Prynne (William) A Legall Vindication of the Liberties of England, Against Illegal Taxes and Pretended Acts of Parliament Lately Enforced on the People, first edition, with initial errata leaf, small rust-hole to B4 touching a couple of letters, modern cloth, [Goldsmiths' 1113; Kress 792; Wing P3997], to be sold at the Swan near Charing-cross, 1649 § City Alarum (The), or the Weeke of our miscarriages...whereunto is annexed a Treatise of the Excize, first edition, title with woodcut ornament and typographical border, woodcut initials, a little water-stained, later calf-backed boards, spine worn and defective, upper cover detached, [Goldsmiths' 890; Kress 677; Wing C.4346], for Joseph Kirton, 1645 § Lilburne (John) To Every Individuall member of the Supream Authority of the Parliament of the Commonewealth of England. The Humble Addresse...by way of Answer to a most false and scandalous Printed Petition, delivered...by one William Huntington..., 12pp., only edition, drop-head title, woodcut head-piece and initial, stitched into modern marbled wrappers, [Wing L2186], 1651, small 4to (3)

⁂ The first is undoubtedly one of the most important of all Prynne's political pamphlets. Following his arrest to Colonel Pride in November 1648 he was released from custody sometime in January 1649 and then retired to Swainswick. He there began a paper war against the new government. He wrote three pamphlets against the engagement of the faithful to the Commonwealth, and proved that neither in conscience, law, nor prudence was he bound to pay the taxes which it imposed. The government retaliated by imprisoning him for nearly three years without a trial.

The last item is rare: ESTC lists copies at 5 UK libraries (BL, Durham, LSE, National Library of Scotland, and John Rylands Library) but only one elsewhere (Sutro Library, California).