Epistolæ--Ho-alianæ: Books II-IV (1647-1655) Supplement I-II: Documents of and about Howell. Notes, index

Epistolæ Ho-Elianæ, or Familiar Letters, was originally composed by James Howell during his imprisonment in the Fleet Prison. Seeking to support himself while incarcerated, Howell compiled these letters, which blend historical commentary, political observations, and personal anecdotes. Books II through IV, published in stages between 1647 and 1655, expanded upon the initial 1645 volume, reflecting the tumultuous transition of England during the Civil War and the Interregnum.

The editorial tradition surrounding these letters—specifically the inclusion of supplementary documents and indices—often stems from later scholarly efforts to contextualize Howell’s work as a foundational example of English epistolary prose. Designed to serve as both a literary curiosity and a historical chronicle, the text has been praised by later critics for its vivid, albeit sometimes embellished, portrait of 17th-century life and the sophisticated, conversational style that defined the author's reputation among his contemporaries.