First edition of the first twenty books (two decades) of a monumental history of Friesland. This landmark work is one of the first studies of the region to be based on primary sources rather than myths and legends. Combining Friesland's political, geographical, and institutional history, it remains a cornerstone of early modern historiography and a key source for the history of the northern Netherlands.
Ubbo Emmius (1547-1625) was born in the German fishing village of Greetsiel, East Friesland, as the son of a Lutheran preacher. From the age of 9 to 18, he went to Latin school in Emden, Bremen, Norden, and Geneva, where he encountered Calvinist ideas. In 1579 he returned to East Friesland and was offered the position of rector of the Latin School in Norden. Despite making a great success of the school, he was dismissed in 1587 for his Calvinist convictions. He continued his career in Leer, rising to prominence as a scholar and educator, and became the first rector magnificus of the University of Groningen in 1614.
Throughout his career, Emmius devoted himself to scholarship, producing this celebrated history of Friesland, originally issued in six decades of ten books each between 1596 and 1607. The present two volumes are the first editions of the first two decades. They are of particular significance as they establish the textual foundation of Emmius's main work and reflect the earliest stage of his systematic reconstruction of Frisian history.
The bindings show only minor traces of use. The leaves are somewhat browned, the lower margin of pp.5-6 in volume 2 has been restored, with some loss of text, contemporary underlinings throughout. Otherwise in good condition. Ad 1: Adams E 154; STCN 822743876; Typ. Bat. 1738; USTC 423655; Ad 2: Adams E 155; STCN 822743930; Typ. Bat. 1739; USTC 424159.