De Republica et Administratione Anglorum Libri Tres

1610. London, 1610. First edition.. London, 1610. First edition. "The Most Important Description of the Constitution and Government of England Written During the Tudor Age" Smith, Sir Thomas [1513-1577]. Budden, John [1566-1620], Translator. De Republica et Administratione Anglorum Libri Tres. London [i.e. Marburg]: [Paul Egenolff] Pro Officina Nortoniana, [c. 1610]. [vi], 3-165, [3] pp. Octavo (5-3/4" x 3-3/4"). Later sheep, rebacked retaining spine, endleaves renewed, marbled edges. Negligible light rubbing to boards, somewhat heavier rubbing to extremities with some wear to spine ends and corners, front hinge cracked. Some toning to text, occasional worming and faint dampstaining to lower margin. $650. * First edition of this Latin translation. De Republica Anglorum; the Manner of Government or Policie of the Realme of England was written between 1562 and 1565 and first published in 1583. "It is the most important description of the constitution and government of England written in the Tudor age" (DNB). It went through eleven editions in English between 1584 to 1691. Four Latin editions appeared between 1610 and 1641. Abridged editions in Dutch and German were published in 1673 and 1688. Smith, an English scholar and diplomat, was Regius Professor of Civil Law at Cambridge University. Dictionary of National Biography (DNB) XVIII:535. English Short-Title Catalogue S117631.