Beschreibung:

CARADOC OF LLANCARFAN, Saint. The Historie of Cambria now called Wales... written in the Brytish language aboue two hundreth yeares past. Translated into English by H. Lloyd (1527-1568), and edited by David Powel (ca 1552-1598). [London: Rafe Newberie and Henrie Denham, 1584]. 4 o in eights. (186 x 140 mm). Roman and black letter. Woodcut title border, the royal arms between Fame and Victory at head, the Stationers' arms between a lion and dragon below (McKerrow and Ferguson 160). Woodcut busts and armorial shields, a few large ornamental initials, large woodcut printer's device at end (McKerrow 211). With blank B4 (lacks final blank, light browning, edges of title with shallow marginal chip, worming to inner margin of Cc7-Dd3 affecting some letters, a few leaves with minor marginal dampstaining). 19th-century calf (joints cracked, light wear to covers). Provenance : Richard Myddelton Biddulph, Chirk Castle (bookplate) -- purchased from Dawsons, London, 8 May 1969. FIRST EDITION, of this early history of Wales from Roman times to the Middle Ages. Caradoc (d.c. 1150) was "apparently one of the brillant band of men of letters that gathered round Earl Robert of Gloucester, the bastard son of Henry I" (DNB). The Historie of Cambria is dedicated to Sir Philip Sidney. In September 1583, David Powel was asked by Sidney's father, Sir Henry Sidney, lord president of Wales, to prepare for the press an English translation of the Welsh 'Chronicle of the Princes,' commonly known as the 'Chronicle of Caradoc of Llancarfan,' which had been left in manuscript by Humphrey Lhoyd or Llwyd of Denbigh. Although the latter's translation was the basis of the work, Powel's corrections and additions were founded on independent research. Sabin notes that "a special interest in this work for the American collector consists in its relation of the most ancient 'Voyage and Discovery of the West Indies, performed by Madoc, the sonne of Owen Guined, prince of North Wales, anno 1170.'" Sabin 40914; STC 4606.