BALE, JOHN. 1495-1563. The first two parts of the Actes of English Votaryes, Comprehendynge Thei...

BALE, JOHN. 1495-1563. The first two parts of the Actes of English Votaryes, Comprehendynge Their Unchast Practyces.... London: John Tysdale, 1560. 2 parts in 1 volume. Small 8vo (134 x 87 mm). Blackletter text, woodcut initials and footers. Late 19th-century blind-ruled calf, 4 raised bands on spine, red morocco lettering piece, marbled endpapers. Upper cover detached, title page replaced in facsimile, imprint date 'corrected' in ink to read 1560 on colophon of first part, old ink notations on verso of final leaf, margins trimmed, with some losses to notations. Provenance: William Ridley Richardson (1857-1914, bookplate). Second edition of Bale's anti-Catholic work denouncing the practice of celibacy among the Catholic clergy. The author, who abandoned the monastic life to get married, was an agent provocateur in the stormy religious conflicts of 16th-century England, writing mostly parodies and diatribes against the rule of Roman Catholicism over the English Church, in an intentionally crude and sometimes profane style. Rare in any edition. ESTC S100595. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing