VIEW OF THE STATE OF EUROPE DURING THE MIDDLE AGES.

London: John Murray, 1818. 2 volumes. RARE First Edition, complete with half-titles as called for. 4to, bound in contemporary marbled boards backed in tan calf, the spines with gilt ruled bands and with volume numbers in gilt, gilt lettered within a black morocco gilt decorated label, handsome armorial bookplate of James Rimington on the pastedowns. xvi, 530, [errata]; vii, 654, [errata] pp. A fine set of this scarce first edition, the text clean and unpressed and in fine full period state, meager spotting at the prelims only, otherwise uncommonly fresh. The contemporary boards with some age as would be expected, a little worn at the egdes but sturdy and strong. THE VERY SCARCE FIRST EDITION OF THIS IMPOSING AND IMPORTANT HISTORICAL WORK. Halllam spent ten years on this, his first great historical work, and the book that would establish his reputation. He would go on to write a constitutional history of England as well as a history of English literature. According to the DNB “ Hallam’s works helped materially to lay foundations of the English historical school, and in spite of later researches, maintain their positions as standard books. His ‘Middle Ages’ was probably the first English history which, with out being merely antiquarian, set an example of genuine study from original sources.” It remains one of the great source books, even to the present day.