Chronicles of England, France, Spain, and the Adjoining Countries,: from the latter part of the reign of Edward II to the coronation of Henry IV. Translated from the French editions with variations and additions from many celebrated MSS by Thomas Johnes. To which are prefixed, a life of the author, an essay on his works,

London: Henry G. Bohn,, 1855. An appealingly bound and illustrated set of this celebrated history of the Hundred Years' War. One of the most important sources for the history of medieval Europe and chivalric culture, the work is here translated by Thomas Johnes, "the only man to have undertaken the formidable task of translating Froissart's Chronicles in their entirety" (ODNB). Johnes (1748-1816) first published his edition from 1803 to 1806. The work first appeared in English after Henry VIII commanded Lord Berners to translate the text in anticipation of the 1523 invasion of France. The order was "no doubt intended to remind 'noble gentlemen' of their ancient right to France and was meant to spur them on to bravery by enabling them 'to see, behold, and read the high enterprises, famous acts, and glorious deeds done and achieved by their valiant ancestors'" (ODNB). It was originally written in French in the late 14th century and published in Paris by Anthoine Vérard sometime around 1495. William Morris, who fell in love with the work while an undergraduate and who left unfinished a Kelmscott Press edition at his death, once declared that "no book that I could do would give me half the pleasure I am getting from the Froissart. I am simply revelling in it. It's such a glorious and noble work" (quoted in Bradley, p. 10). Two volumes, (235 x 160 mm). Late 19th-century vellum over bevelled boards, spines with red and black labels and profuse gilt decorations, covers with grid rules, marbled endpapers, edges gilt. Chromolithograph illustrated half-title and numerous in-text engravings on wood after original illuminations in medieval manuscripts. Bookplate, initialled G.H.B., on front pastedowns. Gilt bright, outer leaves foxed, occasional light damp staining in vol. I, else clean. A very good set. "William Morris, Artist, Poet, Craftsman", Bradley, His Book, vol. 2, no. 1, Nov. 1896.