BONNUS (Hermannus)

Lubeci chronicorum libri tres primum Germanice notati, de inde a doct. Iustino Goblero Goarino Iurescons. in Latinum versi, & iam recens evulgati. Basle, B. Westhemer for Joannes Oporinus,

      - Some decorative woodcut initials. Sm. 8vo. [8]ff. 193pp. [1]f. (blank). 17th century gilt panelled red morocco (spine rubbed). 1543. First Latin edition of this early history of Lübeck which first appeared in German in 1539. It was written by the reformer Hermannus Bonnus (1504-48) who received part of his education at Wittemberg, where he came under the influence of Luther and Melanchthon, and following organisation of the Evangelical Church there he became superintendent in Lübeck from 1530 until his early death. He represented his town in 1535 in the conference of the six free towns of Lübeck, Bremen, Hamburg, Rostock, Stralsund and Lüneberg to agree measures for dealing with Papists, Anabaptists and Sacramentarians. He took a courageous part against the democratic revolution in Lübeck led by Jurgen Wullenweber and in this history he pointed out the dangers of innovating tendencies. This translation is by Justin Gobler of St. Goar (d. 1567), who was councillor to Eric, Duke of Brunswick-Calenberg, and then to his son Eric II. The translation of the history is followed by two funeral orations (pp. 145-191), for Eric the Elder who had died in 1540. The two leaves following title-page restored in blank upper margins. Adams B2456. VD 16, B6621.