THE HISTORY OF IRELAND FROM THE INVASION OF HENRY II WITH A PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE ON THE ANTIENT STATE OF THAT KINGDOM (3 VOLS., COMPLETE)

London, England: J. Nourse, T. Longman, G. Robinson, J. Johnson, 1773. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Quartos. 11 in. x 8.6 in. Volume I: pp. [46] (contents), lvi, 387, [1] (errata). Volume II: pp. 516. Volume III: pp. 664, [29] (index), [1] (errata). First Edition of Leland's well-regarded and influential history. Older but non-contemporary dark blue cloth spine and corners over marbled boards. Gilt title and publishing year with seven sets of double bandlines in blind to spine. Library number to bottom of spine of Volume I only; no other library marks. Light rubbing to extremities. Headcap of Volume I and Volume III frayed. Spotting and brown staining to endpapers.

Lovely, thick, laid paper; large, readable print, printed marginalia. Volume I contains several Appendices which reproduce certain central Irish documents, in Latin, such as Magna Carta Hibernia, "The Charter was reissued in 1217 as in England. It was in effect the application of Magna Carta to Ireland, with appropriate substitutions (such as "Dublin" for "London", and "Irish Church" for "Church of England")

Volume II has Appendix consisting of speech by Sir John Davis; Volume III has an Appendix and Index.The Appendix consists of the "Civil and Military Articles of Limerick, as exactly printed from the letters-patent; wherein they are ratified and exemplified by their Majesties under the Great Seal of England." 29 letters, signed at the end of the 29th, by Baron De Ginckle.