Eikon Basilike: the portracture of His Sacred Majestie in his solitudes and sufferings 1649
Duodecimo. Contemporary black goatskin with gold-tooled decoration, including skull surmounted by 'CR' monogram and crown. | 10.3 x 5.2 x 1.6 cm (book measurement (conservation)) | RCIN 1192852
Attributed to Charles I, King of Great Britain (1600-49)
Eikon Basilike: the portracture of His Sacred Majestie in his solitudes and sufferings 1649
-
While Charles I, the monarch executed by parliament in 1648/9, has traditionally been identified as the author of Eikon Basilike, this has been disputed since John Gauden, Bishop of Worcester, emerged as a probable ghostwriter in the 1690s. It is now thought to have been a collaboration between Gauden and the king.
The book reviews the course of the civil wars from the calling of the Long Parliament in 1640 to Charles's imprisonment at Carisbrooke Castle in 1647, and defends the king's policies. As well as being a political memoir it also uses the language of spiritual autobiography, presenting Charles as the defender of both Church and State. 'Eikon Basilike' means 'portrait of the king'. The portrayal of Charles in the text as a moderate, peace-loving ruler transformed opinion of his execution so that it came to be viewed by many as an act of martyrdom.
Despite the government's attempts to suppress the words of the king they had just executed, Eikon Basilike became an immediate best-seller, and was one of the most influential books of the seventeenth century. Its popularity and its scriptural qualities helped to bring about support for the Restoration of Charles II in 1660.
Though small, this luxury binding conveys the high value of Charles I's words to the book's early owner, and the skull, often a feature of the bindings of Eikon Basilike, can be read as an emblem of the king's martyrdom. The value of this book to its early owner has been further enhanced by the insertion of a piece of paper carrying Charles II's signature.Provenance
Has been thought to have been given to Sir William Murray of Stanhope by Charles II. Purchased by Sir Richard Holmes on behalf of the Royal Library on 13 November 1890 at the sale of items from the collection of Charles Augustus Howell (Christie, Manson & Woods [London], lot 304).
-
Creator(s)
Attributed to (author)(publisher)(engraver)Acquirer(s)
-
Medium and techniques
Duodecimo. Contemporary black goatskin with gold-tooled decoration, including skull surmounted by 'CR' monogram and crown.
Measurements
10.3 x 5.2 x 1.6 cm (book measurement (conservation))
Other number(s)
ESTC : English Short Title Catalogue Citation Number – ESTC R40197Alternative title(s)
Eikon Basilike : the pourtracture of His Sacred Majestie in his solitudes and sufferings : With prayers made in the time of his restrainte. Also His Majesties reasons against the pretended Jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice : hereunto is annexed a letter from the Prince of Wales.