Historical Antiquities – Peter Leycester – 1673 | First Edition, History Cheshire

Peter Leycester’s Historical Antiquities, first printed in 1673, is an early English survey and heraldry. This book discusses Great Britain and Ireland, following the rise and growth of each. Cheshire is the focus of the second portion of the work with emphasis on genealogical and heraldic details. It is known for including the earlist printed letters of Sir Thomas Mainwaring and Leycester centered on the claims about Amicia, the daughter of the Earl of Chester, a disagreement that led to a notable feud. Numerous in-text engravings appear throughout.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Historical Antiquities, in Two Books. The First Treating in General of Great-Brettain and Ireland. The Second Containing Particular Remarks Concerning Cheshire
• Author(s): Peter Leycester
• Illustrator(s):
• Contributor(s):
• Publisher: London, Printed by W.L. for Robert Clavell
• Edition: First Edition, 1673.
• Format: Folio, single volume
• Binding: Leather
• Size:  12.75 in x 8.5 in (32.5 cm x 21.5 cm)
• Collation: [6], 392, [10], 395–437, [3]
• Illustrations: Numerous in-text engravings
• Contents Include:
  • Remarks on Great Britain and Ireland
  • Heraldic and genealogical material on Cheshire
  • Dispute over the legitimacy of Amicia, daughter of the Earl of Chester
• Provenance: bookplate – North Library
• Reference(s): Wing L 1943; ESTC R 2116; Lowndes 1130; Moule, Bibliotheca Heraldica Magne Brittaniae

Condition:

Good. Bound in leather, firm and stable. Some age wear to edges. All engravings present. Text block clean and complete.

Why Collect This?

• First edition of Leycester’s principal antiquarian work
• Includes an early heraldic controversy with Sir Thomas Mainwaring
• Contains engraved heraldic illustrations throughout

Item Number: # 29206