Very rare early first edition of the Life of King James, plus various murders and persecutions that surrounded his life and reign, including the poisoning of Thomas Overbury, the burning at the stake of two Ranter martyrs, etc,. This work rare to begin with. Then, bound with two further works as well, each scarce; one on the extravagant income of the Crown under King James, and the second on the burning two more martyrs at Smithfield.

Includes the beautiful engraved title, etc., A copy sold at just over $1,000 at auction without the attached two additional imprints. 

Sparke, Michael. The Narrative History of King James, for the First Fourteen Years. In Four Parts. 

I. The State of England at his Majesties Entrance, and Relation it had to other Parts: The Lascivious Courses at Court ; with the Lord of Northampton's coming to Honor : The Division Betwixt the Hollander and English, Betwixt the Scot and English, Betwixt the English and Irish: Also the rising of Somerset, his favor and greatness with the King, his Parentage and Descent, his fall, and the beginning of Buckingham's Greatness.

II. The Proceedings touching the Divorce Betwixt the Lady Frances Howard, and Robert Earl of Essex, before the Kings Delegates, George Canterbury, John Bishop of London, Lancellett Bishop of Ely, Richard Bisho of Lichfield and Coventry, Dr. Casar, Thomas Parrey, Dr. Donn, John Benett, Fran. James and Thomas Edwards, authorized under the Kings Broad Seal. 

Also, the Arraignment of Sir Jer. Elvis Lieutenant of the Tower, Sir Thomas Monson, Knight, Anne Turner, Rich. Welton and James Franklin, &c. touching the murthering and poisoning of Sir Thomas Overbury, his Majesties Prisoner in the Tower, with al their Examinations, Arraignments, Evidences, Confessions, Answers and Trials, with their sentence and Sufferings; with his Majesties Gratious Pardon and Favour to the Countesse.

III. A Declaration of his Majesties Revenue with Assignations and Defalcations upon the same, and of all Monies brought into his Majesties Coffers from time to time, since he came to the Crown of England, by what means soever, with the Annual issues, Gifts, Rewards and extraordinary Disbursements.

IV. The Commissions and Warrants for the Burning of two Hereticks, both holding part of the same our Ranters do, being old heresies, newly Revived. Also two Pardons, the one for Thephilus Higgons, the other for Sr. Eustace Harte.

London. Printed for Michael Sparke. 1651. 192pp.

[Bound with]

Anonymous. An Abstract of Brief Declaration of the Present State of his Majesties Revenew, With the Assignations and Defalcations upon the same. All Monies brought into his Majesties Coffers from time to time, since his coming to the Crown of England, by what means so ever. The ordinary Annuall Issues, Gifts, Rewards, and Extraordinary Disbursements, as they are distinguished in several Titles hereafter following. London. Printed for M. S. 1651. 72pp.

[Bound With]

Anonymous. A True Relation of the Commissions and Warrants for the Condemnation and Burning of Bartholomew Legatt and Thomas Withman, the one in West-Smithfield, London, the other Lichfield, in the Year, 1611. Signed with K. James his own hand. In which is laid opne their most Blasphemous Heresies and false Opinions, being part of them the very same which our Ranters in these times profess to be their New Lights. Whereunto are added, The Pardons of Theophilus Higgons, and Sr. Eustace Hart Knight. Published by Authority. London. Printed for Michael Spark, 1651. 18pp.

A very good copy, bound in leather, generally solid, respined. Pages very nicely preserved with some light foxing, and a small repair on the last page.