Description

Marlborough (John Churchill, first Duke of, 1650-1722).- [Parker (Robert, army officer, of Cork, Ireland, b. 1665x8, d. in or after 1718)] [Memoirs of the most remarkable military transactions from the year 1688 to 1718], ?autograph manuscript, 300pp., slightly browned, a few ink marks and corrections, 3 19th century notes (1 loose) on fly-leaves by Richard Caulfield and Cecil Crawford Woods and 3 engraved bookplates of Richard Caulfield and Robert Day High Sheriff of Cork on front endpapers, some ink stamps of Richard Caulfield in margins, 19th century reversed calf, gilt armorial stamps on both covers, folio, [c. 1718]; and another, a printed edition of the same, 1747, folio & 8vo (2).

A source book giving first hand accounts of the wars of the Duke of Marlborough, Queen Anne, William III and the War of the Spanish Succession. A careful comparison of this manuscript and the text printed by Parker's son reveals revisions and the excision of material. This manuscript offers the text as it stood prior to editing and printing, taking us back beyond the text printed from the 18th century down to the present. When published, historians will then have a sounder text for the evaluation of Parker's Memoirs - arguably the most important primary source in English for a study of Marlborough's campaigns.

Parker, a professional soldier served under the Duke of Marlborough at Blenheim (1704), Ramillies (1706), and Oudenarde (1708). "Robert Parker's Memoirs, taken from a journal kept while on campaign and written in retirement, were published posthumously by his son in 1746, the year after the Duke of Ormond's death. Although Parker claimed to have been passed over for promotion owing to Marlborough's favouritism to others, he obviously held him in high regard, but his opinion of Ormond was less favourable. The memoirs are a valuable detailed account of the trials of a marching officer during Marlborough's campaigns." (Oxford DNB). The memoirs also cover the reduction in the size of the army after the war's conclusion, rioting in Bristol, and the cost of the war to the nation.

The Battle of the Boyne. "... ye enemy who had somewhat recovered their disorder came down and charged our first line and broke thro' some of them, and some of ours obliged others of theirs to scamper back, and now all the enemy being got over, we charged each other in our turns with various success, but did not last long for they soon after took to their heels. The Irish army made the best of their way after a scattering manner towards the River Shannon."

The Battle of Blenheim. "The Duke of Marlborough, a man of an uncommon penetration and presence of mind, soon perceived Tallards design, he thereupon ordered his brother Generl. Churchill with Ninteen Battallions to attack ye Troops in Blenheim... ."

An account of a poor button maker of Ghent. "the Majestrats of Gant on ye breaking out of ye War having notice given them for providing Quart.rs for such a number of troops were perplex'd how to find Quarters for them... at length in comes ffarrazine ye Button maker who told them he would to furnish Quart.rs for any numbers of Troops... provided they would supply him wth a sum of money to buy Necessaries and allow him a penny a night for each soldier... the Majestrates laughed at him and bid him begon. In short... [they] agreed to what he proposed, and he performed every thing to the satisfaction of them... and in a short time made a very great fortune... ." - Parker.

Provenance: Richard Caulfield (1823-87), antiquary. "Richard Caulfield... Cork 1870. This MS was once the property of Bishop Peter Browne. The account was written by Capt. Parker, who was his neighbour at Carrigrohan- beg [Carrigrohane], where I saw his portrait, a fine oil painting, and his cap, both were over the chimney piece. The printed copy of this work is not so full as this MS. and does not contain the account of the 'Button Maker' p. 69 &c. R.G."

"This M.S. was kindly presented to me by the widow of Richard Caulfield... Mrs. Caulfield at the same time kindly presented to me Dr Caulfield's printed copy of this work. Cecil Crawford Woods."

Lot 7

Marlborough (John Churchill, 1st Duke of).- [Parker (Robert, army officer, of Cork, Ireland, b. 1665x8, d. in or after 1718)] [Memoirs of the most remarkable military transactions from the year 1688 to 1718], ?autograph manuscript, 300pp., [c. 1718].

Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000

Description

Marlborough (John Churchill, first Duke of, 1650-1722).- [Parker (Robert, army officer, of Cork, Ireland, b. 1665x8, d. in or after 1718)] [Memoirs of the most remarkable military transactions from the year 1688 to 1718], ?autograph manuscript, 300pp., slightly browned, a few ink marks and corrections, 3 19th century notes (1 loose) on fly-leaves by Richard Caulfield and Cecil Crawford Woods and 3 engraved bookplates of Richard Caulfield and Robert Day High Sheriff of Cork on front endpapers, some ink stamps of Richard Caulfield in margins, 19th century reversed calf, gilt armorial stamps on both covers, folio, [c. 1718]; and another, a printed edition of the same, 1747, folio & 8vo (2).

A source book giving first hand accounts of the wars of the Duke of Marlborough, Queen Anne, William III and the War of the Spanish Succession. A careful comparison of this manuscript and the text printed by Parker's son reveals revisions and the excision of material. This manuscript offers the text as it stood prior to editing and printing, taking us back beyond the text printed from the 18th century down to the present. When published, historians will then have a sounder text for the evaluation of Parker's Memoirs - arguably the most important primary source in English for a study of Marlborough's campaigns.

Parker, a professional soldier served under the Duke of Marlborough at Blenheim (1704), Ramillies (1706), and Oudenarde (1708). "Robert Parker's Memoirs, taken from a journal kept while on campaign and written in retirement, were published posthumously by his son in 1746, the year after the Duke of Ormond's death. Although Parker claimed to have been passed over for promotion owing to Marlborough's favouritism to others, he obviously held him in high regard, but his opinion of Ormond was less favourable. The memoirs are a valuable detailed account of the trials of a marching officer during Marlborough's campaigns." (Oxford DNB). The memoirs also cover the reduction in the size of the army after the war's conclusion, rioting in Bristol, and the cost of the war to the nation.

The Battle of the Boyne. "... ye enemy who had somewhat recovered their disorder came down and charged our first line and broke thro' some of them, and some of ours obliged others of theirs to scamper back, and now all the enemy being got over, we charged each other in our turns with various success, but did not last long for they soon after took to their heels. The Irish army made the best of their way after a scattering manner towards the River Shannon."

The Battle of Blenheim. "The Duke of Marlborough, a man of an uncommon penetration and presence of mind, soon perceived Tallards design, he thereupon ordered his brother Generl. Churchill with Ninteen Battallions to attack ye Troops in Blenheim... ."

An account of a poor button maker of Ghent. "the Majestrats of Gant on ye breaking out of ye War having notice given them for providing Quart.rs for such a number of troops were perplex'd how to find Quarters for them... at length in comes ffarrazine ye Button maker who told them he would to furnish Quart.rs for any numbers of Troops... provided they would supply him wth a sum of money to buy Necessaries and allow him a penny a night for each soldier... the Majestrates laughed at him and bid him begon. In short... [they] agreed to what he proposed, and he performed every thing to the satisfaction of them... and in a short time made a very great fortune... ." - Parker.

Provenance: Richard Caulfield (1823-87), antiquary. "Richard Caulfield... Cork 1870. This MS was once the property of Bishop Peter Browne. The account was written by Capt. Parker, who was his neighbour at Carrigrohan- beg [Carrigrohane], where I saw his portrait, a fine oil painting, and his cap, both were over the chimney piece. The printed copy of this work is not so full as this MS. and does not contain the account of the 'Button Maker' p. 69 &c. R.G."

"This M.S. was kindly presented to me by the widow of Richard Caulfield... Mrs. Caulfield at the same time kindly presented to me Dr Caulfield's printed copy of this work. Cecil Crawford Woods."

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