Curtmantle

First edition. Sm. 8vo. Pp. ix, 99, [1]. Black cloth, lettered in gilt to spine. Foreword by the Author. Yellow dustwrapper printed in red and black (priced 10s. 6d. net to front flap).

Former owner's initials on ffep., a couple of minute closed tears and light sunning to dustwrapper spine, o/w Fine. Observer review laid in.

Winner of the 1962 Heinemann Award, conferred by the Royal Society of Literature. Three-act historical drama about Henry II, covering his reign (1154–1189) and the conflict with Thomas Becket. Premiered on 1 March 1961 at the State opening of the Stadsschouwburg Theatre, Tilburg, Netherlands by the Ensemble Company, directed by Karl Guttmann. It received its West End premiere by the Royal Shakespeare Company, at the Aldwych Theatre in October, 1962 with a cast including Roy Dotrice, Patsy Byrne and John Nettleton.