Stoke, Melis
Rare early edition 1620 Melis Stoke | Hollandtsche Riim-Kroniik. Inhoudende de gheschiedenissen der Graven van Hollandt tot het Iaer M.CCC.V. ‘s Gravenhage (=The Hague) Hillebrant Jacobssz., 1620, (10), 99[=100], 6, (6) p. With contemporary manuscript annotations in Dutch.
A rare 1620 edition of Melis Stoke’s “Rijmkroniek”, with large title vignette.
Full vellum binding in good condition. Folio edition, in -2. Collation: π2 <…>4 A-O4 . 31 x 21 cm. Interior in good condition. Interesting manuscript annotations. Also a name, but not yet deciphered.
From 1290 on Melis Stoke composed a chronicle in verse on the county of Holland. Written in Middle Dutch, this “Rijmkroniek” was one of the first books to appear in the Dutch language. It describes (among other stories) the assassination of Floris V, Count of Holland and Zeeland. Stoke’s chronicle was based on written sources, testimonies and his own observations. Unfortunately, Melis Stoke is not praised for his historical accuracy and reliability.
The first published edition of the “Rijmkroniek” appeared in Amsterdam in 1591 (ed. J. van der Does). Due to his ability to read and write (most people of his time were illiterate) Stoke is believed to have been a monk. The Melis Stokelaan in The Hague was named after him.
Rare – Rijmkroniek – Counts of Holland – Melis Stoke
SKU: 110744
€ 354,25 (€ 325,00 ex. btw)