godwin's son, Morgan, with some additions.

A handsome copy in contemporary sprinkled calf with an interesting manuscript booklist to the front free endpaper. The reader apparently also enjoyed 'Camdens Queen Elizabeth / Ould Polichronicon / This very booke / The Serving mans comfort / Fox The Book of marters 1 part / Justyn master on the Romans'.

First edition in English; folio (28 x 18 cm); woodcut title and divisional titles, 3 engraved portraits, woodcut initials and headpieces, early MS booklist in pen to front free endpaper, later ownership inscriptions in pen to front pastedown and front free endpaper, printed wastepaper, woodcut titles trimmed close at fore edge, small marginal wormhole throughout; contemporary sprinkled calf, covers ruled in blind, joints a little rubbed, corners slightly bumped, very good;

ESTC S106901.