Author: Parival, Jean-Nicolas de (1605–1669)
The Historie of this Iron Age: wherein is set down the true state of Europe, as it was in the year 1500. Also, the original, and causes of all the warres, and commotions, that have happened: together with a description of the most memorable battels, sieges, actions and transactions, both in court and camp, from that time till this present year 1659. Illustrated with the lively effigies of the most renowned persons of this present time. Written originally by Jean-Nicolas de Parival, and now rendered into English by Benjamin Harris, Gentleman. The second edition, corrected and much enlarged. London: Printed for J. Crook at the Ship, Simon Miller at the Star, and Thomas Davies at the Bible in St. Paul’s Churchyard, 1659.
The Historie of this Iron Age captures the raw trauma and military chaos of a Europe tearing itself apart. Published in London during the twilight of the English Commonwealth—just one year before the Stuart Restoration—this rare second edition serves as a gripping contemporary chronicle of the continent’s bloodiest conflicts, including the devastating Thirty Years' War and the world-shaking execution of King Charles I. Rather than viewing these events through the safe lens of distant history, Parival wrote with the visceral immediacy of a living witness, analyzing the breakdown of empires, the brutality of prolonged sieges, and the fragile court intrigues that reshaped the early modern world.
For the Book Archaeologist, this majestic 17th-century volume offers spectacular visual and tactile storytelling power; even with lacking its engraved plates, it presents a pure, unobstructed window into early printing mechanics. Its dark, heavy typography stands out sharply on crisp, handmade linen rag paper. It remains an elite, textually complete work on early modern military history, revolutionary politics, and rare 1600s English folios.
Illustrations & Plates: Lacking the suite of engraved portrait plates; text block is otherwise structurally intact. An excellent, pure textual reference example of late Interregnum printing layout.
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