Troubles between England & Spain... A 1624 newsbook "from heaven"...
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January 01, 1624
VOX COELI, OR, NEWES FROM HEAVEN..., London, 1624
* Troubles between England & Spain
* A 1624 newsbook "from heaven"
This is an interesting newsbook, or perhaps better defined as a political pamphlet, with the extended title reading: "...or a consultation there held by the high and mighty princes, King Hen. 8 King Edw.6 Prince Henry, Queene Mary, Queene Elizabeth and Queene Anne; wherein Spaines ambition and treacheries to most Kingdomes and free Estates in Europe are unmas'd and truly represented, but more particularly towards ENGLAND, and now more especially under the pretended match of Prince Charles, with the Infanta Dona Maria."
As an historical backdrop to this piece, religious tension between Protestant & Catholic kingdoms continued to threaten the stability of many nations in early 17th century Europe. Although King James of England was a devout Protestant, he was also the son of the martyred Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots, so his animosity against Catholics was much less than was ingrained in many of the English. James hoped to maintain the stability in Europe by encouraging an Anglo-Spanish alliance by way of a marriage between Prince Charles and the Spanish Princess Donna Maria. However such a marriage would mean that all children born to the couple would be raised Catholic.
When news of the proposed match became public the people of England were horrified. It was widely believed that a Spanish match would spell the downfall of Protestantism in England.
Herein enters John Reynolds, the publisher of this pamphlet & a merchant from Exeter who sometimes dabbled in literature. He was very suspicious of Spanish ambitions and created this fictitious conversation among the various kings & queens of England as noted in the lengthy title (see above). Ultimately the six royals decide that such a marriage would be disastrous, save for Queen Mary. They take their decision to the "throne of the Lamb" where they report the outcome of their conversation. After reporting to the Blessed Tribunal the Almighty rebukes Mary for her unnatural hatred for England. Shamed, Queen Mary writes two letters, one to Count Gondomar (the Spanish ambassador in England) and one to all the Catholics secretly living in England. These letters are included with this pamphlet, as noted at the bottom of the titlepage. Note also that it is: "Printed in Elesium, 1624" (heaven).
This newsbook/pamphlet is complete in 60 pages. The title page has an archival, transparent overlay, likely done to repair two tears. There is some damp staining to the latter leaves but not remotely causing any disfigurement or loss of readability. One leaf has loss to a lower corner which affects a total of 3 words, and another leaf has minor loss to a lower margin not close to any text.
The item is beautifully bound in three-quarter leather with marbled boards, in very nice condition. Gold inking at the spine. Measures 6 by 8 inches.
* Troubles between England & Spain
* A 1624 newsbook "from heaven"
This is an interesting newsbook, or perhaps better defined as a political pamphlet, with the extended title reading: "...or a consultation there held by the high and mighty princes, King Hen. 8 King Edw.6 Prince Henry, Queene Mary, Queene Elizabeth and Queene Anne; wherein Spaines ambition and treacheries to most Kingdomes and free Estates in Europe are unmas'd and truly represented, but more particularly towards ENGLAND, and now more especially under the pretended match of Prince Charles, with the Infanta Dona Maria."
As an historical backdrop to this piece, religious tension between Protestant & Catholic kingdoms continued to threaten the stability of many nations in early 17th century Europe. Although King James of England was a devout Protestant, he was also the son of the martyred Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots, so his animosity against Catholics was much less than was ingrained in many of the English. James hoped to maintain the stability in Europe by encouraging an Anglo-Spanish alliance by way of a marriage between Prince Charles and the Spanish Princess Donna Maria. However such a marriage would mean that all children born to the couple would be raised Catholic.
When news of the proposed match became public the people of England were horrified. It was widely believed that a Spanish match would spell the downfall of Protestantism in England.
Herein enters John Reynolds, the publisher of this pamphlet & a merchant from Exeter who sometimes dabbled in literature. He was very suspicious of Spanish ambitions and created this fictitious conversation among the various kings & queens of England as noted in the lengthy title (see above). Ultimately the six royals decide that such a marriage would be disastrous, save for Queen Mary. They take their decision to the "throne of the Lamb" where they report the outcome of their conversation. After reporting to the Blessed Tribunal the Almighty rebukes Mary for her unnatural hatred for England. Shamed, Queen Mary writes two letters, one to Count Gondomar (the Spanish ambassador in England) and one to all the Catholics secretly living in England. These letters are included with this pamphlet, as noted at the bottom of the titlepage. Note also that it is: "Printed in Elesium, 1624" (heaven).
This newsbook/pamphlet is complete in 60 pages. The title page has an archival, transparent overlay, likely done to repair two tears. There is some damp staining to the latter leaves but not remotely causing any disfigurement or loss of readability. One leaf has loss to a lower corner which affects a total of 3 words, and another leaf has minor loss to a lower margin not close to any text.
The item is beautifully bound in three-quarter leather with marbled boards, in very nice condition. Gold inking at the spine. Measures 6 by 8 inches.
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
