The generall historie of the Turkes : from the first beginning of that nation to the rising of the Othoman familie : with all the notable expeditions of the Christian princes against them : together with The lives and conqvests of the Othoman kings ..... by Knolles, Richard, 1550-1610 - 1610

London: Printed by Adam Islip, 1610. Second Edition:- TITLE CONTINUATION: - "and emperours". Richard Knolles ( late 1540s - 1610 ) was born in Northamptonshire. He received both his BA and his MA from Lincoln College, Oxford in 1565 and 1570 respectively. Knolles’ Historie is based heavily on a range of sixteenth-century printed chronicles and reports. It is, therefore, essentially a synthesis of other works, but a carefully crafted synthesis produced in English. Nothing of this scale and detail had appeared before, in English, on the Ottomans, and it would be another fifty years before a subsequent work in English would become the authority on the subject. Despite this fact, both Samuel Jonson and Lord Byron turned to Knolles centuries later, and both alluded to the richness of his prose style. William Shakespeare, moreover, likely used Knolles’ work (and possibly an earlier manuscript version) as a source for his Othello (ca. 1603-1604). This is the second edition of this major work in English but is enlarged from the first edition, and some may consider the more sought after as a result. In super overall condition, now professionally preserved and bound in Black and Navy Leather & Boards, with gilt embellished spine within the 5 raised bands. Now with new endpapers and pastedowns which are sympathetic to the period of the book. Consequently is bound tightly, and with all contents clean and secure. The early pages have a little fray at edges/margins, and a degree of creasing, but not as to damage the main text [ images to follow ]. The title was originally published in 1603. Collation: p. Engraved title page [ i ], viii, 1303 [ i ], a further xxxviii pages, to include 'A Brief discourse of the greatness of the Turkish Empire, and followed by an alphabetical list of Tables - i.e. the Index.'; The volume has numerous illustrated copper enravings throughout and these are as called for. The rear few pages are similarly affected to margins as stated for the first few in the book.However, this remains a stunning item, that is particularly difficult to find in this condition.. Hardcover. Very Good. Folio - over 12" - 15" tall.