[Parsons, Robert, Thomas Morgan, Thomas Rogers, attribs]

Leycesters Common-wealth: Conceived, Spoken and Published with Most Earnest protestation of all Dutifull good will and affection towards this Realm, for whose good onely, it is made common to many

      [London.:]: [N.P.],, 1641.. Modern marbled-boards, rubbed, title on paper-label; old signature "Kath. Ayloffe" on t.p., t.p. soiled and creased vertically, upper right corner off with no text affected, minor damp and mold stains.. 4to.. In the same year Leicester was held up to the nation's detestation in an anonymous pamphlet, first issued at Antwerp as OThe copye of a letter wryten by a Master of Arte at Cambridge,O but better known as O Leicester's Commonwealth.O The author, who is assumed on highly doubtful grounds to be the jesuit Parsons, tried to prove that the ancient constitution of the realm was practically subverted, and that the government of the country had been craftily absorbed by Leicester, whose character was that of an inhuman monster. All offices of trust were, it was alleged, in his hands or those of his relations. The corporation of Leicester replied to these charges by entertaining the earl at an elaborate banquet on Thursday 18 June, while he was staying with his sister, the Countess of Huntingdon. Sir Philip Sidney, Leicester's nephew, circulated a vindication of his uncle and his family (printed by Collins in the OSydney PapersO). On 26 June 1585 Elizabeth issued an order in council forbidding the book's circulation, and asserting on her own knowledge that its charges were false. As an historical authority it certainly has no weight, but as an indication of the hatred that Leicester had succeeded in exciting, it is of importance to his biographer. "DNB Wing L968. Thomason E197[2]. ESTC r9399.