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3 volumes. The First London Edition., with the half-titles. 12mo (170 x 103mm), very handsomely bound in contemporary tree calf, the spines tooled in gilt in very pleasing fashion, green morocco labels gilt, sprinkled edges. xi, [1], 227; [iv], 246; [iv], 216 pp. A very handsome copy, the bindings show beautifully, small paper flaw to the final leaf of the final volume, just touching the pagination. An unusually well preserved set. THE FIRST LONDON EDITION. A translation of Gonzalve de Cordoue (first published in Paris in 1791) and a novel based on the life of Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba (d. 1515) who recaptured Granada from the Moors. Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba was the Spanish general and statesman who led successful military campaigns during the Conquest of Granada and the Italian Wars. His military victories and widespread popularity earned him the nickname "El Gran Capitán". He also negotiated the final surrender of Granada and later served as Viceroy of Naples. A masterful military strategist and tactician, he was among the first Europeans to introduce the successful use of firearms on the battlefield and the first to reorganize the infantry to include pikes and firearms in effective defensive and offensive formations. The changes implemented by Fernández de Córdoba, leading to the formation of the tercios, were instrumental in making the Spanish army the dominant force in Europe for more than a century and a half. For his extensive political and military success, he was made Duke of Santángelo (1497), Terranova (1502), Andría, Montalto and Sessa (1507). Córdoba rose to international prestige during his career, maintaining active relationships not only with the crowns of Castile and Aragon, but also with France, the Papal States, the Italian city-states and the Holy Roman Empire, all of which sought out his services. Chronicler Jerónimo Zurita went to consider him ".the most esteemed person that lived in these times, for such princes, either desired to have him for a friend, or were wary that he might become their enemy." Once the Catholic Monarchs had consolidated their rule, they embarked in 1481 on a ten-year campaign to conquer Granada, the last remaining Muslim stronghold on the Iberian peninsula. Fernández de Córdoba was an active participant in the fighting and distinguished himself as a brave and competent military leader. He gained renown for participation in the sieges of several walled towns including Loja, Tajara, Illora, and Montefrío. At Montefrío he was reported to be the first attacker over the walls. In 1492, Fernández de Córdoba captured the city of Granada, bringing an end to the war. His skills as a military engineer and a guerilla fighter were equally useful. Because of his knowledge of Arabic and his familiarity with Boabdil, Gonzalo was chosen as one of the officers to arrange the surrender. For his service he was rewarded with an Order of Santiago, an encomienda, the manor of Órgiva in Granada as well as silk production rights in the region. Seller Inventory # 33700
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