Vere, The Commentaries, Cambridge, 1657, later red morocco

VERE, FRANCIS

The Commentaries... being diverse pieces of service, wherein he had command, written by himself in way of commentary. Cambridge: John Field, 1657

FIRST EDITION, 4to (263 x 168mm.), half-title with verses on verso, 3 engraved portraits, 7 engraved maps or plans (double-page or folding), nineteenth-century red morocco by Riviere, some engravings trimmed to neatline or repaired (one repaired with slight loss to lower corners), slightly rubbed

Sir Francis Vere (1560/61-1609) served in Poland and the Netherlands before becoming the first commoner to command an English army. He was well-respected by both his own troops and his opponents and is known to have read widely on military matters during active service. His Commentaries, covering the battles and campaigns of the period 1596 to 1604, circulated in manuscript from 1606 but were not published until fifty years later. Vere is also known to have contributed military books to Bodley's library.

LITERATURE:

ESTC R219854