History Books, Pt. 3 - European History

Frontis Piece of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
opposite the title page.

Another period of history that seemed to interest Grimes is that between the fifteenth and sixteenth century.  This time period was known for the Reformation, a period where a new group of theologians split from the Catholic Church and formed the various Protestant Churches.

The first of these texts in Grimes' collection is The history of the reign of Emperor Charles V: with a view of the progress of society in Europe, from the subversion of the Roman Empire, to the beginning of the sixteenth century (1812) by William Robertson (1721-93). Originally published in 1769, History of the Reign of Charles V was one of three histories written by Robertson that gained popularity. His books reflect his interest in the origins of political structures and European exploration and conquest (as seen in his 1777 History of America). His 1769 publication focusses on the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (1500-1588) who was key in instigating the Catholic Counter-Reformation in response to the growing Protestant movement. The University’s copy is a thirteenth edition, indicating it was an important text across the years, because it continued to be republished and sold. Two of the books in the set of four are marked by a small bookseller ticker on the board cover of ‘Angus & Robertson’. 

Angus and Robertson
Book Seller Ticket

The bookstore was operating at this general address during the period of 1884-1895, until the two brothers moved their shop to another location in Sydney. The seller ticket in this book tells us that it managed to make its way to New Zealand via our neighbour, Australia. Grimes visited Australia frequently and often had the opportunity to purchase items from stores.

Sir Henry George Ward
Signature

The last history text is a 1707 copy of The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England, begun in the year 1641 by Edward Clarendon (1609-74). Edward Hyde, the First Earl of Clarendon was a politician and historian who held the prestigious position of chief advisor to King Charles I at age 31. However, after the Restoration of the English crown, he fell out of favour and fled to France where he completed his book on the history of the English rebellion and civil wars. In 1660 he found himself the father-in-law of the future James II of England and Scotland, before passing away in Roeun in 1674. The Grimes copy is one of three sets at the University and is marked by the previous ownership of Sir Henry George Ward, a politician active during the nineteenth-century. He was associated with political affairs to do with the New Zealand Company before he was appointed Governor of modern day Sri Lanka. The Civil Wars of England resulted in the execution of Charles I and the exile of his son Charles II. While there were a number of aspects that lead to the civil wars, religion played a significant role. One of the main issues was the introduction of a Catholic styled Common Prayer Book into predominantly Protestant areas (Scotland and Ireland). 

With all the time that I have spent looking at the collection and its numerous religious texts, it has been slow progress for me to understand Bishop Grimes and what his books say about him. I can only assume that the secular history books were purchased out of interest, and interest that Grimes and I both share. Although a number of aspects of the collection has fascinated me, this is one of the first groups of books that has satisfied my appetite as a scholar, rather than an intern.

References

"Robertson, William." An Oxford Companion to the Romantic Age. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Angus and Robertson Bookworld. 2015. http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/company-information#arStory

Birch, Dinah. "Clarendon, Edward Hyde, Earl of." The Oxford Companion to English Literature. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009

Seymour, A.A.D. "Ward, Sir Henry George." The Oxford National Dictionary of Biography. . Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.

The History of the Reign of Charles V..., 1812. University of Canterbury Rare Books Collection - 130033 - HistoryCharlesV - Vol2 - FrontisPiece

The History of the Reign of Charles V..., 1812. University of Canterbury Rare Books Collection - 130033 - HistoryCharlesV - Vol3 - Booksellerticket - AngusRobertson

The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars, begun in the year 1641 (Set 3), 1707. University of Canterbury Rare Books Collection - 131181 History - Vol2 - Provenance1