Our blog is currently looking at the publishing activity’s of Old Sir Rowland’s press (which was at the use of his friends and ran after his death while his estate was in probate) beyond the 1560 Geneva Bible.
Here were look at this 1562 book:
Tvvo very notable commentaries the one of the originall of the Turcks and Empire of the house of Ottomanno, written by Andrewe Cambine, and thother of the warres of the Turcke against George Scanderbeg, prince of Epiro, and of the great victories obteyned by the sayd George, aswell against the Emperour of Turkie, as other princes, and of his other rare force and vertues, worthye of memorye, translated oute of Italian into Englishe by Iohn Shute.
You can access an on-line copy of this text thanks to the University of Michigan Library, via this link.
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John Shute’s first English translations of two important early works relating to the Ottoman Empire: Cambini’s “Commentario… della Origine de Turchi” and Paolo Giovio’s account of the wars between the Turks and the Albanians led by Skanderbeg. Cambini’s work was first published in 1529, two years after his death, Giovio’s in 1531. These works were published under the imprint of Rowland Hall, a printing press associated with Sir Rowland Hill. Hill, used the Rowland Hall press to disseminate his own political and religious views, as well as to pursue his business interests and those of his friends.
The choice to publish these works on the Ottoman Empire reflects Hill’s broader concerns about European politics and the geopolitical landscape of the time.
The Ottoman Empire, while primarily a Muslim state, had complex relationships with European powers. Following the Reformation, the Ottoman Empire became an uneasy ally of England. This alliance was motivated by a shared interest in countering the growing influence of Catholic powers in Europe. Additionally, the Holy Land, a region of great religious and historical importance, had been under Ottoman control since the 16th century. This development would have been of particular interest to English readers.
Shute’s translations provided English readers with important information about the Ottoman Empire, its history, military power, and cultural influences. This knowledge would have been valuable for understanding the geopolitical landscape of the time and the potential threats and opportunities posed by the Ottoman Empire.
By promoting knowledge of the Ottoman Empire, Hill may have sought to influence public opinion and shape the political discourse surrounding foreign affairs.
The Ottoman Empire around the time of Hill’s death
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This text was published by Hill’s press for Humphrey Toy, a prominent English bookseller and publisher of the 16th century, played a crucial role in promoting Welsh language literature. In 1567, he published the groundbreaking first translation of the New Testament into Welsh, translated by his close friend William Salesbury. Toy also contributed to the development of Welsh language resources by publishing the first translation of the Book of Common Prayer into Welsh, again translated by Salesbury.
