Parts 1 and 2 paged continuously; pt. 2-4 have each a special t.-p. Collation: 1st prelim. leaf: recto blank, verso "The emblematical title explained" (in five rimed stanzas); 2d p. I.: illus. t.-p., engraved "Trvth brought to light and discouered by time or A discourse and historicall narration of the first XIIII yeares of King Iames reigne. London, Printed by Richard Cotes and are to be sold by Michaell Sparke at the Blew Bible in Green 1651 Arber, Iohn Droeshout sculp. Lon.," v[superscript 0] blank; 3d p.l.: r[superscript 0] blank, v[superscript 0] portrait of Sir Thomas Overbury (engr.); 4th p.l.: title-page (printed); 5th-6th p.l. (sig. a-a2): "The stationer to the impartial reader, gentlemen or others" (signed: Mi. Scintilla); p. 1-74 (sig. B-L[1] in fours): A historical narration of the first XIV. years of King James"; p. [75]-192 (sig. [L2]-Z, Z in fours, Y in two excepted): "Truth brovght to light by time. The proceedings touching the divorce between the Lady Frances Howard, and Robert earl of Essex ... London, Printed by R.C. for Michael Sparke, 1651" (with fold. engr. port. of the Earl of Essex and his wife); "An abstract or brief declaration of the present state of His Majesties revenew ... London, Printed for M.S. 1651" and "The contents" (2 p.l. without sig., followed by text, p. 1-72 with sig A[superscript ]-I[superscript ] in fours); "A true relation of the commissions and warrants for the condemnation and burning of Bartholomew Legatt and Thomas Withman ... London, Printed for Michael Spark, 1651" (1 p.l. and p. 1-18 with sig. Aa[superscript ]-Bb[superscript ] in fours, Cc[superscript ] in two); "A compleat table of the several chapters of this Historical narration" etc..

"A historical narration of the first XIV. years of King James" (p. 1-74) slightly abridged, and "Sr. Francis Bacon, his speech at the arraignment of the Earl of Somerset" (p. 165-176) were published in 1643 under the title: The five years of King Iames, or, The condition of the state of England, and the relation it had to other provinces. Written by Sr. Foulk Grevill, late Lord Brook."

Errors in binding: 5th-6th p.l. bound after pt. 3; "A compleat table" bound before pt. 4.

Wing, D.G. Short-title catalogue of books printed in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and British America, and of English books printed in other countries, 1641-1700, S4818