THE COMMENTARIES OF SR. FRANCIS VERE, being diverse pieces of service, wherein he had command, written by himself in way of commentary.

Cambridge, published by William Dillingham, D.D., printed by John Field, 1657.. FIRST EDITION 1657, slim 4to, approximately 275 x 180 mm, 11 x 7 inches, 2 engraved plates before title page with portraits of Francis Vere and his brother Horace, a further portrait of Sir John Ogle at page 106, 1 folding plate of Vere's funeral monument, 6 folding maps and battle plans, text within ruled border, pages: half-title with poem on verso, [12], 1-209, plus 3 (addendum, last page blank), bound in full leather (sheep) rebacked and original spine laid down, gilt lettered title to spine, blind and gilt decoration to spine and covers, decorated inner dentelles, (turn ins), all edges gilt and finely gauffered, endpapers replaced when book rebacked, small engraved library shelf ticket on first pastedown. Spine slightly rubbed, pale stain to outer margins of a few pages at the beginning and last 3 pages, not near text, occasional pale age-browning and occasional small brown spot, small hole to outer margin of A3 (paper fault?) not affecting text, endpapers age-browned, a few margins slightly dusty, otherwise a very good clean copy. Provenance: Sir Gilbert Elliot, 3rd Baronet and Lord Minto (1722-1777, Treasurer of the Navy, armorial shelf label with motto "credunt quod vident'. Sir Francis Vere (1560-1609), was one of the great Elizabethan military commanders, general of the English forces in the service of the United Provinces of the Netherlands. He retained this position during 15 campaigns, with almost unbroken success. Working in close cooperation with the Dutch forces under Maurits of Nassau, he secured the country step by step for the cause of independence from the Spanish. His English troops acquired a cohesion and training fitting them to face the best Spanish troops, and his camp became the fashionable training-ground of all aspiring soldiers, amongst others not only his brother Horace, but men of such note as Ferdinando (Lord) Fairfax, Gervase Markham and Miles Standish. Notable victories were the battle of Nieuwport (1600) and the siege of Ostend (1601). In 1596 he had taken his men by sea to a victory at the siege of Cadiz. When James I made peace with Spain, Vere retired from active service and spent the remainder of his days in country life in England, occupying himself with the compilation of his Commentaries. These were prepared for publication by William Dillingham, Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University. See: Maurice Cockle, A Bibliography of Military Books, page 128, No. 166; Sotheby's The Library of the Earls of Macclesfield, Part 10, pages 348-349, No. 3828. MORE IMAGES ATTACHED TO THIS LISTING, ALL ZOOMABLE, FURTHER IMAGES ON REQUEST. POSTAGE AT COST.