CARTE, Thomas. An History of the Life of James Duke of Ormonde. From his birth in 1610, to his death in 1688.

Wherein is contained an account ofthe most remarkable Affairs of his time, and particularly of Ireland, under his Government. To which is added ... a very valuable Collection of Letters, written by his Grace, or by the King, the Secretaries of State ...and serving to verify the most material facts in the said history. Three volumes. London: Printed by F. Bettenham, for J.J. and P. Knapton, in Ludgate-Street ... and T. Wotton, in Fleetstreet, 1735/36. Foolscap folio. pp. (1) lxvii, [1], 606, 6, (2) ii, 559,133, 11, (3) xii, 608. Tail-pieces, capitals; marginal notes. Folio. Contemporary full calf, richly gilt spines divided into seven panels by five gilt raised bands, title and volume number in the second and fourth; joints cracked, but very firm. All edges sprinkled. A very good set.
Life of one of the most distinguished Irish statesmen and soldiers of his day, a supporter of English rule who was nevertheless a conciliator. This work is further enhanced with the addition of the third volume (usually wanting), which contains a valuable archive of important correspondence.
James Butler, 12th Earl and 1st Duke of Ormond, known as the ‘Great Earl’ was born at Clerkenwell, London, in 1610, in the house of his grandfather, Sir John Poyntz. Shortly after his birth, his parents returned to Ireland; he was brought by his nurse when three years of age, and for the rest of his life remembered being carried through Bristol on that occasion to take the ship for Ireland. He succeeded to the earldom in 1633. A royalist, he raised a troop of horse for the king. James was six times Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He was one of the most distinguished Irish statesmen and soldiers of his day, a supporter of English rule who was nevertheless a conciliator. He arranged a cease fire with the Irish rebels in 1643, and offered a treaty in 1646 which granted religious tolerance to Catholics. In all those troublesome times he fought for the king in the senate and the field until 1650, when he retired to France. He played an important role in the restoration of Charles II and was afterwards created Marquis and Duke by him. He retired to Dorset and died there in 1688.