Chronicles of Scotland – Raphael Holinshed – 1587 | English Black-Letter Folio

The Chronicles of England, from the first inhabitation thereof. The Description of Scotland… The Historie of Scotland by Raphael Holinshed is one of the most significant historical chronicles of the Tudor era. This 1587 second edition was published the same year as the execution of Mary Queen of Scots and is notable for being used as the source material for many of William Shakespeare’s plays including Macbeth and King Lear.

The text is printed in black letter and includes two woodcut title pages and decorative initials. Holinshed drew from authors such as John of Fordun, Hector Boethius, and John Major, creating a wide-ranging narrative that captured both legendary and contemporary sources.

This second volume includes curious sections on barnacle geese, the island of Thule, and descriptions of Orkney, Shetland, and various Scottish towns. See below for note on the dating of this tome.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: [The Chronicles of England, from the first inhabitation thereof.] The Description of Scotland… The Historie of Scotland
• Author(s): Raphael Holinshed
• Contributor(s): Hector Boethius (Source); Johannes Pedemontanus (Source); Herodian (Source); John of Fordun (Source); Richard Southwell (Source); Albert Krantz (Source); John Major (Haddingtonus Scotus) (Source)
• Publisher: At London printed in Aldersgate street at the signe of the Starre
• Edition: Second Edition, 1587
  • 2^nd volume of part 2
  • Note on dating: title pages state 1585; however, this volume and the contents therein extend to the end of 1586. This 1587 dating is corroborated by the USTC.
• Format: Folio, single volume
• Binding: Full leather
• Size:  14.25 in x 9 in (36.2 cm x 22.9 cm)
• Collation: 464 pp
  • Numerous pages misnumbered, but catchwords consistent
  • Handwritten note on front endpaper suggests pages 421-4, 433-6 and 443-50 as 18^th-cen. facsimiles; these leaves to appear out of order in collation
• Illustrations: Two woodcut title pages; woodcut initials
• Contents Include:
  • The Historie of Scotland; Description of Scotland
  • Barnacle geese and their origins
  • The island of Thule
  • Borders and towns of Scotland
  • Orkney and Shetland customs
• Reference(s): Alison Taufer, Holinshead’s Chronicles; USTC 510797

Condition:

Very Good. Full leather binding with professional restoration. Hinges tight and secure. Text block complete and stable. Moderate age-toning throughout. Title pages show strong woodcut impressions. No losses.

Why Collect This?

• Sought-after 1587 edition connected to Shakespearean sources
• Folio format with decorative woodcut initials
• Authored by one of England’s most cited early chroniclers

Item Number: # 29380