The Works of Charles I (with 'Eikon Basilike')

The official title of this book is: ‘Reliquiae Sacrae Carolinae, or The Works of that Great Monarch and Glorious Martyr King Charles the I.’ This edition was published in 1651 in the Hague and printed by Samuell Browne.

Included as part of Charles I’s works are his: speeches, declarations, papers about Church-Government, prayers, letters and correspondence, and messages for peace, just to name a few! (There is a full contents page which lists everything included.)

But that’s not all… This work is bound with the 'Eikon Basilike’ (from 1648) and ‘The Life and Reign of Charles I’ (from 1658). The former work, ‘Eikon Basilike’ was written (allegedly only in part) by Charles I before his beheading in January 1649, recalling the English Civil Wars and defending the king’s actions. It was originally published just after his death, although this edition states it is from 1648 – it could be an error or perhaps when the publisher suspected it was written.

The latter work, ‘A Short Review of the Life and Reign of Charles I’, is from 1658 and is a brief recount of the king’s life, ‘from birth to burial.’

This book, with it’s fold-out frontispiece and three works bound together, is an excellent insight into the reign and death of Charles I, as well as the history around the time of the English Civil War. The book itself has been re-backed, and there is wear on the corners of the boards, but the inside is readable. The hand-written notes in the front add an extra layer of history to this already rich collection of works. It is being sold for £500.

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