Bell (Thomas) [active 1593-1610] The woefull crie of Rome

Bell (Thomas) The Woefull crie of Rome Containing a defiance to popery. With Thomas Bells second challenge to all fauorites of that Romish faction, London: Printed by T[homas] C[reede] for William Welby, 1605, small 4to, later full figured calf with red title label, only edition, woodcut device to title and faintly inscribed 'Iohn Salsy' [?], decorative headpiece and decorative woodcut initials

Footnote:

[ESTC S101554. ESTC shows only 8 copies in the UK, 6 in the US]

Bell was an English Roman Catholic priest, and later an anti-Catholic writer. After leaving Catholicism he participated in the persecution of Catholics, advocating the use of the rack, leading night-time searches of Catholic homes and making lists of Catholics who had previously given him money as well as Lancastrian houses where Catholicism was still practised.

Condition Report:

lacking the first and final blanks, darkened leather to side of spine front and back cover, dampstained first few pages, pages toned, occasional spotting and ink smudging, bookplate removed, corners o binding bumped and a little rubbed to the extremities