[LOPES, Fernão (c.1380-c.1460).] Coronica do condestabre de Portugall dom Nuna Alurez Pereyra. Lisbon: Germão Galharde, 30 October 1554.

"...Nam post numerosa tropae
reiecit pompas: humilisque; ex Principe factus."
(from Álvares Pereira's epitaph, printed at the end).

Second edition of this important history of Saint Constable, i.e. Nuno Álvarez Pereira, who assured Portugal's independence from Castile. The only copy of any 16th century edition to appear in the auction records of RBH. Through the marriage of his daughter Brites to Dom Affonso, the natural son of King João I of Avis and the first Duke of Braganza, Nuno became the founding patriarch of the House of Braganza. He played a pivotal role in securing Portugal’s independence during the 1383-1385 Crisis, leading decisive victories that safeguarded the nation from Castilian rule. In his later years, he became a Carmelite monk and is venerated in the Catholic Church. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. There are two large woodcut portraits of Álvares Pereira in this work: one depicting him as a warrior-prince in full armor, and the other as an older monk. Anselmo 620; Iberian Books before 1600, 2875; Rodrigues 661.

Folio (281 x 194mm). Title within ornamental woodcut border, full-page woodcut portrait on title verso, woodcut initials, large woodcut portrait on epitaph page (toned and pressed, two erasures and a little strengthening to title). Full red morocco gilt by R. Devauchelle, all edges gilt. Provenance: anonymous owner, Sotheby's, 23 June 1975, lot 131 – José Mindlin, 1914-2010 (bookplate) – Antonio Bonchristiano (bookplate).