350C Ockland, Christopher. (d.1590 ?) Anglorum Prælia ab anno Domini. 1327. anno nimirùm primo inclytissimi Principis Eduardi erus nominis tertij, usque ad annu[m] Domini. 1558. Carmine summatim perstricta. ITEM. De pacatissimo Angliæ Statu, imperante Elizabetha, compendiosa Narratio. Authore Christophoro Oclando, primò Scholæ Southwarkiensis prope Londinum, dein Cheltennamensis, quæ sunt à serenissima sua Maiestate fundatæ, Moderatore. Hæc duo Poemata, tam ob argumenti grauitatem, quam Carminis facilitatem, Nobilissimi Regie Maiestatis Consiliarij in omnibus huius regni Scholis prælegenda pueris præscripserunt. Hijs Alexandri Neuilli Kettvm: tum propter argumenti similitudinem, tum propter orationis elegantiam adiunximus.

London: Apud Radulphum Nuberie, ex assignatione Henrici Bynneman Typographi, 1582

$1,300

Octavo, 4.7 x 5.8 in. Second edition. A3 (lacking A1, the first blank), B-L8, M4 (the final blank, M4, is present), N8-T8, V4. This copy is bound in contemporary English calf that has been rebacked and is in good condition with minor scuffing. The leaves are in good condition with minor marginal worming affecting gatherings I through O.

The 1580 publication of Ockland’s Anglorum Prælia, a Latin historical poem, brought Ockland into public notice, as the book was appointed by Queen Elizabeth and her privy council to be received and taught in every grammar and free school within the kingdom. The work is an hexameter poem, the meter used in classical poetry for heroic subjects. An early hand records on the flyleaf: “containing the highest Panegyric on Queen Elizabeth’s character and Government. Was enjoined by Authority to be taught as a classic author in Grammar School. This was a matchless contrivance to imprint a sense of loyalty on the minds of the people.” The DNB adds that the the teaching of Ockland was intended “for the removing of such lascivious poets as are commonly reade and taught in the saide grammer schools.” This second edition of Ockland’s work, printed two years after the first, contains Ockland’s “Eiphnapxia,” Alexander Neville’s Latin poem on Lett’s rebellion, and the poem on Elizabeth.

STC 18773; Ward 1317