8vo. [16], 456, [24], 182pp, [2]. Contemporary vellum, lacking ties, title in manuscript to spine. Extremities marked and discoloured, a trifle rubbed. Upper board and initial gathering detached from text-block, booklabels of Gulielmi O'Brien and Milltown Park Library to FEP, ink initial to head of title-page, loss to lower corner of leaf T1, very occasional marginal chipping, foxed.

The most influential work of English Catholic priest and controversialist Nicholas Sander (c.1530-1581) - a detailed narrative, told from the perspective of a recusant, of the religious schism caused by the reign of Henry VIII. Unfinished by Sander on his death, the manuscript for the work was first published posthumously at Ingolstadt in 1585, edited and completed by fellow priest Edward Rishton (later editions would benefit from further material additions, ultimately incorporating the rule of Elizabeth I). The work proved immensely popular, and supremely influential to Reformation histories and Catholic historiography - with six Latin editions and translations into French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Polish appearing prior to 1628.