SMITH | A confutation of a certen booke, [Paris, 1553], later calf

The Property of the Downside Abbey General Trust

SMITH, RICHARD

A confutation of a certen booke, called a defence of the true, and Catholike doctrine of the sacrament, &c sette fourth of late in the name of Thomas Archebysshoppe of Canterburye. [Paris: R. Chaudière, 1550?]

8vo (150 x 94mm.), woodcut initials, later calf with gilt fillet border, spine gilt in compartments, black morocco lettering-pieces, joints cracked

Smith (or Smyth) was a conservative theologian whose works were publicly burned after the accession of Edward VI, so by 1549 he was in Louvain and writing works against Peter Martyr Vermigli and Cranmer. The present work was written against Cranmer's 1550 treatise on the eucharist and Smith subsequently presided over Cranmer's trial in 1555. Smith was instrumental in establishing the English community at Douai, where he died in 1563.

LITERATURE:

STC 22189

PROVENANCE:

Long presentation inscription on flyleaf to Master Thomas, dated Louvain, 15 June 1553, by John W[are?]; purchased from Hollings in 1941, extract from bookseller's catalogue pasted to flyleaf