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Richard Verstegen on English Antiquities, 1605

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Title: A Restitution of Decayed Intelligence: In antiquities. Concerning the most noble and renovvmed [sic] English nation. By the studie and trauaile of R.V.
Author: [Rowlands, Richard, alias Verstegan]
Description: [24], 338, [14] pp. (dagger-3dagger4, A-2X4). With 12 metal cuts including title-page vignette and coat of arms at end. (4to) 6¾x4½, later calf, spine tooled in gilt, raised bands, morocco lettering piece. First Edition. Highly interesting source book, giving account of the early invasions of Great Britain, the formation of its language, surnames, a dictionary of Anglo-Saxon, and other matters. Of the names considered, there is, on p.294, "Breakspear - Shakspear, and the lyke, haue bin surnames imposed vpon the the first bearers of them for valour and feates of armes." Rowland, an English antiquary of Dutch descent, as a zealous Catholic, in 1587 wrote on Elizabeth's treatment of the Catholics in England and was thrown into prison. He later assumed the name of his Dutch ancestor, Verstegan. Three 19th century ownership inscriptions on the back of the title-page; booksellers' catalogue entries tipped in at front endpapers; bookplate of Jacob Lyell. STC 21361.
Place Published: Antwerp
Publisher Name: Robert Burney, to be sold by John Norton & John Bill
Date Published: 1605

Minor cover wear, spine a little darkened; small in notation to title-page, else very good.

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