This is an extremely rare print that I am unable to find another exact copy of for sale or in any past auction results.

It states on inner front cover that this is alleged to be the first ever printed book in Colchester? 

"A true relation of that honourable, tho' unfortunate expedition of Kent, Essex, and Colchester, in 1648"

Containing,

I. The first rising of the gentry and inhabitants of the county of Kent. 

II. The Blockcade of the Town of Colchester; and the Hardships they underwent 'till its Surrender. 

III. Several Letters and Messuages; which passed between the Royalists and General Fairfax. 

IV. Articles and Conditions of Surrender. 

V. A List of the Prisoners. 

VI. The Heroic Actions, Character and Behaviour of Sir Charles Lucas, and Sir Geo. Lisle, who were executed at Colchester, five Hours after the Surrender of that Place. As also, that of the Lord Capel, who was Beheaded at Westminster, in March following. 

With many other curious Particulars.

By Matthew Carter, Quarter-Master General in the King's Forces: And other Persons of Repute.

Colchester:

Printed, and Sold by J. Pilborough, in High Street.

The sole edition of a lively first-hand account by royalist army officer Matthew Carter (fl.1648-50) of the significant Royalist uprising - in the face of increasingly spartan and Puritanical Cromwellian rule which had culminated in the suppression, in 1647, of Christmas Day celebrations - which formed in Kent during spring of 1648.

With the forces of the New Model Army divided whilst Cromwell suppressed further rebellion in South Wales, the retaking of Maidstone, which had been seized by the rebels, with Carter their appointed spokesman, was left to Sir Thomas Fairfax and his parliamentary force of 6,000 men; his attack on June 1 was successful, in retaking the town, and forced the rebels' focus elsewhere.

By this time Carter had been appointed as quartermaster, and this account records, in significant detail, the movements of the royalist forces onwards through Essex, via Stratford, to take Colchester on June 12, holding it until eventual surrender to Fairfax on August 27.

The actions, as with almost all conflict during the 1640s and 1640s, resulted in the publication of several contemporary sources; but this work - composed whilst Carter was imprisoned - is probably the most comprehensive account of the Kentish rebellion from the Royalist perspective. Other than the publication of his somewhat better-known Honor redivivus (London, 1655), little is known of Carter's later years.

Bound in original full dark brown leather binding, with gilt lettering to the second spine panel, and five thick raised bands to spine.

Containing 276 pages.

Dimensions of 6.5" x 4.1" x 1.1" thick - it weighs 400g unpacked.

Shelf wear to covers - a few tiny scribbles of numbers to title page - a few minor and occasional spots of foxing - discreet repair to final page, with loss of two words. 

Otherwise the book is in very good condition given its age.

Refund is accepted if you are not completely satisfied or feel the item is not as described.

Please check out my other antiquarian books selling currently on eBay.

Good luck bidding if you decide to place one.