Three Volumes in Two folios. Full vellum with yapp edges and old ink titles to spines (Vol.I-II with vellum repair to split front hinge of spine, both Vols lack ties, some marks but mostly well-preserved, clean vellum). Vol.I half title + 1st engraved title +[32]pp prelims +409(recte 411)pp +[1]p blank; Vol.II half title +415-707 +[1]p cherubim & motto +[113]pp index with privilege at end + colophon dated 1623 + Plantin printer's device to last leaf. Vol.III half title + 2nd engraved title +[4]pp prelims +678pp + [107]pp index + colophon dated 1623 + printer's device to last leaf. Some page mis-numbering, but both volumes collated complete from registers. Vol.I half title has marginal rectangular cut-out long ago repaired with no print loss, similar repaired cut-out to lower margin of dedication, again no print loss, narrrow strip cut from top outer corner of both rear endpapers in Vol.I, stamp of A.Van Loock to pastedown and blank verso of last leaf on both volumes. All pages of both volumes exceptionally clean and crisp throughout, with no pages loose. The margins wide and side notes well printed in italics. *Vol.I covers rulers who reigned before unification of areas later making up Belgium (from 615 to 1430). Vol.II deals with Philip the Good under whom Belgium was unified, and ends with Philip II of Spain who died in 1598. Vol.III ends with the reign of Albert Archduke of Austria and Isabella the Spanish Infanta from 1599-1609. Each chapter has a full length portrait of the ruler, sometimes with his wife and their coats of arms. The figures are either in armour or sumptuously dressed, often accompanied by dogs or hawks, set in scenery with battle scenes in the background, or in an archway showing harbour or country scenes behind. All plates are large and well drawn with details of dress and equipement as well as regal paraphenalia [NB large heavy volumes - extra shipping cost].