Published by W & R Chambers: Edinburgh And London 1859 - 1861 (Second Edition)
"This important three-volume work, Domestic Annals of Scotland, is Robert Chambers' richly detailed chronicle of Scottish life from the Reformation through to the Revolution, first issued in the mid-19th century and here offered as the complete Second Edition set published between 1859 and 1861. Rather than a conventional political history, Chambers focuses on the social, domestic, religious, and cultural fabric of Scotland, drawing deeply from diaries, letters, kirk records, court proceedings, pamphlets, and contemporary eyewitness accounts. The result is a vivid, ground-level portrait of everyday existence during one of the most turbulent periods in Scottish history.
Across the three volumes, Chambers reconstructs the lived experiences of ordinary people alongside notable historical figures, documenting religious upheaval, superstition, crime, justice, folklore, and private customs with remarkable narrative clarity. His method blends antiquarian scholarship with accessible storytelling, making the work both academically valuable and highly readable. The engraved title-page vignettes and solid mid-Victorian bindings further reflect the seriousness with which the Chambers firm approached this landmark publication.
Long regarded as a cornerstone of Scottish social history, Domestic Annals of Scotland remains an indispensable reference for historians and collectors alike, frequently cited for its depth, originality, and breadth of source material. A complete three-volume set such as this is increasingly scarce and represents a major contribution to 19th-century historical literature, appealing particularly to collectors of Scottish history, scholars of Reformation-era Britain, and readers interested in the everyday lives behind major historical change."
Heavy wear, rub through and some damage to covers and spines as shown. Light inscription present dated 1863. Binding is ok with no loose pages however inside hinges are split and covers are wobbly with sagged text blocks. All illustrations present as called for across the 3 volumes. Some water staining to the back endpapers of Volume 2 as shown. Pages with a pleasant aged patina otherwise clean. A decent set in good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
