Pro populo Anglicano defensio contra Claudii anonymi, alias Salmasii Defensionem regiam [Ensemble] Defensio secunda pro populo Anglicano contra infanem libellum anonymum cujus Titulus [Ensemble] Pro se defensio contra Alexandrum Morum

Second Elzevir edition of Milton's first text, which was originally published in 1651 in Amsterdam. First edition of Milton's Second and Third Defences.
Full polished tobacco calf bindings, ca. 1820. Spines with raised bands, decorated with four floral tools, fillets and rolls. Chocolate morocco title and volume labels. Cold-stamped border on the boards with small corner fleurons. Inner roll-tooled border. All edges gilt. A handsome copy.


NB: This volume is available at the bookshop on request within 48 hours.

The first defence of the English people, written against the libel of Claude Saumaise, a French Protestant scholar who opposed the regicide of Charles I, was commissioned from John Milton by the English Council of State. This defence (a pamphlet both political and religious) sought to legitimise the execution of Charles I, and the right of the English people to self-determination. This first defence became famous and was crucial in shaping European relations. A subsequent work by Pierre du Moulin, prefaced by Alexandre More, attacked John Milton personally, accusing him of questionable sexual conduct and immorality. Milton therefore produced a virtuous portrait of his life in response to these slanders. Mistakenly believing Alexandre More to be the author, he entitled his third pamphlet "against Alexandre More." All the criticisms and attacks on England emanated from Protestant authors.