1874-5 Five Novels by Charles Kingsley

Description

Illustrated, Signed Binding

In a signed binding by Bickers & Son.

A collection of five popular novels by Charles Kingsley. Kingsley was a priest for the Church of England, as well as being a social reformer. 

Labels to the front endpapers, 'Bequeathed by Gertrude, Lady Pembroke, to Margaret, Wife of Reginald Talbot'. Gertrude was from the Talbot family, and was the sister-in-law to Margaret. The Talbot family owned Lacock Abbey, founded in the early thirteenth century. The house is now owned by the National Trust.

'Hereward the Wake', the third edition of this work, published in 1874. Half-title is present. This is another historical novel, about the Anglo-Saxon figure Hereward, who led resistance against the Normans.

'Two Years Ago', the sixth edition of this work, published in 1874. Half-title is not present.

'Hypatia', the seventh edition of this work, published in 1874. Half-title is not present. This novel is a fictionalised account of the life of the philosopher Hypatia, and reflects the religious sentiments of the nineteenth century.

'Westward Ho!', the eleventh edition of this work, published in 1875. Half-title is not present. This novel is based on the adventures of Amyas Preston, an Elizabethan corsair, who set sail with Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh to the New World.

'Yeast', the seventh edition of this work, published in 1875. Half-title is present. This was Kingsley's first novel, an attack on Roman Catholicism and the Oxford Movement, as well as being an attack on celibacy, bad landlords, and bad sanitation.