OATES, J.C.T. (1912–1990)

‘The Trewe Encountre: A Pamphlet on Flodden Field’ [offprint from:] Transactions of the Cambridge Bibliographical Society (1950) [together with:] two associated letters to The Rev. Canon C. L. Hulbert-Powell

260 x 183mm; pp. 126–129

The origin of reportage. An offprint and two letters here relate to a highly significant acquisition by Cambridge University Library: the (then) sole known fragment of Richard Faques pioneering ‘newsbook’ The trewe encountre or Batayle lately betwene Englande and Scotland, issued in London soon after 1513.

The Battle of Flodden, reported in Faques’ publication, took place in September 1513 and saw the defeat of the Scots army and the death of James iv. The battle was the largest ever fought to that date, and was a sensation: Faques quickly issued the Trewe Encounter as well as Skelton’s Ballade of the Scottysshe Kynge.

As Oates writes in the letter dated 3 November 1949, the Trewe encountre was known through a made-up copy at Britwell Library, which at that date had been missing for many decades, so the UL was delighted to add the fragments described here to its collections. Subsequently the Britwell copy came to light again, at an auction in 1971, where it sold for $9,000 (it now resides in the British Library).

Good condition: a little worn; letters creased at the corners.