Fuller, Thomas

The Holy State. [Inculding: the Profane State]

      London:: Roger Daniel for John Williams, 1642. Small folio. A-P4, Q6, R-3G4, 3H6, 3I-3K4 [-3K4, balnk] [8], 122, 119-436, 436-441p. Contemp. panelled morocco, rebacked, title on red leather label, old owner's name and stamp on endpapers "William Pye, 1730, " signature of "Johnathan Mann, 1729, " in margins, calligraphic owner'sname on t.p. "? Pagani? "; minor dampstains, stains, soiling, penciled notes; port. of Joan of Naples mounted on old paper. Extra engraved t.p. by William Marshall, royal arms by William Marshall, Cambridge arms on t.p., head-and tail-pieces, decorated initials, 17 ports. in text, 2 ports. inserted all by William Marshall. First Edition. Thomas Fuller (1608-61), historian and Anglican clergyman, was noted for his staunch position against the innovations of the Presbyterians of his day. He was well known as an able preacher but was hesitant to committ to the patronage of one individual, and so spent his life travelling about England and collecting information for his various histories. "his actions and writings show that he was a person of firm political and religious convictions who took considerable risks to support the institutions he most cherished: a balanced constitution of monarch and parliament and a tolerant established church under episcopal leadership. His major historical writings were erudite, original in scope, and written with verve in a style distinctively his own....One of Fuller's most important and popular literary works, The Holy State, was published in London in May or June 1642. It was a rich collection of characters illustrating professions and states of life, along with short biographies of historical figures. " [Illustrated DNB on-line] There are biograhies of Paracelsus, Sir Francis Drake, Queen Elizabeth, and Joan of Arc among many others. It might seem curious at first to us, but Joan of Arc is given as the prototype of the evil witch, but not so curious if we remember that it was the English who burnt her at the stake. Wing F2443. Pforzheimer 392. ESTC r21710.