Beschreibung:

LANGLAND, William (ca 1330-1400)]. The vision of Pierce Plowman, newlye imprynted after the authours olde copy, with a brefe summary of the principall matters set before every part called Passus. Whereunto is also annexed the Crede of Pierce Plowman, never imprinted with the booke before . London: Owen Rogers, 1561. Two parts in one volume, 4 o (194 x 142 mm). Section title to the Crede . Black letter. Three- and four-line woodcut initials. (Marginal tear on N1, a few leaves with minor staining and soiling, some pale marginal dampstaining.) 18th-century sprinkled half calf, marbled boards (rebacked preserving original spine, corners repaired); quarter morocco folding case. Provenance : Sixteenth-century manuscript notes on final blank, pagination on versos, and publication date inscribed on title -- Daniel Wray (1701-1783), antiquarian (ink ex dono stamp on title verso: "Domus Carthus: Lond: ex dono Danielis Wray Arm:") -- purchased through Pickering and Chatto at Sotheby's (Hodgson's), London, 25 May 1972, lot 16. Exhibited : Grolier Club, ' This powerfull rime ,' 1975, no. 2. Fourth edition, THE FIRST TO INCLUDE THE VERY RARE SECOND EDITION OF THE CREDE (first was published separately in 1553 and is exceedingly rare), which is often lacking. The Vision of Piers Plowman is considered the most important work in Middle English with the exception of Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales,' and attributed to William Langland. It is thought to have been written between 1360 to 1399, and describes the vision of the poet set in the Vale of Berkeley and the adjacent Malvern Hills. It reflects, among other things, the author's concern with the corruption of the Church, the merits of poverty, and the supreme virtue of love. The rarity of the Crede is "probably due to contemporary proscription because of its Wycliffite doctrine...Of the first edition only four copies are known" (Pforzheimer, p. 823). See Grolier English 5; Hayward 12; Pforzheimer 799 (without the Crede ); STC 19908.