12mo: 276 ff. Oval woodcut mark on title. (missing ff. 145-156; minor soiling or worming). Mod. calf, gilt flat spine. Good copy
Very rare early ed. (1st Antwerp 1551) of a major collection of verse 'romances' by the Spanish Renaissance author Lorenzo de Sepúlveda (1505-1580). His intention was to introduce a true history of Spain, based on official chronicles, to a popular audience by using the form of the romance. He hoped that his verses would supplant the traditional legends which, he declared, were 'exceedingly mendacious, and of very little value'. The book contains multiple narratives about Alfonso X, EL CID, and other historical figures, as well as a few love stories, biblical tales, and allegories, with a positive view of the interactions between Christians and Moors. Ref. Peeters-Fontainas 1187. - Belg. Typogr. 4236. Prov. 'C H' (collector's monogram on title)
