MEMORIALS OF THE ENGLISH AFFAIRS

(WHITELOCKE, Bulstrode).  MEMORIALS OF THE ENGLISH AFFAIRS: OR, AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF WHAT PASSED FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE REIGN OF KING CHARLES THE FIRST, TO KING CHARLES THE SECOND.

London: Nathaniel Ponder, 1682. Folio. Later quarter-calf, marbled boards. (viii), 1-166, 159-162, 185-306, 303-377, (1), pages; 378-384 leaves, 385-456 pages; 458, 458-460, (2), 461-464, (2) leaves; 465-535, 542- 558, 561-610, 617-647, 678, 657-704, (15) pages. First edition.

"Containing the publick transactions, civil and military.  Together with the private consultations and secrets of the cabinet."  Whitelocke, appointed Lord Whitelocke under the protectorate, was a lawyer and politician whose published accounts of the English civil war and its aftermath, are considered an important contribution to history of the era, and was an important source book for David Hume in his later major Whig history of England.  By the Whig writers of the earlier part of the eighteenth century he was contrasted to his advantage with Clarendon.  These memorials retain a value for lawyers and students of constitutional history.  As an example, the account of the king's trial is full of sympathy, which may or may not have been ex post facto.  Indeed, in general, Whitelocke showed throughout the civil troubles, the moderation which accorded with his training and his disposition.  Pagination is erratic with numbered pages integrated with other sections numbered as leaves, but the work is complete as it collated with the copy recorded on ESTC.  Professionally rehinged; binding is later (nineteenth century?).  Internally, very good.

 

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