print;
illustrated book
- Museum number
- 1853,1112.76-79
- Title
- Object: An Epitomy of English History
- Description
-
Thomas May, "An Epitomy of English History, wherein Arbitrary Government Is Display'd to the Life, In the illegal Transactions of the late Times under the Tyrannick Ursurpation of Oliver Cromwell; being A Paralell to the Four years Reign of the late King James, Whose Government was Popery, Slavery, and Arbitrary Power, But no happily delivered by the instrumental means of King William & Queen Mary. Illustrated with Copper Plates." (London, N. Boddington) 3rd. ed. 1690; containing four prints, including two allegorical satires bound in before the titlepage, namely, 1) "The Common wealth ruleing with a Standing Army / The Fruits of the Commonwealth" showing a dragon with Laws, Customs, Magna Carta etc. for food, and taxes, excise etc. for excrement, with Cromwell's parliament and armies inside its neck and belly; 2) Charles I with sword raised to protect the Tree of Religion watered by a cleric, with fruits of Hope, Charitie, Faith, Obedience, Good Works, and roots attacked by sectaries etc. engraved by "I. D.". And two further plates illustrating episodes in the history of the Commonwealth, namely, 3) "The Army Entring the City" etc.; 4) "General Monck marching into London" etc. Bound with letterpress titlepage and 216 pages of text in brown leather.
Etching and engravings
- Production date
- 1690
- Dimensions
-
Height: 145 millimetres (approx. sheet size of each page)
-
Width: 80 millimetres
- Curator's comments
- A loose impression of BM Sat 1127, "The Common wealth ruleing with a standing Army," is kept in the BM Satires series (1868,0808.3297)
A version of the "Tree of Religion" print with Charles I was published in Francis Quarles, "The Shepherds Oracles" (London, 1646), for impressions of which and further comment, see 1868,0808. 3232 and Y,1.5.
For a loose impression of "The Army Entring the City" plate and further comment, see G,7.13.
- Location
- Not on display
- Associated titles
Associated Title: An Epitomy of English History
- Acquisition date
- 1853
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1853,1112.76-79