Marmol Caravajal, Luis del.

First edition, 2 volumes, small folio (290 x 200mm.), text in two columns, woodcut arms on titles and colophons, woodcut initials, later red morocco gilt with royal arms, gilt edges, [Palau 152431 and 152432], occasional dampstaining, indistinct inkstamps on titles, last leaf of volume 2 repaired, a few marginal repairs

A rare and early Spanish source text on Islamic North Africa. Luis del Marmol Caravajal (c.1520-1600), born in Granada, was an eye-witness of the punitive expedition against the Muslim corsairs of Tunis led by the Emperor Charles V. He spent some twenty-two years in North Africa, seven of these as a captive at Fez and Tunis, which enabled him to familiarise himself with the history, customs, language and religion of the region. On his return to Spain, Marmol wrote this informed account of the country and its people, the wars between Muslims and Christians, the conflicts within Islam, and the chief historical events up to 1571.