Von Kayserlichem Kriegssrechten, Malefitz und Schuldhandlen.. - 1565

1565. Frankfurt, 1565. 3rd ed with 6 plates by Amman. Frankfurt, 1565. 3rd ed with 6 plates by Amman. A Digest of the Military Law and Practice of the Holy Roman Empire With Six Large, Strikingly Detailed Folding Plates Fronsberger, Leonhardt. [Amman, Jost (1539-1591), Illustrations]. Von Kayserlichem Krieg rechten, Malefitz und Schuldhandlen, Ordnung und Regiment: Samt Derselbigen unnd Andern hoch oder Niderigen Beuelch, Bestallung, Staht und Empter, Zu Rossz und Fu , An Geschutz und Munition, In Zug und Schlachtordnung, Zu Feld, Berg, Thal, Wasser und Land, Vor oder in Besatzungen, Gegen oder von Feinden Furzunemen, Welcher Art Sitten Herkommen und Gebrauch, Under und bey Regierung de Allerdurchleuchtigstenm Gro machttigsten, Unuberwindlichsten, Und Krieg erfahrnen berumptisten Romischen Keysers Caroli de Funfften.... Frankfurt: [Georg Raben, In Verlegung Sigmund Feyerabends und Simon Huters], 1565. [iv], CCLI, XXI, [7] ff. 6 copperplate folding plates by Jost Amman. Woodcut text illustrations. Folio (12" x 7-3/4"). Contemporary paneled calf, rebacked in period style, raised bands to spine, clasps restored, hinges mended, preliminaries and following gathering re-hinged. Some scuffing to boards with wear to edges and corners, large early armorial bookplate of the Bavarian Ducal Library dated 1618 to front pastedown, front hinge starting. Title page with large woodcut vignette printed in red and black. Moderate toning to text, light foxing in places, light edgewear to a few leaves at beginning of text, upper corner of title page repaired, small later owner name neatly lettered below imprint date. A very appealing copy with all of the often-lacking plates. $6,500. * Third edition with plates by Amman. Originally published in 1555, this comprehensive book was intended for officers and others involved in the military and naval affairs of the Holy Roman Empire. Most of the book is devoted to aspects of organization and the rules of engagement. As indicated by its title, it also provides extensive discussion of military law and the laws of war. One of the woodcuts is a trial scene; another is an execution. The plates, by the notable Swiss-German artist Amman, depict a military encampment and land and naval battle scenes. Interestingly, our copy appears to have been added to the Bavarian Ducal Library in 1618, the first year of the Thirty Years' War. OCLC locates 11 copies of this e.