Domesday

GREAT DOMESDAY. The De-Luxe Millennium Edition. Alecto Historical Editions. 1986-2000.
6 volumes, folio, number 11 of 450 sets, comprising: I. The two-volume facsimile of Great Domesday, bound in authentic replica brown embossed calfskin to the 12th Century design of the earliest known Domesday binding, the Winton Domesday, all 413 folios reproduced in full colour on simulated vellum, preserved in wallet-style limp suede, with ties. II. A two-volume complete and authoritative modern English translation, typeset so that the text follows the original hand-written script line-for-line, these volumes are superbly hard bound within a linen spine and hand-made paper sides. III. A people and places index volume, bound to match the translation. IV. A matching box containing a complete set of modern Ordnance Survey maps (33 counties on 28 large folding sheets) with overlaid Domesday sites and the indexes. The Domesday is one of the most important historical documents of the first millennium. William the Conqueror's great survey has been used as a working document ever since its commission at Christmas 1085, and remained pre-eminent as a census of England until the 19th Century.
In 1984 the Public Record Office took the historic decision to unbind the original Domesday manuscripts for restoration and invited Alecto Historical Editions to undertake the publication of a facsimile. This is the first colour facsimile of the Great Domesday and was printed in a strictly limited number of sets.

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Farley, Abraham, (Editor): DOMESDAY BOOK, Seu Liber Censualis Willelmi Primi Regis Angliae [Together with an updated Index to the Domesday Book] A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO DOMESDAY BOOK[six volumes] London, 1783-1816. George Eyre and Andrew Strahan, Printers

The first four volumes as follows; Vol. #1-382 leaves, Vol. #2-450pp.,Vol. #3- 570pp. (index vol.), Vol. #4-635pp. (supplement vol.). All handsomely bound in 19th century ¾ calf over marbled boards, raised bands with contrasting red morocco labels gilt. Joints of two volumes expertly repaired otherwise an exceptionally nice set and quite scarce as such. There are 26 blank leaves in volume one with a few leaves containing portions of text or text on the verso. It would appear these leaves were left blank for illustrations which evidently never took place, perhaps because of the cost and man power it would take to make it possible. [Projected cost and labor is noted in volume 3]. It does contain the later inserted title pages & contents leaves and, the four facsimile leaves are present in the last volume (the supplement) two displaying hand coloring. The first two volumes are printed on hand-made laid paper watermarked J. Whatman, and coat-of-arms with the King's Initials "GR". The last two volumes printed on hand-made wove paper by Balston & C. all uncut and wide margined. The last page [cvii] of the general introduction of the third volume states: "It was not however till after 1770 that the work was actually commenced. It was completed early in 1783, having been ten years in passing through the press. The type with which it was executed was destroyed in the fire which consumed Mr. Nichols's printing-office in the month of February 1808". The book itself was proposed by Mr. John Nichols, and executed by Mr. Joseph Jackson and printed by George Eyre and Andrew Strahan. While title pages were added later and dated 1816, printed on the last page of volume three is the printers' names and date1811 and volume four dated 1816. The Domesday Book was commissioned in December 1085 by William the Conqueror, who invaded England in 1066. The Domesday Book project was a major undertaking employing many transcribers of the manuscripts and type makers to design the special type used. It is one of the most ancient records of England and represented an amazing accomplishment. It is the Register from which judgment was to be given upon the value, tenure, and services of the land. Another point on which the Domesday Survey throws considerable light, is the history of their ancient Castles which William erected everywhere. By the completion of this survey, the King acquired an exact knowledge of the possessions of the crown. It afforded him names of the land holders, and the means of ascertaining the military strength of the country. It also pointed out the possibility of increasing the revenue in some cases, and of lessening the demands of the tax collectors in others. The Domesday Book also left exact records behind which give historians today much data about Norman English life and the first appearance of English names. At the end of the introduction to volume four pertaining to the "Bolden Book", considered the most important work of the supplement, is from the Laud MSS. 542. Contained herein is a manuscript note stating; "This account of the "Bolden Book" was written by me; I also transcribed MS. Laud, collated it with the others & prepared the whole for the press as it appeared in that volume. [signed] Adam Clarke. Adam Clarke was a noted commentator and theological writer who lived in London after 1805. He wrote English translations and new editions of other men's books, a bibliographical dictionary in six volumes and many other very important works during his lifetime. He was also a member of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Our only reasoning for this note is the fact that while Clarke transcribed the Laud MS. his name was not acknowledged as the transcriber and does not appear within the text. Only those either of high office or directly involved in its publication had their names included. [see DNB, Vol iv, p. 413] Provenance: Hudson Gurney of Keswick (1775-1864) his book with his signature on the front free endpaper of the first volume. A very wealthy member of Parliament 1812-13 and 1816-32. Member of the Society of Antiquaries and the Royal Society. A writer himself, he wrote extensively and published many important works. He was also the high sheriff of Norfolk and was married to Robert Barclay's daughter Margaret. His personal library consisted of 10-15,000 volumes.[see DNB, Vol. viii, p. 803]. [Together with] UPDATED INDEX TO THE DOMESDAY BOOK IN 2 VOLUMES; Ellis, Sir Henry. A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO DOMESDAY BOOK. Accompanied by indexes of Tenants in Chief, and under Tenants, at the time of the survey; as well as of the holders of lands mentioned in Domeday before the formation of that record; with an abstract of the population of England at the close of the Reign of William the Conqueror, so far as the name is actually entered. Illustrated by numerous notes and comments. Printed by Command of His Majesty King William IV, under the directions of The Commissioners on the Public Records of the Kingdom, 1833. In two octavo volumes. 515pp., 543pp., bound in original green silk covered boards, spines sympathetically rebacked in 20th century cloth with old cloth spines laid down retaining the printed paper labels, renewed endpapers, strip of old masking tape to gutter of second free end sheet of volume 2 and tape residue on cloth near spine ends of both volumes. It is gratifying to know the previous owner believed these books were important enough to merit preservation of some sort. Provenance [Armoral Bookplate; Edward Herbert Bunbury] Sir Henry Edward Bunbury, 7th Baronet, [1778-1860] was a British soldier, educated at Westminster, and was an active member of Parliament from 1830-1830. He also authored several historical works of value and, he was also responsible for informing Napoleon of his sentence of deportation to St. Helena. These two volumes are a continuing work which takes history of the survey back prior to William the Conqueror's survey. It also includes new information found after the publication of the first index which accompanies The Domesday Books. [Preface] "The General Introduction to Domeday Book, here presented to the reader, was first written in 1813 at which time, the writer of it has not ceased to amass every kind of information calculated to throw light upon the more important contents of the record". In 1832, it was suggested that supplemental index volumes should be published as a few important historical notes in the first publication were left out. This updated work also includes a new survey of those who held land during King Edward and King Harold's time previous to the Conqueror's survey and an added section of the persons in actual possession of land in the year the Survey actually took place. An important supplement to The Domesday Book. While these two volumes are not rare, it is likely not many know the importance of their existence for they have only opened the way to the knowledge of the Domesday books' contents. The Domesday book is a mine of information which will probably continue to unfold as new information is gathered. A rare and important historical work. Folio ( 12" X 18 ½").

[SW: William the Conqueror England Taxes Survey Parliment]

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THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND RUTLAND DOMESDAY: 3 VOLUMES - DOMESDAY BOOK STUDIES; THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND RUTLAND DOMESDAY FOLIOS AND MAPS, Northamptonshire Folios 219-229V, Rutland Folios 293V-294 ; THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND RUTLAND DOMESDAY INTRODUCTION.. London Alecto Historical Editions 1987 ; fester Einband / hard cover
Fine

THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND RUTLAND DOMESDAY: 3 VOLUMES - DOMESDAY BOOK STUDIES; THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND RUTLAND DOMESDAY FOLIOS AND MAPS, Northamptonshire Folios 219-229V, Rutland Folios 293V-294 ; THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND RUTLAND DOMESDAY INTRODUCTION AND TRANSLATION; London, Alecto Historical Editions, 1987. Boxed set of three Folio volumes, bound in quarter cream cloth, with dark brown paper-covered boards, all in Fine condition. DOMESDAY BOOK STUDIES; ISBN 0948459514, 1987, Domesday Studies, is the commentary volume on Domesday Book as a whole, telling the story of how and why Domesday was created and including articles on related aspects of medieval life. There is also a glossary and general bibliography and the volume is copiously illustrated with maps, drawings and photographs; FOLIOS AND MAPS, Northamptonshire Folios 219-229V, Rutland Folios 293V-294; ISBN 0948459530, 1987, This is number 167 of a Limited Edition of 1000 copies. High-quality colour facsimile of the original Northamptonshire And Rutland section of Domesday Book, with a fold-out map of England and a large scale map of Northamptonshire And Rutland which has Domesday sites plotted over the modern topography ; INTRODUCTION AND TRANSLATION. ISBN 09484459522 1987. A new English translation structured so that each phrase and sentence is perfectly juxtaposed in precisely the same position on each page as the scribe's words. This volume includes a complete introduction to the Northamptonshire and Rutland section of Domesday Book, as well as indexes of people and places. ISBN of set 0948459395. All volumes in Fine condition. Included is the original pre-publication descriptive brochure and the reservation certificate issued to the original owner. Very scarce. Shipping weight over 5 kg. Will incur extra postage cost Hard Cover Folio - over 12" - 15" tall

[SW: History, Domesday, Northamptonshire, Rutland]

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DOMESDAY BOOK. Domesday Book Studies - Yorkshire. Editions Alecto (domesday) Limited, 1987. ; fester Einband / hard cover
A very good three volume hbk set in slipcase. Brown card boards with gilt lettering to cream buckram spines. Folio. Comprises: Domesday book studies,179pp, The Yorkshire Domesday, (introduction and maps), and The Yorkshire Domesday, (folios and maps; Yorkshire: Folios 298-333 and Claims for Yorkshire: Folios 373-374, 379-382). Editions Alecto (Domesday) Limited, 1987.

H Hard Cover, Very Good.

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