634 pages, printed. Bound in red sheepskin, gold tooled, with the arms of the University of Oxford on boards.

Edward Hyde began his career as a lawyer and an MP, and became one of the closest advisers of both Charles I, during the period 1641-5, and then of Charles II during his exile before the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. In that year Hyde’s daughter Anne married the King’s brother, the future James II; Hyde’s granddaughters succeeded to the throne as Mary II and Queen Anne. He was created Earl of Clarendon in 1661, but became unpopular as Lord Chancellor and was exiled for life in 1667. During his exile he composed his autobiography, The Life of Edward Earl of Clarendon, which was also later incorporated into his revised version of his History of the Rebellion, an account of events during the Civil War, down to 1660. A more successful part of his life after 1660 was his chancellorship of Oxford University, which he was keen to restore to its old reputation. His manuscripts were left to the university on his death, and the profits from the History of the Rebellion were used to build a home for the University Press. The autobiography of one of its chief benefactors, printed at the Clarendon Press, was therefore an appropriate gift from Oxford University to the future King.

The fine panel binding was probably done in Oxford, the frames built up with a series of one- and three-line, and floral roll tools; the outer edge of the two decorated frames uses the same tool. The inner edge of the innermost frame is formed of a delicate dentelle tool; the corners of the frames carry ornaments featuring crowns and sceptres. The arms of the University of Oxford appear in the middle, with supporters and the university’s mottoes: Dominus Illuminatio Mea (the Lord is my light), and Bonitas Liberabit, Regnabit Veritas (Goodness shall liberate, truth shall rule).

Catalogue entry adapted from George III & Queen Charlotte: Patronage, Collecting and Court Taste, London, 2004