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THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
BRITISH MUSEUM. '^"^
GUIDE
TO THE
MANUSCRIPTS,
AUTOGEAPHS, CHAETERS, SEALS,
ILLUMINATIONS AND BINDINGS
EXHIBITED IN
THE DEPAETMENT OF MANUSCRIPTS
THE GRENVILLE LIBRARY.
WITH THIRTY PLATES.
PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES.
1906.
Vrice Sixpence.
BRITISH MUSEUM.
GUIDE
MANUSCRIPTS,
AUTOGEAPHS, CHARTERS, SEALS,
ILLUMINATIONS AND BINDINGS
EXHIBITED IN
THE DEPAKTMENT OF MANUSCRIPTS
AND IN
THE GRENVILLE LIBRARY.
WITH THIRTY PLATES.
PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES.
1906.
OXFORD : HORACE HART
PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY
PREFACE.
The last previous edition of this Guide was issued in 1899.
It is now exhausted, and the necessity for a new one has
afforded an opportunity, not only to incorporate in the
exhibition several manuscripts of special interest acquired
since that date, but to make some further alterations. In
particular, the selection of Biblical Manuscripts has been
augmented and so arranged in two new cases as to illustrate
the history of the text and translations of the Holy Scriptures
in a more systematic and instructive way. With a similar
object considerable changes have also been effected among
the Illuminated Manuscripts. These have hitherto formed
a single chronological series, without distinction of schools,
A larger number, including finer examples, are now shown,
and they are distributed according to the countries in which
they were executed. It is hoped that by this means their
educational value, as well as their outward attraction, will be
sensibly enhanced.
In 1899, for the first time, twenty plates of facsimiles
were included in the Guide. In the present edition it has
been found possible to increase the number to thirty.
Geo. F. Warner,
Keeper of M^S.
26 Feb., 1906.
824708
CON T E N T ;S.
PAGE
KuYAL Autographs
8
Historical Autographs and Papers
. 1-2
Charters
. 34
Literary and other Autographs (English)
. 48
V „ .. (Foreign)
. 55)
Royal Books
. 64
Autograph Literary- Works
. 60
Manuscripts : —
L~Greek
. 7a
II. — Latin, etc
7l>
III.— English ....
. 86
IV. — Chronicles of England
. 89
Biblical MSS
. 109
Historical Documents and Papyri .
. 118
Seals
. 115
Illuminated MSS
. 121
Bindings ......
. 145
List of Benefactors
. 151
Facsimiles of Autographs
. 154
DEPARTMENT OF MANUSCRIPTS.
The collections of this Department have been formed partly by
the acquisition of private libraries and partly by purchases and
donations from year to year. The Manuscripts of Sir Robert
Cotton, of Eobert and Edward Harley, Earls of Oxford, and of Sir
Hans Sloane, were among the first collections brought together by
the Act of Parliament of 1753, to which the British Museum owes
its origin. The Cotton MSS. wei-e presented to the nation by
Sir John Cotton, grandson of Sir Eobert, in 1700, and the sums
paid for the Harley and Sloane MSS. were acknowledged to be
much below their real value. The other collections are: The
Royal MSS., presented by George II. in 1757 ; the King's MSS.,
collected by George III. ; the Birch MSS., bequeathed by the Rev.
Thomas Birch, D.D., in 1765; the Lansdowne MSS., of William
Petty, Marquess of Lansdowne ; the Arundel MSS., of Thomas
Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel ; the Burney MSS., of the Rev.
Charles Burney, D.D. ; the Hargrave MSS., of Francis Hargrave,
K.C. ; the Egerton MSS., bequeathed by Francis Egerton, Earl of
Bridgewater, in 1829, and since augmented by purchases made
from funds provided by him and by Charles Long, Lord Farn-
borough (1838) ; the Stowe MSS., collected by George Temple-
Nugent-Grenville, Marquess of Buckingham ; and the Additional
MSS., the largest of all the collections, purchased from the annual
parliamentary grant or acquired by donation or bequest. The
Department contains upwards of 50,000 volumes ; 75,000 charters
and rolls ; nearly 16,000 detached seals and casts of seals ; and
over 1,400 ancient Greek and Latin papyri. A list of the principal
benefactors to the Department is given at the end of the Guide.
'2 Department of Manuticripts.
Tlip selection exliibited to tho public* is, roughly speaking,
(lividod into four classes: historical (pp. 'i, SO, ll-'J), literary
(p. 48), palatograph ical (p. 72), and artistic (p. 121). The first two
classes mainly consist of autographs ; the third exemplifies the
progress of writing from the third centuiy })eforo Christ to the
fifteenth century of our era ; and the fourth comprises manuscripts
of the ninth to the sixteenth centuries embellished internally by
the illuminator and miniaturist, or externally with ornamental
bindings. Many of the examples, however, in each class present
other elements of interest ; and special mention may be made of
the '■ English Manuscripts '' (p. 80) and the " Biblical Manuscripts ''
(p. 109), including the famous "Codex Alexandrinus.''
The contents of the first four cases are intended to illustrate the
course of English histoiy by a selection of autograph letters and
other original documents. They begin (p. 3) with a complete
series of autogi'aphs of English sovereigns from Eichard II. to
Victoria, no signature or other handwriting of any earlier sovereign
being known to exist. In the last compartment of the same case
are also shown autographs of six of the most famous foreign
sovereigns from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Further
examples of English royal handwriting will be found in the general
series of " Historical Autographs and Papers " in Cases II. -IV.
(p. 12). This series begins in the reign of Henry VI., but the
earlier periods receive illustration in the Charters exhibited in
Cases V. and VI. (p. 34), and in the collection of English Chronicles
in the central table-case F (p. 89). The documents are arranged
in order of date, and, so far as the limits of space permit, the
aim has been, by means of autograph letters, etc., of kings and
queens, statesmen, naval and military commanders, ecclesiastics
and others, to direct attention to the leading events and most
eminent historical characters of each reign.
A few introductory remarks on some of the other classes will be
found prefixed to them in their place in the Guide.
* For purposes of study and researcli the StudentH' Room is ojK^n to aJl
persons provided with reading-tickets from 10 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. daily, with
the exception of the first four week-days in M&rch and September.
( 3 )
ROYAL AUTOGRAPHS.*
Case I.
[On the left as the visitor enters from the Grenville Library. f]
1. Richard II. Particulars of an agreement, in French, for the
restoration of the castle of Brest to the Duke of Brittany [a.d.
1397J. Signed by the King, " le Roy R. S." i.e. "Richard
Second." [Cotton IIS. Vesp. F. iii. f. 3.]
2. Henry IV. Letter, in French, to his Council in London,
announcing that "la Dame Spenser [Constance, widow of
Thomas Despencer, Earl of Gloucester] efc lez enfauntz de la
Marche [Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March, and Roger his
brother, confined at Windsor] sount fuyez par Abyndon " on
their way to Glamoi-gan and Cardiff, and ordering the arrest
of a squire named Morgan, whom they had sent to Flanders and
France, if he should still be in London. Dated, '' a nostre
chastiell de Wynd[sor] en hast yceste dismenge matyn " [? 14
Feb. 1406]. Signed by the king, " H. R., nous prions penser
de la mer." [(Jotton MS. Vesp. F. iii. f. 4.]
3. Henry V. Portion of a letter relating to the Duke of Orleans
and other French prisoners taken at Agincourt in 1415, and to
James I. of Scotland, captured on his way to France in 1406,
as follows : — '' Furthremore I wold that ye convend with my
brothre, with the chancellor, with my cosin of Northumbrelond,
and my cosin of Westmorland ; and that ye set a gode ordinance
for my north marches, and specialy for the Due of Orlians
and for alle the remanant of my prisoners of France, and also
for the K[ing] of Scotelond, for as I am secrely enfourmed by
a man of ryght notable estate in this lend that there hath ben a
man of the Dues of Orliance in Scotland and accorded with the
Due of Albany, that this next somer he schal bryng in the
maumet of Scotlond to sturre what he may, and also that ther
* N.B. — When a letter or document is entii'ely in one hand it is described
as Holograph.
t The Manuscripts exhibited in the Qreuville Library are described on
p. 121.
B 2
4 lioyal Auto(jr<ii>/it<.
schold be founilen weys to tlio havyng awpy specialy of the Due
of Orli.ins, and also of tlio K|ingl, ns wello as of the remanant
of my foi-sjiyd prysonors ; tliat God do dofende. Wherfore I
wolle that the Due of Orliance bo kt^pt stillo within tlie castil of
Pontfrot with owto goynj^: to Kobertis place or to any othre
disport, for it is bettre he lak his disport than we were deceyved.
Of alio the remanant dothe as ye thenketh." [a.d. 1419?]
Holoqmph. {^Cotton MS. Vesp. F. iii. f. 5.] Facsimile in Ser. ii.
no. i.*
4. Henry VI. Inspeximus, in Latin, confirming a grant by
Queen Joanna [of Navarre, widow of Henry IV.] to Edmund
Beaufort. Count of Mortain, for the term of her life, of the
offices of Constal)le of Nottingham Castle and Keeper of Sher-
wood Forest, 20 Jan.. 3 Hen. VI. [1425], and an assignment of
the same by the said Count to Ralph, Lord Cromwell, 12 June,
12 Hen. VI. [1434], and prolonging the latter's term after the
death of the Queen, if he should survive her. Dated. West-
minster, 14 Feb, a° 15 [1437]. Signed at the top by the King,
"R. H. nous avons grante." [^Cotton 318. Vesp. F. xiii. f. 41.]
5. Edward IV. Letter, in French, to his '' good cousin " Francis
II., Duke of Brittany, praying for assistance in the recovery of
his kingdom, from which he had been expelled " by the great
treason which was compassed towards me " [the combination of
the Earl of Warwick with the Lancastrian party, resulting in
Edward's flight from England on 3 Oct. 1470J. Dated, St. Pol,
9 Jan. [1471], tsvo months before his return to England, and
three months before his recovery of his kingdom by the battle of
Barnet. Written l)y a secretary, with autograph signature,
" voster cousyn Edowakd R." [Add. MS. 21404, f. 5,] Facsimile
in Ser. iii. no. 1.
G. Edward V. A slip of vellum [cut from a volume] containing
the three inscriptions, "R. Edwardus quintus "' ; '"Loyaulteme
lie. Richard Gloucestre " [Richard, Duke of Gloucester, after-
wards Richard III.]; and "Souente me souenne. Harre
Bokyngham "' [Heniy Stafford, Duke of Buckingham]. [Apr. —
June, 1483.] [Cotton MS. Vesp. F. xiii. f. 53.]
7. Henry VII. Letter, in Latin, to King Ferdinand and Queen
Isabella of Spain, acknowledging the receipt of their letters in
which they announce their agreementto the contract of marriage
of the Princess Katherine with Arthur, Prince of Wales, and
their intention of sending her to England at the end of the
summer, etc. Dated, Canterbury, 20 June, 1500. Signed by
the King, " Henricus R." [Egerton MS. 616, f. 19.]
8. Henry VIII. Letter to "myne awne good Cardinall"
Wolsey, as follows : "I recomande me unto yow with all my
hart and thanke yow for the grette payne and labour that yow
do dayly take in my bysynes and maters, desyrj'ng yow (that
* For a full list of facsimiles sold in the Department, with prices, see p. 154.
Royal Autographs. 5
wen yow have well establyssyd them) to take summe pastyme
and comfort, to the intente yow may the lenger endure to
serve us, for allways payne cannott be induryd. Surly yow
have so substancyally orderyd oure maters bothe off thys syde
the see and byonde that in myne oppynion lityll or no thyng
can be addyd . . . Wryttyn with the hand off your lovyng
master, Henry E." [March, 1518.] Holograph. [Cotton MS.
Vesp. F. xiii. f. 71.] Facsimile in Ser. v. no. 1.
9. Kathekine of Aragon, Queen of Henry VIII. Letter to the
King (then in France), with the news of the battle of Flodden
[9 Sept. 1513] : "To my thinking this batell hath bee to your
grace and al your Eeame the grettest honor that coude bee, and
more than ye shuld wyn al the crown of Fraunce : thankend
bee God of it, and I am suer your grace forgeteth not to doo
this, which shal be cause to sende you many moo suche grete
victoiyes, as I trust he shal doo. My husband, for hastynesse
with Rogecrosse [Rougecroix] I coude not sende your grace the
pece of the king of Scottes cote whiche John Glyn now brtngeth ;
in this your grace shal see how I can kej)e my promys, sending
you for your bauers a kings cote. I thought to send hymself
unto you, but our Englisshem[ens] liertes wold not suffre it . . .
My lord of Surrey, my Henry, wold fayne knowe your pleasur
in the burying of the king of Scottes body, . . . and with this
I make an ende, praying God to sende you home shortly, for
without this noo ioye here can bee accomplisshed." Dated,
Woburn, 16 Sept. [1513]. Holograph. Signed, ''your humble
wif and true servant, Katherina." [Cotton 318. Vesp. F. iii.
f. 15.] Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 1.
10. Anne Boleyn, Queen of Henry VHI. Letter, written before
her marriage, to Cardinal Wolsey, thanking him "for the gret
payn and travell that your grace doth take in stewdyeng by
your wysdome and gret dylygens howe to bryng to pas honor-
ably the gretyst welth that is possyble to come to any creatour
lyvyng, and in especyall remembryng howe wrecchyd and un-
wrthy I am in comparyng to his hyghnes " ; and i^romising
"that after this matter is brought to pas you shall fynd me, as
I am bownd in the meane tym, to owe you my sei'vyse, and
then looke what thyng in this woreld I can inmagen to do you
pleasor in, you shall fynd me the gladdyst woman in the woreld
todoyt." [1528-1529.] Holograph. [Cotton MS. Y ea^. Y. xiii.
f. 73.] Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 2.
11. Edward VI. Letter to the Lord Protector Somerset, on
receipt of the news of the victory over the Scots at Pinkie
[10 Sept. 1547] : "Derest Uncle, by your lettres and reporte of
the messenger, we have at good length understanded to our
great comfort the good succese it hathe pleased God to graunt
us against the Scottes by your good courage and wise forsight.
.... So do we give unto you, good Uncle, our most hartie
thankes, praying you to thanke also most hartelie in our name
6 Royal Autofiraphs.
ovir goo<l co.'^in th« ilo of Warwik*- jind all tlip othore of tlio noMo
men, gontlonion, niui otlu'is that liavf served in this journei, of
whoso sorvieo thoy slisill all he W(>11 assured we will not ((Jod
gniunto us liof) show our selfes unmindfull, but be rody ever
to consider the same as anie occasion shall serve." Dated,
Oatlands. IS Sept. [ir>47]. llohgraph. Signed, "your good
novew, Edward." [JAVisdoiOic 3IS. 12;i(). f. KJ. |
12. Lady Jane Gkey, as Quken. Order to Sir John Bridges and
Sir Nicholas Poyntz, to levy forces "and with the same to
repaire with all possible spead towardes Buckinghamshire, for
the repression and subdowing of certain tumultes and rebellions
moved there against us and our Crowne bj' certain seditious
men." Dated, Tower of London. l-S July, "in the first yere of
our reign" [1553]. Signed at the top, "Jane the Queene."
[Ilarlcy 31S. 416, f. 30. 1
13. Mary. "Instructions for my lorde previsel [Lord Russell,
Lord Privy Seal, sent to receive her husband, Philip of Spain,
on his landing at Southampton in July, 1554]. Fyrste, to telle
the Kyng the whole state of this Kealme with all thynges
appartayn5'ng to the same as myche as ye know^e to be trewe.
Seconde, to obey his commandment in all thynges. Thyrdly,
in all thynges he shall aske your aduyse to decl[are] your
opinion as becommeth a faythfuU conceyllour to do. Marye
THE queke." Holograph. 'iCotton MS. Vesp. F. iii. f. 12.]
14. Elizabeth. Draft of a speech from the throne on the occa-
sion of the dissolution of Parliament [2 Jan. 1507 J, rating the
members for their persistence in troubling her on the questions
of the succession to the Crown and the libeiiies of Parliament :
"Two visars have blinded the yees of the lokers one in this
present session .... and thes l)e the Succession and liberties.
As to the first .... it had bine convenient that so waighty
a cause had had his original! from a zelous princes considera-
tion, not from so lippe labored orations out of suche iangling
[this word has been cancelled] subiects mouthes, wiche what
the[y] be time may teache you knowe and ther demerites wyl
make them acknowelege how the[y | have done ther lewde
indevour to make all my realme suppose that ther care was
muche whan myne was none at all .... I think this be the
first time that so waighty a cause passed from so simple mens
mouthes as began this cause.'' After discriminating between
various grades of aberration on the part of members, she con-
cludes by advising them to "let this my displing [discipline]
stand you in stede of sorar strokes never to tempt too far
a princes paciens." A different version of the speech appears
in Froude's History of England, vii. 484. Holograph [with
signature from another document I. ^Cotton Charter, iv. 38 (2).]
15. James L Letter to Charles, Prince of Wales, ordering his
return from Spain: "My dearest sonne, I sent you a comande-
ment long agoe not to loose tyme quhaire ye are ; but ather to
Royal Autographs. 7
bring quikelie hoame youre mistresse, quhiche is my earnist
desyre ; but if no bettir maye be, rather then to linger any
longer thaire, to come without her, quhiche for manie important
reasons I ame now forcid to renew. And thairfor I charge you
upon my blessing to come quikelie ather with her or without
her, I knowe your love to her person hath enforcid you to
delaye the putting in execution of my former comandement.
I confesse it is my cheifest wordlie ioye that ye love her, but
the necessitie of my affaires enforcith me to tell you that ye
muste praeferre the obedience to a father to the love ye carrie
to a mistresse. And so God blesse you. James R." Dated,
Cranborne, 10 Aug. [1623]. Holograph. [Harley MS. 6987,
f. 143.] Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 7.
16. Charles I. Letter to his nephew, Prince Maurice, stating
that he has been obliged to dismiss his brother, Prince Rupert,
from all his commands in the army, in consequence of his
surrender of Bristol [11 Sept. 1645], but adding : " Yet I asseui-e
you that I am most confident that this great Error of his (which,
indeed, hath given me more Greefe then any Misfortime since
this damnable Rebellion) hath no waise proceeded fi-om his
change of Affection to me or my Cause, but meerly by having
his Judgement seduced by some rotten-harted Villaines, making
faire pretentions to him ; and I am resolved so litle to forgett
his former Services, that, whensoever it shall please God to
enable me to looke upon my Frends lyke a King, he shall
thanke God for the paines he hath spent in my Armys."
Dated, Newtoune [co. Montgomery], 20 Sept. 1645. Holograph.
[Harley MS. 6988, f. 190.] Facsimile in Ser. iv. no. 9.
17. Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles I. Letter to her son
Charles [afterwards Charles II.], chiding him "because I heere
that you will not take phisike," and threatening that, if he will
not take it to-morrow, "I must come to you and make you take
it." Lord Newcastle, his Governor, is to send word that night
whether the physic has been taken [compare the following
letter, no. 18]. Undated [about 1638]. Holograph. [Harley
MS. 6988, f. 95.]
18. Charles II., as Prince. Letter to the Marquess of New-
castle, advising him not to take too much physic, "for it doth
allwaies make me worse, and I think it will do the like with
you." Undated [about 1638]. Holograph. [ Harley MS. ^988,
f. 101.]
19. Oliver Cromwell. Letter to his wife, referring to their
daughter Bettie [Elizabeth ClaypoleJ and other members of
their family : " I praise the Lord I ain encreased in strength
in my outward man, but that will not sntisfie mee except I gett
a heart to love and serve my heavenly Father better and gett
more of the light of his countenance, which is better then life,
and more power over my corruptions .... Minde poore Bettie
of the Lords late great mercye. Oh, I desire her not only to
8 Jioyal Autographs.
sooke tlu' Lord in hor necossityo, Imt indeed and in truth to turne
to tlio Lord and ti) kot-po closse to him," etc. Dated, | EdinhiiigliJ,
12 Apr. 1 (•>■)!. lloloijraph. {Kgcrim jVS. 2()20, f. 9.]
•JO. OiiARi-Ks II. Letter to Sir George Downing, English Ambas-
sador at the Hague, giving instructions for his conduct: "I
have thought fitt to send you my last minde upon the hinge of
your whole negotiation and in my owne hand, that you may
likewise know it is your part to obey punctually my orders,
instead of j)utting yourselfe to the trouble of finding reasons
why you do not do so. . . . But upon the whole mattoi- you
must allwaies know my minde and resolution is, not only to
insist upon the haveing my flag saluted even on there very
shoare (as it was alwaies practised) but in haveing my dominion
of these seas asserted, and Van Guent exemplarily punished."
Dated, Whitehall, IGJan. 167^. Holograph. '{Stowe MS. 142,
f. 84.] Facsimile in Ser. v. no. 8.
21. James II. Letter to William Henry, Prince of Orange,
referring to the complicity of certain of the magistrates of
Amsterdam in the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion, whose names
he would transmit : " When I can gett any authentike proffs
against them, I shall lett you have it, which I feare will be
hard to be gott, tho tis certaine some of them knew of the
D[uke] of Mon[mouth's] designe." Dated, Windsor, 25 Aug.
1685. IlolofirapJi. [Add. 318. 28103, f. 68.]
22. William III. Letter, in French, to the Prince de Yaudemont,
touching on the prospects of the campaign and the progress of
the siege of Namur: "L'on va ouvrir la trenchee cette nuit du
coste de S^ Nicola," etc. Dated, "Au Camp devant Namur,
ce lie (3e Juilliet, 1695, au soir a 9 eures." Holograph. [Add.
MS. 21493, f. 5.]
23. Mary II. Letter to the Countess of Scarborough, announcing
the news of the battle of Steinkirk [24 July, 1692] : " The first
I a.sked after when y^ news of y^ batle came was your Lord and,
finding him not mentioned in any of y^ leters, take it for y
best signe, for there is an exact acount come, so much as of
y« Lieutenants of y^' gards who are eithere wounded or kild, by
which, tho you shoud hapen to have no leter, yet j^ou may be
sure he is well. I thank God y^ King is so, and, tho we have
got no victory, yet y*^ french have had an equal losse, so y* thay
need not brag. We have great reason to thank God for thus
much Your afectionate kind friend, Marie E, The batle
was fought Sunday last, from 9 till 6." Dated, Kensington.
29 July, 1692, '-12 at night." Holograph. [Add. MS. 20731,
f. 6.] Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 11.
24. Anne. Letter to the Marquess of Tweeddale [Lord High
Commissioner to the Parliament of Scotland], regretting the
failure of his negotiations with the Scotch Parliament for
the settlement of the succession to the Crown of Scotland, and
expressing her intention of not employing those for the future
Royal Autographs. 9
who have opposed and obstructed his endeavours for her service.
Dated, Windsor, 24 July, 1704. lloJograpli [with signature from
anotlier letter]. [Stoivc MS. 142, f. 99.] Facsimile in Ser. iv.
no. 12.
25. George I. Letter, in French, to the Emjieror Charles VI. on
the occasion of sending Abraham Stanian as Ambassador to
Constantinople. Dated, Hampton Court, 17 Oct. 1717. Holo-
ijrapli. [Add. MS. 2204(5, f. 4.S.J
26. George II. Letter to Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of New-
castle, on the formation of the Ministry, which the Duke had
undertaken after the dismissal of Pitt from office [6 April, 1757] :
" If Pitt will come in M'ith a great number of followers, it is
impossible you can direct the Administration, and I know that
by inclination he will distress my affairs abroad, which are so
enough allready." Dated. 4 June [1757]. Hologrcquli. Eventually
Pitt returned to office as Secretary of State under Newcastle, and
the victories of the Seven Years' War were the result. [Add.
MS. 32684, f. 100.] Presented, in 1886, by the Earl of Chichester.
Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 13.
27. George III. Paragraph written out by himself for insertion
in his first Si^eech from the Throne : — " Born and educated in
this country, I glory in the name of Britain ; and the peculiar
happiness of my life will ever consist in promoting the
welfare of a people whose loyalty and warm affection to me
I consider as the greatest and most permanent security of my
Throne." [15 Nov. 1760.] IIolo(jraph. [Add. MS. 32684,
f. 121.] Presented, in 1886, hn the Earl of Chichester. Facsimile
in Ser. i. no. 16.
28. George IV. Letter to Louis XVIII., King of France, an-
nouncing the death of King George III. and his own acces-
sion to the throne. Dated, Carlton House, 31 Jan. 1820. Signed
by the King : and countersigned by [Robert Stewart,] Viscount
Castlereagh, Secretary of State. [Add. MS. 24023, f. 60.]
29. William IV. Codicil to the King's will, bequeathing to the
Crown all his additions to the libraries in the several royal
palaces ; 10 July, 1833. With an autograph, confirmation, signed
and sealed by the King, declaring "that all the Books, Draw-
ings, and Plans collected in all the Palaces shall /or wcr continue
Heir-looms to the Crown, and on no pretence whatever to be
alienated from the Crown." Dated, Brighton, 30 Nov. 1834.
[Add. MS. 30170, f. 8.]
30. Victoria. Autograph Signature, written in pencil, when
Princess Victoria, at the age of four years. [1823.] [Add. MS.
18204, f. 12.]
31. Victoria. Summons to Dr. Samuel [Butler], Bishop of Lich-
field, to attend her Coronation. Dated, St. James's, 9 May,
1838. Signed by the Queen ; and countersigned by | Bernard
Edward Howard,] Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal. | Add. MS.
12093, f. 26.]
10 Royal Autographs.
(FOREIGN.)
3-. Charles V., Emperor [ 1 510-1555 ]. Letter, in Frcndi, to
Queen Mury of Enj);ljind. expressing liis desire to see his son
I'hilip, her husband [to whom he was on tljo point of resigning
tlie crown of Spain |. lie refers to delays in the necessary
arrangements, but adds that he has now instructed Philip to
hasten his journey from England : " Je luy ay escrit pour haster
sa venue, laquelle je vous prie tres afectueusenient vouloyr auoyr
agreable " : and apologises for depriving her of IMiilip's com-
pany, " puis que je voys le contentment que vous aves dicelle,
mays jespero que vous vous y acomederes, puis que ce sera, sil
plait a Dieu, pour pen de tamps." (1555. J IlolocfrapJt. Signed
"Votre bon pere, frere, cousin et alye, Ciiakles." [C'o^/ow MS.
Titus B. ii. f. 12G.] Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. IG.
33. Hexky IV., King of Navarre and France [ISSO-IGIO J. Letter,
in French, to Mons. de Turenne, announcing his departure for
La Rochelle and the expected attack on Mauleon b)' the Due de
Nevers. [? October, 1588.] Ilolograiih. Signed, " Votre tresa-
fectyone cousyn et parfayt amy, Henry." [Add. MS. 19272,
f. 53. J
34. Louis XIV., King of France [1643-1715]. Letter, in French,
to Mary of Modena, Queen of James II., congratulating her on
the birth of a prince [.James Edward, afterwards known as the
Pretender] : " J'ai souhaite si ardemment Theureuse naissance
du prince dont vous venes d'accoucher que j'oze dire que per-
sonne n'en sauroit avoir plus de joye que moy . . . rien n'est
plus veritable que la part que prend a tout ce (jui vous touche
vostre bon frere, Louis." Dated, Versailles, 24 June, 1688.
Holof/raph. [Add. MS. 28225, f. 279.] Facsimile in Ser. iv.
no. 18.
35. Peter the Great, Czar of Russia [1682-1725 1. Letter, in
Iiussian, to Mr. Noy, ship-builder, in St. Petersburg, instructing
him to put a ship in order '' so as she came from England," with
postscript. " I desire you will pay my comi)liments to all our
fellow ship-builders and the rest." Dated, Colomna, 16 May,
1722. IMociraph . Signed, ' ^ Peter. " [^1 (/(/. MS. 50 1 5 % f . 98. ]
36. Frederic the Great, King of Prussia [1740-1786]. Essay, in
French, on the military talents of Charles XII., Kingof Sweden,
sent by Frederic, in July. 1757, to Andrew Mitchell, English
Ambassador at Berlin in 1756-1763. Among the concluding
I)assages are : " Si Ion raproche les diferent traits qui caracteris-
.sent ce Monarque singuiller, on le trouvera plus vaillant
qu'habile, plus actif que prudant, plus soumi a ses passions
qu'atache a ses interets, ausi audacieux, mais moins russe,
qu'Hanibal, tenant plus de Pirhus que d'Allexsandre, aiisi
brillant que Conde a Kocroy, a Norlingue, a Fribour, en aucun
tems ausi admirable que Turene la journee de Guin, cela de
Colraar et durant ses dernieres campagnes. . . . Pour former un
Royal Autograplii^. 11
parfait capitaine il faudroit qu'il reunit la valeur, la Constance,
I'activite de Charles xii., le coup d'oeuil et la politique de
Malbouroug, les projets, les resources, et les exspediants du
prince Eugene, les ruses de Luxsenbourg, la prudence, la
sagesse, la metode de Montecuculi, ft I'apropos de monsieur de
Turene. Mais je crains que ce beau fenix ne paraitra jamais."
Ends "Finis operi Federicum." Holograjyh. [Add. MS. 6845,
f. 15.] Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 16.
37. Napoleon I., Emperor of the French [1804-1815]. Letter to
his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, in Paris, written while in
command of the French expedition in Egypt, the victories of
which had been suflBciently disputed " to add a leaf to the
military glory of this army." He expresses, however, his
intention of returning to France in two months, and of retiring
to the country in disgust with the world : " Je suis annuie de
la nature humaine ! J'ai besoin de solitude et d'isolement ; la
grandeur m'annuie, le sentiment est deseche, la gloire est fade ;
a 29 ans j'ai tout epuise ; il ne me reste plus qu'a deveuir bien
vraiment egoiste." Dated, Cairo, TThermidor [25 July, 1798].
Holograph, without signature, but with seal bearing the inscrip-
tion, " Bonaparte general en chef." A week later the French
fleet was destroyed by Nelson in the battle of the Nile ; the
letter was intercepted, and is endorsed in Nelson's hand, "Found
on the person of the Courier." [Add. MS. 23003, f. 3.] Fac-
simile in Ser. ii. no. 17.
( 12 )
HISTORICAL AUTOGRAPHS AND
PAPERS.
Case II.
38. Henry VI. Articles '" For ye goode Reule, demesnyng, and
seuretee of ye kynges pei'sone and draught of him to vertue and
connyng and eschuying of eny thing that mighte yeve empesche-
ment or let thereto, or cause eny charge, defaulte or blame to be
leyd ujion ye Erie ofWarrewyk [Richard de Beauchamp] at eny
tyme withouten his desert ": being a series of proposals made by
the Earl, as Royal Guardian, to the Privy Council, with their
answers to the same ; 29 Nov. 11 Henr. VI. [1432J. The king
was just comi)leting liis eleventh year. The fourth article is to
the eftect that, as the king's growth in years, in stature and in
knowledge of his royal authority "causen him more and more
to grucche with chastising and to lothe it," the Earl begs the
Coinicil to suppoi-t him, if necessary, in his chastisement of his
pupil, and to bear him scatheless against his anger. At the foot
are the signatures of the Council ; — H[umphrey Plantagenet,
Duke of] Gloucester; J[ohn Kemp, Archbishop ofj York ; P[hilip
Morgan, Bishop of J Ely ; W[illiam Grey, Bishop of] Lincoln ;
J[ohn Stafford, Bishop of] Bath, Chancellor; Jfohn Langdon,
Bishoj) of] Rochester; J[ohn Holland, Earl of] Huntingdon;
[William de la Pole, Earl of] Suffolk ; and H[umphrey Stafford,
Earl of] Stafford. [Add. Ch. 17228.]
39. Pi:rkix Wakbeck, pretended son of Edward IV. Letter to
Barnard de la Force. Knt., at Fontarabia, in Spain, desiring him
to be his " counseillour and ffrende,"as he had been to his father
Edward IV. Dated, Edinburgh, 18 Oct. [1496]. Signed, "Your
frend Rychaku off England." [Egerton MS. 616, f. 5.]
40. Cardinal WoLSEY [b. 1471 — d. 1530]. Letter written after his
di-sgrace to Stephen [Gardiner, afterwards Bishop of Winchester],
making arrangements respecting appointments in the province
of York, and continuing, '• that sythyns in thys and all other
thynges I have and do moste ol^edyently submyt and conforme
my sylf to hys graces pleasure," he trusts "yt wole now please
his maieste to shewe hys pety, compassyon, and bowntuose
Historical Autographs and Papers. 13
goodnes towardes me without sufferyng me any leynger to lye
langwyshyng and consumyng awey throwth thys myn extreme
sorowe and hevynes." " Wryttyne at Asher [Esher] thys twysday
[Feb. or March, 1530] with the rude hand of your dayly bedys-
man, T[homas] Cardinalis Ebor." Holograph. [^Add. MS.
25114, f. 28.] Facsimile in Ser. ii. no, 3.
41. Sir Thomas More [b. 1480— d. 1585]. Letter to Henry VIIL,
reminding him that "at such tyme as of that great weighty
rome and office of your chauncellour .... ye were so good and
graciouse unto me as, at my pore humble suit, to discharge
and disburden me, geving me licence with your graciouse
favour to bestow the residew of my life, in myn age now to
come, abowt the provision for my soule in the service of God,"
he had the promise of his favour; and now praying "that of
your accustumed goodnes no sinistre information move your
noble grace to have eny more distruste of my trouth and devo-
tion toward you than I have or shall duryng my life geve the
cause"; that in the matter of "the wykked woman of Canter-
bury " [Elizabeth Barton, the Maid of Kent] he had declared
the truth to Cromwell ; that, if the King believes him guilty,
he is ready to forfeit life and fortune, his compensation being
that, "I shold onys mete with your grace agayn in hevyn and
there be mery with you," but that, if the King thinks that he
has acted according to duty, he will relieve him from the Bill
brought against him in Parliament. Dated, " at my pore howse
in Chelchith" [Chelsea], 5 March [1534]. Holograph. [Cotton
MS. Cleopatra E. vi. f. 176.] Facsimile in Ser. iv. no. 1.
42. Henry VIII, Instructions to the Commissioners for making
a survey and valuation of all Church property within the realm.
[Jan. 1535]. With autograph signature of the King. This
survey, known as the ' Valor Ecclesiasticus,' was made in pur-
suance of the acts of Parliament forbidding the payment of
first-fruits and tithes of benefices to the Pope, and granting
them to the King. It also served as a basis for the subsequent
dissolution of the smaller monasteries in 1536 and the larger
in 1538, and the confiscation of their property to the Crown.
[Cotton MS. Cleopatra E. iv. f. 200.]
43. Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury [b. 1489 — d. 1556].
Letter to [Thomas, Lord Cromwell], thanking him "that your
Lordeship at my requeste hath not only exhibited the Bible [in
English, known as Matthew's Bible] which I sent unto you to
the Kinges maiestie, but also hath obteigned of his grace that
the same shalbe alowed by his auctoritie to be bowghte and
redde within this realme , . . assuryng your Lordeship for the
contentacion of my mynde you have shewid me more pleasour
herin than yf you hadd given me a thowsande pownde." Dated,
Ford, 13 Aug. [1537]. Signed, "Your own bowndman ever,
T. Cantuarien." [Cotton MS. Cleopatra E. v. f. 348.] Facsimile
in Ser. i. no. 2.
14 }[idorl-<il Autographs and Papers.
44. Episcopal Dkclakation. rocognisinj^ tlio authority of Christian
princes in occlosiastical mattei-s ; |1 ').')? ]. Signed by T[homas
Cranmer], Archbisliop of Canterbury; Cuthbert [Tunstall],
Bishop of Durham : John [Stokosloy], Bishop of London ;
John I Clerk], Bishop of Bath and Wells; Thomas (Goodrich],
Bishop of Ely : Nicholas | ShaxtonJ. Bishop of Salisbury ; Hugh
j Latimer |. Bishop of Worc-estor : and J( ohn Hilsey], 13ishop of
Rochester. [Stoice JfN. 14L f. ;{(».] Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 4.
45. Hucju Latimer. Bishop of Worcester |b. 1485? — d. 15551.
Arguments against the doctrine of purgatory, with autograph
annotiitions by Henry VIII. in the margin. The greater paii
of the treatise consists of arguments derived from passages in
the Fathers ; the concluding paragraph, here exhibited, is an
argumenium ad hominem : '' The fowndyng of monastarys arguyd
purgatory to be, so y<^ pullyng of them down arguyth it nott to
be. Wliatt uncharitabulnesse and cruellnes semyth it to be
to destrowe luonasteiys yf purgatory be. Now it semyth natt
convenyentt the acte of parliament to prech won thyng and the
pulpyd another clean contrary." On which the King comments,
"Why then do yow so? turpe enim est doctori cum culpa
rederguit eum." [About 1538.] Holograph. [Cotton MS. Cleo-
patra E. v. f. 142.] Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 3.
46. Henry VIII. The King's Book, or ''Necessary Doctrine for
a Chi'istian Man"; published in 1543, being a revision by
Henry of the Bishops' Book, or '' Institution of a Christian
Man," published in 1537. The draft is in a secretaiy's hand,
with autograph corrections by Henry. The passage exhibited
relates to the claims of the Papacy (the words printed in italics
being those inserted by Heniy himself) : '• Herby it may appere
that the busshop of Eome contrary to Goddes lawes doth
chalenge superioritie and preeminence over all, and to make an
apparance that itl shuld be so hath and dothe wrest Scripture for
that porpose contrary hothc to the trw menyng off the same and the
auncyent doctors interpretations of the chyrche, so that hy that
dialenge he wolde nott do wrong tvonly to this chyrche off England
but also to all other ehynhys in claymeyng superioryte iv' ought any
auctoryte hy God so to hym gyffen." [Cotton MS. Cleopatra E. v.
f. 34.]
47. Edwakd VI. Letter of the King and his Council to the
Bishops, in confirmation of the use of the Book of Common
Prayer, and ordering them to collect and " deface and abholish "
all the old service-books. Dated, Westminster, 25 Dec. a^ 3
[15491. Signed at the top, "Edward." [Stoive MS. 142,
f. 16.]
48. Edward VI. Diaiy of his reign, written with his own hand,
the page exhibited including: " 18 [March, 1551]. The L[ady]
Mary my sister came to me to Whestmuster, wheare after salu-
tacions she was called with my counsel into a chambre, where
was declared how long i had suffered her masse against my will
Hutorical Autographs and Papers. 15
[erased] in hope of her reconciliation, and how now being no
hope, wich i perceived by her lettres, except i saw some short
aniendement, i could not beare it. She answerid that her soul
was God['s] and her faith she wold not chaung, nor dissemble
hir opinion with contrary doinges. It was said i constrained
not her faith, but willed her not as a king to rule but as a subject
to obey. And that her exaumple might breed to much in-
convenience. 19. Th' emperours embassadour came with short
messag frome his master of warre, if i wold not suffre his cosin
the princesse to use hir masse. To this was no aundswer given
at this time." Holograph. [Cotton MS. Nero C. x. f. 30 b.]
Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 4.
49. Lady Jane Grey. Letter from her, as Queen, to [William
Parr] Marquess of Northampton, Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, etc.,
announcing her entry into possession of the kingdom of England,
and requiring his allegiance against the '' fayned and untrewe
clayme of the Lady Marye, bastard daughter to our greate uncle
Henry th' eight." Dated, from the Tower, 10 July, "the tirst
yere of our reign" [1553]. Signed, ''Jane the Quene."
[Lansdownc MS. 1236, f. 24.] Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 4.
50. Queen Mary. Order of her adherents to Sir N. Pelham and
to "all other the gentilmen of the Shore of Sussexx," requiring
them to proclaim her Queen in that county, and denouncing
''the ladie Jane, a quene of a new and pretie invencion."
Dated, 19 July [1558]. Signed by Henry [Neville], Lord
Abergavenny, [Sir] T[homasJ Wyat, and others. [Add. MS.
33230, f. 21.] Presented, in 1887, hii the Earl of Chichester.
Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 5.
51. Sir Philip Sidney [b. 1554 — d. 1586]. Letter to [Lord
Burghley ?] on the condition of his garrison of Flushing :
" The garrison is weak, the people by thes cross fortunes
crossly disposed ; and this is y^ conclusion : if these 2 places
be kept, her Ma*'' hath worth her monei in all extremities ; if
thei shoold be lost, none of the rest wold hold a dai." Dated,
Flushing, 14 Aug. 1586 [about five weeks before his mortal
wound in the battle of Zutphen. on 22 Sept.]. Holograph.
iStoive MS. lz>(), i. hQ.]
52. Mary, Queen of Scots. Letter, in French, to Queen Elizabeth,
complaining of the rigour of her imprisonment: "Bien que je
ne veuille vous importuner de ce qui concerne mon estat, laquele
conoissant vous ettre si peu chere je remets a la misercorde de
Dieu . . . . je vous priray aussi (a ce forcee par le zelle de ma
consience) de me permettre avvoir ung prestre de lesglise cato-
lique, de la quelle je suis membre, pour me consoller et sollisiter
de mon devvoyr ; lesquelles resquestes acordees, je priray Dieu
et en prison et en mourant de rendre vottre cueur tel qui luy
puisse estre agreable et a vous salutayre, et si j'en suis refeusee
je vous laysse la charge den respondre devvant Dieu. ... II me
reste encores vous fayre une autre resqueste de peu d'iraportence
K't Ilititoricdl Aiil(>fir(i/)/is a. ml Papers.
pour vous pt dextrosrae c-onsolalion pour moy, cest quil vous
playso, ayant pitiay dune desoleo mere d'entre les l^ras de qui
on a anvsclu' son soul enfant et esporance de future joye en ce
nionde, nio porinetro detrire a tout lo moingns lettres ouvertes
pour niVmiuerir a la veritay do ces nouvollos et luy ramontevoir
sa triste mere," Dated, " de men estroite prison de Chefild "
[Sheffield], 29 Oct. [1571]. llohvimph. Signed, "Votre bien
bonne soeur et fcousine] Maiue K." [^Cotton MS. Caligula C.
iii. f, 2oO b,] Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 5.
53. William Cfxil, Lokd Buughlky [b. 1520— d. 1598]. Letter
to Sir Christopher Hatton concerning the trial of Anthony
Baliington for conspiring to assassinate Queen Elizabeth and
release Mary, Queen of Scots, delivering Elizabeth's pleasure
with regard to the evidence to be given as to the complicity of
Mary, namely "that ther be no enlargment of hir cryme, butt
brefily declared for mayntenance of the endyttment that she
allowed of Babyngtons wrytyng or lettre ; nether wold she that
ether by my L. Cobham, your self, or by any other, any sharp
speches be used in condemnation or reprooff of the Scotts Quene
cryme." Dated, 12 Sept. 1 1586, the day ])efore the trial]. Holo-
(jraph. [Egerton MS. 2124, f. 30.] Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 5.
54. Mary, Queen of Scots. Rough sketch ]>y Lord Burghley of
the arrangement of the hall of Fotheringhay Castle for the
Queen's trial, on 12 Oct. 1586, the " chayre for ye Q. of Scotts "
l)eing placed in the centre just above a dividing rail across the
hall. {Cotton MS Calig. C. ix. f. 587.]
55. James VI. of Scotland. Letter to Robert Dudley, Earl of
Leicester, congratulating him on his absence from England at
the time of " the pretendit condemnation '" of his mother, Mary,
Queen of Scots, and desiring him to exert his influence that
'"the rest of this tragedie may be unperfytid." Dated, Holy-
rood House, 4 Dec. 1586. Holograph. [Add. 3IS. 32092, f. 56.]
56. Mary, Queen of Scots. An account of her execution at
Fotlieringhay, 8 Feb. 158^, sent to Lord Burghley and endorsed
by him '" The manner of ye Q. of Scotts detli at Fodrynghay,
wr[itten] by Ro[bert] Wy[ngfield]." The final scene is thus
described: "Then lying upon the blocke most quietly and
stretching out her armes [she] cryed, 'In manus tuas Domine,'
etc., three or fowre tymes, then she lying very still on the
blocke, one of the executioners holding of her slitely with one
of his handes, she endured two strokes of the other executioner
with an axe, she making very smale noyse or none at all, and
not Stirling any parte of her from the place where she lay ....
Then one of the executioners es^jied her litle dogg which was
crept under her clothes, which could not be gotten forth but by
force, yet afterward wold not departe from the dead corpes but
came and lay betweene her head and her shoulders." [Lans-
dott-ne iJ/.S'. 51, fF. 99-102.]
57. The Spanish Armada. Resolution of a Council of War of
p. 16, no. 57.
^--P c->-,ya ii ( ' '■ ( ^ r^ ^
ENGLISH COMMANDERS AGAINST THE ARMADA.
Histofical Autographs and Papers. 17
the English commanders, after the defeat of the Armada off
Gravelines : " 1 Augusti, 1588. We whose names are herunder
written have determyned and agreede in counsaile to folowe
and pursue the Spanishe Fleete untill we have cleared oure
owne coaste and broughte the Frithe weste of us, and then to
returne backe againe, as well to revictuall oure ships (which
stand in extreme scarsitie) as alsoe to guard and defend oure
owne coaste at home ; with fui'ther protestatione that, if oure
wantes of victualles and munitione were suppliede, we wold
pursue them to the furthest that they durste have gone."
Signed by C[harles Howard, Lord] Howard [of Effingham,
Lord High Admiral], George [Clifford. Earl of] Cumberland,
[Lord] T[homas] Howard, Edmund [Sheffield, Lord] Sheffield,
[Sir] Francis Drake, [Sir] Edward Hoby, [Sir] John Hawkins,
and [Capt.] Thomas Fenner. \_Adcl. MS. 33740, f. 6.] Facsimile
in Ser. i. no. 6.]
58. Sir Walter Ealegh [b. 1552 ?— d. 1618]. Letter to Eobert
Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Governor of the Low Countries for
Queen Elizabeth, protesting his zeal in the performance of his
commissions : "But I have byn of late very jjestilent reported
in this place, to be rather a drawer bake then a fartherer of the
action wher yow govern. Your Lordshipe doth well understand
my affection towards Spayn and how I have consumed the best
part of my fortune hating the tirranus sprosperety of that
estate, and it were now Strang and mounsterous that I should
becum an enemy to my countrey and conscience ... In the
mean tyme I humble beseich yow lett no poeticall scrib worke
your Lordshipe by any device to doubt that I am a hollo or
could sai-vant to the action, or a mean wellwiller and follower
of your own." Dated, "from the Court," 29 March, 1586. In
a postscript Ralegh adds, "The Queen is in very good tearms
with yow, and, thank be to God, well pacified, and yow ar
agayne her sweet Robyn." Holograph. [Harley MS. 6994,
f. 2.] Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 6.
59. Sir Francis Drake [b. 1540 — d. 1596] and Sir John Hawkins
[b. 1520 — d. 1595]. Letter to Lord Burghley on the eve of
their departure on their last voyage, the expedition against
Porto Rico : " We humbly thanke your lordship for your many-
fold favours, which we have allwayes fownd never varyable,
but with all favour, love, and constancye, for which we can
never be suffycyently thankfull, but with our prayers to God
long to blesse your good lordship with honour and hellthe. . . .
And so lokyng daylye for a good wynd, we humbly take our
leve." Dated, Plymouth, 18 Aug. 1595. Neither returned
from this voyage, Hawkins dying oft' Porto Rico on 11 Nov.
1595, and Drake off Porto Bello on 28 Jan. 1596. Autograph
signatures. [IJarleij MS. 4762, f. 84.]
18 Jlistorica/ Actof/rajJiti a'iui Paj^ers.
Case III.
[Immodiatoly opposite Case II.]
60. Sir Francis Bacon [b. 15tU— d. 1626]. Lettor to Lord
Keeper Puckering, with reference to the office of Solicitor-
General, which he was anxious to obtain : "Thear hath nothing
hapi^ened to lue in the course of my biisines more contrary to
my ex]>ectucion then your L[ordship] failing me and crossing
me now in the conclusion when frendes are best tryed. . . . And
I for my part thowgh I have much to alledg, j'^et neverthelesse,
if I see her Ma[jesty| settle her choise upon an able man, such
a one as Mr. Sergeuunt Flemyng, I will make no means to
alter it. On the other side, if I perceyve any insufficient
obscure idole man offred to her Ma[jesty], then I thinke my
self dowble bownd to use the best meanes I can for my self,
w^hich I humbly pray your L[ordshii)] I may do with your
favour," Dated, Gray's Inn, 28 July, 1595, Holograph.
Fleming was appointed, and Bacon did not become Solicitor-
General until 1607, [HurJey MS. 6997, f. 72.] Facsimile in
Ser. ii. no. 6.
61. Queen Elizabeth. Letter to James VI, of Scotland [after-
wards James I, of England ], vehemently repelling some charges
brought against her policy by the King of Spain, and warning
him against believing them. She begins, " Hit pleaseth me
not a litel that my true intentz without glosis or giles ar by
you so gratefully taken, for I am nothinge of the vile disposition
of suche as while ther neghbors house is or likly to be alire \vyl
not only not helpe but not afourd them water to quenche the
same " ; and ends, " Thus you se how, to fulfil your trust
reposed in me. wiche to infring I never mynde, I have sincerely
made patente my sinceritie, and thogh not fraught with much
wisedome yet stuffed with great good wyl, I hope you wyl
beare with my molesting you to long with my skrating hand,
as preceding from a hart that shall ever be filled with the sure
affection of your loving and frendely sistar, Elizabeth,"
[5 Jan, 160.3, two months before her death,] Holograph. [Add.
MS. 187.38, f, 39.] Facsimile in Ser. i. no, 7.
62. Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, Secretary of State [b. 1550
— d, 1612]. Letter to Sir T, Edmondes, ambassador at
Brussels, giving a detailed account of the discovery of the Gun-
powder Plot, '' the most cruel! and detestable practize against
the person of his Majestie and the whole Estate of this Realme
that ever was conceaved by the harte of man, at any time, or in
any place whatsoever. , . , The person that was the principal!
undertaker of it is one .Johnson " [the assumed name of Guy
Fawke.s] "a Yorkshire man and servant to one Thomas Percye.
, . . I must needs do the Lord Chamberlain " [the Ear! of
Suffolk] ' ' his right, that hee would take noe satisfaction iintil!
hee might search to the bottorae, wherein I must confesse I was
Historical Avbtograijlis and Papers. 19
lesse forward, not but that I had sufficient advertisement that
most of those that now are fled had some practize in hande for
some sturre this pai'liament, but I never dreamed it should have
bin of such a nature, because I never red nor heard the like in
any state to be attempted in grosse, without some distinction of
persons." Dated, Whitehall, 9 Nov. 1605. Autograph BignsiinYe.
[Stowe MS. 168, f. 213.]
63. Arabella Stuart. Letter to her cousin James I., after her
arrest for marrying William Seymour, thanking him for a
relaxation of her imprisonment and begging for his favour : . . .
" And since it hath pleased your Majesty to give this testimony
of willingnesse to have me live a while, in all humility I begge
the restitution of those comforts without which every houre of
my life is discomfortable to me, the principall whearof is your
Majestys favour, which none that breathes can more highely
esteeme then I." [1610.] Holograph. [ifaWe?/ J/^. 7003, f. 89.]
64. Thomas Wentworth, Viscount Wentworth, afterwards Earl
OF Strafford [b. 1593 — d. 1611]. Letter, as Lord Deputy of
Ireland, to the Earl of Carlisle, explaining his difficulties, arising
from the attemj^ts of his subordinates to keep all knowledge
from him : *' I am purposed on the other side to oy)en my eyes
as wide as I can, and dispaire not in time to be able to sounde
the depthe they covett soe much to reserve from me. .... I shall
be sure to doe the uttermost that lies in me, for I have a hartte
can willingly sacrifise all that ever I have for his Majesty (if
I doe not deceave myself) with a chearfullnesse and faithe extra-
ordinary, only I am fearefull that, whilst impossibilities are
exspected at my hands, the best I can doe should not be
accepted, nay imputed unto me as a crime." Dated, Dublin,
27 Aug. 1633. Holograph. [Egerton MS. 2597, f. 150.] Fac-
simile in Ser. ii. no. 8.
65. William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury [b. 1573 — d. 1645].
Letter to Lord Conway, with reference to the Scotch invasion :
" If the Scotts come into England and that Newecastle be
taken, I will not dare to wright what I thinke of y® busynes.
But if they gett such footinge in y*-' North, the South beinge
affected, or rather infected, as they ar, it may prove that which
I beleeve y*^ Enimye yett expects not God send us well
out of these darke tymes." Dated, Croydon, 14 Aug. 1640.
Holograph. [Add. MS. 21406, f. 13.] Facsimile in Ser. iii.
no. 7.
66. Charles I. Instructions to Sir Edward Herbert, Attorney-
General, relative to the impeachment of Lord Kimbolton
[Viscount Mandeville] and the Five Members [3 Jan. 164|].
Holograph. It is evident that Mandeville's impeachment was
an afterthought, the King having at first, as appears from the
erasures, included his name among the peers whom he intended
to call as witnesses. [Egerton MS. 2546, f. 20.] Facsimile in
Ser. i. no. 8.
C 2
20 Jliftoi'ical Autogrixpht< (uiii Pajicvf^.
(>7. Edwaki) IIydi:. iifterwaids Eaki, ok Clap.kndon [b. 1608 — d.
l(>74j. Letter to tho Countess of Carnarvon, on the ove of the
Civil War, urging her to secure tlie adliesion of an unnamed
person [probably her father, the Earl of Pembroke] to the royal
cause: "Tis not possible for me to say more in the argument
to him then I have, nor can I imagyne what ill sjnritt can
engage him thus to venture his fortune and his fame, his
honour and the honour of his house, in a vessell where none
l)ut desperate persons have the governient I know not
what argument they have at London for ther confidence, but
truly they seeme to have very few frendes in these i)artes, and
1 doe not thinke ther condicion is much better in other places.
.... I am not yet out of hope of kissinge your Ladyshyps
handes before the summer endes." Dated, Nottingham, 22
July, 1G42. Holograph. \Stowe3IS. 142, f. 47.]
68. JoHX Hampden [b. 1594— d. 164.'i]. Letter to Colonel
Bulstrode and others commanding parliamentary troops, written
a few days after the battle of Edgehill [23 Oct.], which was
followed by the retreat of the Parliamentarian army: ''The
army is now at North Hampton, moving every day nearer to
you. If you disband not, wee may be a mutuall succour, each
to other ; but. if you disperse, you make yourselves and your
country a pray." Dated, Noi-thampton, 31 Oct. [1642]. [Stowe
MS. 142, f. 49.] Facsimile in Ser. iv. no. 8.
69. John Pym [b. 1584— d. 1643]. Letter to Sir Thomas
Barrington, on the fall of Bristol and the efforts being made to
save Gloucester: '"It is true that Bristow is a great loss, and
may endanger all the west if not quickly prevented, and there-
for wee use all the meanes we can to raise a considerable army
to send into those partes In the North, God be thanckd,
matters goe reasonable prosperously. Col. Cromwell in the
taking of Burlye House [Burghley House, in Lincolnshire! took
5 troups of Horse, 3 of Dragoones, 3 companyes of foot. Since
that they have beaten Generall Kings forces before Gains-
Ijoroughe, and if my L[ord] of Newcastles whole army had not
come upon them in the very instant, they had had a more
compleat victory. Wee are studiying all the ways we can to
save Gloucester, Exeter and the other western townes now in
danger upon the loss of Bristowe." Dated, Westminster.
2 Aug. 1643 [four months before his death]. Holograph.
[Egerton MS. 2643, f. 13 b.] Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 9.
70. James Graham, Marquess of Montrose [b. 1612— d, 1650].
Letter to Lord Fairfax, with reference to an exchange of
prisoners : '• Mr. Darly being ane parlament man and on[e] that
hitherto lies beane much imployed and wery usefull to your
party, and the other only in the degree of a Cornell, bot admitt
of the odes [i.e. odds], iff your l[ordship] will dispeut it, the
difference shall ha maide uj). Iff otherwayes you will be rather
gallantly pleased to make it a curtesye, ane wery thankfull and
p. 21 , no. 7 1.
0' "
^ '^F ^IK -^ ,./;^^ /'^^ --^ r^ ^^' ^ /a'
OLIVER CROMWELL.
Hibtorlcal Autographs and Papers. 21
acceptable returne shall, I hope, (er long) be randered your
l[ordship]." Dated, 22 July, 1644. Holograph. [Sloanti MS.
1519, f. 78.] Facsimile in Ser. v. no. 4.
71. Oliver Cromwell. Letter to William Lenthall, Speaker of
the House of Commons, reporting the victory of Naseby : "Wee
after 3 howers fight, very doubtful, att last routed his [the
King's] Armie, killed and tooke about 5000, very many officers,
but of what quallitye wee yett know not, wee tooke alsoe about
200 carragfes], all hee had, and all his gunns. . . Sir, this is
non[e] other but the hand of God, and to him aloane belongs
the Glorie." After high commendations of the General, Sir T.
Fairfax, Cromwell proceeds : '' Honest men served you faythfully
in this action. Sir, they are trustye, I beseech you in the name
of God not to discorage them. I wish this action may begett
thankfullnesse and humilitye in all that are concerned in itt.
Hee that venters his life for the libertye of his cuntrie, I wish
hee trust God for the libertye of his conscience, and you for the
libertye hee fights for." Dated, Haverbrowe [Market Har-
borough], 14 June, 1645 [the day of the battle]. Holograph.
[Add. MS. 5015,* f. 13.] Presented, in 1758, hj Mr. Wright.
Facsimile in Ser. v. no. 5.
72. Prince Rupert [b. 1619— d. 1682]. Letter to Sir Edward
Nicholas, Secretary of State, referring to aspersions upon him as
being unfavourable to open counsels ; and on militaiy move-
ments : "As for military disignes y® king will faile, as [he] ded
last, if he [trust] not to his officers opinions." Dated, Bristol,
5 July, [1645J. Holograph ; partly in cipher, with decipherings
by Sir E. Nicholas. [Add. MS. 18738, f. 80.]
73. Sir Thomas Fairfax, afterwards Lord Fairfax [b. 1612 —
d. 1671]. Letter, written while Generalissimo of the Parlia-
mentarian army, to his father, reporting his defeat of Goring 's
army at Langport [10 July, 1645, about a month after Naseby] :
" I have taken this occasion to let your Lordship know God's
great goodnes to us in defeating Gen. Goring's army: 2000
prisoners are taken, 2 peeces of ordinance, many armes and
coulers [colours] both of horse and foot, but not many slaine.
. . . The King had given Gooring strickt commands not to
ingage befor himselfe with the Welch forces were joynd with
him and Greenwel with those out of the West, which altogether
would have maid [a] very great army .... so as we cannot
esteme this marcy less, al things considerd, then that of Neasby
fight." Dated, Chedsey, 11 July, 1645. Holograph. [Add. MS.
18979, f. 204.] Facsimile in Ser. v. no. 6.
74. Charles I. Letter, when prisoner at Carisbrooke, to Henry
Firebrace, relative to plans for his escape, etc. Dated, 24 July.
1648. Written, partly in cipher, in a feigned hand, speaking of
himself in the tliird person. Holograph. [Fgerton MS. 1788,
f. 34.]
75. Oliver Cromwell. Letter during his Irish campaign to Lord
22 Ilidorlcal Autographti ((vd Papers.
Fairfax, congratulating:; him «>n "the prosperityo of your affaires,
whoriu the j^ood of all honest men is soe much concerned,"' and
announcing the cai)ture of Wexford : "The Lord shewes us great
mercye heere, indeed I lee. llee only gave this stronge towne of
Wexford into our handes." Dated. Wexford, 15 Oct. 1G41). Holo-
graph. [I'jucrtoii BIS. 2()'20, f. 7.] Facsimile in Her. i. no. 9.
76. Geokoe Mon'Ck, afterwards Duke or Alrehaklk | h. 1G08 —
d. l()7(t] and Kobert Bi,ake | b. 1599— d. 15<)7j. Official des-
patch to Cromwell as Lord General, announcing their victory
over the Dutcli off the coast of Essex on 2 and -''. June, 1(553, in
which the Dutch lost about twenty ships, of which eleven were
captured. Dated at sea, off Ostend, 4 June, 1053, Autograph
signatures. [^Add. MS. 36652, f. 3. |
77. Oliver Cromwell. Order of the Council of State requiring the
presence and assistance of the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen of
the City of London on the 19th December [ 1653] at the procla-
mation of "his Highness Oliver Cromwell " as "Lord Protector
of the Common Wealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland and
the Dominions therunto belonging." Dated, Whitehall, 17 Dec.
1653. With the aidograph signatures of the members of the
Council of State, John Disbrowe [or Desborough], J[ohn]
Lambert, P[hilip, Viscount] Lisle [afterw^^rds Earl of Leicester],
E[dwardJ Mountagu [afterwards Earl of Sandwich], [Sir]
Gil[bert] Pickering, Wal[ter] Strickland, Phi[lip] Jones,
Eiclhard] Maijor, F[rancisJ Rous, W[illiam] Sydenham, [Sir]
Ch[arles] Wolseley, [Sir] An[thony] Ashley Cooper [afterwards
Earl of Shaftesbury], and He[my] Lawrence. [A dd. MS. 18739,
f. 1.] Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 8.
78. Oliver Cromwell and John Milton. Warrant to Gualter
Frost, Treasurer to the Council of State, to pay a quarters
salary to various persons. Dated, Whitehall, 1 Jan. 165|. With
axitograph signature of Cromwell as Lord Protector, "Oliver P."
Appended are the receipts, with the aidograpJt signatures of the
persons concerned, among them being John Thurloe, principal
Secretary to the Council of State (quarter s salary £200), and
John Milton, Secretary for Foreign Tongues (quarter's salary
£72 4s. 71 d). [Stoice MS. 142, tt^ 60, 61. |
79. Robert Blake [b. 1599 — d. 1657]. Letter, as General in com-
mand of the fleet, to the Commissioners for the Admiralty and
Navy, on the eve of his departure for the Mediterranean, asking
for the payment of his salary " unto the day of the date hereof,
it being uncertain whether I may live to see you againe another.
Howere my comfort is and I doubt not but wee shall meet
together at the last day in the joyfull fruition of that One
Faith and Hope of the common salvacion in the Lord, upon
whome alone 1 do waite and to whose free grace and everlasting
goodnes I do heartily recommend you." Dated, Plymouth,
25 Aug. 1654. Holograph. ^Add. MS. 9304, f. 89,] Facsimile
in Ser. iii. no. 9.
Historical Autographs and Papers. 23
SO. Richard Cromwell, late Lord Protector of England. Letter
to General George Monck, asking his interest with the Parlia-
ment " tliat I bee not left liable to debts which I am confident
neither God nor Conscience can ever reckon mine." Dated,
18 Apr. 1660. Signed, '' R. Cromwell." \Egeiion MS. 2618,
f. 67.] Facsimile in Ser. iv. no. 10.
81. Charles II. Letter, in French, to his sister Henrietta, after-
wards Duchess of Orleans, written the day after the Restoration :
" J'estois si tourmente des affaires a la haye [Hague] que je ne
pouvois pas vous escrire devant mon depart, mais j'ay laisse
ordre avec ma soeur de vous envoyer un petit present de ma
part, que j'espere vous reeeveres bien tost. J'arrivay hire a
douer [Dover], ou j'ay trouvay Monke avec grande quantite de
noblesse, qui m'ont pense acable d'amitie et de ioye pour mon
retour. J'ay la test si furieusement etourdy par I'acclamation
du peuple et le quantite d'affaires que je ne scay si j'escrive du
sen ou non ; s'est pour quoy vous me pardonneres si je ne vous
dy pas davantage, seulement que je suis tout a vous. C."
Dated, Canterbury, 26 May, [1660]. Holograph. [Add. MS.
18738, f. 102.] Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 10.
82. Charles II. Speech to the Members of the House of Commons,
in the Banqueting Hall at Whitehall, 1 March, 166|, thanking
them for their zeal and affection, urging them to settle a liberal
revenue on the Crown, and warning them against precipitation
and impatience in the matter of religion : ''I thank you for it,
since I presume it proceedes from a good roote of piety and
devotion, but I must tell you I have the worst lucke in the
world, if, after all the reproches of being a papist Avhilst I was
abroade, I am suspected of being a presbiterian now I am come
home." Holograph. [Egerton 31 S. 2546, f. 80.]
83. John Graham, of Claverhouse, afterwards Viscount of
Dundee [b. 1650 — d. 1689]. Letter to [George Livingston]
Earl of Linlithgow, Commander-in-Chief in Scotland, giving an
account of the skirmish with the Covenanters at Drumclog :
"We keeped our fyr till they wer within ten pace of us ; they
recaived our fyr and advanced to the shok. The first they gave
us broght doun the coronet, Mr. Crafford, and Captain Bleith. . . .
which so disincoroged our men that they sustined not the shok
but fell unto disorder. There horse took the occasion of this and
perseud us so hotly that we got no tym to ragly. I saved the
standarts, but lost on the place about aight ord ten men, beseids
wounded ; but the dragoons lost mony mor." Dated, Glasgow,
1 June, 1679. Holograph. [Stowe 3fS. 142, f. 95.] Facsimile
in Ser. ii. no. 10.
84. James, Duke of Monmouth [b. 1649 — d. 1685]. Letter to the
Queen Dowager, after the failure of his insurrection, begging
her to intercede for his life : " Being in this unfortunate con-
dision and having non left but your Majesty that I think may
have some compassion of me, and that for the last Kings sake,
24 Jlistoricdl Aiif(t<ir<(ph.s and Papcrt^.
makos mo Uxko tliis holdnes to befj of you to interseJ for mo.
I would not (lesiro your Mjijosty to doe it, if I wear not from the
botom of my hart convinced how I luive bene disceaved into it,
and how anL:;ry God Almighty is with me for it, but I hope,
Madam, your interscsion will give mo life to repent of it. and to
shew the King how realy and truly I will serve him hear after,"
Dated, Ringwood, i> July. 1(585 jthe day after his capture].
IIoloQniph. \lAinsdoinic MS. 123(). f. 229.] Facsimile in ^er. i.
no. il.
85. William, Prince of Orange (afterwards William III. of
England]. Letter, in French, to Admiral Arthur Herbert
[afterwards Earl of Torrington], announcing the landing of his
troops at Torbay and his intention of marching on Exeter, and
making arrangements for sending on the baggage to Exmouth.
Dated, "Au camp de Torbay," ^g Nov. 1688. Holograph.
[Egerton MS. 2621, f. 39.] Facsimile in Ser. v. no. 9.
86. Gilbert Burnet, afterwards Bishop of Salisbury [b. 1648 —
d. 1715]. Letter to Admiral Arthur Herbert [afterwards Earl
of Torrington], written while accompanying the Prince of
Orange on his march from Torbay to London during the
Revolution, and giving details of public events, of the desertion
of the King by the Princess of Denmark and othei'S, of the
arrival of Commissioners to treat with the Prince, etc. Dated,
Hungerford. 9 Dec. 1688. Holograph. [FgertonMS. 2621. f. 69.]
87. William III. Instructions to Admiral Arthur Herbert for the
disposal of the person of the late King James II., in case of his
capture at sea. Dated, Whitehall, 16 Marcli, 168|. With
signatures and seal of William III. and countersignatui'e of
[Daniel Finch,] Earl of Nottingham, Secretary of State. [Egerton
MS. 2621. f. 87.] Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 12.
Case IV.
88. Mary II. Order, in the absence of William III., to Admiral
Arthur [HerljertJ, Earl of Torrington, to engage the French
fleet : " We apprehend y« consequences of your retiring to y^
Gunfleet to be so fatall, y^ we choose rather y* you should upon
any advantage of y^ Wind give battle to y^ Enemy then retreat
farther then is necessary to gett an advantage upon y^ Enemy."
Dated, Whitehall, 29 June, 1690. Signed at the top, '' Marie
R." ; and counteisigned by [Daniel Finch,] Earl of Nottingham,
Secretaiy of State. The result of this order was the battle of
Beachy Head [80 June], in which the English and Dutch force
was defeated by a superior French fleet, Torrington, who did
not wish to tight, refusing to engage his squadron closely.
\ Egerton MS. 2621, f. 91.]
89. James Edward Stuart, the Pretender [b. 1688 — d. 1766].
Letter to Simon Eraser, Lord Lovat, promising, in consideration
of his ancestors' services, ''and now your own so freely hasarding
j>. '25, no. 90.
r
1}
— K ""^ '"I
•?-♦■
^5
'M
JOHN CHURCHILL,
DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH.
Historical Autographs and Papers. 25
your life in comeing hither upon so important an occasion," to
create him an Earl, " and that in preference to all I shall create
in the Kingdoine of Scotland, ... so as that you shall become
an argument to encourage others to serve me zealously. " Dated,
St. Germains, 3 May, 1708. Signed, "James K." ; with the
royal signet. Holograpli. [^Add. 21 S. 31249, f. 17.] Facsimile
in Ser. i. no. 13.
90. John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough [b. 1650 — d. 1722].
Letter, in French, to George Louis, Elector of Hanover [after-
wards George I. of England ], giving an account of his victoiy at
Ramillies [23 May] : " Le comliat se shauffa et dura assez long
terns avec une tres grand fureur, mais enfin les ennemis furent
obliges de plier .... Ansi le bon Dieu nous a donne un victoire
complet." Dated, Louvain, 25 May, 1706. Holograph. [Stotve
2IS. 222, f. 412.] Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 14.
91. Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough [b. 1660 —
d. 1744]. Letter to James Craggs [afterwards Secretary of
State] on her dismissal from Court : " The message the Queen
sent me, that I might take a lodging for ten shillings a week tu
put my Lord Marlboroughs goods in, sufficiently shews what
a good education and understanding the wolf has, who was
certainly the person that gave that advise." [April, 1710. J
Hologra2)h. [Stowe MS. 751, f. 1.]
92. Sir Robert Walpole ( b. 1676 — d. 1745]. Memorandum, writ-
ten when Secretary at War and leader of the House of Commons,
probably for insertion in a pamphlet, depicting the consternation
of England's allies, and the exultation of her enemies, at the
prospect of a change of ministry as the result of the impending
general election : "This must be left to y^ People of England,
who have it yett in their power to save a sinking nation, if they
will not be Felo de Se and suffer themselves to be imposed upon
at y*^ next Elections by y^ noise, nonsense, and false colours of
Tories, Jacobites, and Papists, who all agree, and alone are
pleased with the surprising and destructive measures that are
now carrying on." [1710.] Holograph [with signature from
a letter]. [Add MS. 35335, f. 7.]
93. Robert Harley, afterwards Earl of Oxford [b. 1661 —
d. 1724]. Letter to George Louis, Elector of Hanover [after-
wards George I. of England], announcing the removal of tlie
Duchess of Marlborough from the Queen's service, "asafurtlier
instance of her Majesties desire on all occasions to improve that
good correspondence which is so necessary. . . . The causes of
this ladys disgrace have been so public and of so many years
continuance that it wil be needless to treble your Electoral
Highness on that head." Dated, l^ Jan. 171°. Holograph.
[Stoivc MS. 224, f. 16.] Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 11.
94. Henry St. John, Viscount Bolingbroke [b. 1678 — d. 1751 J.
Letter to George Clarke, formerly Secretary -at-War, giving his
reason for removing from Paris, relying on the good ojiinion of
~0 ]Iif't(ivi(al Antoi/rdplts u lul Papers.
h\'< friomls and "a conscience void of guilt,' with whicli
support'^ "I lioju- to wade thro' that soa of troubles into which
1 havo been the first plung'd ; tho' I confess I do not see the shore
on which one may hojH' to land." Dated, Belle Vue near Lyons,
-7 June. 1715. llohuiniph. \ Etjcrion MS. 2G1S, f. 217. J Facsimile
in Ser. iii. no. 12.
IK"). James Edward Stuakt. the Pretender [b. 1688 — d. 17G6|.
Declaration, under the title of "James the Third," to all his
'"loving subjects," previous to the Rebellion of 1745. Dated,
••at our Court at Kome, " 28 Dec. 174.*>, "in the 43'' year of our
reign." Signed, *' James K." ; with privy seal. [Add. MS.
;>o;}S0.1
90. William, Duke OF Cumberland [b. 1721 — d. 1765 J. Letterto
Sir John Ligonier, with reference to the battle of Culloden, etc. :
"Yesterday I received your kind congratulations on our Victory.
Would to God the enemy had been worthy enough for our
troops. Sure never were Soldiers in such a temper. Silence
and Obedience the whole time and all our Manoeuvres were per-
formed without the least confusion. I must own that [youj have
hit my weak side when j-^ou say that the Honour of our troojis
is restored. That pleases beyond all the Honours done me."
Dated, Inverness, May, 1746. Jfolo'/nqjJi. [Stou-c MS. 142,
f. 118.1
i)7. Henry Benedict Stuart, afterwards Cahdinal of Yokk
[b. 1725 — d. 1807 |, the last of the Stuarts. Letter, in Frendi,
commending the Duke of Perth to the 2>i'otection of the French
King, as one of those "qui out servi ie Prince mon frere en
Ecosse," and who have consequently to take refuge in France.
Dated, Navarre, 26 June, 1746. Holograph. [Add. MS. 21404,
f. 25.]
98. Charles Edward Stuart, the Young Pretender [b. 1720 —
d. 1788]. Letter to his brother Henry, Cardinal of York, with
reference to the transfej- of some books to his wife, from whom
he was separated, and with whom he declined to hold direct
communication ; "for it is not possible for me to have to say
with my wife in anny shepe. untill shee rei)pents. 1 am so
fatigued in writing this, you cannot immagin, my head being so
much bothered." | Florence, July, 1781.] Signed, "Charles R."
Holograph. \Ad(l. MS. 84684, f. D.J
'.)9. Robert Clive, afterwai'ds Lord Clive [b. 1725— d. 1774].
Letter to tlie Duke of Newcastle, as First Lord of the Treasury,
reporting liis recovery of Calcutta | after the tragedy of the Black
Hole. 21 June, 1756] and defeat of the Nawab's army (50,000
strong) with a force of 600 Eurojjeans and 800 natives: "A
little before day break wee entred the camj) and received a very
brisk fire. This did not sto]» the i)rogress of our Troops, which
march'd thro' the enemy's camp upwards of 4 miles in length.
Wee were more then 2 hours in passing, and what escaped the
Van was destroyd by the Rear ..." Dated, "Cami^ near
p. -^T, no. 100.
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WILLIAM PITT.
EARL OF CHATHAM.
p. 27. no. 1(U.
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£r^^^:^^<^>~ -i^^^^^a-^ yi-^-c^^A, ^•'Z^^^ c^<hyJ^\
^^
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Historical Autographs and Papers. 27
Calcutta," 23 Feb. 1 757. Holograph. [A dd. 3IS. 32870, f. 2 1 6. ]
Presented, in 1886, b>/ the Earl of Chichester. Facsimile in Ser. ii.
no. 12.
100. William Pitt, afterwards Eakl of Chatham [b. 1708 —
d. 1778]. Letter to the Duke of Newcastle, complaining of the
concealment from him of a correspondence between Major-Gen.
Joseph Yorke, Minister at the Hague, and an unknown lady at
Paris, concerning proposals of peace, made in the course of the
Seven Years' War. The letter ends : " I acknowledge my unfit-
ness for the high station where His Majesty has been pleased to
place me, but while the King deigns to continue me there, I trust
it is not presumption to lay myself at His Majesty's feet and
most humbly request his gracious permission to retire, whenever
His Majesty thinks it for his service to treat of a Peace in the
vehicle of letters of amusement and to order his servants to
conceal, under so thin a covering, the first dawnings of in-
formation relative to so high and delicate an object." Dated,
Hayes, 23 Oct. 1759. Holograph. [Add. 3IS. 32897, f. 314.]
Presented, in 1886, % the Earl of Chichester. Facsimile in Ser. i.
no. 15.
101. "Junius." The ''Dedication to the English Nation,"' in the
hand of Junius, of Woodfall's first edition of the Collected Letters
of Junius, 1772. Holograph. [Add. MS. 27775, i. 15.] Facsimile
in Ser. iii. no. 13.
102. Warren Hastings, Governor-General of India [b. 1732 — d.
1818.] Letter to his wife, referring to his duel with Mr. [after-
wards Sir] Philip Francis, Member of the Council: "I have
desired Sir John Day to inform you that I have had a meeting
this morning with Mr. Francis, who has received a wound in his
side, but Ihoj^e not dangerous I aimvell and unlmrt. But
you must be content to /(far this good from me. You cannot see
me. I cannot leave Calcutta while Mr. Francis is in any danger."
Dated, Calcutta [17 Aug. 1780]. Holograph [with signature from
another letter]. [Add. MS. 29197, f. 13. | Facsimile in Ser. iii.
no. 14.
103. George Washington [b. 1732— d. 1799]. Letter to the Earl
of Buchan, partly on the principle which should guide the
United States, viz. : "to be little heard of in the great world
of Politics." .... ''I believe it is the sincere wish of United
America to have nothing to do with the Political intrigues or
the squabbles of European nations ; but, on the contrary, to
exchange commodities and live in peace and amity with all the
inhabitants of the earth ; and this 1 am persuaded they will do,
if rightfully it can be done To evince that our views are
expanded, I take the liberty of sending you the Plan of a New
City [i.e. Washington] situated about the centre of the Union
of these States, which is designed for the permanent seat of the
Government, and we are at this moment deeply engaged and far
advanced in extending the inland navigation of the River
28 Historlfd/ Autographs <ind Papers.
(I\>toiniu-)on wliifli it stands, aiul tho bmnclies tliereof, tlirougli
u tract of as ricli country for Innulrods of miles — as any in
the world." Hated, rhila<](di)hia. 122 April, 171);5. Ilolocjraph.
\Aihl MS. iL'Oiil), f. 2S.J Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 17.
104. William Pitt, tlie younger [b. 1759— d. 1806]. Letter to
a nienibor of liis Cabinet | probably the Duke of Leeds], on the
ne<,'otiations with tlu^ leaders of the French National Assembly,
then l>eing privatel}' conducted by Mr. [afterwards Sir] Hugh
Elliot: "I am in hopes you will think that it [a despatch to
Elliot] steers quite clear of any thing like Cringinrj to France,
whicii I agree with 5'ou ought to be avoided even in the pre.sent
moment of their weakness, and certainly in all others."
[Octol)er, 1790.] llolofiraph. Ulrf^/. JLS. :53964, f. 21.] Facsimile
in iSer. ii. no. 14.
1(>-). Edmund Burkk [b. 17;jO — d. 1797]. Letter to Bishop
Douglas, asking advice as to the propriety of jiresenting a copy
of a new work [the Appeal from the Neio to the Old Wliiys^ to the
King, and commenting on afftiirs in France, with especial refer-
ence to the Queen, Marie Antoinette : "A worthy friend of mine
at Paris writes me an account of the condition of the Queen of
France, which makes it probable that the life of that persecuted
Woman will not be long . . . What a lesson to the great and
the little ! How soon they pass from the state we admire and
envy to that the most cruel must pity ! I find I am preaching
to a Bishop — but they are things and events that now preach,
and not either Clergy or Laity."' Dated, Margate, 31 July, 1791.
Holograph. [Fgerton 3IS. 2182, f. 72.] Facsimile in Ser. ii.
no. 15.
106. Charles James Fox [b. 1749— d. 1806]. Letter to his
brother, Gen. H. E. Fox, on the news of Emmet's rebellion in
Ireland : " The state of Ireland appears as bad as bad can be.
I do not mean that (juiet may not be i)roduced for the moment,
and })erhaps maintained some time, but it looks as if Ireland
must always be maintained )^y mere military power, and this is
dreadful."' Dated, St. Anne"s Hill, Sunday, [28 Feb. 1803].
Holograph. [Add. 31S. 37053, f. 13. |
107. KicHARD Brinsley Sheridan [b. 1751 — d. 1816]. Notes for a
speecli in the House of Commons, on 30 April, 1805, charging
Pitt with misapplication of the public money, in connection with
the chai-ge against Lord Melville. Holograph. [Add. MS. 29964,
f. 58. J Facsimile in Ser. iv. no. 14.
108. Sir John Moore [b. 1761— d. 1809]. Letter, when Lieut. -
Colonel Moore, to General Paoli, on his summary recall from
Corsica : " I shall present myself to the King and to his Ministers
with confidence, conscious of no conduct that deserves reproach
— indeed I feel that I am incapable of an improper or un-
becoming action. I hope the person who is the cause of my
leaving Corsica [i.e. the viceroy, Gilbert Elliot, afterwards
Earl of Minto] may upon his return be able to say as much.'
p. 2!t, nil. 111.
'■'^■■
1
-A
i
LORD NELSON'S LAST LETTER TO LADY HAMILTON.
Historical AiLtograplia and Papers. 29
Dated, Corte, 6 Oct. 1795. Holograph. [Add. MS. 22688,
f. 114.]
109. Horatio, Viscount Nelson [b. 1758 — d. 1805.J Sketch-plan
of the Battle of Aboukir, generally called the Battle of the
Nile, 1 Aug. 1798. In the corner is the following attestation:
— "This was drawn by Lord Viscount Nelson's left hand, the
only remaining one, in my presence, this Friday, Feb. 18th,
1803, at No. 23, Piccadilly, the House of Sir William Hamilton,
late Ambassador at Naples, who was present. Alexander
Stephens." [Add. MS. 18676.]
110. George III. Letter to [Richard Hurd], Bishop of Worcester,
on the threatened invasion of England by Napoleon: "We are
here in daily expectation that Buonoparte will attempt his
threatened invasion. The chances against his success seem so
many that it is wonderful he persists in it. . . . Should his
Troops effect a landing, I shall certainly put myself at the head
of mine and my other armed Subjects to repell them ; but as it
is impossible to foresee the events of such a conflict, should the
Enemy approach too near to Windsor. I shall think it right the
Queen and my Daughters shall cross the Severn, and shall send
them to your Episcopal Palace at Worcester.'' Dated, Windsor,
30 Nov. 1803. Holograph. [Add. 3IS. 36525, f. 1.]
111. HoBATio, Viscount Nelson. Letter written two days before
the battle of Trafalgar to Lady Hamilton, telling her that the
enemy's combined fleets are coming out of port, and that he
hopes to live to finish his letter. Dated, on board the Victory,
19 Oct. 1805. A postscript, written on the 20th Oct., the eve
of the battle, is added, as follows : "Oct. 20th. In the morning,
we were close to the mouth of the streights, but the wind had
not come far enough to the westward to allow the combined
fleets to weather the shoals off Traflagar [sic] ; but they were
counted as far as forty sail of ships of war, which I suppose to
be 34 of the Line and six frigates. A group of them was seen
off the Lighthouse of Cadiz this morning, but it blows so very
fresh and thick weather that I rather believe they will go into
the Harbour before night. May God Almighty give us success
over these fellows and enable us to get a Peace." Holograph.
Below is written in the hand of Lady Hamilton : "This letter
was found open on His Desk and brought to Lady Hamilton by
Captain Hardy. Oh, miserable wretched Emma ! Oh, glorious
and happy Nelson ! " [Egcrton MS. 1614, f. 125.]* Facsimile
in Ser. i. no. 18.
112. Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington [b. 1769 — d.
1852]. Enumeration of the cavalry under his command at the
battle of Waterloo, 18 June, 1815. Holograph. Given by the
Duke to Sir John Elley, Deputy Adjutant General, previous to
* Beside this letter of Lord Nelson is a small box made from a splinter of
the Victory, knocked off by a shot in the Battle of Trafalf^ar, and containing
a portion of Nelson's hair. Presented, in 18G5, by Capt. Kin. Gunton.
30 ]l/f>tort<iil Aaloijniphs and Papers.
the battle. [Add MS. 71UK\ IWxcntcd, in 1828, hy the lit.
lirv. -hlin Jrhh, J). I)., Jilsliop of /.inivrick. Facsimile in Ser. i.
no. 10.
ll;>. AininR Wkllkslky, Duki; of Wellington. Letter to Lord
Hill I his former serontl in command in the Peninsula], offering
him the succession to himself in the chief command of the
army : "You will have lieard that in consequence of my being
employed in the Government [as First Lord of the Treasury]
I have been under the painful necessity of resigning my office
of Commander in Chief .... In consequence of my resignation
I have been under the necessity of considering of an arrange-
ment to fill the office which I have held ; and I have naturally
turned towards you. There is no doubt that your appointment
will be highly satisfactory to the country as well as the army ;
but it has occurred to some of the Government that, consider-
ing the place in whicli you stand on the list, it is better in
relation to the senior officers of the army, some of whom have
high jiretensions, that you should be Senior General upon the
Staif performing the duties of Commander in Chief than
Commander in Chief." Dated, London. 1 Feb. 1828. Holo-
graph [with signature from another letter]. Lord Hill held the
post of General Commanding in Chief from 1828 to 1842.
[Add. JIS. 350()0, f. 512.] Facsimile in Ser. iv. no. 15.
114. Henry John Temple, Viscount Palmerston [b. 1784 — d.
1865]. Letter to Sir J. C. Hobhouse [afterwards Lord Brough-
ton], narrating the ])rogress of negotiations with France in
1840 with regard to Egj'pt, which resulted in a treat}^ between
England. Austria, Russia, and Prussia, in opposition to France,
for the expulsion of Mehemet Ali from Syria, which he was
invading. The French Govei-nment had refused to join in
coercive measures, ajid was very angry at the treaty being made
without their knowledge: "The great object of France then
was to gain time. . . . They reckoned for certain that before the
spring of 1841 something or other would happen to enable
them to divide the Four Powers, and to jiatch up an arrange-
ment that would have left Mehemet Ali in possession of Syria,
and a pressing candidate for nominal indej^endence, under the
protection of France. This calculation of the French Govern-
ment was perfectly well founded, and it was the signal frustra-
tion of sucli national expectations which excited such uncontroul-
able fury from one end of France to the other." Dated,
27 July, 1843. Hohfiraph. [Add. 2IS. 36471, f. 218.] Be-
qucathed. in 1869, h)j Lord Broiighion.
115. Sir Robert Peel [b. 1788— d. 1850]. Letter to Sir H. E.
Bunbuiy, thanking him for his approval of " the great measures
which I am conducting through Parliament" [the repeal of the
Corn Laws] : "I have many difficulties to contend with, — much
misrepresentation and obloquy to encounter, on the part of
those whom I verily believe I am i)rotecting from evils and
p. 3), no 113
57/
rlcS^f
c^.^^:Z^^ '^^^^^
u-
>^t<_^>o«.AV^ 'CT/
^^ JL^^^C^^K^' ^■
>U../ZX^
^^c^^
^'
'^/y\^
ARTHUR WELLESLEY,
DUKE OF WELLINGTON.
Historical Autographs and Papers. 31
dangers of which they seem little aware. I am very indifferent
as to the political, that is party, result of the conflict which is
now raging, provided only the Lords will consent to j^ass the
Bills which the Commons Avill send up to them, providing for
the improvement of our commercial system and the ultimate
extinction of taxes upon food." Dated, Whitehall, 12 March.
[1846]. Holof/raph. [Add. 3TS. 37053, ff. 37 b, 38.]
116. KiCHARD CoBDEN [ b. 1804 — d. 1865 j. Letter to , de-
precating alarmist views as to the power of Russia : " She is
invulnerable against foreign attack by land, because no large
army can be concenti'ated within her borders . . . for want of
accumulated stores of food . . . But on the other hand no large
empire is so much at the mercy of a maritime power like
England, or the United States ; for she has but three or four
commercial ports, which are shut up with ice for half the year,
and might be blockaded for the remaining six months with
a small force. She has, it is true, a large force of ships of war ;
liut they are manned by serfs, taken from the villages of the
interior, who are undeserving the name of sailors, and it is
pretty certain they would never venture into an engagement
with an English or American fleet, and if they did, it is quite
certain they would be taken or destroyed. As for the Russian
finances I leave to time to determine whether I am right in
designating the pretensions of that govei-nment to great
resources as a 'gigantic imposture.'" Dated, 15 Oct. 1849.
Hohgmph. [Add. MS. 37053, ff". 41, 42.]
117. Lord John Russell, afterwards Earl Russell [b. 1792— d.
1878], Letter, written while Prime Minister to Bishop Maltby
of Durham, with reference to the Papal Bull creating Roman
Catholic bishops in England, commonly known as '' the Durham
Letter": "I agree with you in considering 'the late aggression
of the Pope upon our Protestantism ' as ' insolent and insidious,"
and I therefore feel as indignant as you can do upon the subject
.... There is a danger, however, which alarms me much
more than any aggression of a foreign Sovereign. Clergymen
of our own Church, who have subscribed the thirty-nine
Articles and acknowledged in exjilicit terms the Queen's
Supremacy, have been the most forward in leading their flocks
' step by step to the very verge of the precipice.' The honour
paid to Saints, the claim of infallibility for the Church, the
superstitious use of the sign of the Ci'oss, the muttering of the
liturgy so as to disguise the language in which it is written —
the recommendation of auricular confession, and the administi'a-
tion of penance and absolution — all these things are pointed out
by clergymen of the Church of England as worthy of adoption
.... But I rely with confidence on the people of England.
and I will not bate a jot of heart or hope so long as the glorious
principles and the immortal Martyrs of the Reformation shall
be held in reverence by the great mass of a nation which looks
32 Ilitiforhal Antor/raphs umi Papers.
with contrin|>t on the iniiiuinorios of sui)or.stitioii, and with
M'orn at tlio laltorious ondoavours which are now making to
con tine the intellect and onshivo the soul." Dated. Downing
Street, 4 Nov. 1850. IMo,imph. [Add. il/.S'. ;}50()8. fT. ;J-5.J
J'irsenied, in 1S9G, hy Lieut. G. IL MaUhif. Facsimile in Ser. v.
no. 14.
118. Benjamin Disraeli, aftenvards Earl of Beaconsiield [h.
ISO.')— d. 1881]. Letter to Count A. G. G. D'Orsuy. on the
suliject of a hust. executed hy the latter, of Lord George
Bentinck [d. 1848], the late leader of the Protectionist party:
■ I beheld again my beloved friend, and after gazing at the
bust with an eye which would glance at nothing else in your
studio. I left your room with the consolation, that the magic
finger of art had afforded the only solace which his bereaved
and devoted friends can now welcome. — the living resemblance
of George Bentinck." Dated 7 Oct. 1848. IlolorjrapJi. [Add.
MS. 86677. ff. 2. 3.]
119. William Ewart Gladstone [b. 1809— d. 1898]. Letter to
A. Panizzi. Principal Librarian of the British Museum, with
reference to literary work and foreign politics : '" I am no
Achilles, and have had no provocation, great or small ; nor am
I. nor can I well be. asked to render any help, when the help
I should render would be in the wrong direction. My ideas of
foreign policy are, I fear, nearly the contradictories of those
now in vogue [under the Palmerston government]. I am for
trusting mainly to the moral influence of England, for uttering
no threats except such as I mean to execute, for declining to
levile to-daj' the men whom I lauded yesterday .... in short,
for a long list of heresies which the Times daily anathematizes
ex cathedra, and for which I am most thankful not to be burned
by a slow fire." Dated, Hawarden. 29 Nov. 1856. Holograph.
[Add. MS. 86717, ff, 642, 648.] Facsimile in Ser. v. no. is.
120. Charles George Gordon. (jlovernor-General of the Soudan
[b. 1888— d. 1885]. The last page of his Diary at Khartoum,
14 Dec. 1884, written on the backs of telegraph forms: *' We
are going to send down ' Bordeen ' to-morrow with this journal.
If I was in command of the 200 men of Expeditionary' Force,
which are all that are necessary for moment, I should stop just
below Ilalfyeh and attack Arabs at that place Itefore I came on
here to Kartoum. I should then communicate with North
Fort and act according to circumstances. Noio marl: this, if
Expeditionary Force, and I ask for no more than 200 men, does
not come in 10 days, the tmvn may fall, and I have done my best
for the honor of our country'. Good bye. C. G. Gordon."
Holoftraph. [Add. MS. 84479, f. 108.] Bequeathed, in 1893,
htf Miss M. A. Gordon. Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 20.
121. Queen Victoria. Letter to Miss M. A. Gordon, thanking
her for the gift of a Bible which had formerly belonged to her
l)rother, General C. G. Gordon : 'It is most kind and good of
p. 32, no. 120.
<r
J-
i
\>
^'
f
v^
\
CHARLES GEORGE GORDON.
Historical Autographs and Papers. 33
you to give me this precious Bible, and I only hope that you are
not depriving yourself and family of such a treasure if you have
no other. May I ask you during how many years your dear
heroic brother had it with him?" Dated, Windsor Castle,
16 March, 1885. Holograph. Signed, ''Victoria R.I." [Add.
MS. 34483, ff. 7 b, 8.'] Bequeathed, in 1893, hj 3Iiss M. A.
Gordon. Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 21.
( 34 )
CHARTERS.
The term Charter (Lat, Charta, papj'^rus, paper) includes not only
royal grants of privileces and recognitions of rights, such as the
" Magna Charta " of King John and the Charters of municipal
and other corporations, but any formal document of the nature
of a covenant or record, whether public or private. Examples
of various kinds, chiefly English, are here shown, including two
papal Bulls (so called from the ''bulla" or leaden seal used by
the Popes) and a Golden Bull of the Emperor Baldwin II.
They have been selected not only for the interest of their
contents, but in order to illustrate the progress and changes of
the chancery and charter hands, as distinguished from the book
hand (see p. 72), between the eighth and the sixteenth centuries.
The usual mode of attestation after the Norman Conquest
was by means of a seal without a signature ; " Magna Charta,"
for example, was not actually shjned in writing by the King,
but had his great seal appended. The seal was in fact the
signum or legal signature ; and written signatures only became
common, and eventually necessary, when ability to write was
more general. In Saxon times, before Edward the Confessor,
seals were very rarely employed ; the names (usually of the
King and his Witan or Council) were written by the same hand
as the body of the document, and a cross prefixed or added.
Some of the Charters here have the seal still attached ; and
a special selection of royal and other seals, many of which are
of great artistic beauty, is exhibited in Cases L, M (p. 115).
Case V.
[At right angles to Case III., the numbers beginning on the left.]
1. Grant by Off a, King of the Mercians, to Ealdbeorht, his
"minister" or thegn, and his sister Sele^ry^ [Abbess of
Lyminge] of land of 14 ploughs in the province of the Cantuarii
at locc ham and Perham stede [Ickham and Parmested in
Kingston, co. Kent), with swine-pasturage in the Andred
wood, etc. Witnesses : King Offa, laenbeorht. Archbishop of
Canterbury, Cyne^ry^, the Queen, and others. Dated at the
Synod of Celchy^ [Chelsea!, a.d. 785. Latin. \_Stoice Ch. 5. j
Charters. 35
2. Gi-ant by Eadred, King of the English, to ^Ifwyn, a nun, of
six " mansae," or in the Kentish tongue '' syx suhinga," of land
at Wic ham [Wickham Breaux, co. Kent], for two pounds of
the purest gold. Witnesses : King Eadred, Eadgifu his mother,
Oda, Archbishop of Canterbury, Wulfstan, Archbishop of York,
and others. Dated a.d. 948. Latin, with the boundaries of
the land in English. [Stoive Ch. 26.]
3. Grant by Cnut, King of the English, to ^Ifstan, Archbishop
[of Canterbury], at the petition of Queen ^Ifgyfu, of a grove in
the forest of Andredesweald, known as Haeselersc [co. Kent].
Witnesses : King Cnut, Wulfstan, Archbishop [of York], ^If-
gyfu, the Queen, and others. Dated a.d. 1018. Latin, with
the boundaries in English. [Stoive Ch. 38.]
4. Notification by Edwakd the Confessor to Archbishop Eadsige
(d. 1050) and others, of his confirmation of all grants made by
Earl Leofric and Godgyva his wife [Godgyfu, or Godiva] to
St. Mary's Abbey, Coventry. [1043-1050.] English. [Add.
Ch. 28657.]
5. Notification by William I., King of the English, to Peter,
Bishop of Chester [Lichfield and Coventry], Will. FitzOsbern,
Earl [of Hereford], Hugh, Earl of Chester, and others, " Francis
et Angiis," of his confirmation to Abbot Leofwin and St. Mary's
Abbey, Coventry, of the grants of Earl Leofi'ic as confirmed by
King Edward {cf. no. 4). Witnesses : Odo, Bishop of Bayeux,
Gosfrid, Bishop of Coutances, Robert, Count of Mortain, and
others. [1070?] Latin. With seal. [Add. Ch. 11205.]
6. Confirmation by William II. of a grant by Walter Giffard
[Earl of Buckingham] to Bee Abbey in Normandy of the manor
of Blacheam [Blakenham], co. Suffolk. [About 1091.] Latin.
The names and crosses of the King, Henry '' filius regis "
[Will. I.], and others are affixed. A contemporary copy, with
a genuine seal. Deposited on loan by Eton College, tvhich also
possesses the original.
7. Charter of Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury {" Dorobernensis
ecclesie"), restoring to the monks of the same [sc. of Christ
Church, Canterbury] the moiety of the altar of Christ, which
he bad after the death of Lanfranc his predecessor, who had
restored the other moiety ; and at the same time restoring the
manor of Stistede [Stisted, co. Essex], which was known to
belong to them. Witnesses : William, Archdeacon of Christ
Church, Haimo the Sheriff", and others. [About 1095.] Latin.
With seal. [Camph. Ch. vii. 5.] This charter and no. 9 are
perhaps not originals, though genuine seals are attached.
8. Notification by Henry I. to Robert, Bishop of Lincoln, Simon,
Earl [of Northampton], and Gilbert the Sheriff", and to the men
'* francigeni et angligeni " of co. Huntingdon, of an agreement
between Aldwin, Abbot of Ramsey, and William the King's
" Dispensator," whereby the latter is to hold the land of Elintuna
[Ellington, co. Hunt.] of the abbey till his death, the whole
D 2
36 Charters.
lordship thon to roveit to the abhoy, to provide food for the
monks. Witnossos: Kandulf tlio Chniupllor, Will, do Ciirci,
Koixer do Oli. and others. Dated, '' apud nonius Wardhergani "
I CO. Hunt., about IIOU-IIU], Latin, [yidd. Ch. ;{;i250. |
0. Continuation by Hknky I. to Archbishop William and the
monks of Christ Church, Canterburj% of all tlio lands and
jnivilej^es whiih they had in the time of King Edward and of
William his father. (1123'?] Latin. Followed by an Jv'w/Z/.s/i
version, beg. " H. |iurh godesgeuu a^nglelandes kyning grete
ealle mine bissceopes and ealle mine eorles and ealle mine
scirgereuan and ealle mine^'egenas frencisce and renglisce," etc.
With seal, sewed up in a bag of green damask. [Camj)6. Ch.
xxi. G. I
10. Grant by Matilda, Empress [of the Komans], daughter of
King Henry I. and Queen of the English, to St. Mary's Abbey,
Eeading, co. Berks, for her soul's health, and for the soul of
King Heniy her father and for the preservation of Geoffrey,
Count of Anjou, and the lord Henry her son [Henry II.], etc.,
of the land of Windesor [Windsor, co. Berks.], and Cateshell
[Catshill in Godalming, co. Surrey], which belonged to Geoffrey
Purcell, and which he gave to the monastery when he became
a monk there. Witnesses : Henry [of Blois], Bishop of Win-
chester, Alexander, Bp. of Lincoln, Nigel, Bp. of Ely, Bernard,
Bp. of St. David's, Rodbert [de Bethune], Bp. of Hereford,
Robert, Earl of Gloucester [natural son of Henry I.], and
others. Dated at Reading [May, 1141?]. Latin. [Add. Ch.
1957G.]
11. Notitication by King Stephen of his grant, for the health of
his soul and those of Slatilda his queen, of Eustace his son, and
of his other children, and for the soul of King Henry I., his
uncle, to Reading Abbey, of his manor of Bleberia [Blewberry,
CO. Berks], with free customs, etc. Witnesses: M[atildaj the
Queen, "my wife," H[enry of Blois], Bp. of Winchester, "my
brother," Count E[ustace], "my son," and others. Dated at
London [about 1144]. Latin. With seal. \Add. Ch. 19581.]
12. Confirmation by Gilbert [de Clare], Earl [of Pembroke], to
St. Maiy's Priory, Southwark, of the land of Perenduna | Parn-
don, CO. Essex], which John the Steward and Nich. de Epinges
gi'anted to it, with William fil. Eadmundi, whose land it was,
free of all service except scutagc ; and when one knight \sc. one
knight's fee] gives 20 sh., that land shall give 2 sh., and when
one knight gives one mark, it shall give 16d., etc. Witnesses :
Richard his son, Isabel the Countess, Hervicus his brother, and
others. [1138-48.] Latin. [Cotton MS. Nero C. iii. f. 228. ]
13. Charter whereby William, Earl of Warenne, confirms to the
monks of St. Pancras \sc. Lewes Priory) all the lands, etc.,
which they hold of his fee, undertaking to acquit them of
Danegeld and all other services due to the King, and moreover
grants to them tithe of corn, hay, lambs, fleeces and cheeses,
Charters. 37
and the tenth penny of all his rents in England, This charter,
he goes on to say, he granted and confirmed at the dedication
of the church of St. Pancras, and he gave the church seisin of
the tenth penny of his rents by hair cut with a knife from his
own head and his brother's by Henry, Bishop of Winchester,
before the altar (" quos abscidit cum cultello de capitibus nostris
ante altare Hen. ep. Winton."). Witnesses: Theobald, Archb.
of Canterbury, Henry, Bp. of Winchester, Eobert, Bp. of Bath,
and Ascelin, Bp. of Rochester, who dedicated the church,
William | de Albini], Earl of Chichester, and others. [1145-
1146.] Latin. [Cotton Ch. xi. 56.J
14. Grant by William fil. Audoeni to St. Denis Priory, near
Southampton, by the hand of Henry, Bishop of Winchester, of
his land of Norham [Northam], with confirmation by the obla-
tion of a knife (''per hunc cultellum "). Witnesses: Antelm
the Prior, Henry, Chancellor of the Bp. of Winchester, Osbert,
Constable of Hamton, and others. Dated 1151. Latin. [Harley
Ch. 50 A. 8.]
15. Treaty of peace between Eanulph [de Gernons], Earl of
Chester, and Robert [de Beaumont], Earl of Leicester, pro-
viding for the surrender of the castle of Mount Sorrel, co. Leic,
to the Earl of Leicester, the demolition of the castle of Ravens-
tone, CO. Leic, etc. ; made in presence of "the second" Robert
[de Chesney], Bishop of Lincoln, and adherents of the two
parties. [1147-1151.] Latin. [Co^fowJf^S. Nero C. iii. f. 178.]
16. Grant by Henry II. to the cathedral church of Winchester of
the manors of Meonis [East Meon, co. South t.] and Weregraua
[Wargrave, co. Berks], with their churches, chapels, etc. ; to-
gether with an addition of eight days to Winchester Fair, so
that it may now last 16 days instead of eight as in the time of
King Henry his grandfather. Witnesses : Theobald, Archb.
of Canterbury, Hugh, Archb. of Rouen, and others. Dated at
London [Dec. 1154?]. Latin. [Add. Ch. 28658.]
17. Grant by Henry II. to William and Nicholas, sons of Roger,
son-in-law of Albert, of the charge of his galley (" ministerium
meum de esnecca mea "), with the livery (" liberatio ") belonging
thereto, and all the lands of their father. Witnesses : Theobald,
Archb. of Canterbury, Henry, Bp. of Winchester, T[homas
Becket], Chancellor, and others. Dated at Oxford [Jan. 1155 ?].
The word "esnecca" preserves the memory of the "Snekkar,"
or Serpents, as the Northmen called their long war-galleys.
Latin. [Ca\nph. Ch. xxix. 9.]
18. Confirmation by William, Count of Boulogne and Warenne,
for the health of his soul and that of Isabella his wife [daughter
and heir of William, 3rd Earl of Surrey and Warenne], and for
the souls of King Stephen his father, Queen Matilda his mother,
and Count Eustace his brother, of a grant from King Stephen
to Sawtrey Abbey, co. Huntingdon, of lands in Gamalingeia
[Gamlingay, co. Camb.]. Witnesses: Reinald de Warenne,
38 Charters.
Seller de Quinci, and otliers. Dated at [ Castle | Acre |c(>. Norf.,
about 1 ir>5 1. Latin. \ llarlnj Ch. 83 A. 25. |
11>. Confirmation by IIknhy II. to Hromfield Priory, co. Salop, of
the ihuroh of Rrondudd. with the lands and vills of Ilaverford
[ Ilaltord ', Dodinyhopa |Dinchope], Esseford [Ashfordl, Felton,
etc. ; i^ranted on the reconstiiution of the Priory under the
Benedictine Order in 1155. Laiin. \(''otton Ch. xvii. 4. |
2(>. (Jrant from Hugh Talebot, with the assent of Ermentrude his
wife and Gerard, Geoffrey, Hugh and Richard his sons, to the
Abbey of Beauljec, in Normandy, of his land of Fautewella
I Feltwell, CO. Norf. ], from which Aeliza de Cokefelt and Adam
her son paid him yearly 100 shillings. Dated 1165. Latin.
With seal. {Jlarlcij Ch. 112 D. 57. J
21. Grant by Kichard, Bishop of St. Andrews, to the church of
the Holy Cross | Holyrood Abbey] of the church of Egglesbrec,
"que varia capella dicitur" |now Falkirk, co. Stirling], and all
the land he had there, paying yearly one '' petra " of "vvax to his
chapel. Witnesses : Geoffrey, Abbot of Dunfermline. John,
Abbot of Kelso. Osbert. Abbot of Jedworth, and others. Dated
in full chapter at Ber^vick. 1166. LAitin. [Uarletj Ch. Ill B. 14. J
22. Grant from Prior Robert [Trianel] and the Priory of St.
Andrew, Northampton, to Abbot Christian, and the Abljey of
Auna5% dioc. of Bayeux in Normandy, of two i)arts of the
tithage of Aissebi [Ashby-Mears, co. Northampton], the Abbey
to pay yearly six measures of winnowed corn into the Prioiy
grange at Ashby. Witnessed Ijy six priests, three from either
house. Dated 1176. Ljutin. [Harlcrj Ch. 44 A. 1.]
23. Fine at Oxford "in Curia Regis" before Rich. Gifiard, Roger
fil. Reinfrid and John de Caerdif, the King's Justices, on the
feast of SS. Peter and Paul [sc. 29 June, 1176] next after the
King took the allegiance of the barons of Scotland at York,
whereby Ingrea and her three daughters quit to the canons of
Oseney their claim to certain land in Oxford for 20 sh. Latin.
The earliest known original record of the legal process known
as a Fine or Final Concord. [Cottmi Ch. xi. 73. ]
24. Agreement whereljy the Knights Hosi^itallers of St. John of
Jerusalem surrender to Richard [Toclive], Bishoj) of Winchester,
the charge and administration of the Hosjjital of St. Cross
without the walls of Winchester, the Ijishop raising the number
of poor there entertained from 113 to 213 (of whom 200 were to
be fed and 13 fed and clothed), assigning to the Hospitallers the
churches of Morduna [Morden, co. Camb. | and Haninctona
[Hannington, co. Southt.J, and releasing them from the yearly
payment to the monks of St. S within of 10 marks and two
candles of 10 lbs. of wax. Dated at Dover, 10 Apr. 1185, in
presence of Heniy II., Eraclius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and
others. Lafi?). With signatures of Bishop Toclive and Roger
de Molins. Master of the Hospitallers. Appended are the leaden
'•' l>ulla '■ of R. de Molins and the seals of the Bishop and of
Charters. 39
Garnerius de Neapoli, Prior of the Hospitallers in England.
[Harlcy Cli. 43 I. 38. J
25. Licence by Eichard I. to Reginald [Fitz-Jocelin], Bishop of
Bath, and his successors for their hounds to hunt through the
whole of Somerset, to take all beasts except stag and hind, buck
and doe, and to pursue all that shall escape from their parks ;
with a penalty of 10 Z against any who shall disturb them
in so doing. Witnesses : Baldwin, Archb. of Canterbury, and
others. Dated by the hand of W[illiam de Longchamp], Bishop-
elect of Ely, Chancellor, at Canterbury, 26 Nov. 1st year [1189].
Latin. [Harley Ch. 83 C. 10.]
26. Confirmation by Richard I. to Alured de St. Martin, his
stewai-d, of a grant made to him for life by Henry, Count of Eu,
on the death of Alice his [Henry's] mother [who married A. de
St. Martin as her 2nd husband], of the dower-lands of the said
Alice in Eleham and Bensinton [Elham and Bilsington, co.
Kent]. Witnesses: H[ugh de Puisac], Bp. of Durham, and
others. Dated, "per manum Will, de Longo Campo, Cancel-
larii nostri, Elyensis electi," at Canterbury, 30 Nov. 1st year
[1189]. Latin. With seal. [Egerton Ch. 372.]
27. Grant by Waleran [de Newburgh], Earl of Warwick, to Peter
Blund of lands in Scenegefeld and Tromkewull [Shinfield and
Trunkwell, near Mortimer Stratfield, co. Berks], at a rent of
two bezants or four shillings. Witnesses: William [de Long-
champ], Bp. of Ely, Godfrey [de Lucy], Bp. of Winchester, and
many others. [1190-1.] Latin. [Harley Ch. 83 A. 4.]
28. Grant by John, Count of Mortain, Lord of Ireland [King
John], to Hamo de Valoniis of the town of Waterford, in
Ireland, to support him in the count's service until the latter
can restore to him the lands he had lost for his sake or
give him an equivalent. Witnesses: Will, de Wenn[evall],
Reginald de Wassunville, and others. Dated at Dorchester,
11 July, 4 Rich. I. [1193]. Latin. [Lansdowne Ch. 33.]
29. Confirmation by Richard I. to Alan Basset, his knight, of
the manor of Winterburn [Winterborne-Basset, co. Wilts]
granted to him by Walter de Dunstanvill. Witnesses : Otho,
son of the Duke of Saxony, "our nephew," Baldwin de
Bethune, and others. Dated at Chinon, by the hand of W[ill.
de Longchamp], Bishop of Ely, Chancellor, 12 Dec. 6th year
[1194]. With re-confirmation as follows, "Is erat tenor carte
nostre in prime sigillo nostro, quod, quia aliquando perditum
fuit et, dum capti essemus in Alemannia, in aliena potestate
constitutum, mutatum est," i.e. "Such was the tenor of our
charter under our first seal, but as this seal was at one time
lost, and, while we were in captivity in Germany, was in the
power of otliers, it has been changed." Witnesses: Baldwin
[de Bethune], Earl of Albemarle, William Marshal, and others.
Dated, by the hand of E|ustace], Bishop of Ely, Chancellor,
"apud Rupem auree vallis" [Roche d'Orval], 22 Aug. 9th
H) Charters.
vear [1108]. Latin. With S(Xoml (J rout Seal. [Cotton Ch.
xvi. l.J
30. Conliiination liy Earl Paviel, brother of the King of Scots. |as
Earl of Huntingdon], tt> the Priory of St. James of Huntingdon
[al. Ilinthingbrooko Priory] of a yearly rent of 3()fZ. from the
mill of Little llameldon [Hambleton, co. Rutland]. Witnesses:
Hui,'h de Lisors. Simon do Seinliz, and others. [About 1200.]
Latin. [Add. Ch. ;5425.-).]
ol. Grant by llasculf de Pincheneia to Helias de Englefeld of the
meadow of Middelham [in Englelield, co. Berks?], to be held
for the service of a sor-hawk yearly at the time of the taking of
hawks (''per unum nisum sor quem reddet annuatim mihi in
tempore de espreueitesun "), the grantee moreover giving to the
said Hasculf 4 marks of silver, to Gillo his son and heir a shod
hunting-horse ('' unum chazeur ferratmu "), and to Matildis his
wife half a mark. [Late 12th cent.] Latin. With seal.
[Add. Ch. 7201.]
32. Grant by Kanulph, Earl of Chester, to Roger, his Constable,
of a free boat on the river Dee at Chester, for the yearly sei'vice
of a pair of gilt spurs, with rights of fishing above and below
Chester bridge and at Etton [Eaton], by day and by night,
'"cum flonettis et draghenettis et stalnettis," and all kinds of
nets, and of doing what he will with the lish they shall take.
Witnesses: Rob. de Monte alto, Seneschal of Chester, and
others. [Late 12th cent.] LMtin. [llarley Ch. 52 A. 17.]
33. Confirmation by King .John to the Order of Bonshommes de
Grammont of the foundation made by Plenry II. of their house
[Notre Dame du Pare] near Rouen, and of his grant to them for
their victuals of 200 livres of Anjou from the Vicomte of
Rouen. Witnesses : R[oger], Bp. of St. Andrews, Will. Lunge
Espee, Earl of Salisbury, and others. Dated, by the hands of
Symon, Archdeacon of Wells, and John de Gray, at Chinon,
26 Sept. 1st year [1199 J. Latin. \Add. Ch. USU.]
34. Deed of sale by Alan de Witcherche to Will, de Englefeld,
for one mark of silver, of his three "nativi," sons of Bernard
the miller of Seofeld [Sheffield, near Englefield, co. Berks].
[About 1200. J Latin. With seal. [Add. Ch. 20592.]
35. Grant by King John to William de Belver [BelvoirJ, son of
William de Albeni, of a weekly market and a three-day fair
at Brigiford [Bridgford, co. Notts]. Witnesses: Rlobei-t J, Earl
of Leicester, William, Earl of Salisbury, and others. Dated,
by the hand of Hugh of Wells, at Seez, 28 Jan. 4th year
[1203]. Latin. With seah [//a»% C7<. 43 C. 34.]
36. Grant by Brother Robert the Treasurer, Prior of the Knights
Hospitallers in England, to Robert, son of Ivo de Wicham, of
land in Wicham [Wykeham, near Nettleton, co. Line] at a
yearly rent of 12d., a third part of the chattels of the grantee
and his heirs to pass on death to the Hospital. Witnesses:
Brother Reimbald, and others. Dated, at the chapter of St.
p. 4 1, no. 40.
ARTICLES OF MAGNA CHARTA.
Charters. ' 41
Hilary, at Oscinton [Ossington, co. Notts], 1205[6]. Latin.
[Harley CJi. 44 E. 21.]
37. Surrender by William "Walensis" and Isabel his wife, and
by Eobert [de Hagley], son and heir of the said Isabel, to Sir
Koger de Mortimer [d. 1214] of land in the vale of Wigemor
[Wigmore, co. Hereford] held of him by the service of being
his huntsmen, the said service being long in arrear and Sir
Eoger having paid to them 40 marks of silver. Witnesses:
Sir Ralph, Abbot of Wigmore, and others. [Before 1214.]
Latin. With seals. [Cotton C1i. xxx. 8.]
38. Bull of Pope Innocent III. ratifying the grant made by King
John, by counsel of his barons, of his kingdoms of England
and Ireland to the Holy Roman Church ; in return for which
he takes the King and his heirs and the two kingdoms under
the protection of St. Peter and himself, and grants the king-
doms to John in fee on condition of public recognition and oath
of fealty by each successive King at his coronation. Attested
by the " sentence " of the Pope, viz. " Fac mecum, domine,
signum in bonum " [Ps. Ixxxv. 1 7], his name, autograph S [for
■'signum" or "signavi"] and monogram "Bene Valete,"
followed by the signatures of 12 cardinals and 3 bishops.
Dated at the Lateran, 4 Nov. 1213. With leaden '' bulla "
appended. The Bull recites the letters of John, dated Dover,
15 May, 1213, in which he notifies his surrender of his king-
doms and his receiving of them back as feodatory in presence of
Pandulph, subdeacon and familiar of the Pope, promising for
himself and his successors fealty and homage and a yearly
payment of 1,000 marks. Latin. [Cotton MS. Cleop. E. i. f.
149.]
39. Grant by Louis, eldest son of [Philip II.] King of France, to
William de Huntingfeld, of the town of Grimeby [Grimsby, co.
Line] until he shall assign to him 100 librates of land else-
where, to be held for a service of two knights' fees. Witnesses :
[Seiher de Quincy], Earl of Winchester, Robert Fitz-Walter
[commanding the forces of the English Barons], Simon de
Langton [brother of Archb. Stephen Langton, and Chancellor
to Louis], and others. Dated at the siege of Hertford, 21 Nov.
1216. Latin. With fine seal. [Harley Cli. 43 B. 37.J
40. Articles of Liberties, demanded by the Barons of King John
in 1215, and embodied in Magna Chaeta. Latin. A collo-
type copy of the original preserved in the Department and
presented, in 1769, by Philip, Earl Stanhope.* A portion of
the Great Seal remains. [Add. MS. 4838.]
* Tlie collotype copy and the printed text can be purcliased in the Museum.
42 mhartens.
Case XL'
[In a line with Caso V., at right angles ti> Case II.]
41. Genealogical and historii-al roll, 1(> feet long, of the Kings of
England from Egbert [d. 889 1 to Henry III. |d. 1272];
preceded by an account, within an illuminated border, of the
Seven Saxon Kingdoms, commonly called the Heptarchy.
Written during the reign of Hen. III., the date of whose death
is added by another hand. Latin. [Add. 3IS. 30079.]
42. Confirmation by Baldwin, *" Imperator Komanie et semper
Augustus" [Baldwin IL. de Courtenay. Emperor of Constan-
tinople 1228, dethroned 12G1]. of a grant by his uncle Philip
I LJ, Marquis of Namur [1196-1212 |, to the church of St. Bavon
at Ghent, of the patronage of Biervliet [in ZeelandJ. Dated
at Biervhet, May, 1269. Latin. With golden "bulla." [Add.
Ch. 14365.]
43. Bequest by Eichard Morin to Reading Abbey of his body to
be therein buried, with lands, etc., at or near Grimesdich
[Grims Ditch J. Niweham [NewnhamJ, Waldich, Munge-welle
[Mongewelll. and Wallingford [co. Berks], and a recognition of
a fishing right in the Thames between Mongewell and Walling-
ford Bridge. Witnesses : Richard [Poore], Bishop of Salisbury.
Richard [afterwards Earl of Cornwall |, son of King John, and
others. [About 1220-1.] Latin. [Add. Ch. 19615.]
44. Lease from Juliana, widow of John Frusselov, to Robert,
Abbot of Abingdon, and the convent of the same, of all her
dower-lands in Dumbelton [Dumldeton, co. Glouc.J for 10 years
from "Hocke dai " [2nd Tuesday after Easter], 14 Hen. III.
[1230]. Witnesses: Heniy de Tracy, Richard. Dean of
Dumbleton, etc. [1230. J Latin. [Harleij Ch. 75 F. 36.]
45. Assignment by R., Prior of Sempringham. to the nuns of
Bullington. co. Lincoln, with the assent of Prior William and
the convent of the same, of a yearly rent of five marks from
land in Friskney, etc., co. Line, for buying their smocks ("'ad
camisias illarum inperpetuum emendas "). Dated 1235. Latin.
[HarlcyCh. 44 L 14.]
46. Notification by the Priors of Reading, Sherborne and
Poughley, as papal delegates, of a comjjosition between Sir
Will, de Englefeld and Missenden Abbey coacerning the
services of a chantry in the chapel of Sipplake [Shiplake, co.
* In the angle at the top of the case is an impression of a rare seal of
Edward I., adapted from a s€'al of Henry III. by substituting " Edwardus "
for "Henricus". It is attached to Add. Ch. 34'.»4it, which is dated 28 Jan.
1298, and is witnessed not by the king himself but by his son, afterwards
Edward II. ; and the seal appears to have been temporarily used during the
king's absence abroad, Nov. 1297-Mar. 1298. In the lower angles of the case
are the obverse and reverse (the latter a cast) of the fine Golden Bulla, or
seal (xliii. 161), of the Emperor Frederic III. [King of the Romans 1440,
Emperor 1452, d. 1493].
VImHers. 43
Oxon.], whereby the former agrees to augment the endowment
and the latter to provide a chaplain and do all that is required
except repair of the fabric, with stipulations as to services, etc.
Witnesses: John de S. Egidio, Archdeacon of Oxford, and
others. Dated, 29 Nov. 1242. Latin. With seals of the
three Priors, of the Abbey, and of the Abbot. [Add. Ch.
20372.]
47. Agreement between William, lord of Melebery Osmund
[Melbury Osmond, co. Dorset], and John Picot, whereby they
mutually renounce the right of pasture on each other's lands in
Melebery, etc. Witnesses: Sir William, son of Henry, Sir
William Maubanc, Sir Benedict de Bere, Knts., Sir Richard,
vicar of Gateministre [Yeatminster], and others. Dated, St.
Margaret's day, 27 Hen. III. [20 July, 1243]. Latin. {Ilarlcij
Ch. 53 D. 36.]
48. Confirmation by Alfonso the Wise, King of Castile, of royal
grants to the hospital near the monastery of Santa Maria Real
in Burgos. Dated at Burgos, 30 Dec, era 1292 [a.d. 1254], in
which year, it is added, Edward, eldest son of Henry [III.],
King of England, received knighthood from Alfonso in Burgos.
Spanish. With a cross for the royal signature, surrounded by
the inscription, " Signo del Rey Don Alfonso," and by the
confirmation of Don Juan Garcia, in concentric circles, and
attested by the Moorish kings of Granada, Murcia, and Niebla,
and by seventy-seven prelates and noblemen. The witnesses
were assembled, no doubt, to celebrate Edward's marriage with
Eleanor, the King of Castile's sister. With the royal seal, in
lead. [Add. Ch. 24804.]
49. Notification by S[imon] de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, P[eter]
de Savoy, Geoffrey and Guy de Lusignan, and Hugh Bigod, of
their acceptance, as English plenipotentiaries, of a treaty of
peace with France. Dated at Paris, 1 June, 1258. With four
seals. Latin. [Add. Ch. 11297.]
50. Letter of Henry III. appointing Humphrey de Boun, Earl of
Herefoi'd and Essex, Constable of England, and William de
Fortibus, Earl of Albemarle, his procurators to swear uj^on his
soul in his own presence (" ad iurandum in animam nostram in
presencia nostra") that he will keep the peace with France
lately made at Paris. Dated at Westminster, 9 Feb. 43rd year
[1259]. Latin. With seal. [Add. Ch. 11299.]
51. Covenant by Eleanor, Queen of Henry III., and Edward her
son to Spinellus Symonetti and his fellows, Florentine mer-
chants, to indemnify them in the matter of a bond in 1700
marks, in which the name of Walter de Merton, Chancellor, was
inserted without his seal being attached. Dated at Westminster,
7 June, 1262. Latin. With fragments of seals, [llarley Ch.
43 C. 42.]
52. Bequest by Margaret, widow of Walter de Clifford, to Aconl)ury
Priory near Hereford of her heart to be there buried, with 15
44 Charter ii.
marks in alms and the expenses of burial. Witnesses: Brother
Hen. de Marisco, Sir Bernard. sul>prior of Kinpswood. and
others. Dated at Koss, | IG Dec] r2()8. lAitln. With seals of
Marg. de ClifVord. Samson, Abbot of Ivingsvvood, and Henry,
Abbot of Dore. [Ihirlcy Ch. 48 C. ;)!.]
•")o. Covenant by Pain de Chaworth and Robert Tybetot to serve
Edward, son of Henry III., in the Holy Land with 12 knights
for one year, for 1200 marks and their passage, i.e. hire of ship,
Avater and horses. Dated at Westminster, 20 July. 54 Hen. III.
[1270]. French. With seals. [Add. Ch. li)8-2^'.]
'"J4. Commission from Edward, son of Heniy III., to Wfalter
GiftardJ, Ai'chbishop of York, and others, to raise funds for
the repayment of 5000 marks lent to him by divers merchants
on the guarantee of the Knights Hospitallers at Acre, in order
that his good fame may not perish and access to credit with
others be closed to him (''ut fama nostra non depereat, nee
aditus credencie penes alios precludatur '*). Dated at Acre,
6 Apr. 56 Hen. III. [1272J. Latin. With seal. [Ilarlci/ Ch.
43 C. 48.]
55. Confirmation by Henry de Lascy, Earl of "Nichole" \i.e.
Lincoln], Constable of Chester, etc., to Bernecestre [Bicester]
Priory, of grants by Sir Gilbert Basset and Sir William Lunge-
espe, of pasturage for three teams of oxen, fuel-wood out of
Bernewode in Bernecestre, and a mill with suit of the tenants,
saving free grinding thereat to the grantor. Witnesses : Mens.
Roberd fitz Roger, and others. Dated at Bernecestre, 2 Jan.
14 Edw. I. [1286]. French. [Add. Ch. 10624.]
56. Grant by Edward L, as ''superior dominus regni Scocie," to
Gilbert [de Clare], Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, of the
marriage of Duncan, son and heir of Duncan, late Earl of Fife
[murdered in 1 288], provided he be not disparaged. Dated at
BerAvick, 25 June, 20th year [1292]. Latin. With Edward's
Great Seal for Scotland. [Harkfj Ch. 43 D. 1.]
57. Appointment by Prince Edward [Edward II.] of John [de
Pontissera], Bishop of Winchester, Amedeo, Count of Savoy,
Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, and Otho de Grandison, Knt.,
as proctors to carry out the treaty of marriage between him and
Isabella, daughter of Philip [IV.] of France. Dated at Rokes-
bourgh [Roxburgh], Ascension Day [16 May], 1303. LMtin.
[Add. Ch. 11303.]
58. Counterpart of a grant in tail by Anthony [de Bek], Bishop of
Durham, to Edward, Prince of Wales [Edward II.], of Eltham
manor, with lands, etc.. in Craye and Cateford, etc., co. Kent.
Witnesses : Robert [de Winchel.sea], Archbp. of Canterbury,
John [de Aldreby], Bp. of Lincoln, Walter [de Langton],
Bp. of Coventry and Lichfield, Hemy [de Lacy], Earl of
Lincoln, and others. Dated at Doncaster, 20 April, 33 Edw. I.
[1305]. LMtin. With seal of Prince Edward. [Harley Ch.
43 D. 12.]
GJiarters. 45
59. Grant by Eobert de Meysi to Sir Will, de Englefeud of Ivo
his "nativus" and all his issue, "and for this grant he gave
to me a hawk" ("et pro hac donacione dedit niihi ancipitem,"
sc. accipitrem). Witnesses : Sir Peter Achard and others.
[Temp. Edw. I.] Latin. With seal. [Add. Ch. 20251.]
60. Letters of Queen Philippa [wife of Edward III.] to the Dean
and Chapter of St. Paul's, London, desiring them to confirm for
life to Eobert de Chikewell, her Chancellor, a lease to him from
Henry de Idesworth, canon of St. Paul's, of houses in Ivy-lane,
upon which he is otherwise unwilling to carry out costly
improvements. Dated at Antwerp, 16 July, 13 [Edw. III.,
1339]. French. [Harlei/ Ch. 43 E. 10.]
61. Letters of Edward, Prince of Wales, etc. [the Black Prince],
reciting letters of his father Edward III., dated at Calais,
28 Oct. 1360, whereby the term for the fulfilment by the King
of France of the articles of the Peace of Bretigny is extended
from Michaelmas to All Saints day [1 Nov.] ; and swearing
upon the consecrated body of Christ to observe the same.
Dated at Boulogne, 31 Oct. [1360]. French. With seal. [Add.
Ch. 11308.]
62. Charter of Abbot Peter and the convent of Bitlesden [co.
Bucks], admitting to the privileges of confraternity Sir Robert
Corbet and Sir Robert Corbet his son, and their wives and
children, living or dead ; the two knights undertaking in return
to warrant to the Abbey an acre of land and the advowson
of the church in Eberton [Ebrington, co. Glouc.]. Dated,
Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul [25 Jan.], 1379[80]. Latin.
With seal of arms of Robert Corbet. [Harley Ch. 84 F. 5,]
63. Covenant by William de Wyndesore with Richard II. to
serve in war for one year under Thomas of Wodestok. Earl
of Buckingham, Constable of England, in his expedition to
Brittany and France, with a retinue of 200 men-at-arms and 200
archers ; the said William to find 100 men-at-arms for the first
half-year at his own cost (save an allowance of 200 livres)
by reason of the King's grant to him of lands taken from
Alice his wife [Alice Ferrers, mistress of Edward III.] in the
King's first Parliament, and the other 100 men-at-arms to
consist of himself, one other banneret, 20 knights, and the
rest esquires. Dated at Westminster, 10 May, 3rd year [1380].
French. With fragment of the King's Privy Seal. [Add.
Ch. 7378.]
64. Notarial certificate of the process by which possession was
taken of Tilbury church, co. Essex, by William Tannere, Master
of Cobham College, co. Kent, to which it had lately been appro-
priated, describing how he laid hold of the door-handle ("anulum
hostii "), entered the church, proceeded to the High Altar and
touched the chalice, vestments, books, etc., how he then rang
the bells, celebrated Mass, and received oblations, how he next
went to the rectory ("mansum rectorie"), laid hold of the door-
16 CJuiders.
hniullf. aiul ate food aiul diaiik wine and beer in the hall with
divers of th»' parisliionois. and liow ho finally appointed Rich.
Burle, of Tilhuiy, as his i)roctor to continue possession. Wit-
nesses : Sir Walter Chridham, rector of Staplehurst, Sir Roger
Wyle, vicar of Tilbury, and others. Dated, IS Dec. 1390.
Latin. [Jfarlei/ Cli. 44 C. 35.]
(I"). Letters Patent of Henry IV. taking into his protection Sir
John Holt and Sir William de Burgh (late Justices of Common
Pleas i. who, with Sir Robert Bealknape | late chief Justice of
Common Pleas], had been banished to Ireland, 11 Rich. II.
1 1388 I, but had been recalled by statute, 22 Jan. 20 Rich. II.
[1397J. Dated at Westminster, 20 Feb. 1 Hen. IV. [1400 1.
Latin, the recited statute in French. \Add. CJi. 19853.]
G6. Grant of indulgence from Brothers Johii Seyvill and William
Hullis, of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, as Proctors of
Pope Alexander V., to Sir William Fitz-Hugh and Margery
his wife, as contributors to the refortifying of the castle of St.
Peter at Budrum, lately captured from the infidels. Dated at
Clerkenwell Priory. 1414. IMin. \Cotton CJt. iv. 31.]
G7. Indenture whereby Richard Courtenay, Bishop of Norwich,
Treasurer of the King's Chamber and Keeper of his Jewels,
delivers to Robert Asshefeld, esq., retained to serve the King
with three archers beyond sea, certain gold and silver plate as
security for .£13 lis. llf?., a quarter's wages. Dated at West-
minster, 22 June, 3 Hen. V. [14 15 J. French. [Harley Ch. 43
1. 25. j
G8. Quitclaim by Robert de Bridelyngton, of Beverley, "sherman"
[clothworker], and Alan Thomson, of Riston, to Robert Dow-
thorp, of Beverley, "barker" [tanner], of the moiety of two
tenements in Beverley, co. York, one near the cucking-stool
pond (" iuxta le cokestulepitt ") and the other in Spineslane.
Dated at Beverley, 10 Apr. 8 Hen. V. 1420. Latin. [Add. Ch.
5761.]
09. Petition by Sir Ralph Cromwell to Henry VI. for a writ to
the Exchequer to stay proceedings against him for certain
homages, reliefs, etc., during his absence beyond sea in the
King's service ; supported by the signatures of Humphrey,
Duke of Gloucester, Henry Beaufort, Cardinal, Henry Chicheley,
Archb. of Canterbury, John Kemp, Archb. of York, Chancellor,
and other members of the Council. Endorsed with a note of
the grant of a writ, 16 Mar. 9 Hen. VI. [1431]. Frcm:h.
\ Cotton MS. Vesp. F. iii. f. 9.]
70. Bull of Pope Eugenius IV., granting permission to the
Provost and officials of the New College of Eton to lease out
their lands, and to receive the rents and apply them to the
uses of the College. Dated at Florence, [1 Feb.], 1445. LMtin.
[Add. Ch. 15570.]
71. Patent of Edward IV. granting armorial bearings as depicted
{az. ten mascles or, on a canton gules the leopard of England
Charters. 47
or) to Louis de Brugges de la Gruthuse, Prince de Steenhuse,
etc., lately [13 Oct.] created Earl of Winchester. Dated at
Westminster, 23 Nov. 12th year [1472J. Latin. Endorsed
with a note that the patent was given up to Henry VIL at
Calais in 1500 and cancelled. Louis de Bruges died in 1492,
and John his son surrendered the earldom as well as the arms
in May-June, 1500. [Egerton MS. 2830.]
72. Deed of Fr. Ealph Bekwith, "minister domus de Houndes-
lowe" [Hounslow, co. Midd.], and the convent of the same,
of the Order of the Holy Trinity and of the Kedemption of
Captives, admitting Henry, Prince of Wales [Heney VIII.],
to the confraternity of the Order. Dated 1508. At the foot is
the form of absolution. Latin. With an initial enclosing
Henry's arms, and border of red Tudor roses, with the arms
of the Trinitarians and the duchy of Cornwall and an arbitrary
coat bearing the three ostrich feathers. [Stowe Ch. 617.]
( 48 )
LITERARY AND OTHER
AUTOGRAPHS.
The letters and other documents here shown are divided into two series,
English and Foreign, and include not only autographs of eminent poets
and prose-writers, but those of actors, artists, musicians, philosophers, and
theologians.
{ENGLISH.)
[The first three attached to the pilaster on the right of the large upright
case C ; the rest in Case VII. on the left of the entrance to the Students'
Room.]
1. William Shakespeare [b. lo6-4 — d. 1616]. Collotype facsimile
of a Mortgage by ''William Shakespeare, of Stratford upon Avon.
Gentleman," and others, to Henry Walker, citizen of London, of
a dwelling-house within the precincts of "the late Black Fryers."
Dated, 11 March, 10 Jas. I, 1612 [1613]. Four labels with seals
are attached, on the first of which is the signature "W'Shakspe\''
w^Q9c^tfif'^
The first two labels bear seals with the initials H.L., probably
belonging to Henry Lawrence, servant to the scrivener who
prepared the deed. The original is in the Department. "
{FAjerton MS. 1787.1
2. Edmund Spenser [b. 1552 — d. 1599]. Grant from Edmund
Spenser, styled " of Kilcolman, Esq.," to — McHenry (a member
of the Roche family) of the custody of the woods of Balliganin,
etc., in the county of Cork, Ireland. Not dated [about 1589],
Eolofiraph. [Add. MS. 19869.] Facsimile in Ser. v. no. 18.
3. John Milton [b. 1608 — d. 1674]. Original Articles of Agree-
ment, dated 27 April, 1667, Vjetween John Milton, gentleman,
and Samuel Symmons, printer, for the sale of the copyright of
"a Poem intituled Paradise Lost ," the sum paid to the poet being
£5 down, with three further i>ayments of <£5 each on the sale of
three editions, each of 1,300 copies. Signed "John Milton,"
with his seal of arms affixed. [Add. MS. 18861.] Presented, in
1852, 6j/ Samuel Bofjers, Esq. Facsimile in Ser. v. no. 21.
* Copies of this collotype are sold in the Museum, price two shillings.
Literary and other Autographs. 49
Case VII.
, Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down and Connor [b. 1613 — d. 1667],
Letter to Christopher Hatton, Lord Hatton : will send over in
the spring the tracts D[uctor] D[ubitantium], etc. ; the king has
forgiven the Irish clergy their first fruits and twentieths, and
sends over a lieutenant who will excel the Earl of Straffoi'd in
his kindness to the church. Dated, Dublin, 23 Nov. 1661.
Holograph. [^Add. MS. 29584, f. 6.] Facsimile in Ser. v. no. 20.
, Sir Christopher Wren [b. 1632 — d. 1723 J. Eeport on the
design for the Monument of the Fire of London, recommending
a brass statue, 15 feet high, for the top of the pillar, as "the
noblest finishing that can be found answerable to soe goodly
a worke in all mens judgments," though he considers "a ball of
copper, 9 foot diametei", cast in severall peeces, with the flames
and gilt .... will be most acceptable of anything inferior to
a Statue, by reason of the good appearance at distance, and
because one may goe up into it, and upon occasion use it for
fireworkes." Dated, 28 July, 1675. Holograph. [^Add. MS.
18898, f. 2.] Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 19.
John Dryden [b. 1631 — d. 1700J. Letter to [Laurence Hyde,
Earl of Rochester, First Lord of the Treasury] : "I know not
whether my Lord Sunderland has interceded with your Lordship
for half a yeare of my salary. But I have two other advocates,
my extreame wants, even almost to arresting, and my ill health.
.... If I durst, I wou'd plead a little merit and some hazards
of my life .... but I onely thinke I merite not to sterve.
.... Be pleasd to looke on me with an eye of compassion ;
some small employment wou'd render my condition easy. The
king is not unsatisfyed of me, the Duke has often pi'omisd me
his assistance ; and your Lordship is the conduit through which
their favours passe. Either in the Customes or the Appeales of
the Excise, or some other way ; meanes cannot be wanting, if
you please to have the will. 'Tis enough for one age to have
neglected M^ Cowley and sterv'd M^ Buttler." [1682.] Holo-
graph. [Add. MS. 17017, f. 49. J Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 22.
. John Locke [b. 1632 — d. 1704]. Letter to Dr. [afterwards Sir
Hans] Sloane, with a proposal for the reformation of the Calen-
dar, and referring to the performances of a strong man in
London and to a new edition of his Fssai; on the Human Under-
standing : " The storys I have heard of the performances of the
strong man now in London would be beyond beleif were there
not soe many witnesses of it. I think they deserve to be com-
municated to the present age and recorded to posterity. And
therefor I think you cannot omit to give him a place in your
transactions, his country, age, stature, bignesse, make, weight,
and then the several proofs he has given of his strength, which
may be a subject of speculation and enquiry to the philosoiihical
world. I took the liberty to send you just before I left the
'^>0 Literary aiul other Autographs.
town the List edition of my Essay. I doe not intend you shall
have it gratis. There are two new Cha)>ters in it, one of the
association of Ideas, and another of Enfhusiasive ; these two
I expect you should read and give me your opinion frankly
upon."' Dated, Gates, 2 Dec. 1(500. Ilolociraph. [Shane 31 S.
AOi^'2. f. 5 b. I Facsimile in Ser. iv. no. 21.
8. SiK Isaac Newtox |b. 1()42- d. 1727]. Letter to William
Briggs, M.D.. commending his "New Theory of Vision." but
dissenting from certain jiositions in it : "I have perused your
very ingenious Tiieory of Vision, in which (to be free with you,
as a friend should be) there seems to be some things more solid
and satisfactory, others more disputable, but yet plausibly sug-
gested and well deserving the consideration of the ingenious,"
etc. Dated. Trinity College, Cambridge, 20 June, 1682. Holo-
graph. \Add. MS. 4237, f. 32.] Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 10.
0. Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin [b. 1667^
d. 1745]. Letter to Mrs. Howard [afterwards Countess of
Suffolk ], complaining of the Queen [ Caroline, queen of George II. |
having neglected her promise to give him a medal: "I must,
now tell you. Madam, that I will receive no medal from Her
Majesty, nor any thing less than her picture at half length,
drawn by Jervas, and if he takes it horn another original, the
Queen shall sit at least twice, for him to touch it up. I desire
you will let Her Majesty know this in plain words, although
I have heard that I am under her displeasure. But this is
a usual thing with Princes as well as Ministers, upon every
false representation, and so I took occasion to tell the Queen
upon the quarrel Mr. Walpole had with our friend Gay
Mr. Gay deserved better treatment amongst you, upon all
accounts, and particularly for his excellent unregarded fables
dedicated to Prince William, which I hope His Koyal Highness
will often read for his instruction. I wish Her Majesty would
a little remember what I largely sayd to her about Ireland,
when before a witness she gave me leave and commanded to
tell here what she spoke to me upon that subject, and ordered
me that if I lived to see her in her present station to send her
our grieveances, promising to read my letter and do all good
offices in her power for this miserable and most loyall Kingdom,
now at the brink of ruin, and never so near as now." Dated,
Dublin, 21 Nov. 1730. HoloqraphVwWh. signature from another
letter]. [Add. MS. 22625, *f. 20.] Presented, in 1858. hij the
executors of the Bight Hon. J. W. CroJccr. Facsimile in Ser. iii.
no. 21.
10. Alexander Pope [b. 1688 — d. 1744], Letter to Lord Halifax,
First Lord of the Treasuiy, submitting to him a portion of his
translation of Homer [prior to its publication in June, 1715 |,
and thanking him for past and promised favours: "While you
are doing justice to all the world, I beg you will not forget
Homer, if you can spare an hour to attend his cause. I leave
Literary and other Autographs, 51
him with you in that hope, and return home full of acknowledg-
ments for the Favors your Lordship has done me, and for those
■ you are pleasd to intend me Your Lordship may either
cause me to live agveably in the Towne, or contentedly in the
Country ; which is really all the Difference I sett between an
Easy Fortune and a small one." Dated. -"J Dec. 1714. Holograph.
In subsequently publishing this letter Pope omitted some of the
expressions of gratitude, his expectations from Halifax not
having been fulfilled. [Add. MS. 7121, f. 43.] Bequeathed, in
1829, hy N. Hart. Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 20.
11. Sir Richard Steele [b. 1671 — d. 1729], Letter to Henry
Pelham, asking whether the Duke of Newcastle will recall the
order of silence imposed upon Drury Lane Theatre ; " but if My
Lord insists to keep me out of my right, I must plainly tell you,
that is. His Grace by you, that the right of petitioning the King
in Council, the Parliament sitting, or the Judges in Westminster
Hall, shall be utterly taken from me before I will suffer my very
good Lord to send my children a starving." Dated, 27 May,
1720. Holograph. [Add. IIS. 32685, f. 31.] Presented, in 1886,
hy the Earl of Chichester. Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 20.
12. Joseph Addison [b. 1672 — d. 1719]. Letter to J. Robethon,
Secretary to George I., on the King's accession : " You will find
a whole nation in the Highest Joy and throughly sensible of the
great Blessings which they promise themselves from His Majestys
accession to the Throne. I take the liberty to send you enclosed
a poeme written on this occasion by one of our most Eminent
hands [? Ambrose Philips], which is indeed a Masterpiece in its
kind and tho very short has touched upon all the topics which
are most popular among us. I have likewise transmitted to you
a Copy of the preamble to the prince of Wales's Patent, which
was a very gratefull task imposed on me by the Lords Justices."
Dated, St. James's, 4 Sept. 1714. Holograph. [Stowe MS. 227,
f. 419.] Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 23.
13. Samuel Richardson, the Novelist [b. 1689 — d. 1761]. Letter
to [Cox Macro, D.D.], in defence of '" the compromise between
Sir Charles Grandison and Clementina in the article of religion."
Dated, Salisbury Court, Fleet Street. 22 March, 1754. Holo-
graph. [Add. MS. 32557, f. 176.] Facsimile in Ser. v. no. 25.
14. Henry Fielding [b. 1707 — d. 1754]. Letter, as police-magis-
trate, to H. Perkins, a lawyer, with reference to a reported plot
against Lord Chancellor Hardwicke on the part of three keepers
of gaming-houses which had been closed by his ordei-s : " I have
made full enquiry after the three Persons and have a perfect
account of them all. Their characters are such that perhaps
three more likely men could not he found in the Kingdom for
the Hellish Purpose mentioned in the letter." Date<l, Bow
Street, 25 Nov. J 750 [the year after the publication of Tom
Jones]. Holograpli. [Add. MS. 35591, f, 147.J Facsimile in
Ser, V. n(t. 24.
£ 2
5:i Literary and other Autographs.
15. Philip Dormer Stanhope. Earl of Chesterfield [b. 1694 —
d. 177o). Letter, in French, to his son. on the duty of politeness
to inferiors: "On no fait pus des complimens a desgens audessous
de soy, et on ne leur parle pas de Thonneur (ju'ils vous font; mais
en meme terns il faut les traitter avec bonte et avec douceur.
.... II faut done agir avec douceur et bonte envers tous ceux
(jui sont audessous de vous et ne pas leur parler d'un ton l)rusque
ni leur dire des duretez, comme si ils etoient d'une differente
espece." Dated, Isle worth. Holograxih ; without signature.
lAdd. MS. 21508, f. 41.]
16. William HoisARxri [b. 1697 — d. 1764]. Notes on his inten-
tions in designing the pictures "Beer Street,'' "Gin Lane," and
''The Four Stages of Cruelty" [executed in 1751] : ''Bear St.
and Gin Lane were done when the dredfull consequences of gin
drinking was at its height. In Gin Lane every circumstance of
its horrid effects are brought to view Bear Street its
companion was given as a contrast, were {sic) that invigorating
liquor is recommend[ed] in orders {sic) [to] drive the other out
of vogue The Four Stages of Cruelty were done in hopes
of preventing in some degree that cruel treatment of poor
Animals which makes the streets of London more disagreable
to the human mind than any thing whatever." Holograph. [Add.
MS. 27991, f. 49 b.] Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 21.
17. John Wesley fb. 1703 — d. 1791], Letter to Samuel [Brad-
burn], concerning the progress of evangelical work, and express-
ing his strong opinion that the Metliodists ought not to leave the
Church of England : '" Bro. Jackson should advise bro. Ridel not
to please the Devil by preaching himself to death, I still think,
when the Methodists leave the Church of England, God will
leave them. Every year more and more of the Clergy are con-
vinced of the truth, and grow well affected toward us. It
wou'd be contrary to all common Sense, as well as to good con-
science, to make a separation now." Dated, Birmingham.
25 March, 1783. Holograph. \Add. MS. 27457. f. 6.] Pre-
sented, in 1866, hy Prof. Georqe Stephens. Facsimile in Ser. iv.
no. 26.
18. Oliver Goldsmith [b. 1728 — d. 1774 J. Agreement (never
carried out) to -write for James Dodslej', the puldisher, a
"Chronological History of the Lives of eminent persons of
Great Britain and Ireland," at the rate of 3 guineas a sheet.
Dated, 31 March, 1763. In Goldsmith's handwriting, and
signed by both parties. [Add. 3IS. 19022, f. 8.] Presented, in
1852. by Samuel Rogers, Fsq. Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 23.
19. Thomas Gainsborough, K.A. |b. 1727 — d. 1788]. Letter in
the third person to the second Earl of Hardwicke, with regard
to a proposed picture : " With regard to real Views from Nature
in this Country, he has never seen any Place that affords a sub-
ject equal to the poorest imitations of Caspar or Claude. . . .
If his Lordship wishes to have anything tollerable of the name
Literm^y and other Autographs. 53
of G., the subject altogether, as well as figures, etc., must be of
his own Brain." Undated. Holograph. [Add. 3IS. S5S50, f. 11.]
Facsimile in Ser. v. no. 26.
20. Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A. [b. 1723— d. 1792]. Letter to
the second Earl of Hardwicke, with reference to a scheme for
the decoration of St. Paul's : " I fear our scheme of ornamenting
St. Paul's with Pictures is at an end. I have heard that it is
disaproved off by the Archbishop of Canterbury and by the
Bishop of London. For the sake of the advantage which would
accrue to the Arts by establishing a fashion of having Pictures
in Churches, six Painters agreed to give each of them a Picture
to St. Paul's, which were to be placed in that part of the Build-
ing which supports the Cupola, and which was intended by Sir
Christopher Wren to be ornamented either with Pictures or
Basreliefs, as appeal's from his Drawings." Dated, London,
16 Oct. 1773. Holograph. [Add. MS. 35350, ff. 46, 47.] Foe-
simile in Ser. v. no. 27.
21. Samuel Johnson [b. 1709 — d. 1784]. Letter to Warren
Hastings, Governor of Bengal, soliciting his support for a
translation of Ariosto by John Hoole : " Amidst the importance
and multiplicity of affairs in which your great Office engages
you I take the liberty of recalling your attention for a moment
to literature, and will not prolong the interruption by an
apology which your character makes needless It is a
new thing for a Clerk of the India House to translate Poets.
It is new for a Governor of Bengal to patronise Learning.
That he may find his ingenuity rewarded, and that Learning
may flourish under your protection is the wish of. Sir, your
most humble Servant, Sam: Johnson." Dated, 29 Jan. 1781.
Holograph. [Add. MS. 29196, f. 4.] Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 24.
22. James Boswell fb. 1740 — d. 1795]. Letter to Bennet Lang-
ton, with reference to his forthcoming Life of Johnson : "I have
printed twenty sheets of my Magnum Opus. It will be the
most entertaining Book that ever appeared. Only think of what
an offer I have for it — A Cool Thousand. But I am advised to
retain the property myself." Dated, London, 9 April, 1790.
Holograph. [Add. MS. 36747, f. 51.]
23. Thomas Chatterton [b. 1752— d. 1770]. Letter to William
Barrett, in reply to remonstrances against his expressed in-
tention of committing suicide : " In regard to my Motives for
the supposed rashness, I shall observe that I keep no worse
Company than myself. . . It is my Pride, my damn'd, native,
uncon<|uerable Pride, that plunges me into Distraction. . .
I must either live a Slave, a Servant ; to have no Will of my
own, no Sentiments of my own which I may freely declare as
such ; — or Die. Perplexing Alternative ! but it distracts me to
think of it." Signed "T.C." [1769. J Holograph. \Add.31S.
5766 B., f. 91.] Bequeathed, m 1800, hij E. G. Clobenj, M.J).
Facsimile in Ser. iv. no. 25.
54 Literary and other Autographs.
-4. David IIumk |b. 1711 — d. 1776|. Letter to Kichard Daven-
port, with reference to a j^roposal to obtain a i^nsion from the
novornnient for .lean Jac(iues Kousseau : ''I see tliat this whole
Affair is a Complication of Wickedness and Madness ; and you
may V)elieve I repent heartily that I ever had any Connexions
with so pernicious and dangerous a Man. lie has evidently been
all along courting, from Ostentation, an Opportunity of refusing
a Pension from the King, and at the same time of picking a
Quarrel with me, in order to cancel at once all his past Obliga-
tions to me." Dated. 8 July, 176G. Iloloffrap/i. [Add. 3IS.
29626, f. 19. ] Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 25.
25. Edward Gibbon [b. 1737 — d. 1794]. Letter to his aunt Hester,
on his departure for Lausanne: "Your good wishes and advice
will not, I trust, be thrown away on a barren soil ; and what-
ever you may have been told of my opinions, I can assure you
with truth, that I consider Eeligion as the best guide of youth
and the best support of old age : that I firmly believe there is
less real happiness in the business and pleasures of the World,
than in the life, which you have chosen, of devotion and retire-
ment."' Dated. Sheffield Place, 30 June, 1788. Holograph. 'lAdd.
MS. 34486, f. 31 b. 1 Presented, in 1893, hij Miss Sarah Law.
Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 23.
26. David GARRicK[b. 1716— d. 1779]. Letter to Edward Gibbon,
repeating laudatory remarks of Lord Camden on the first volume
of his History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, which
had just appeared : "'Lord Camden call'd upon me this morning
and before Cumberland declared that he had never read a more
admirable performance than Mr. Gibbon's History .... such
depth, such pcrspic7(iti/, stick lanquage, force, variety), and what tiot?''
Dated, Adelphi. 8 March, 1776. Holograph. [Add. MS. 34886,
f. 59 b.] Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 26.
27. Sarah Siddons[}). 1755 — d. 1831]. Letter to Samuel Ireland,
regretting her inability through illness to act in '" Vortigern."
[29 March, 1796. J Holograph. [Add. MS. 30348, f. 93.]
28. Joseph Mallord William Turner, E.A. [b. 1775 — d. 1851].
Letter to Dawson Turner, of Yarmouth, thanking him for
a present of bloaters ; Mr. Phillips is recovering ; is sorry to see
by the paper that Sir A. W. Callcott, R.A., is dead, and that
a robbery has been committed on the bank of Samuel Eogers.
Dated, 26 Nov. 1844. Holograph. [Add. MS. 29960 B.]
29. William Cowper [b. 1731— d. 1800]. Letter to the Rev.
William Unwin, commenting on Dr. Johnson's Lives of the
Poets: "With one exception, and that a swingeing one, I think
he has acquitted himself with his usual good sense and suffi-
ciency. His treatment of Milton is unmercifull to the last
Degree. A Pensioner is not likely to spare a Republican, and
the Doctor, in order, I suppose, to convince his Royal Patron of
the sincerity of his Monarchical Principles, has belabor'd that
great Poet's Character with the most Industrious Cruelty
Literary and other Autographs. 55
I am convinced by the way that he has no ear for Poetical
Numbers, or that it was stopp'd by Prejudice against the Har-
mony of Milton's Oh ! I could thresh his old Jacket till
I made his Pension jingle in his Pocket." Dated, 31 Oct. 1779.
Holograph. [Add. MS. 24154, f. 18. ] Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 22.
30. KoBERT Burns [b. 1759— d. 1796J. Song, " Here's a health to
them that's awa'," written in support of the Whigs, about the
end of 1792: with references to "Charlie, the chief of the
clan" [i.e. Charles James Fox], and "Tammie, the Norland
laddie, who lives at the lug o' the law " [/.e. Thomas Erskine,
afterwards Lord Erskine]. Holograph. [Egerton MS. 1656,
f. 27.] Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 24.
31. Samuel Taylor Coleridge [b. 1772 — d. 1834]. Letter to
T. Poole, with regard to the offer of an annuity of £150 from
Thomas and Josiah Wedgwood, and his experiences as minister
of an unitarian chapel at Shrewsbury: "The people here are
dressy and fond of expence, and the women very handsome ;
the Parsons of the Church of England, many of them, Uni-
tarians and democrats, — and the People hot-headed Aristocrats ;
— this is curious, but it is true. The congregation is small, and
my reputation had cowed them into vast respectfulness, but one
shrewd fellow remarked that he would rather hear me talJc than
preach." [16 Jan. 1798. ] Holograph. [Add. MS. SoUS,{. im.\
32. William Wordsworth [b. 1770— d. 1850]. Letter on receiv-
ing the news of the death of Coleridge, addressed to H. N.
Coleridge, the poet's nephew and son-in-laAV: "I cannot give
way to the expression of my feelings upon this mournful occa-
sion ; I have not strength of mind to do so. The last year has
thinned off so many of my friends, young and old, . . . that it
would be no kindness to you were I to yield to the solemn and
sad thoughts and remembrances which press upon me. It is
nearly 40 years since I first became acquainted with him whom
we have just lost ; and though ... I have seen little of him
for the last 20 years, his mind has been habitually present with
me." Dated, 29 July, [1834]. Holograph. [Add. MS. 34225,
f. 193.] Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 25.
33. Charles Lamb [b. 1775 — d. 1834]. Letter to Bernard Barton,
with reference to one of the latter's poems : "I wish'd for you
yesterday. I dined in Parnassus, with Wordsworth, Coleridge,
Eogers, and Tom Moore, — half the Poetry of England con-
stellated and cluster'd in Gloster Place. It was a delightful
Even ! Coleridge was in his finest vein of talk, had all the
talk. . . . The Muses were dumb, while Apollo lectured on his
and their fine Art. ... I am scribbling a muddy epistle with an
aking head, for we did not quaff Hippocrene last night. Marry,
it was Hippocras rather." [5 April, 1823.] Holograph. [Add.
MS. 35256, f. 14.] Presented, in 1899, hy the Rev. B. Barton
and Mrs. A. Fitzpatrich.
34. George Gordon, Lord Byron [b. 1788 — d. 1824], Letter to
5f) Literary and other Aidograplia.
J. Hanson, his solicitor, with reference to his pecuniary difli-
culties : "It is in the power of (Jod, the Devil, and Man. to make
nie poor and miserable, but neither the second nor third sluJl
make me sell Newstead. and by the aid of the first I will per-
severe in this resolution." Dated, Athens, 11 Nov. 1810.
JlolopnijiJi. \l\(icrton MS. 2C11, f. "214.1 Facsimile in Ser. ii.
no. -5.
:^">. Pekcv Bvssuk IShellky [b, 171)2— d. 1822 1. Letter to T.
Moore, concerning the suppression of his " Laon and Cythna "
in its original form, and its republication, with alterations,
under the title of •' The Kevolt of Islam " : " The truth is that the
seclusion of my habits has confined me so much within the circle
of my own thoughts, that I have formed to myself a very
different measure of approbation or disapprobation for actions
than that which is in use among mankind ; and the result of
that peculiarity, contrary to my intention, I'evolts and shocks
many who might be inclined to sympathise with me in my
general views." He refers also to a book published by his wife,
and to a literary secret which she has [presumably " Franken-
stein "J. Dated, Albion House, Marlow, 10 Dec. 1817. JJolo-
graph. [Add. MS. 36878, f. 60.]
ZQ. John Keats [b. 1795 — d. 1821]. Letter to his sister Fanny
I afterwards Seiiora LlanosJ, at the beginning of his last illness :
" 'Tis not yet Consumption, I believe, but it would be were I to
remain in this climate all the winter ; so I am thinking of either
voyageing or travelling to Italy. Yesterday I received an
invitation from Mr. Shelley, a Gentleman residing at Pisa, to
spend the winter with him. ... I am glad you like the Poems "
[Hyperion, Lamia, etc., then just published). [14 Aug. 1820. |
Holograph. [Add. MS. 34019, f. 81. J Presented, in 1891, l)ij
Sehorita Eosa Llanos-Keats. Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 26.
37. Jake Austen [b. 1775 — d. 1817]. Letter to her sister
Cassandra, on domestic incidents, with a reference to the passage
of her first novel, " Sense and Sensibility," through the press :
'• No indeed, I am never too busy to think of S. and S. I can
no more forget it, than a mother can forget her sucking child ;
and I am much obliged to you for your enquiries. I have
had two sheets to correct, but tlie last only brings us to
W| illoughby I's first aj)pearance. " Dated, Sloane St., 25 April,
1 1811 1. Holograph. [Add. MS. 30525, f. 7.]
38. Alfred, Lord Tennyson | b. 1809— d. 1892J. Letter to Mr.
W. C. Bennett, with a sketch of the pile of letters which
awaited him, ''penny-post maddened," on his return ft'om
abroad, including "MS. poems,*' "printed proof-sheets of
poems," requests for subscriptions, etc., topped with " letters
for autographs," "anonymous insolent letters," and "letters
asking explanation of particular passages." [22 Oct. 1864.]
Holograph. [Fgerton IIS. 2805, f. l.J Facsimile in Ser. ii.
no. 28.
Literary and other Autogra'phs. 57
39. Elizabeth Barrett Browning [b. 1806 — d. 1861]. Letter
to H. F. Chorley, with reference to a poem by her ["A Tale
of Villa Franca," published in Poems before Congress, 1860],
recently printed in the Athenccum, sending him an additional
stanza which had been omitted in the preliminary publication,
"because it seemed to me likely to annul any small chance of
Athenteum-tolerance," and discussing the state of Italian politics
since the battle of Solferino, and other matters: "Is it really
true that ' Adam Bede ' is the work of Miss Evans ? The woman
(as I have heard of her) and the author (as I read her) do not
hold together." Dated, Siena, [Sept.-Oct. 1859]. Holograph.
[^Acld. MS. 35155 H.] Presented, in 1897, hyR. Barrett Browning,
Esq. Facsimile in Ser. v. no. 30.
40. Robert Browning [b. 1812— d. 1889]. Letter to William
G. Kingsland, thanking him for his sympathy with his writings:
•■ I can have little doubt but that my writing has been, in the
main, too hard for many I should have been pleased to commu*
nicate with ; but I never designedly ti-ied to puzzle people, as
some of my critics have supposed. On the other hand, I never
pretended to offer such literature as should be a substitute for
a cigar or a game of dominos to an idle man." Dated, London,
27. Nov. 1868. [Add. MS. 33610 C] Presented, in 1890, hij
P. .Tenner Weir. Esq. Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 30.
41. Charlotte Bronte [b. 1816— d. 1855]. Letter to W. S.
Williams ('reader' to the firm of Smith, Elder & Co., who
published Miss Bronte's novels), on the subject of the life of
a governess (which she had herself experienced) : "A governess's
experience is frequently indeed bitter, but its results are pre-
cious ; the mind, feeling, temper, are there subjected to a
discipline equally painful and priceless. I have known many
who were unhappy as governesses, but not one who regretted
having undergone the ordeal, and scarcely one whose character
was not improved, — at once strengthened and purified, fortified
and softened, made more enduring for her own afflictions, more
considerate for the afflictions of others — by passing through it."
Signed "Currer Bell" (her literary pseudonym). Dated,
15 June, 1848 [the year after the publication of Jane Eyrc\
Holograph. [Egerton MS. 2829, ff. 14, 15.]
42. Henry, Lord Brougham and Vaux [b. 1778 — d. 1868 1.
Letter to Macvey Napier, on Macaulay's share in the Edinhurgh
Review : " As to Macaulay, I only know that he left his party
which had twice given him seats in Parliament for nothing . . .
and jumped at promotion and gain in India . . . But what
think you of his never having called on me since his return ?
Yet I made him a Commissioner of Bankrupts in 1827 to the
exclusion of my own brother. . . . As he is the second or third
greatest bore in society I have ever known, and I have little
time to be bored, I dont at all lament it, but I certainly know
that he is by others despised for it." Dated, 6 July, 1838.
Holograph. [Add. MS. 34619, f. 199. J
">8 Literary and other Autographic.
43. Thomas Bahino.ton Macaulay, afterwards Lokd Macaulay
(b. 1800— d. IS")!)]. Letter to Macvey Napier, on Brougham's
share in the H(Hnhi(r<fh Itrviciv : " As to Brougham's feelings
towards myself, I know and have known for a long time that
he hates me. If during the last ten years I have gained any
reputation either in politics or in letters, if I have had any
success in life, it has been without his help or countenance, and
often in spite of his utmost exertions to keep me down
I will not, unless I am compelled, make any public attack on
him. But ... I neither love him nor fear him." Dated. 20
July, 1838. Jlolofjraph. [ylc/(/. il/^. 34G19, f. 233. ]
44. Charles Dickens [b. 1812 — d. 1870]. Letter written the day
before his death to Charles Kent, appointing to meet him on
the morrow : " To-morrow is a very bad day for me to make
a call .... but I hope I may be ready for you at 3 o'clock. If
I can't be — why then I shan't be. You must really get rid of
those opal enjoyments. They are too overpowering. " These
violent delights have violent ends.' I think it was a father of
your church who made the wise remark to a young gentleman
who got up early (or stayed out late) at Verona." Dated, Gad's
Hill Place, 8 June. 1870. Holograph. {AdJ. MS. 31022. f. 1.]
Presented, in 1870. hy Charles Kent, Esq. Facsimile in Ser. i.
no. 27.
45. William Makepeace Thackeray [b. 1811 — d. 1863]. Letter
to T. W. Gibbs, on some passages in Sterne's letters and his
"Bramine's Journal'' (see below, p. 67): "He wasn't dying, but
lying, I'm afraid — God help him — a falser and wickeder man
it's difficult to read of. ... . Of course any man is welcome
to believe as he likes for me e.rcept a parson : and I cant help
looking upon Swift and Sterne as a couple of traitors and rene-
gades . . . with a scornful pity for them in spite of all their
genius and greatness." Dated, 12 Sept. [1851 J. Holograph,
[Add. MS. 34527, f. 75.] Bequeathed, in 1894, hj T. W. Gills,
Esq. Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 28.
40. Thomas Carlyle [b. 1795— d. 1881]. Letter to Macvey
Napier, asking lejive to review [Ebenezer Elliot's] Corn Law
Fhgmes for the Kd'inlurgh Bevkw. "His Bhjmes have more of
sincerity and genuine natural fire than anything that has come
in my way of late years. ... I would also willingly do the
unknown man a kindness, or rather a piece of justice ; for he
is, what so few are, a man and no clothes-horse. '' He alludes
also to his failure to find a publisher for his Sartor BesaHus:
"I have given up the notion of hawking my little Manuscript
Book about any farther ; for a long time it has lain quiet in
its drawer, waiting for a better day. The Bookselling trade
seems on the edge of dissolution ; the force of Puffing can go
no farther, yet Bankruptcy clamours at every door : sad fate !
to serve the Devil, and get no wages even from him ! " Dated,
6 Feb. 1832. Holograph. [Add. MS. 34615, f. 262.] Facsimile
in Ser. i. no. 29.
Literary and other Autograjihs. 59
47. Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Bart., A.R.A. [b. 1833— d. 1898J.
Letter to E. Chesneau, with autobiographical details as to his
life and works, especially his relations with his ' beloved friend,'
D. G. Rossetti, and his share in the wall-paintings in the library
of the Oxford Union. Dated, London, 13 Oct. 1882. [Add.
318. 36747 I.] Presented, in 1902, bij C. Fairfax Murray, Esq.
[FOREIGN.)
[In Case VIII. on the right of the entrance to the Students' Room.]
1. Desiderius Erasmus [b. 1467— d. 1536J. Letter, in Latin, to
Nicholas Everard, President of Holland, on Luther's marriage,
etc. : ** Solent Comici tumultus fere in matrimonium exire, atque
hinc subita rerum omnium tranquillitas . . . Similem exitum
habitura videtur Lutherana Tragoedia. Duxit uxorem mona-
chus monacham . . . Luterus nunc mitior esse incipit, nee
perinde sevit calamo." Dated, Basel, 24 Dec. 1525. Holograph ;
with signature " Erasmus Rot[erodamus] vere tuus, ex tempore
manu propria." [Egerton MS. 1863, f. 2.] Facsimile in Ser. iii.
no. 30.
2. Martin Luther [b. 1483— d. 1546J. Letter, in Latin, to
Thomas Cromwell, Secretary of State, excusing himself for not
replying to a letter sent by Dr. Barnes on account of the sudden
departure of the latter, and rejoicing in Cromwell's zeal for
the cause of Christ and his power to advance it. Dated, Witten-
berg, Palm Sunday, 1536. Holograph ; with signature "T[u3e]
D[ominationi] deditus, Martinus Lutherus." [Harlcij MS. 6989,
f. 56. ] Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 29.
3. Philip Melanchthon [b. 1497 — d. 1560]. Letter, in Latin, to
Henry VIII. , sending him a book by the hands of Alexander
Alesius, the Scotchman, and expressing admiration of his talent
and virtue. Dated, Aug. 1535. Holograph ; with signature
"Regiae Maiestati tuae addictissimus, Philippus Melanthon."
[Harley 31S. 6989, f. 54. j
4. John Calvin [b. 1509— d. 1564]. Letter, in Latin, to Guil-
laume Farel, pastor of the church of Neufchatel, in recommenda-
tion of the bearer as a school-teacher. Dated, Geneva, 8 Dec.
1551. Holograph; with signature "Joannes Calvinus, vere
tuus." [Add. MS. 12100, f. 6. |
5. Michelangelo Buonarroti [b. 1474 — d. 1564 j. Letter, in
Italian, to Lodovico di Buonarroti Simoni. his father, contra-
dicting a rumour of his death, complaining that he has I'eceived
no money from the Pope for 13 months, and referring to an
action at law of Monna Cassandra, his aunt. [June, 1508. |
Holograph; with signature "Vostro Miciielagniolo in Roma."
[Add. MS. 23140, f. 6. | Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 29.
6. Tiziano Vecelli [b. 1477~d. 1576|. Letter, in Italian, to
C)0 Literary and other Autographs.
the Marquis [jxfterwanls Duke 1 of Mantua, asking him to oxpetlite
a grant which had boon promispd to him: *' Speroperloavenire
con cpiella poca virtu che niha dato Dio satisfare in qualche parte
al singuhire obligo chio tengo cum loptima cortesia del unico
Marchese de Mantoa." Dated, Venice, 17 Jan. 1530. The
date, address, etc., uidograjili ; with signature "Tician Pitore."
\Kg€)UmMS. 12015, f. ;].J
7. LuDovico Ahiosto [b. 1474 — d. 158:}]. Letter, in Italia}i,
to the Duke of Mantua, accompanying a copy of the second
edition of his ''Orlando Furioso," amended and enlarged, and
recommending the bearer to the Duke's favour. Dated, Ferrara,
S Oct. 1532. Holoumph. [Kiietion MS. 2015, f. 7. J
8. Galileo Galilei [b. 1564— d. 1642]. Letter, in Italian, to
jNIichelangelo Buonarroti the younger, thanking him for his
letter, hoping to be with him before St. John's day, and re-
ferring to his improvement in the construction of telescopes.
Dated, Padua, 4 Dec. 1609. Holotjraph. \Add. MS. 23139, f. 39.]
9. Peter Paul KuBENS I b. 1577— d. 1640J. Letter, in Italian,
to I — Dupuy ? 1 on the defeat of the English at La Rochelle,
thanking him for letters of J. L. Guez, Sieur de Balzac, criti-
cising the Litter's '"Censor," etc. Dated, Antwerp, 30 Dec.
1627. lloloqraxili ; with the signature "Pietro Pauolo Rubens."
\Add. MS. 18741, f. 101.]
10. Anthony Van Dyck [b. 1599— d. 1641]. Letter, in Butclt, to
Francis Junius the younger, in praise of his work " De Pictura
Veterum," and requesting him to supply a Latin motto for an
engraved portrait of Sir Kenelm Digby. Dated, 14 Aug. 1636.
lloloqraplt. [HarUij MS. 4935, f. 45.]
11. Paul Rembrandt van Ryn [b. 1608— d. 1669]. Letter, in
Dutch, to [Constantine Huygens], Heer van Zuylichem, Secre-
tary to the Prince of Orange, asking for payment of a sum due
to him. Not dated. Holoaraph. [Add. MS. 23744, f. 3.]
12. Michel de Montaigne [b. 1533 — d. 1592]. Letter, written
while Mayor of Bordeaux, during the civil wars in France [to
the Marechal de Matignon, Lieutenant-Governor of Guyenne],
giving him all the information and reports he can gather as to
the movements of various persons of political importance in the
neighbourhood, and assuring him of his activity in the public
service : '* Je vous dis ce que japrans et mesle les nouvelles des
bruits de ville que je ne treuve vraisamblables aveq des verites
.... nous n'espargnerons cepandant ny nostre souin ny s'il est
besouin nostre vie pour conserver toutes choses en lobeissance
du roy." Dated, Bordeaux, 22 May, 1585. Holograph. [Egerton
MS. 23, f. 241. J
13. Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Moli^re |b. 1622 — d. 1673]. No-
tarial Certificate, in French, signed by him and Jacques Martin,
relative to the disposition of the goods of Fran^oise Rousseau,
deceased. Dated, 25 Jan. 1664. \Add. MS 24419, f. 2.]
14. Pierre Corneille lb. 1606— d. 1684]. Letter, in French, to
Literary and other Autographs. 61
C. Huygens van Zuylichem, Secretary to the Prince of Orange,
accompanying a gift of two volumes of his poems: "Ce sont
les peches de ma jeunesse et les coups d'essay d'une Muse de
Province, qui se laissoit conduire aux lumieres purement
Naturelles, et n'avoit pas encore fait reflexion qu'il y avoit un
Art de la Tragedie, et qu'Aristote en avoit laisse des preceptes.
Vous n'y trouveres rien de supportable qu'une Medee qui veri-
tablement a pris quelque chose d'asses bon a celle de Seneque,"
from which he proceeds to quote some lines. Dated, Eouen,
6 March, 1649. Holograph. [Add. MS. 21514, ff. 20, 21.]
15. Jean EACiNE[b. 1639 — d. 1699]. Letter, in i^>-ew67/, to Nicolas
Boileau Despreaux, the poet, on business mattei-s, with news of
the war [with England], the King's health, etc.: "Quelque
horreur que vous ayez pour les meschans vers, je vous exhorte
a lire Judith [a tragedy by the Abbe Boyer], et sur tout la
preface, dont je vous prie de me mander vostre sentiment.
Jamais je n'ay rien veu si mesprise que tout cela Test en ce
pays cy, et toutes vos predictions sont accomplies." Dated,
Compiegne, 4 May, 1695. Holograph. {Add. MS. 21514, f. 45.]
16. Francois Marie Arouet de Voltaire [b. 1694 — d. 1778].
Letter, in English, to George Keate, F.R.S., expressing friend-
ship and passing remarks on the literary position of England
and France : " Had I not fix'd the seat of my retreat in the
free corner of Geneva, I would certainly live in the free
kingdom of England, for, tho I do not like the monstruous
irregularities of Shakespear, tho I admire but some lively and
masterly strokes in his performances, yet I am confident no
body in the world looks with a greater veneration on your good
philosophers, on the croud of your good authors, and I am these
thirty years the disciple of your way of thinking. Your nation
is at once a people of warriours and of philosophers. You are
now at the pitch of glory in regard to publick affairs. But
I know not wether you have preserv'd the reputation your
island enjoy'd in point of litterature when Adisson, Congreve,
Pope, Swift, were alive." Dated, Aux Delices, 16 Jan. 1760.
Holograph. [Add. MS. 30991, f. 13.] Bequeathed, in 1879, ly
John Henderson, Esq. Facsimile in Ser. ii. no. 30.
17. Jean Jacques Rousseau [b. 1712 — d. 1778]. Letter, in
French, to , giving reasons for his refusal to write further
in defence of the Protestants, and referring to what he had
already written : " Quand un homme revient d'un long combat
hors d'haleine et convert de blessures, est-il terns de Texhorter
a prendre les armes tandis qu'on se tient soi-meme en lepos ?
.... Mes cheveux gris m'avertissent que je ne suis plus qu'un
veteran, mes maux et mes malheurs me prescrivent le repos, et
je ne sors point de la lice sans y avoir paye de ma personne."
Dated, Metiers, 15 July, 1764. Holograph. [Add. MS. 24024,
f. 72. ] Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 30.
18. Victor Hugo [b. 1802— d. 1885]. Letter, in French, to
62 Literary and other Autographs.
Charles Oriffin, i)ul)lislier, declining to correct the proof of the
notice of his life in the Dictioiiarif of Contemporary Biography:
•'Quehiues petits faits inexacts sont moins graves ;i mes yeux
<]ue Tinexactitiule des appreciations. Or, je comprends que sin-
ce point toute liberie doit etre laissee a Tauteur de la biographie,
dont je reconnais dii reste avec empressement la parfaite
politesse et la jiarfaite bonne foi." Dated, Hautville House
[Jersey], 1 March, 18G0. lloJograplu [Add. MS. 28510, f. 269. J
19. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz (b. 1646— d. 1716]. Letter,
in Latin, to Sir Hans Sloane, Secretary to the Royal Society,
complaining of a statement made by Dr. Keill in the Trans-
actions of the Eoj^al Society to the effect that Leibnitz had
derived his method of differential calculus from Sir Isaac
Newton's method of fluxions and had published it, with a mere
change of name, as his own discovery ; protesting his complete
independence of Newton ("'vir excellentissimus "), and asking
for a public withdrawal of the calumny. Dated, Berlin,
4 March, 1711. Holograph. The controversy as to priority
and independence in this great mathematical discovery lasted
long after the death of both Leibnitz and Newton. [Sloane
MS. 4042, f. 263.]
20. Immanuel Kant [b. 1724 — d. 1804]. Letter, in German, to
D. Biester, royal librarian at Berlin, apologising for delay in
sending contributions to the Berliner Monatssehrift : " Bedenken
Sie indessen, werthester Freund ! 66 Jahre alt, immer durch
Unpaslichkeit gestohrt, in Planen, die icli nur noch zur Hiilfte
ausgefiihrt habe und durch allerley schriftliche oder auch offent-
liche Aufforderungen von meinem Wege abgelenkt, wie schweer
wird es mir alles, was ich mir als meine Pflicht denke, zu
erfiillen, oline hier oder da eine zu verabsiiumen." Dated,
Koenigsberg, 29 Dec. 1789. Holograph. [Add. MS. 28167,
f. 76.]
21. JoHANN Wolfgang von Goethe [b. 1749— d. 1832]. Tran-
script of the Chorus of Spirits, sung around the sleeping Faust,
in the first scene of the Second Part of '" Faust," beginning : —
"Wenn sich lau die Lvifte fiillen
IJiii den jTrunumschriinkten Plan,
Siisse Diifte, Nebelhiillen,
Senkt die Dammerung heran."
Holograph. \Egerton MS. 2829, f. 13.]
22. JoHANN Christoph Fkiedrich von Scuiller [b. 1759 — d.
1805]. Letter, in German, to [Karl Theodor Korner] on
domestic matters, with remarks upon C. F. Zelte's satisfactory
setting of his ballad " Der Taucher " to music, upon F. Schlegel's
tragedy " Alarcos " and Goethe's support of it, and upon
W. Schlegel's tragedy "Ion." Dated, Weimar, 5 July, 1802.
Holograph. [Add. MS. 29804, f. 3.]
23. Heinrich Heine [b. 1799 — d. 1856]. Letter, in French, to
Literary and other Autograiilis, 63
, returning a volume of Goethe with adverse comments,
and adding ''Depuis 10 jours je suis ici, jouissant d'une parfaite
solitude, car je suis entourre de la mer, de bois, et d'Anglais,
qui sont aussi muet que le bois — je ne veux pas dire aussi
holsern." Dated, Boulogne, 15 July, 1834. Holograph. [Add.
MS. 33964, f. 433.] Bequeathed, in 1891, hy A. G. Kurtz, Esq.
24. George Frederick Handel [b. 1685 — d. 1759]. Letter to
[the Keeper of the Ordnance Office], requesting him to deliver
ithe artillery kettle-drums lent to him for use in his oratorios.
Dated, 24 Feb. 1750. Holograph. [Add. MS. 24182, f. 15.]
25. George Frederick Handel. Portion of the original manu-
script of the anthem "As pants the hart." llotoriraph. [Add.
MS. 30308, f. 130.]
26. JoHANN Sebastian Bach [b. 1685 — d. 1750]. Fugue in
A flat, from the volume entitled Das wohltcmperirte Klavier,
Part II; published in 1744. Holograph. [Add. MS. 35021, f.
14.] Bequeathed, in 1896, hy Miss Eliza Wesley.
27. Joseph Haydn [b. 1732 — d. 1809]. Letter, in German, to
William Forster, musical instrument maker, complaining of
Artaria, the music publisher of Vienna, and mentioning the
enhanced value of his compositions and that he had a contract
for six pieces for upwards of 100 guineas. Dated, Esterhazy,
28 Feb. 1788. Holograph. [Egerton MS. 2380, f. 9.]
28. JoHANN Chrysostom Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart [b. 1756 —
d. 1791]. Score of the 130th Psalm (' De Profundis '), in Latin,
for four voices with organ accompaniment. [ 1 770 ? | Holograph.
[Add. MS. 31748, f. 1.]
29. LuDWiG VAN Beethoven [b. 1770 — d. 1827]. Sketch of music
of "Adelaide," from a note-book containing rough drafts of
several of his compositions. [1795?] ifoZor/>-a/>//. with signature
from a letter written about 1808. \Add. MS. 29801, f. 44.]
30. Egbert Alexander Schumann [Id. 1810 — d. 1856]. Sonata
in F minor (op. 14), dedicated to I. Moscheles. It is described
by the composer as " Concert pour Piano seul," and bears the
imprimatur of the publisher, Haslinger, dated 30 July, 1836.
Holograph. [Add. MS. 37056, f. 3. J
31. Franz Peter Schubert [b. 1797 — d. 1828]. " Fantasia" Sonata
in G (op. 78), dated Oct. 1826. The page exhibited shows the
Andante movement. Holograph. [Add. MS. 36738, f. 7. J
rre^cntcd, in 1902, hy John Ernst Perabo, Esq., of Boston, U.S.A.
32. Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy [b. 1809— d. 1847]. Setting
of the 13th Psalm (in the version of C. B. Broadley, to whom
it is dedicated) as a mezzo-soprano or alto solo, with organ
accompaniment. Dated, Leipzig, 14 Dec. 1840. Holograph.
[Add. MS. 31801, f. 3.]
33. WiLHELM Richard Wagner [b. 1813 — d. 1883 1. Sketch of
the People's Chorus, melody and bass only, from the end of the
2nd act of "Rienzi." [1839?] Holoqraph. [Egerton MS.
2746, f. 3.]
( 6t. )
ROYAL BOOKS.
These MSS. are volumes formerly belonging to royal owners
(with whom is reckoned the Protector Somerset), and have
inscriptions or associations of personal interest.
[In Case IX. against the wall on the left side of the entrance to the King's
Library.]
1. Henry VII. and VIII. Book of Hours, etc., in Latin ;
written late in the loth century, and illuminated in Flemish
style. The volume seems to have belonged to a lady in the
court of the Tudor Kings, and contains autofiraph inscriptions
by Henry VII. ("' Madame I pray you Remembre me, your
lovyng maistre, Henry R.") and Elizabeth his Queen (''Madam
I pray you forget not me to pray to God that I may have part
of your prayers, Elysabeth y^ queue"), Henr^' VIII. ("Henry
R.") and Queen Katherine of Aragon ('• I thinke the prayrs of
a frend be most acceptable unto God. and because I take you for
one of myn assured I pray you to remembre me in yours,
Katherina the queue," the last two words having been sub-
sequently obliterated). On f. 192 b is a prayer translated from
Latin by Princess [afterwards QueenJ Mary in her 11th year;
and below, an cudojirdph inscription liy the Princess ('*I have
red that no body lyvethe as he shulde doo but he that foloweth
vertu, and I rekenyng you to -be on of them I pray you to
rememln-e me in your devocyons. Marye the princess," the last
two w^ords having been sul^sequently obliterated). \^Add. MS.
17012. ] Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 2.
2. Henry VIII. Metrical version of the Penitential and other
Psalms, in J-jif/lish \ by John Croke, Clerk in Chancery] ; wa-itten
early in the Kith century. With a portrait of Heniy VIII.
Bound in gold, worked in open leaf-tracery, with remains of
black enamel. At the top of the covers are rings to attach the
volume to the girdle. Traditionally said to have been given by
Queen Anne Boleyn. when on thejscaffold, to one of her maids
of honour. \S(otce MS. 956. j
3. Edward VI. Treatise on the Sacrament of the Body and
Blood of Christ, in French, composed in 1549 by King Edward
VI., and written with his own hand ; with corrections by his
tutor. [Add. MS 29432.]
p. 65, no. 5.
PRAYER BOOK OF LADY JANE GREY.
Royal Books. 65
4. Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset. A small volume con-
taining the Calendar, and various tables for the movable feasts,
epacts, etc. ; and having on the flyleaf some Scriptural verses
■written by the Duke of Somerset " fro me the toware [the Tower J
the day before my dethe, 1551."' He was executed on 22 Jan.
155i. The last sentence is "Be not wise in thyne owne con-
seyte, but fere the lord and fle frome evile." [^Stoive MS. 1066.]
5. Lady Jane Grey. A small Manual of Prayers, written on
vellum, with miniatures ; believed to have been used by Lady
Jane Grey on the scaffold, 12 Feb. 155f. It contains on the
margins some lines in the handwriting of Lady Jane, addressed
to Sir John Gage, Lieutenant of the Tower, and to the Duke of
Suffolk, her father: to the former, ''[The] Precher sayethe
there is a tyme to be borne and a tyme to dye and the daye of
deathe is better then the daye of oure birthe. youres as the
lorde knowethe trew frende, Jane Duddeley " ; and to the
latter, " The Lorde comforte your grace and that in his worde
whearein all creatures onlye are to be comforted, and thoughe it
hathe pleased God to take awaye ii of youre childi'en, yet thinke
not, I moste humblye beseche your grace, that you have loste
them, but truste that we by leasinge thys mortall life have
wunne an immortal life, and I for my parte, as I have honoured
youre grace in thys life, wyll praye for you in another life,
youre gracys humble daughter, Jane Duddley." [Harley MS.
2342.]
6. Elizabeth, when Princess. Prayers or Meditations, composed
originally in English by Queen Katherine Parr, and translated
into Latin, French, and Italian, by Queen Elizabeth, when
Princess. Entirely in her own hand, on vellum ; with a dedi-
cation to her father, Henry VIIL, dated, Hertford, 20 Dec. 1545.
In silk binding, embroidered with silver. [Boijal MS. 7 D. x.]
7. James I. BA2IAIKON AfiPON, or Book of the Institution of a
Prince ; written by King James for the instruction of his son.
Prince Henry. Wholly in the King's hand ; and in the original
binding of crimson velvet, with the King's initials and the arms
of Scotland, in gold. [Boyal MS. 18 B. xv.]
8. Charles I., when Prince. " Florum Flores, sive Florum ex
veterum Poetarum floribus excei'ptorum Flores " : a selection of
passages from the classical Latin Poets, entirely in the hand of
Prince Charles, and presented by him to his father James I. as
a new year's gift. [Boyal MS. 12 D. viii.]
( G6 )
AUTOCAR A PH LITERARY AVORKS.
[Ill Casos X. and XI. on cither side of tlie entrance to the King's Library.]
1. Percy Ballads. The volume of English Ballads and Koman-
ces. repivsenting the ballad literature of mediaeval England,
from which Bishop Percy selected the poems published in 1705
under the title of '• Koliques of Ancient English Poetry " ;
written in the middle of the 17th century. [Add. MS. 27879.]
•2. Cardinal WoLSEY [b. 1471— d. 1530]. The Life of Cardinal
Wolsey. by George Cavendish, his Gentleman Usher. The
original MS. [Egcrton MS. 2402.]
3. William Cecil, Lord Burgiiley [b. 1520 — d. 1598]. Memo-
randum-book of public and private business, about 1592. The
page exhibited contains a list of the ships of the Royal Navy,
with their stations, tonnage, and crews. [Boyal 3IS. App. 67.]
4. Sir Francis Bacon ( b. 1561 — d. 1626]. Memorandum-ljook of
Sir F. Bacon, afterwards Lord Verulam and Viscount St. Albans,
containing memoranda for public and private business, literary
notes, etc., entered in July and August, 1608. [Add. MS. 27278. ]
5. Bex Jonsox [b. 1574 — d. 1637 |. *' The Masque of Queenes,"
represented at Whitehall, 2 Feb. 1609. In the autograph of the
author, with a dedicatory address to Prince Henry. [lioyal MS.
18 A. XIV. j Facshnilc in Ser. iii. no. 18.
6. Sir Walter Ralegh [b. 1552 ? — d. 1618]. Journal of his
second voyage to Guiana, from 19 Aug. 1617 to 13 Feb. 1618, in
search of gold. From 30 Oct. to 11 Nov. he was disabled by
fever, and the change of hand at f. 172, 1. 11, shows where he
resumed his Journal on his recovery. Holograph. The failure
of this expedition, and the acts of hostility against Spain done
in the course of it, led to his execution shortly after his return
home [29 Oct. 1618 L | Cotton MS. Titus B. viii.J Facsimile in
Ser. iv. no. 6.
7. William Harvey [b. 1578 — d. 1657]. Original notes for
Lectures on Universal Anatomy, delivered on 16, 17 and 18
April, 1616. conbxining the first public statement of his discovery
of the circulation of the blood. One of the pages shown (f. 80 1))
contains the conclusion of his demonstration of this discovery :
'' unde d[emonstratum est I perpetuum sanguinis motum in
circulo fieri pulsu cordis." [Sloane MS. 230.]
8. Philip Massinger [b. 1583— d. 1640]. "Believe as you
List " ; the unique autograph MS. of this tragedy, as submitted
for approval to Sir H. Herbert, Master of the Revels, and bearing
his license, dated 6 May, 1631. This is the only known auto-
graph work of any eminent dramatist of the Elizabethan period,
p. 07, no. ;l.
loo^ cite lenfnj AiV^ an l<ii*>r a-{h>y (fm kc
ScLcUck f^f9 c I " f
•A^y ^^^'^^^r). ua^ born o-n.SKnd<xy M<^yck. H^
j(fM akosJ-k^ djv hi*>tr ^a^ /Ant (J- M^)yhl(fX>
BIBLE OF JOHN MILTON.
Autogrcqyh Literary Works, etc. 67
except the masques of Ben Jonson [see no. 5, above]. Stage
directions, etc., have been added b}'^ other hands. \Egerton MS.
2828. j
9. JoHx Milton [b. 1G08— d. 1674]. The Holy Bible : Printed
by Robert Barker, London, 1612. The copy which formerly
belonged to John Milton, who has entered, in his own hand,
on a blank page, memoranda of the births, etc., of himself and
members of his family ; others being added by a different hand
under Milton's direction. [Add. MS. 32310.] FacsiwUe in Ser.
ii. no. 18.
10. John Milton. Commonplace-book, containing notes and
extracts on moral, social, and political topics, especially marriage
and divorce, laws, monarchy, taxation, etc. ; mainly in Milton's
own hand, with some additions by amanuenses. [About 1630-
1650. J [Add. MS. 36354.]
11. John Locke [b. 1632 — d. 1704]. Original Diary and Note-book
kept by John Locke during 1679, partly at Paris and partly in
England. [Add. MS. 15(M2.]
12. Samuel Butler [b. 1612 — d. 1680]. Draft of a passage in
"Hudibras" (iii. 3, 1. 621), from a volume of autograph literary
remains in prose and verse, many of them unpiublished. [Add.
MS 32625, f. 139.]
13. Daniel Defoe [b. 1661?— d. 1731]. The original MS. of ''The
Complpat English Gentleman " ; written about 1729. [Add. JIS.
32555.]
14. .JoNATHANSwiFT[b. 1667— d. 1745]. The ''Journal to Stella";
the original journal-letters sent by Swift, while resident in
England, to Esther Johnson, 1710-1713. First printed in
Hawkesworth's edition of Swift's works in 1766. [Add. MS.
4804.]
15. Alexander Pope [b. 1688 — d. 1744]. A volume of the original
draft of Pope's Translation of the Iliad and Odyssey, in his own
hand and for the most part written upon the backs of letters
addressed to himself. [Add. 3IS. 4808.] Presented, in 1766, by
3Irs. Lucjj Mallet.
16. Laurence Sterne [b. 1713— d. 1768]. The first part of the
corrected draft of "A Sentimental Journey through France and
Italy," by Laurence Sterne, M.A. [1767] ; in the author's own
hand. The page exhibited contains the mention of "Eliza"
and her picture referred to in his Journal [see the next MS.
exhibited, no. 17j. [Egnion MS. 1610.] Facsimde in Ser. iv.
no. 24.
17. Laurence Sterne. "The Bramine's Journal," being Sterne's
Journal addressed to Mrs. Eliza Draper after her departure for
India. It extends from 13 April [1767] to 4 Aug., with a post-
script on 1 Nov., and is entirely in the author's hand. It is full
of expressions of extreme devotion, and was discontinued on the
arrival of Mrs. Sterne. At the beginning is a note (evidently
prefixed with a view to publication) stating that the names are
F 2
()8 Autograph Literar)/ ]V(>r/,:<, dr.
fictitious and ilu> wlioli- translated fmm a French manuscript.
The page exhil>ite(l contains the tntry lor 17 June: "I have
hrou,u;ht your name Kliza ! ami Picture into my work" \Tlic
Srnt'nni )ital Joitnicif, see the page exhihited above, no. IGJ —
*' wliere they will remain — when j'ou and I are at rest for ever.
Some annot,:itor or explainer of my works in this place will
take occasion to speuk of the Friendship which subsisted so long
and faithfully betwixt Yorick and the Lady he speaks of." See
also the letter of W. M. Thackeray exhibited in Case YIT.
no. 45, written after reading the MS. [Add. JIS. 34527.)
Bequeathed, in 1894, hrj T. W. Gibbs, i:sq.
18. Dr. Samuel Johxsok [b. 1709 — d. 1784]. Original draft of
Dr. Johnson's Tragedy of '' Irene," acted at Drury Lane in 1749 ;
in the author's own hand. \ King's 3IS. 306. J
19. Edward Gibbon [b. 1737 — d. 1794]. Antobiographical
Memoirs, being the six sketches of parts of his life from which
the "Memoirs of M3' Life and Writings" were selected and put
together after his death by Lord Sheffield. The pages exhibited
Ijelong to the fifth of these sketches, and contain the well-known
narrative of his first conception of the idea of writing his history :
"It was at Eome, on the fifteenth of October, 1764, as I sat
musing amidst the ruins of the Capitol, while the bare-footed
frj'ars were singing Vespers in the temple of Jupiter, that I
conceived the first thought of my history." lIolo(iraph. [Add.
MS. 34874. j
20. Thomas Chattertox [b. 1752 — d. 1770J. '"Eclogues and other
Poems, by Thomas EoAvley, with a glossary and annotations by
Thomas Chatterton " : being a portion of the literary forgeries
of Chatterton, in his own hand, written about 1767-8. [Add.
JIS. 24890. 1
21. Thomas Gray [b. 1716 — d. 1771]. '"Elegy wx'itten in a
Country Churchyard " ; a fair copy, enclosed in a letter to Dr.
Thomas Warton. Dated, Cambridge, 18 Dec. [1750]. The
poem had already circulated privately to some extent, )mt was
not published until Feb. 1751. Jlolograph. [Egerton MS. 2400.
f. 45. J Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 22.
22. Gilbert White [b. 1720— d. 1793]. Letters to T. Pennant,
from 10 Aug. 1767 to 8 July, 1773, being the original form of
most of the first part of the Natural Historg of Selborne. The
pages exhibited contain his description of the sedge warbler, a
reference to speculations as to the origin of species peculiar to
America, and part of White's poem, ""The Xaturalist's Summer
Evening Walk." [29 Mav, 1769.] Holograph. [Add. MS.
35138.]
23. William Cowpeb [b. 1731— d. 1800J. " The Entertaining and
facetious Histoiy of John Gilpin, showing how he went farther
than he intended and came home safe at last. To the tune of
Chevy Chace." Copy in the poet's own hand, apparently sent
by him to the Eev. W. Unwin. [1782.] [Add. MS. 24155,
f. 31.]
Autograph Literary Worls, etc. 69
Case XI.
'2i. Robert Burns [b. 1759— d. 1796 J. The original MS. of the
Autobiography of Robert Burns, contained in a letter to Dr.
John Moore, dated. Mauchline, 2 Aug. 1787 ; with a postscript,
dated, Edinburgh, 23 Sept. of the same year. [Egetion MS.
1660.]
25. George Gordon, Lord Byron [b. 1 788— d. 1824]. " Childe
Harold's Pilgrimage : a Romaunt." The first and second cantos,
as coj^ied for the press for the first edition, London, 1812 ; with
corrections and notes in the author's own hand. [^Egerton JIS.
2027.J
26. Samuel Taylor Coleridge [b. 1772 — d. 1834]. Literary
remains, in prose and verse. Holograplt. The first page
exhibited (f. 8 b) contains the conclusion of the " Hj^mn l^efore
Sunrise in the Vale of Chamouny," signed, and with the note
" S. T. Coleridge intreats Mrs. Brabant to excuse the slovenly
state into which this Copy has degenerated from Candles and
Carelessness It is however a correct Copy, and the only
correct Copy in existence." Facsimile in Ser. i. no. 24. The
second page (f. 2) is from a school exercise, entitled '' Dura
Navis," written in his 15th year, with a note added in his 51st:
" I well remember old Jemmy Bowyer, the plagose Orljilius of
Christ's Hospital, but an admirable Educer no less than Educator
of the Intellect, bad me leave out as many epithets as would
turn the whole into 8-syllable Lines, — and then ask myself if the
Exercise would not be greatly improved. How often have I
thought of this proposal since then— and how many thousand
bloated and puffing lines have I read that by this process would
have tripped over the tongue excellently." [^Add. JIS.
34225.]
27. Charles Lamb [b. 1775 — d. 1834]. Extracts from the Garrick
Plays in the British Museum, contributed by Lamb to Hone's
Tabic Boole. [1826. J One of the two original note-books into
which the selected passages were copied, in Lamb's own hand
throughout. The page exhibited contains a scene from " Arden
of Feversham," a play supposed by some critics to have been
written, at least in part, by Shakespeare. | Add. 2LS. 9956.]
Presented, in 1835, hi/ Mr. E. Moxon.
28. Robert Southey [b. 1774- d. 1843]. "The Curse of Ke-
hama " ; an early autograph copy of the j^oem, sent sheet by
sheet in letters to the poet's brother, Capt. T. Southey, R.N., in
the course of 1809. Many alterations were made in it before
its publication in 1810. [Add. MS. 36485.]
29. Sir Walter Scott | b. 1771 — d. 1832]. Autograph manu-
script of the novel of " Kenilworth," by Sir Walter Scott,
corrected for tlie press ; written between Sept. 1820 and Jan.
1821. [Eycrton MS. 1661. J Facsimile in Ser. iii. no. 27.
7 Autofirvpli Litrrary Works, ctr.
;>(>. Peiuy Bysshe Siif.llky [b. 17i>2 — d. 1S22]. Autograph
copy of his song, "Whoa the hiinp is shattered." [Add. MS.
07-232, f. 75. 1
81. John Kkats [b. 175»~)— d. 1S21]. Autograph manuscript of
*' IIyi>erion," with many alterations in the poet's own hand.
Written between Sept. 1817 and Aprih ISIS, and first printed
(with "Lamia'' and other poems) in 1S20. The MS. was
apparently given by Keats to Leigh Hunt, whose son, Thornton
Hunt, gave it about 1S(J2 to Miss Alice Bird, who enabled the
Museum to acquire it in 1904.
32. .ToH.v Keats. Note-book, containing autograph copies of
"The Pot of Basil," an Ode (" Souls of Poets dead and gone"),
and "The Eve of St. Mark," written 181S-19 and sent by the
poet to his brother George in America ; with transcripts. ai>pa-
rently by Mrs. George Keats, of "Saint Agnes' Eve" and
several of the shorter poems, evidently from early autograph
drafts. All the poems differ more or less from the printed
copies. "The Eve of Saint Mark," here exhibited, is obviously
the first draft of the poem, with corrections bringing it into
the form in which it was subsequently published by Lord
Houghton from a copy found among Keats' papers after his
death . [ Ju/erton JIS. 2 780. ]
33. Thomas Babington Macaulay, afterwards Lord Macaulat
I b. 1800— d. 1859]. Article on "'Warren Hastings'' contri-
buted to the Edinhimih lirckn- in April, 1839 ; the original MS.
as sent to press. The page exhibited contains part of the cele-
brated description of the scene in Westminster Hall at the
opening of the trial of Hastings. \^Add. MS. 34629, f. 175 b. )
34. Charlotte Broxtk | b. 1816— d. 1855]. "The Spell, an
Extravaganza. By Lord Charles Albert Florian Wellesley " ;
with other stories and fragments written in 1834-5, but never
published. In a feigned hand ; with signatures and dates in
her natural hand. [Add. 21S. 34255. ]
35. Walter Savage Laxdor | b. 1775 — d. 1864J. Autograph
Poems, etc., consisting mainly of the shorter pieces published
in his "Heroic Idyls" (1863). written, according to his custom,
on small scraps of paper. The page exhibited contains the
lines addressed to Chaucer. [-<4(/(/. MS. 35070.] Presented, in
1896, hj A. de A'oe Walker, Esq., M.B.
36. John Henry Newman, afterwards Cardinal [b. 1801 — d.
1890]. "The Dream of Gerontius": the actual copy sent to
the printers of the Month magazine, in which it first appeared,
with antof/raplt additions and corrections. On the j^age exhibited
the last three lines, together with the signature, are mtto'iraplt-
[186.5. J |YlrW. J/<S'.'33984.]
37. Alfred, Lord Tennyson [b. 1809 — d. 1892'. Epilogue to the
"Idylls of the King," addressed to the Queen ; first published
in 1872. miof/rapJi. [Add. MS. 35203. f. l. ] Presented, in
1898, b>/ Hallam, Lord Tennyson. Facsimile in Ser. iv. no. 28,
p. 70, no. 32.
il^u^ CL D oM uMT cia^ ^/ fccL
I
til ClA^ (-<^ i^^
i&-tvL wU^-cJ (niAJL
7
fi^t
1
ci'U
'.il
^CL(u^
irU
ItL
iUiAt^ ^d(Mi IcumJ^ ' <Mci
JOHN KEATS.
p. 70, no. 37.
'?n(^VH^
''^ vdft ru. %u H-'^ fz4^ y F^MA> cr^,
•^'w?t<A^ 2^ ^^;^^ s^iJk^ u/Mi^ /^^
^-^^ /t^ ^ /l^rt^ ^ ior^^vt^ t^<. LAUf Lu^U>
ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON.
Autograph Literary Works, etc. 71
38. George Eliot [pseudonym of Marian Evans, b. 1819 — d,
1880 j. "Adam IBede": the original MS., with dedication at
the beginning, '" To ray dear husband, George Henry Lewes, I
give this MS. of a work which would never have been written
but for the happiness which his love has conferred on my life.
Marian Lewes, March 28, 1859." A note is appended, stating
that the work was begun on the 22 Oct. 1857 and finished
on 16 Nov. 1858. "A large portion of it was written twice,
though often scarcely at all altered in the copying ; but other
parts only once." The page exhibited is from one of the
passages specified as having been written only once. [^Add.
3IS. o4;020.J Bequeathed bij the authoress. Facsimile in Ser. iv.
no. 27.
39. Herbert Spencer [b. 1820— d. 1904]. ''The Data of Ethics " ;
rough notes, and also the finished MS. 1879. [Add. MS. 36895.]
Bequeathed hj the authcn:
{FOJREIGN.)
40. Lionardo da Vinci [b. 1452 — d. 1519J. Book of observa-
tions and demonstrations, in Italian, on subjects chiefly of
mixed mathematics, being unconnected notes entered at diffei'-
ent times, beginning 22 March, 1508. Written in his own
hand from right to left in reversed letters. [Arundel 3IS.
263.]
41. Michelangelo Buonarroti fb. 1474 — d. 1564]. Autograph
draft of a poem [Madrigale lii., ed. Guasti I, in Italian, differing
from the five other forms in which it is known ; on a sheet
containing pencil drawings. [Add. MS. 21907, f. 1.]
42. Albert DiJRER [b. 1471 — d. 1528J. One of four volumes
of sketches, with rough drafts of portions of the text in German,
for various works on Art, especially on the Proportions of the
Human Body, Fortification, and Architecture. The pages
exhibited contain designs for roofs, with explanatory text, all
in Diirer's hand. [Sloane MS. 5229.]
43. ToRQUATo Tasso [b. 1544 — d. 1595]. The autograph manu-
script of his tragedy " Torismondo,'' with numerous cori'ections.
From the library of Cardinal Cibo. [Add. MS. 23778. J
44. Lope Felix de Vega Carpio [b. 1562— d. 1635]. Comedies,
in Spanislt, in the author's own hand, 1624-1628. The volume is
open at the end of the Third Act of " Sin secreto no ai Amor."
showing the poet's signature, and the licence for the piece to be
acted, dated, 13 Dec. 1626. [I'fjerton 3IS. 548.]
( '2 )
3IANUSCRIPTS.
In Cases A — F. ■vvliich occupy the middle of the room, is exhibited
a series of MSlS.. which, apart from tlie interest of their contents,
illustrate the progress of handwriting. Cases A and B contain
Greek M8S., from the 8rd century before Christ to the loth
century, when hand- written books were suj^erseded )ty the
invention of printing. The material on which Greek books
were written in classical times, and down to aliout the 4th
century after Christ, was papyrus, a material resembling jiaper,
made out of the stem of the papyrus plant, which grew in
Egypt. This was made into large rolls, on which literaiy
matter was written in columns, corresj^onding roughly in size
to the pages in modern books. Specimens of papyrus MSS.
are shown in Case A. For literary works the style of writing
was pi-operly that known as uncial, or capital letters seldom or
not at all attached to one another [see Xos. 1. o. 4. 5. 8, 9, 10, 33] ;
while for the ordinary purposes of every-day life a cursive or
running hand was employed, as at the present day [see Nos.
12— 32j. Occasionally a literaiy work was transcribed in a
cursive, or non-literary, hand [see No. 7'. but such coi>ies were
intended for private use, not for public circulation. About the
4th century vellum or parchment superseded papyrus as the
material commonly used for literary purposes, and the modern
book form, with pages, was adopted in place of the earlier roll
form. Manuscripts on papyrus are occasionally found in book
form ; but these belong only to the i)eriod of transition. For
private purposes papjaus continued in use much later, till
about the <Sth century. Case B contains Greek MSS. on vellum
and (from the 13th century onwards) on paper; the earlier
MSS. (from the 4th to the *.)th or 10th century) being written
in uncials (larger and heavier than on papyrus, and wholly
without ligatures), the later (from the 9tli to the loth century)
in minuscule or cursive hands. In Cases C and D are arranged
MSS., chiefly in Latin (Nos. 59-134), in which the development
of the writing of Western Europe can be followed from about
A. D. 000 to the end of the loth century. The earliest specimens
are written in uncial, or large, letters, which differ from ordinary
capitals chiefly in the rounded forms of A, D, E, H, M (a, h,
€. Vi, 00). To these succeed vaiuous specimens of national
handwritings in half-uncial, or mixed large and small, letters,
or minuscules, as practised in England, Ireland. France, Italy,
p. ".^, no. .^.
Z : t i
iili
Hi
III
: :
Ui5
; i= it - :
* X i_
BACCHYLIDES.
Greek Manuscripts. 73
and Spain, until in the 9th century the Caroline or Carolingian
form of minuscule writing, which developed in the French
schools established under the rule of Charlemagne, gradually
superseded them, and became the common hand of Western
Europe. Case C illustrates the development of writing up to
the complete establishment of the Caroline hand in the 10th
century. In Case D are shown (1) typical hands of the great
English monasteries (notably St. Alban's. and Christ Church
and St, Augustine's, Canterbury) in the 12th and 13th centuries,
together with two Irish MSS. of the 12th centurj' and two
Enghsh MSS. of the 15th century ; (2) MSS. written in France
from the 13th to the 15th century, each rej^resentative of an
important class of literature in that country ; (3) classical MSS.
written in Italy in the lith and 15th centuries, in hands
modelled on the Caroline hands of the 10th century, and
themselves providing the models from which our modern printed
types ai-e derived. Case E contains Anglo-Saxon and English
MSS. (Nos. 135-161) from a.d. 1000 to the 15th century,
written in Saxon characters and the succeeding forms of English
writing, and illustrating the progress of English literature from
its origin to the period of Chaucer and his successors. In the
octagonal Case F in the centre are Chronicles of England down
to the 15th century, which similarly illustrate the development
of English history, before the age of printing.
I.— GREEK MSS.
Case A. — Papyri.
1. Plato : portions of the Phacdo. The oldest classical Greek
manuscript in existence is that of the Persae of Timotheus (at
Berlin), which probably belongs to the end of the 4th century
B. c. Next (except for some small fragments) comes the present
MS., written in the 3rd century b. c. in a small uncial hand.
Discovered in the cartonnage of a mummy-case, composed of
fragments of papyrus covered with plaster. [Pcquji-us 458.]
Presented, in 1895, bij II. Marf//n Kennard, Ksq.
2. Hyperides, Oration against Philippides. Tlie onli/ extant manu-
script of the oration, but very imperfect, only the concluding
jDortion of it being preserved. Brought from Egypt in 1890.
Written in a delicate semi-uncial hand, i)ro1)abl3' in the 1st
century B.C., with exceptionally narrow columns, leaning some-
what to the right. [Pajh 134.]
3. Bacchylides, Triumphal Odes and Dithyrambs. The onhj
extant manuscript of the poet, brought from Egypt in 1896.
Written in a fine uncial hand, probably in the Ist centiuy B.C.
Twenty poems are jireserved, whole or in part, of which six are
contained in the portion here exhibited, which is the longest
71 Greek Ma tiiisirii>ts.
continuous part of the papyrus roll in its present mutilated con-
ilition. The subjects aro "The Sons of Antenor," "Heracles,"
*' Theseus and l\Iinos." "Theseus at Athens," "Ic»,"und "Idas."
\rap. ~:V.\.\
4. IIoMKu's Ii.iad: fragments of books xxiii. and xxiv. Found
in Eiryj^t. Tlie I\IS. when complete was a roll of about 20 ft.
in loni;th, containing \'-\ or 44 columns. The critical marks of
Aristarchus have l)oen added in some cases, and a few scholia.
The part exhibited contains II. xxiv., 11. 1(54-248. Written in
a fine, square uncial hand, probabl}' in the 1st century b. c.
\rap. 1-28.]
o. Homer's Odyssey, book iii., 11. 283-497. The earliest extant
JfS. of anil portion of (he 2^oein. Found in Egypt. Carefully
written in a graceful imcial hand, early in the 1st century ;
with scholia in a small cursive hand, added about the end of
that century. | Pap. 270. |
0. IIvPEKiDEs: fragments of a roll (about 28 feet long when
complete) containing the orations against Demosthenes and in
defence of Lycophron and of Euxenippus. TJie onJji extant MS.
of these orations. Found in a tomb at Gournou in the district
of Western Thebes in Egypt, in 1847. Written in graceful
rounded uncials, probably towards the end of the 1st century.
{Pa}). 108. j
7. Aki.stotle ox the Constitutiox of Athens. The onh/ extant
MS. of the icorl; brought from Egypt in 1890. Written about
A. D. 100 in four rolls, in four different hands, on the back of
papyrus which had already been used [in a.d. 78-79J for the
accompts of a farm-bailiff named Didymus, near Hermopolis.
The portion exhibited is the latter part of the first roll, written
in a small cursive (/. c. running) hand with abbreviations.
[Pap. 131 verso. \
8. The Mimes of Herodas : Y>avt of an incomplete roll, about
15 ft. in length, containing seven poems, with small portions
of at least two more. The onli/ extant MS. of this author, brought
from Egypt in 1890. The jmrt exhibited contains the dramatic
sketch (in choliambic verse) entitled "The Schoolmaster,"
describing the flogging of a scapegrace boy. Written in a
small, clear uncial hand, in the 1st or 2nd century. [Paj). 135. |
9. Homer's Iliad : portions of books xiii. and xiv. Found in
Egypt. The 3IS. when complete was a roll of about 16 ft. in
length, containing 36 columns. The part exhibited contains
//. xiii., 11. 187-301. Written in a firm, well-formed uncial
hand of medium size, in the 1st or 2nd century. [Pap. 732. J
10. Sai'I'Ho: five stanzas of Sapphic verse, being a portion of an
otherwise unknown ode, addressed to her brother, Charaxus.
Written in a slojung uncial hand of medium size ; the letter
Digamma is written in 1. 6. 3rd cent. [Pa})- 739. J Presented,
in 1900, b)j the F^gijpt Exploration Fund.
11. Psalter: fragment, containing Ps. xii. 7-xv. 4. One of the
Greek Manuscrvpti^. 75
earliest MSS. of any portion of the Bible at present hioini to he in
existence. Found in Egypt in 1892. Written stichonietrically ;
and a second hand has marked oft' the syllables by a dot over
the end of each, probably for the purpose of reading or singing
in school. Written in a well-formed uncial hand. Late ord or
early -tth century. yPap. 2oO.J
12. Will of Aphrodisius of Heraclea, a resident in Crocodilopolis
[ArsinoeJ in Egypt. Written in a fine semi-cursive hand.
B.C. 226-5. Found (like no. 1) in the cartonnage of a mummy-
case. [Fap. 493.]
13. Petition addressed to Ptolemy [Euergetes I.] by ;i soldier, com-
plaining of an assault upon him by a person named Cephalon.
Written in a very cursive hand. b. c. 222. [Poj;. 106.J
14. Taxing account, from the village of Ptolemaidis Hormus in
the Fayum. Written in a clear semi-cursive hand. 3rd cent. b. c.
[Pap. 577. 1
15. Letter from Ammonius, a Treasury clerk in the district of
Oxyrhynchus, to Phaies, the Oeconomus, or principal revenue
official of the district, reporting that he has been suddenly
arrested and put in prison. 3rd cent. b. c. [Pap. 528. J
1(5. Petition from Ptolemy the Macedonian, a recluse in the
Temple of Serapis at Memphis, to the .strategus Dionysius,
comi)laining of an assault made upon him by several of the
Egyptian attendants in the temple, who disliked him because
he was a Greek. Written in slightly cursive uncials, b. c. 161.
\Pap. 44.]
17. Loan of 35 artabas of wheat from Apollonia, wife of Druton,
to Apollonius and his wife Herais, to be rei:»aid without interest
after the next harvest. Written in a small, regular cursive
hand. b.c. 132. [Pap. (SVi.]
18. Loan of six measures of wine from Petearsemtheus to Psem-
menches, without interest. From the Pathj'rite nonie in Upper
Egypt. Written in a rather thick cursive hand. B.C. 106-5,
[Pap. 658,] Presented, in 1896, hi/ E. It. Bevan, Esq.
19. Annual return, of the nature of a census-paper, addressed by
Pnepheros, an agricultural labourer, to Apollonius, the village
secretary ; written in a small cursive hand, with abbreviations.
28 Jan., b.c. 19. [Pap. 646. J
20. Petition addressed to Gains Tyrrhanius, Prefect of Egypt, by
Satabous, an agricultural labourer, and his son, for redress of
an injury done to them, and release from unjust imprisonment.
Written very carefully, in a handsome uncial hand. About
B.C. 10. [Pajh 354.]
21. Petition addressed to Gains Vitrasius Pollio, Prefect of Egypt,
by Versenuphis for assistance to recover property left to him
and his brothers by their fathei-, which had been seized by their
elder married sister. Written in a large, clear uncial hand,
a,d, 40-41, \Pa2). 177,]
22. Keceipt given by Chaeremon to thiee tenants of his land, for
76 (irceic Mdnuscripts.
a portion of the produce of the land, paid to him as rent.
Written in a. stron<:;ly-niark(Hl semi-cursive liand. i'."> Aug.,
A.n. -IS. ( ;>„;,. l:]Ort.|
-'■I. Tmrkk C'kktifuatks granted to natives of tlie village of
SocMiopaei Nesus (in the Fnyum), of having performed the
statutory five days' labour <»n the embankments. Written in
a very small lursive hand, with the signature of Dionysius. the
othcial granting the certificate, in large, rather rough uncials.
•J Aug. A. P. 41>. |7'(/;). 1(')5. |
-i. Kecori) of sale by Didymus, also named Diodorus, and Diodora
his wife, to Micealus, son of Ptolemy, of some olive-yards near
tlie village of Karanis. Dated at Ptolema'is Euergetis in the
nome of Arsinoe [the FayumJ. 3 June, a.d. 88. Written in a
large, carefully-formed uncial hand, with cursive sujierscription.
{Tap. 141. J
-•"). Keceipt given by Cephalas to Tapontos, natives of Karanis,
for the sum of 100 drachmas, i)aid as an instalment of the
jnirchase money of some land. Written in a small cursive
hand, bearing some resemblance to that of the Aristotle [Xo. 7].
•2 March, a. d 97. \I>ap. 143. ]
-G. Receipt given by Dioscorus. a resident in the street of the
Goose-pens in Heracleia. to Stotoetis. a native of Socnopaei
Nesus. for the sum of 148 drachmas, the price of an ass.
Written by the scribe Alcimus, in a veiy cursive hand. 10 Aug.
_A.P. 142. [Pap. 303.]
-7. Receipt given by Claudianus to Didymus and others for the
repaj^ment of a debt of 1124 drachmas. Written in a ciamped
cursive hand. 10 Sept. a.d. 166. \Fap. 332. J
28. AxxuAL RETURN by the priests of the god Socnopaeus [the
crocodile-god ] and the gods who share his temple, i>robably
for the 2)urpose of taxation. Imperfect : written in a large
and clearly defined semi-cursive hand. 23 Aug.. a.u. 221.
\Fap. 353.1
29. Receipt given l)y Petechon to Aurelia Senosiris, natives of
the village of Cusis in the Great Oasis, for the repayment of a
loan of 1000 drachmas, with interest. Written in a small,
rather thick, cursive hand. 7 Oct. a.d. 265. [Pap. 709. J
30. Letter from Flavius Macarius. steward of the imperial estates
in Egyi>t, to Abiimaeus, officer in command of a body of auxiliary
troops in the camp of Dionysias (in the Fuyum), requiring him
to furnish soldiers to assist in the collection of the imperial dues.
Written in a large semi-cursive hand. About a. d. 350.
\Pa2). 234. J
31. Letter from Victox", serving in tlie state galley of the governor
of the Thebaid. to four other persons, complaining that they
have comjjelled a certain Senuthes to undertake a puldic duty
to which he is not liable, instead of serving in the galley, to
which he is liable by hereditary custom. Written in a large
cursive hand. About a. d. 400. [ Pap. 722.]
Greek Manuscripts. 77
32. Acknowledgment, addressed to Flavins Apion, through his
steward Menas. by Aurelius Souerous. of the receipt of an
agricultural machine, for which he had ajiplied. Written in
a large, upright, cursive hand, with sloj^ing subscription.
13 Sept., A.D. 552. [Pap. 776.] Presented, in 1900, h// the
Egjjpt Exploration Fund.
33. Festal Letter from a Patriarch of Alexandria to his clergy,
informing them of the date of Easter for the current year
[25 April] ; the information being accompanied by a theological
disquisition and aspirations for the peace and unity of the
Church. Imperfect, only the conclusion Ijeing jn-eserved.
Written in a large and handsome uncial hand of Coptic type.
Probably a.d. 577. [Pap. 729.]
34. Official Letter from Said Kurrah il)n Sarih. Governor of
Egypt, to Basilius, administrator of the village of Ai^hrodito-
polis, requiring him to furnish a boat for the conveyance of
sailors and Avorkmen. Written in a neat minuscule hand.
30 Jan., A.D. 710. [Pap. 1348.]
[For a large Greek papyriis, of the 6th century, and for ^-iiecimens of
Latin iiapyri, see pp. 113, 114.]
Case B. — Wax, Vellum, and Pap>er 3ISS.
35. Wax Tablet (such as the ancients used for note-books, letters,
etc.), containing two lines of iaml:)ic verse, probabl}^ from
Menander, written first by a schoolmaster in large capital
letters and copied twice hj a pupil. Probably 2nd cent.
[Add. 3IS. 34186.]
36. Demosthenes : two leaves of the oration De Falsa Legationc.
Written on vellum in double columns in a small uncial hand,
resembling that found in some papyri. Probably the earliest
extant vellum MS., dating from a time when vellum was re-
garded as inferior to papyrus. 2nd cent.(?) [Add. IIS.
34473 (1).]
37. Greek-Latin Glossary. Written in uncials in the 7th cen-
tury, in the West of Europe, being copied from a mutilated
original. Vellum, | Hark// MS. 5792,]
38. Hymns used in the services of the Greek Church : fragments.
Written in sloping uncials, in the 8th centur}^ Vellum. [Add.
MS. 26113.]
39. Evangeliarium, or lessons from the Gospels for services
throughout the year. Written in sloping uncials of Sclavonic
type, in the 9th or 10th century. Vellum. [HarIc//MS. 5787. |
40. Byzantine Chronicles, of Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constanti-
nople [806-815, d. 828], etc. Written in minuscules, late in
the 9th century. Vellum. [Add. MS. 19390.]
41. The Four Gospels. Written in finely-formed minuscules in
the 9th or 10th century. Vellum. [Add. 3IS. 11300.]
78 Greeh' MdiiUficripls.
42. ScAi.A P.vij.vnisi, by St. John Climacus, Abbot of Mount Sinai.
Written in niinnscnlos. in Iho loth otMituiv. Volhnii. \Ad(J.
J/N. ITJTl.i
40. WoKKs OK LriiAN of S;nnosat:v. WrittcMi in line ininuseuh^s
I by Biuuios. notarvofArotii.'is. archbishop of Ciosarea, about a.d.
\n'4]. Volhim. 1 //(/;■/(■// J/N. r)C,94. !
41. Tin: Books or JrDciKs and Krxii in the Septuagint version,
\vith i>art of the last chapter of Joshua. Written in elegant
niinuscidos. in tlie l<>th century. Velhnn. [Add. J/,S'. 20002. |
4"). EvANtiELiAinrM. Written in hirgo and i-atlier widely sjiaced
minuscules by Tiieophanos, a monk of the Iberian monastery on
Mt. Athos. in 1008. Vellum. \Add. MS. 36751. |
4(>. Thucydides : with the commentary of Marcellinus. Written
in minuscules, in the llth century. Vellum. [Add. MS.
1 1 727. !
47. The Four Gospels. Written in minuscules by the priest
Synesius. in December, 1033. Vellum. {Add. 3IS. 17470.)
48. Psalter and Canticles, etc., with miniatures. Written in
minuscules, about 1090. Vellum. [Add. MS. 3G928. |
40. Psalter, in Greel; Latin, and Arabic, in parallel columns.
Written in minuscules, before a.d. 1153. Vellum. {Jlarley MS.
578G. !
50. The Foir Gospels. Written in minuscules, in the earlier
half of the 12th century. Vellum. \E(/crt(m MS. 2(510.]
51. Florilegium of sacred and profane authors. Written in
minuscules by the ]>riest Christopher, who completed his work
14 Sept. 1198. Vellum. [Add. 3IS. 36753.]
52. Homer's Iliad, with copious marginal scholia ; commonly
known as the ''Townley Ilomer."' Written in minuscules, in
the 13th century. Vellum. [Biirnc// MS. 86.]
53. Commentary on the Psalms, by Euthymius Zigabenus.
Written in minuscules, with many abbreviations, by the monk
Maximus. in July, 1281. Pai>er. [JIarlnj MS. 5575. |
54. The Orations of Andocides. Isaeus, Dinarchus. Antiphon,
LvcuRGUS, etc. Written in minuscules, in the 13th century.
Vellum. \Burnej) MS. 95. ]
55. The Four Gospels. Wiitten in minuscules, a.d. 1314-15.
Vellum. [Add. MS. 37002. |
56. Lexicon of Suidas. Written in minuscules, by Georgius
Ba-ophorus, a.d. 1402. Paper. \Add. 3IS. 11892. |
57. Homer's Iliad. Wi'itten in minuscules by a scribe named
Christopher, in Italy, A.D. 1431. Vellum. \Kin(/'s MS. 16.]
58. Homer's Odyssey. Written in minuscules, by the priest
Johannes Rhosus, of Crete, a.d. 1479. Vellum. \JIarloj MS.
5658. J
( /9 )
11. —LATIN AND OTHER MSS.
Case C.
59. History of Paulus Okosius ; fragments. Latin. Taken
from the linings of the covers of a volume in the library of St.
Eemacle at Stabloo. or Stavelot, in Belgium. Written in uncials,
late in the 7th century. Vellum. {Add. MS. 24144. j
CO. Theological Tracts ; with a Life of St. Furseus. Latin.
Written in France, in uncials, in the 7th century ; the Life of
St. Furseus having been added in minuscules in the 9th century.
Vellum. [Harle/f 3IS. 5041. ]
61. Origen's Homilies on the Book of Numbers, in the Ljatin ver-
sion of Rufinus. Belonged to the Abbey of Corljie, in France.
Written in uncials, late in the 7th century. Velhim. [Burneif
MS. 340.]
62. The Four Gospels, in the Ljatin vulgate version. Written in
uncials, probably in France, in the 8th or 9th century, for an
abbot named Atto. Afterwards in the monastery of St. Peter
at Benevento. Vellum. \Add. MS. 5463.]
63. Psalter, in St. Jerome's earlier, or Roman, version. Avith
Canticles, Hymns, etc. Written in England, in uncials, in the
Sth century. An Anglo-Saxon translation has been added
between the lines, in minuscules, in the 9th century. This is
the earliest extant version of the Psalms in English. Formerly
belonged to St. Augustine's, Canterbury. Vellum. [Cotton
MS. Vespasian A. i.]
64. Bede's Ecclesiastical History. Ljatin. Partially injured by
fire in 1731. Written in England, in pointed minuscules, in the
Sth centuiy. Vellum. [Cotton MS. Tiberius C. ii.]
65. The Four Gospels, in the Latin vulgate version. From the
monastery of St. Augustine at Canterbury. Written in half-
uncials of English type, late in the 8th centurv. Vellum.
\Roual MS. 1 E. vi.]
66. Liber Vit-e, or lists of the names of benefactors of the church
of St. Cuthbert at Lindisfarne, afterwards removed to Durham ;
together with the names of those who were entitled to the
prayers of the monks by the ties of confraternity, etc. Latin.
Written in half-uncials, in gold and silver, about a.d. 840.
Vellum. [Cotton MS. Domitian vii. 1
67. Lessons and Prayers. Latin. Formerly at Winchester.
Written in round minuscules, in England, in the 8th centurJ^
Vellum. [Harle// MS 2965.]
68. Lessons, Prayers and Hymns. Ljatin. Written in round
minuscules, in England, in the 8th century. Vellum. [Jloijal
MS. 2 A. XX. J
HO Ltd ill ((ml other Manuscripts.
(V.K Litany niul Prayers. f.athi. Written in round miniisciilos,
l>robal)lv in Ireland, in tlie Stii or 9th century. Vellum. [Ilarlcy
MS. 70."); J. 1
7(t. The Satikntial Books (Proverbs — Ecclesiasticus). Latin.
Two MSS., the second (containing Wisdom and the hefiinning
of Ecclesiasticus) being inserted to fill a gap in the first. Written
in England, early in the 0th century ; the first MS. in small
printed minuscules, the second in rounded minuscules mixed
with uncials. Velhun. | 7v/eWo» J/<S'. 104G. |
71. Beka. ^lartyrology, with lists of kings, bishops, etc. Latin.
Written in England, between 811 and 814, in pointed minus-
cules of the Mercian tyj^e. Vellum. [Cotton MS. Vespasian
B. vi.]
72. Treatises of St. Jerome and St. Cyprian : with tracts on the
paschal cycle, etc. Latin. Written in minuscules, in England,
in the 0th centur}'. Vellum, [('otton 318. Caligula A. xv.J
73. Commentary of Theodore, Bishop of Mopsuestia, on the
Pauline Epistles. LMtin. Written in Italy, in Lombardic
minuscules, in the 0th century. Vellum. [Ilarlci/ MS. 3063. J
74. St. Gregory'*s '"Moralia," or commentary on the Book of Job.
Latin. Written in France, in Merovingian minuscules, in the
7th century. Vellum. [Add. MS. 11878.]
75. St. Gregory's " Moralia," or commentary on the Book of Job,
LMtin. Written in France, in Merovingian minuscules, in the
Sth century. Vellum. [Add. MS. SlOSl.]
76. Orationale Gothicum : containing prayers for the services in
the early Mozarabic Liturgy. LMtin. From the monasteiy of
S. Domingo de Silos, near Bm-gos, in Spain. Written in Visi-
gothic minuscules, in Spain, in the 0th century. Vellum. [Add.
MS. 30852. ]
77. Lives and Passions of Saints ; with large ornamental initials.
LMtin. Written in Visigothic minuscules by the deacon Gomes,
at the order of Damian, abbot of the monastery of S. Pedro de
Cardeiia, in the diocese of Burgos, in Spain, a.d. 010, Vellum.
[Add. MS. 25600.]
78. Theological Tracts and excerpts. LMtin. Written in minus-
cules, apparently in France, in the 8th century. Vellum.
[ Cotton MS. Nero A. ii. I
70. St. .Jerome, Commentary on Isaiah. LMtin. Written in
France in minuscules of a style intermediate between Merovin-
gian and Caroline, about the end of the 8th century ; and
completed in an English hand of the same date. Belonged to
the church of St. Martin at Tours, of which the English Alcuin
became abbot in 706. Vellum. [LAjcrton MS. 2831,]
80. The Four Gospels, in the LMtin vulgate version. From the
monastery of St, Genevieve in Paris. Written in gold Caroline
minuscules, in the latter part of the 0th century. Vellum,
[Harleij MS. 2707,]
81. The Four Gospels, in the Latin vulgate version. From the
Latin and other Manuscripts. 81
abbey of St. Martin of Tours. Written in Caroline minuscules,
late in the 9th century. Vellum. \Egerton MS. 609. |
82. The Four Gospels, in the Latin vulgate version. From the
monastery of Eller, near Cochem, on the Mosel, Written in
small Caroline minuscules, in the 9th or 10th century. Vellum.
[Harleij MS. 2826.]
83. The Four Gospels, in the Latin vulgate version. Written in
Caroline minuscules, in red ink, in the 9th or 10th century.
Vellum. [Harleij MS. 2795. ]
84. The Four Gospels, in the Latin vulgate version. From St.
Petroc's Priory at Bodmin, in Cornwall. Written in Caroline
minuscules, early in the 10th century. On the margins and
blank leaves were entered, from time to time, records of the
liberation of serfs publicly made at the altar of St. Petroc.
Vellum. [Add. 3IS. 9381.]
85. Psalter, in Tironian Notes, the shorthand characters invented
by Marcus Tullius Tiro, the freedman of Cicero. Latin. From
the abbey of St. Kemy, at Reims. Written early in the 10th
century. Vellum. [Add. MS. 9046.]
86. Lexicon Tironianum : or explanations of the Tironian Notes,
the shorthand characters invented by Marcus Tullius Tiro,
freedman of Cicero. Latin. Written, probably in France, early
in the 10th century. Vellum. [Add. MS. 21164.]
87. Cicero's ''Aratea"; with drawings of the constellations filled
in with explanations of the figures taken from the '' Poeticon
Astronomicon " of Hyginus. Written in Caroline minuscules,
the extracts from Hyginus being in rustic capitals, in the 9th or
10th century. Vellum. [Harlefj MS U7.\
88. ViTRUvius " de Architectura." From the abbey of St. Panta-
leon at Cologne. Written in Caroline minuscules, late in the 9th
century. Vellum. [Harleij MS. 2767.]
89. Juvenal's Satires. Written in Caroline minuscules, early in
the 10th century. Vellum. [Add. MS. 15600.]
90. Horace's Poems ; with glosses and scholia. Written in Caro-
line minuscules, early in the 10th century. Vellum. [Harleij
MS. 2725.]
91. The Bible, in the ia^m vulgate version ; with miniatures and
initials. Written for the monastery of St. Mary de Parco, near
Louvain, a.d. 1148. Vellum. [Add. MS. 14790.]
92. The Bible, in the L.atin vulgate version ; with miniatures and
illuminated initials. Written for the abbey of Floreffe near
Namur, in Belgium, about a.d. 1160. Vellum. [Add. MS. 17738.]
93. Origen's Homilies in the Latin version of Kufinus and
Jerome ; with coloured initials. Written in the monastery of
St. Mary at Cambron, in the diocese of Cambray, Belgium,
A.D. 1163. Vellum. [Add. MS. 15307.]
94. The Bible, in the Latin vulgate version ; with illuminated
initials. Written in England (?), in the 13th century. Vellum.
[Add. MS. 15253.]
G
82 Latiii find dtlirr Manuscrlj^ts.
At the two ends of tlio Case : —
1>'>. Cicero '"De Oratore." Written in France, in the 10th century.
Velhim. \]Iarle!fMS.27:W.\
0(>. O.icsak's Commentaries " de boHo Gallico." Written in France,
in the 1 1th century. VeHum. \Add. 3[S. 100S4. |
97. Rule of St. Benedict. jAifin. Written in the monastery of
St. Gilles, in the diocese of Nimes, in the south of France,
A. D. 11 29. Vellum. [ Add MS. 1 0979. j
98. The Book of Leviticus and the Gospel of St. John, with
commentary and glosses, in Latin. Written in the Abbey of
St. Mary of Buildwas, in Shropshire, a. d. 1170. Vellum.
[Harleij 3fS. 3038.]
In the lower compartments of the Case : —
99. The Bible, in the Latin vulgate version. Written probably
in the north of France, in the 11th century. Vellum. \Jioyal
MS. 1 E. viii.]
100. The Bible, in the Latin vulgate version. Written by
Goderannus and Ernestus, monks of the abbey of St. Remade
at Stabloo or Stavelot, in Belgium, and illuminated and bound
within the four years 1093-1097. Vellum. Two volumes, of
which the first is here exhibited. [Add. 3IS. 2810(5. \
101. Homilies of St. Ambrose, St. Gregory, etc., and lessons from
the Gospels and Epistles ; with coloured initials. iMtin. Written
in Italy, early in the 12th century. Vellum. [Harley MS.
7183.]
102. The Bible, in the Latin vulgate version ; with illuminated
initials. From the monastery of St. Mary at Worms, in
Germany. Written in the 12th century. Vellum. [Harley
3IS. 2803.]
103. Geatian's "Decretorum discordantium Concordia"; with
commentary. With miniatures and illuminated initials. Written
in Italy, in the 14th century. Vellum. [Add. MS. 15275.]
104. Gradual, or musical services for the Mass ; with illuminated
initials. Latin. Written in Italy, about a. d. 1400. Vellum.
[Add. 3LS. 181G1.]
105. Early English Poems and prose treatises ; with illuminated
initials and borders. Written about a. d. 1380-1400. Vellum.
[Add. 3IS. 22283.]
108. "CiiRONiQUEs d'Angleterre "' : chronicle of the history of
England, by Jehan de Wavrin ; the third volume, containing
the history of the years 1377-1387. With illustrations and
illuminated initials and borders. Written and illuminated for
the use of King Edward IV., probably at Bruges, in Belgium,
about A.D. 1480. Vellum. [Royal MS. 14 E. iv. |
107. "Chroniques de St. Denys": chronicle of the history of
France, carried down to a. d. 1401. With illustrations and
illuminated initials and borders. Written in the latter part of
the 15th century. Vellum. [Royal MS. 20 E. 1.]
Latin and other Manuscripts. 83
108. St. Augustine's Commentaiy on the Psalms; with illumi-
nated initials and borders. Latin. Written in Italy for Ferdi-
nand of Aragon, King of Naples, a.d. 1480, Vellum. [^Add.
2IS. 14779.]
Case D.
109. The Four Gospels, in the Latin vulgate version ; with
coloured initials, of interlaced designs. Written by Ma?lbrigt
hua Maeluanaigh, at Armagh in Ireland, a. d, 1138. Vellum,
[Harley MS. 1802,]
110. Psalter and Canticles, in Latin, of St, Jerome's Gallican
version. Written in a fine Irish hand, with elaborate inter-
laced initials, in the 12th or 13th century. Vellum, \^Add.
MS. 36929. J
111. Breviary, of English use. Latin. Written at St. Alban's,
in a neat rounded hand, late in the 12th century. Vellum.
[Royal MS. 2 A. x.]
112. Coronation Service, in LMtin. Written at Christ Church,
Canterbury, in the characteristic hand of that monastery, in
the 12th century. Vellum, [Cotton 3IS. Claudius A, iii,]
113. Life of St. Augustine of Canterbury, etc. Latin. Written
at St. Augustine's, Canterbury, in a characteristic rounded hand,
early in the 12th century. Vellum. [Cotton MS. Vespasian
B. XX.]
114. Bed A, Commentary on Ezra, in Latin. Written at the abbey
of St. Maxy of Cirencester by Fulco, afterwards prior, between
1147 and 1176. Vellum. [Royal MS. 3 A. xii.]
115. St. Augustine, " De Trinitate," in Latin. Written at
Eochester Priory, by the precentor Humphrey, in the 12th cen-
tury. Vellum. [Royal 3IS. ^ B. lY.]
116. Herbal, compiled from Dioscorides, etc. ; with coloured
illustrations of plants. Ljafin. Written in England, early in
the 13th century. Vellum. [Sloane 3IS. 1975.]
117. Bestiary, or treatise on the nature of beasts, birds, and
fishes, with coloured illustrations. L^atin. Written in England,
early in the 13th century. Vellum. [Harley MS. 3244.]
118. The Bible, in the LMtin vulgate version. Written, probably
in England, in the minute hand characteristic of Bibles and
theological works written in northern France and England in
the 13th century, with finely illuminated initials. Vellum.
[Add. MS. 15452,]
119. The Minor Prophets and the book of Job, in the L^atin
vulgate version, with marginal commentary. A fine example
of this class of book, written probably at Christ Church, Canter-
bury, towards the end of the 13th century. Belonged subse-
quently to Worcester Cathedral. Vellum, [Royal 3TS. 2 E, xi,]
120. Robert of Avebury, Chronicle of the reign of Edward III.,
to the year 1356. in Latin. Written in England, in a small
hand founded on the charter-hand of the time, at the beginning
of the 15th century. Vellum, [Harley MS. 200,]
G 2
81 Loi'i a Olid other ^fanuscriJ)ts.
121. Mkdicai, Thkatisf.s. by Juhn Anlorne and others : witli
marginal illustrations. I.atiti and Knqlish. Written in Eng-
land, early in the ir)th century. Vellum. [Add. MS. L'DJiOl. |
X'l'l. Chuiuh Oi'FU i;s for the use of the Dominican Order, in
J.atiii. Written in France between 1200 and 1275. in a very
neat, small hand (characteristic of Bibles and theological works
of this period), with musical notes and graceful decorative
initials. Vellum. [Add. MS. 2;i985. |
12.). Roman de Troie. by Benoit de Sainte-More : one of the most
popular verse romances of the Middle Ages, composed about
lit)."), on the basis of the Latin jv.-ose romanced of Dares
Phrygius and Dictys Cretensis. The story of Troilus and
Cressida is derived from this poem. Written in France about
1300. Vellum. \ Harle>i 3LS. US2.]
124. EoMAN DE LA RosE ; another extremely popular romance, of
an allegorical character, begun about 1237 by Guillaume de
Lorris. and continued about 1278 by Jean de Meung. French.
The English Jiomaiint of the Hose, part of which is attributed to
Chaucer, is a translation of this poem. Written in France, in
the 14th century. Vellum. [Egerton 3IS. H81.\
1 25. Legexda Aurea, or legends of saints, by Jaco)>us de Voragine.
iMtin. Written at Paris, and completed on the 5th .July, 1312.
Vellum. [Add. MS. 11882.]
12(3. Le Livre dou Tresor, a French translation of an encyclo-
paedic treatise by Brunetto Latini, the master of Dante : with
illuminated initials. Written in the south of France, in the
14th century. Vellum. [Add. MS. 30025.]
127. Po.ntifical, written for a French bishop, whose anus have
been obliterated by a subsequent owner, bishop of Paris in
1502-1519; with miniatures representing various episcopal
functions. JmHu. Written in a chai-acteristic French hand of
the 15th century, of which several examples may be seen in
the chronicles exhibited in the Grenville Library, \'elluni.
[Efjciion 3IS. 1067.]
128. MARTYROLOfiv, founded on Usuardus. etc. Latin. Probably
belonged to the church of St. Bartholomew at Benevento.
Written in Italy, in Lombardic minuscules, in the 13th cen-
tury. Vellum. [Add. 3IS.-2:i77ix\
129. LucAN, " Pharsalia " ; with illuminated initials. Written
at Ferrara in Italy by Jacobus Juliani de Portiolo, for Feltrino
Boiardo of Reggio, in 1378. Vellum. [Add. MS. 11990.]
130. Valerius Maximus, '' De Romanorum exterorumque factis et
dictis memorabilibus '" : with coloured initials. Written in
Italy by Filipinus de Gandinonibus. in 1412 ; and sold by him
to Bertolino de' Medici in 1440. for ten ducats. A'ellum. [Add.
MS. 14095.]
131. Virgil, Bucolics, Georgics, and ^]neid : with fine illuminated
initials. Written in Italy, in the 15th century. Vellum. [Add.
MS. 14815.]
Latin and other Manuscripts. 85
«
132. Lucretius, "De Rerum Natura"; with illuminated initials.
Written in Italy by Joannes Rainaldus Mennius, in the 15th
century. Vellum. [Add. JIS. 11912. J
133. QuiNTiLiAN, '■ Institutiones Oratoriae " ; with illuminated
initials. Written in Italy, in a very small minuscule hand, by
Franciscus Patricius for Franciscus Tranchedinus, and finished
on March 27. 1467. Vellum. [Add. MS. 11671.]
134. Virgil, Bucolics, Georgics, and JEneid. Written in Italy,
in '"italic" hand, in the 15th century. Vellum. [Add. MS.
11355.]
( Sfi )
III.— ENGLISH MSS.
Case E.
135, Beoavui.k: Epic poems in Anglo-Saxon. The unique manu-
script of the oldest poem in the English language. Written in
England, al.out a. d. 1000. Vellum. \CottonMS. Vitellius A.
XV. I
loG. The Anolo-Saxox Chroxicle. from the Invasion of Julius
Caesar to a. d. 100(5. Written in the same hand to a. d. 1040.
and afterwards in various hands, ^'ellum. [ Cotton il/.V. Tiberius
B.i.]
137. Lives of St. Katharine, St. Margaret, and St. Julian, with
verses on the Passion of Christ, etc. Written in the first half
of the 13th century. Vellum. [7iV/rt? il/.S'. 17 A. xxvii. |
138. The "Ancren Eiwle '" [Eule for AnchoressesJ. Homilies,
Lives of Saints, etc. Written in the first half of the 13th
century. Vellum. [Cotton il/.V. Titus D. xviii. ]
139. The Creed, Lord's Prayer, etc.. followed by a Bestiary, in
Enr/Ush verse : with other pieces, in Latin, English, and French.
Written in England in the 13th century. \'ellum. [Arundel
MS. 292.]
140. Layamox's Brut, a verse chronicle of legendary British
history from the time of the Trojan Brutiis, composed by
a priest named Layamon. in Worcestershire, about 1205, on
the basis of the similar Norman- French poem by Wace. The
first English metrical romance after Beowulf, and the first sign
of the revival of English literature after the Norman Conquest.
13th century. Vellum. [Cotton JIS. Caligula A. ix. j
141. Lives of Saixts, in verse ; the oldest MS. of the complete
collection, which followed the Church calendar for the whole
year. Written about 1300, in the south of England. The
pages shown contain the legend of St. Brandan. Vellum.
[Harleg 31 S. 2277.]
142. '"KixG HoRX,"' a narrative poem in rhyming couplets,
founded upon an early English legend. The MS. contains
many other narrative poems and songs, in French and English,
including a prophecy by Thomas of Erceldoune in which is an
allusion to the battle of Bannockburn [1314J, and was probably
written soon after that date. Vellum. [HurJey MS. 2253. J
143. Psalter, with Canticles, etc., in Latin and English, verse by
verse ; the English version (formerly attriljuted to William de
Schorham) is in the dialect of the West Midlands. Written in
the middle of the 14th century. Vellum. [Aihl. MS. 17370.]
p. S6, no 135
^ujjan yvlhyief vul^&i'b V^pif t^m; )^e:
inr7v|uf pif|7tw cnocrie^ ncytticvn pi()c6T>
Xt^e ^ru liter; Cecertyi')z:oYA^erL z^mun,
m-
^ la f€Sp^r«enii!)r£-- f norujtv h^^ pe=ui or? ''
yo^^iii yijef ^T^evw co fj;^' Uil-^Un^ Cum jie- .
(tyiif money uncf rm^^ef Irrji-en^cfxr an j
liim y^ li5ii« ^o^ne- ^e^vrt nan cn^ laip-^ I
cynin^ (Mfey. (yaxi y^e {ecean pol Ji€sj^mia^ r
"tie- petJ^cn \a.ri\myaf rnanna^Xemr &we-t^^ |^
et^t^gr hjm frJore[te- cfibnliif l.yjr In;bM
-■^
BEOWULF.
p. S7. no. 151.
^i«» toff f/a(vi-tii^ AimTO"
XWtirtw lU'J^'t: iiinilJO \vicrf:nuif yuftunc
.,J^iCji>:r^ loxir^ ftiCt u<4- Cute uuivfhr^rr,
•~- " Tar ^^Cyi,-, ]tUV|-iri^Afet><A'
•Stent- c'.i.'-Th jiA- of ^i^j!/'
V ] TSot'CCJ-tto liviiouivtf SrH:?C5tvt(r<*-aioo
4lu"? filled' ftf etc rti:<ri!f;>Jf>ro /ajctrti*'
y '; 'tfUixie mvfft a |tcrr:/}iio no ptfami j£; yefinU;
f? oitow ti> ^ >i< '»> u <« <i m CJJtwo b n<j '
^>fla^ faiuiir till) il»^-rv: fit- nipii£"»V*»«^'
"tV 'VUPO fP**^* ■'f h'c^otu^ ond <M two
^ (cWwu fltn, to fjiitc- > Hbentv mo
■~*^i •wu ffo j'u^ ^irtrtio'lOtvS'c tOoiv 4«)an ft4i«'
TtOt^tW fo 6tu.' yt 1b>mmvtl of Jv; ^h'lJdi;
CHAUCER'S CANTERBURY TALES.
English Manuscripts. 87
144. The "A5enbyte of Inwyt" (i.e. Eemorse of Conscience), by
Dan Michel of Northgate, in Kent, a monk of St. Augustine's
Abbey, Canterbury. The author's autograph manuscript, written
A. D. 1340. Vellum. [Arundel MS. ^7.]
145. The Lay Folks' Mass-Book, or manner of hearing Mass : in
verse. A translation, made at the end of the 13th century,
probably from the French, the original author being one " Dan
Jeremy " [Jeremiah, canon of Rouen and archdeacon of Cleve-
land, dioc. York. 1170-1175]. Late 14th century. Vellum.
[Rotjal MS. 17 B. xvii.]
146. "Pearl," "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," etc. ; poems
(the former an elegy for a dead child, the latter derived from
the Arthurian romances) in English rhymed verse, of the second
half of the 14th century, written probably in the West Mid-
lands. The MS. is nearly or quite contemporaneous with the
author, whose name is unknown. Vellum. [Cotton MS. Nero
A. X.J
147. The Prymek, or Book of prayers, containing the Hours of
the Virgin, the dirge, penitential and other psalms, litany, etc. ;
with illuminated initials and borders. Early 15th century.
Vellum. [Add. MS. 17010.]
148. Tracts "of wedded men and wyves," and on the Lord's
Prayer, attributed to Wycliffe ; witlx other pieces. First half
of the 15th centuiy. Vellum. [Harley MS. 2398.]
149. "Titus and Vespasian, or the Destruction of Jerusalem,"
a romance in alliterative verse, of which more than one form is
extant. 15th century. Vellum. [Cb^^owilf*S'. Vespasian E. xvi.]
150. " Piers Plowman " : a poem by William Langland, in allitera-
tive verse. Written before a. d. 1400. Vellum. [Cotton MS.
Vespasian B. xvi.]
151. Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales." Early 15th century. Vellum.
[Lansdowne MS. 851.]
152. Chaucer's "Troilus and Cressida." Early 15th century.
Vellum. [Harley MS. 2280.]
153. Thomas Occleve's poem, " De regimine Principum." With
portrait of Geoffrey Chaucer. Early 15th century. Vellum.
[Harley MS. 4866.]
154. Gower's "Confessio Amantis." Early 15th century. Vellum.
[Add. MS. 12043.]
155. John Lydgate's poem, " The Storie of Thebes " ; followed
by Occleve's "De regimine Principum." Middle of the 15th
century. Vellum. [Add. MS. 18632.]
156. Travels of Sir John Mandeville : English version. 15th
century. The unique MS. of this version. Vellum. [Cotton
MS. Titus C. xvi.]
157. Travels of Sir John Mandeville : the only complete Enr/Ush
version, formed by revision and completion of an earlier defective
text, of which many copies exist. 15th century. The unique
MS. Vellum. [Eyerton MS. 1982.]
88 EiKjlish MiDiuscrijitti.
1'),^. Metkicai. CnKONicLK of I'^iif^ljiiul to A.I). 1 271 , attril)uted to
Kobert of CUoucesk>r. l-")th century. \'olluni. \I/(irlr/f HIS.
•J01.|
!')!>. LivKs or St. Ait.ustink and St. CJilbert of St'mpringhaiii,
translated into English by John Capgrave. Apparently the
author's holograph copy, written in or about 14")1. Paper.
\A({(lMS.'M7iH.]
1()0. Mystkky-Plays, on subjects taken from the Old and New
Testaments ; said to have been represented at Coventry on the
Feast of Corpus Christi. Written in 14(>S. Paper. [Cotton
JIS. Vespasian D. yiii. |
101. Mvsteky-Plays : the unique MS. of forty-nine plays, forming
a series from the Creation to the Last Judgement (with an
additional one on the Coronation of the Virgin), each performed
by one of the crafts of York on the Feast of Corpus Christi.
Late 15th century. Vellum. [Add. MS. 35290.]
( 89 )
IV.— MS. CHRONICLES OF ENGLAND.
Case F.
A small typical selection of Chronicles and other MSS. intended
to illustrate the manner in which the history of this country
was recorded and handed down before the invention of printing,
viz. : —
1. Nennius, Historla Brltonum. The earliest history of Britain
was written by Gildas, about the year 560, containing an account
of the Roman conquest and occupation, the departure of the
Eomans (in 410), and the invasion and conquest of the island
by the Saxons. Of this history there is no manuscript in the
British Museum, except a badly burnt fragment of the 10th
century. The next history to it in date is that of which a copy
is here exhibited. It is attributed to Nennius on the authority
of a prologue contained in one MS., which states that it was
composed in the year 858 ; but there are some grounds for
believing that it is really considerably older. In any case,
nothing is known of the author's life. It contains the history
of Britain in Latin from the Roman conquest to the year 687,
but is so full of legendary matter that its authority can be but
little depended on.
The manuscript here showua [Cotton MS. Vesp. D. xxi.] was
written in the 12th century, and the passage exhibited describes
the preaching of Christianity in Ireland by St. Patrick [§§ 53,
541 The following is a translation of part of it : —
"From the creation of the world to the baptism of the Irish there
are 5,330 years ; in the fifth year of King Loygare [a.d. 425] did
St. Patrick begin to preach the faith of Christ. Thus St. Patrick
preached the Gospel of Christ to foreign nations for forty years:
he showed apostolical powers, he gave sight to the blind, he
healed lepers, he made the deaf to hear, he cast devils out of the
bodies of those who were possessed, he raised nine men that were
dead to life, he redeemed many from captivity, both men and
women, at his own expense. He wrote 365 manuals, or more,
and founded the same number of churches. He ordained 365
bishoi>s, or more, men in whom was the Spirit of God. Of priests
he ordained as many as 3,000, and in the region of Conachta
(Connaught) alone he converted 12,000 persons to the faith of
Christ, and baptised them. He fasted forty days and forty nights
on the top of Mount Eile (that is, Cruachan Eile) : on which
mountain, overhanging the sea, he graciously made three petitions
for all the Irish who received the faith. The first petition, as the
Scots say, is that to eveiy one should be granted repentance, even
0(> citron Iclcs of E)i<j/«nd.
thoufih it were in tlio lust extn-inity of life ; the second, that tlu\v
slioulil not he utterly consumeil hy harliarians for ever; the tliird,
that no Irishman sliouhl ho alive at the Day of Judgement, since
they will he destroyed in honour of St. Patrick seven years hefore
the .ludijement. Moreover, on that hill he hlessed the peoples of
Irehuul. and indeed he ascended thither that he mij^ht pray for
them, and that he might see the fruit of his labour; anil there
came to him innumerable birds of many colours, that he might
bless them, signifying that all the saints of Ireland, of either sex,
Avill come to him on the Day of .ludgement, as to their father and
master, that they may follow him to judgement. After this he
passed away in a good old age to that place where he now liveth
in joy for ever and ever. Amen."
'2. Bede, Ilisiorla Eccles'mstka Gentis Anfilorum. The "Venerable"
Bede is the first great historian of England, and most of our
knowledge of the history of our country down to his time is
derived from his work. He was born in 07:5, lived all his life
as a monk at Jarrow in Noi-thumberland. and died, in the act of
translating the Scriptures into English, in 735. His Ecclesiastical
Histon/ofthe English, written in Latin, deals primarily with the
English Clmrch ; but, owing to the intimate connection of Church
and State in those days, it is also to a very great extent a general
historj- of the countrj\ It begins with a summary (taken from
Gild.as and other authors) of events from the invasion of Caesar
in B.C. 55 to the preaching of Christianity by Augustine in 597.
From 597 to 781 the histoiy is given in full detail, being based
upon contemporary records collected l)y Bede and his own
personal knowledge. It is the chief authority for the history of
the introduction of Christianity into England, both in the south
by Augustine from Rome, and in the north by Aldan from lona.
More than 130 manuscript copies of Bede are known. The
copy here shown [ Cotton MS. Tiber. A. xiv.] is one of the earliest,
having been Avritten at the end of the 8th centuiy or early in
the 9th. and consequently not long after the lifetime of Bede
himself. It belonged to Sir E. Cotton, and was considerably
damaged in the fire among his books at Ashburnham House in
1731. A still older copy is exhibited in Case C, no. 65.
The passage exhibited, of which a translation follows, de-
scribes the origin of the mission of Augustine by Pope Gregory
to England (Bk. II.. Ch. i.j.
"Nor .should we pass over in silence the story concerning the
blessed Gregor\' which has been handed down to us by our fore-
fathers, as to the reason which encouraged him to take such
zealous care of the salvation of our people. The}' say that on
a certain day, when some- merchants had lately arrived and many
■wares were brought together into the market for sale and a crowd
of purchasers had assembled. Gregory too came with the rest and
saw there, among other objects, some youths exposed for sale :
they were of fair complexion and handsome countenance, with
p. 91). no. 2.
.^y
d^umtfeiMnwt|t '
mulmtitmlui Int
111 z^x alioy Oi) utinmr oc tit Jin-v
ttl n|vdltti |iiii|TOr uttf^ui^ mkoy,
OxAhii tb)a|:i?mrdctiSitt|ti ttitinip
BEDE'S HISTORIA ECCLESIASTICA.
p. (U, no. .^.
• T . , , .••'..-••IV!
Tndii hie orchidia |:e!M.^{i7iTi{?(r[iptVgcpilTC.
tcfrnam^p^^ SiT»nac*i3ayrnb-iin.TiilTr c^e]ie^
cyninj. icelf neb mj-bjio [7e|i p.fpmvde vLynd
TDjicaTnngum gcLeb^on . ItTtt^ [wie-fiejir re-
/phrrm-'j[7cf|ipcej'Tnycd tkyljerL^rn ori^ehv«nt
haT^'^.^m^elpulJ: edl^opman peajrt^'otrlcprpn.
-7|7a"9ceni]Txm alrojnpenlfrope^eatij'Ttcer
ymt.mi.-nyfTT^epcalic c^cjie^ 7^^"5 Ic^jifi
Iitj-tpo}7op pA ealne f7anp depe on<^ccp>>unr.
/^Ii;|7ce|ipn onr|7nm ^ccytcum cm^Sjuirn yccr
tag pig . ill ^l|: bene l^aliiicnnn cyti i TOin *]on
of^pm j?£E)ian pa. eopUr .lJ7ai:eaf7rrecvniT^
(^ejieb yiS papa cymnja jeoiumaTi -l^^^
yea^^cymrt^ ha^iecg o^fu^m -^cAfjieh
IiiptpopoM vtS {^(ifTa eopla5rcjiiiman.'7J7cep.
ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE.
Chronicles of England. 91
beautiful hair. When he saw them he asked, as the story goes,
from what region or land they had been brought; and he was
told they were from the island of Britain, and that all the inhabi-
tants were of like appearance. Again he asked whether the
islanders were Christians, or were still shrouded in pagan error ;
and he was told that they were pagans. Then, sighing fi-om the
bottom of his heart, he said : ' Alas, the pity, that the author of
darkness should possess men of such bright countenance, and that
such beauty of outwai-d ajipearance should bear a mind void of
internal grace ! ' He asked therefore again, what was the name
of the people, and it was answered that they were called Angles
[English]. ' Good,' said he, 'for they have an angelic face, and
such should be co-heirs of the Angels in heaven. What is the
name of the province from which they have been brought?' He
was told that they were of the province of Deira. 'Good,' said
he, 'De-ira; they are snatched from wrath [de im in Latin], and
called to the mercy of Christ. How is the king of that province
named?' It was answered. that he was called J<]lla; whereupon,
playing upon the name, he said, 'Alleluia, the praise of God the
Creator must be sung in those parts.' Then going to the bishop
of the Roman and apostolical see (for he was not yet bishop him-
self) he asked him to send some ministers of the word into Britain
to the people of the Angles, by whom they might be converted to
Christ."
3. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is the earliest history of this
country in Enf/Ush. The first part of it, from the invasion of
Caesar [b.c. 55] to the reign of Alfred [a. d. 871-901], is believed
to have been compiled by order of King Alfred ; and from that
time it was carried on by successive chroniclers (whose names
are not known) in various monasteries down to the year 1154,
forming a sort of Annual Kegister of the most important events
in each year. It is thus not only one of the most valuable
authorities for the history of England, especially from the time
of Alfred to the Norman Conquest, but also an vmique record of
the development of the language from its early Anglo-Saxon
form until it approaches the character of English as we
know it.
The copy here shown [Cotton MS. Tiber. B. iv.] was written
towards the end of the 11th century ; the Chronicle is brought
down to the year lOlG in one hand, and continued in several
others to 1079. It belonged to Sir E. Cotton, and suffered
damage in the fire at Ashburnham House in 1731.
The passage exhibited [of which a translation into modern
English from B. Thorpe's edition follows | contains a record of
the war with the invading Danes in 871, including the great
victory of ^thelred and Alfred at Ashdown, the site of which
is commonly supposed to be marked by the well-known figure of
a white horse cut in the chalk in the Vale of the White Horse,
Bei'kshire.
92 Cht'onidei< of Enyland.
*' In this year [a.d. STl] the army [/. r. the Danes] came to Reading,
in Wt'ssox, and. three nijjhts after, two jarls rodo up, when the
aldornian .llthrhvulf met them at Inglefield and there Ibuj^ht
against them and gained the victory ; and one of them was there
shiin. wliose name was Sidroe. Four nights after this king
iEthered and .Klfred his brother led a large force to Reading and
fought against the army, and there was great slaughter made on
each side : and the aldorman .Kthelwulf was slain, and the Danes
held possession of the battle-place. And four nights after, king
-Withered and .Klfred his brother fought with all the army at
Ashdown ; and they were in two divisions ; in one were Bagseog
and Halfdan, the heathen kings, and in the other were the jarls ;
and then king.Ethered fought with the kings' division, and there
■was the king Bagsecg slain : and .Klfred his Inothor fought against
the jarls" division, and there was the elder jarl Sidroe slain, and
the younger jarl Sidroe, and Asbiorn jarl and Frrena jarl and
Harald jarl, and both divisions put to flight, and many thousands
slain; and they were fighting until night. And fourteen nights
after, king .-Ethered and .Elfred his brother fought against the
army at liasing, and there the Danes gained the victory. And
two months after, king ^Ethered and /Elfred his brother fought
against the army at Meiion ; and they were in two divisions,
and they put both to flight, and far in the day were victorious ;
and there was great slaughter on each side, but the Danes held
possession of the battle-place ; and there were bishop Heahmund
slain and many good men."
4. Wace, Jioman de lion. Wace was a Norman, born in Jersey,
and lived from about 1100 to 1170. He wrote a poetical history
of the Norman Conquest, in French, which contains by far the
fullest early description of the Battle of Hastings. Wace had
known many men who had fought in the battle, and his account
is full of minute details of the fighting.
The copy here exhibited [lio/jal MS. 4 C. xi.] was written in
the Kith century. The passage selected is part of the account
of the Battle of Hastings. The following is Sir A. Malet's
translation of the lines which descri)>e the palisade formed by
the English, and the arrangement of the English forces: —
"Short Axes, sharp Bills, were the arms of oft'euce
By the English Foot borne, and they made them a Fence
Of Bucklers, and wattle work well interlac'd ;
Thus forming a Breastwork, in front of them plac"d.
The Barrier so formd was a close Hurdle like,
Which the Normans must force, ere a stroke they could strike.
Thus fencVl with their Shields, and a stout Ban-icade,
They deem "d,— and with reason, — defence might be made.
And if to this purpose they firmly had held.
Other issue that day had most surely beheld :
For no Norman Warrior that Barrier did force,
But met with disaster, and fell a dead Corse ;
Hewn down by the Axe edge, or smote by (Tisarme,
Or slain by the Club, or by some other arm.
Chronicles of England. 93
Short close-fitting Hauberks those Englishmen wore,
And Helmets that join'd to their Hauberks they bore.
******
The Kentish Men, claiming as matter of right
To stand in the Van and strike first in the Fight,
He caus'd to advance, and position to take,
Where deeming the Normans their onset would make.
They claim'd, when their Monarch to Battle should go,
The right in that Battle to strike the first Blow.
The Londoners' claim was His person to guard,
That where'er He stood, they should keep watch and ward ;
They also to guard the King's Standard were bound,
And where it was planted they took up their ground."
5. Simeon of Durham, Hisforia Dunelmensis Ucclesice. For
several centuries after the Norman Conquest, the writing of
history was carried on almost exclusively by monks. The
greater monasteries trained a succession of writers, some of
whom merely recorded in their chronicles such events as
concerned the monasteries themselves, with occasional notices
of outside occurrences of general interest ; while others devoted
themselves to the production of regular histoiies of the country
from the earliest times down to their own day. One such
flourishing school of historians is found in the north of
England, carrying on the traditions of Bede. Simeon, a monk
first of Jarrow and afterwards of Durham, was directed by his
superiors, about the years 1104-1108, to write a History of the
Church of Durham, which he brings from the establishment of
Christianity in Northiimbria by Aidan in 635 down to the year
1096. Like nearly all literary works down to the 1.5th century,
it is written in Latin. It is principally occupied with religious
mattei's. and is a valuable link in the history of the Church of
England. He also wrote a general history, based largely upon
Bede [see no. 2] and on Florence of Worcester, whose Chronicle
comes down to 1116.
The copy here shown [Cotton 3IS. Faust. A. v.] was written
in the 12th century, in or soon after the lifetime of Simeon
himself, being copied from a manuscript at Durham, which may
have been the author's own copy.
The passage exhibited, of which a translation follows,
describes the wanderings of the monks of Lindisfarne with the
body of St. Cuthbert during an invasion by the Danes [875-
883], and the loss and recovery of a valuable copy of the
Gospels, written in honour of St. Cuthbert. This identical
MS. is now in the British Museum [Cotton MS. Nero D. iv.J.
[The monks endeavoured to cross over to Ireland, carrying the
saint's body with them ; but a storm drove them back.] " In this
storm, while the ship was lying over on her side, a copy of the
Gospels, adorned with gold and precious stones, fell overboard
94 ('}iro)iicfc{< <>/ Eiujlaud.
iiinl sank into the ih'iitlis ot' tho sou. Aitonlin^ly af'tt^r a littlt^
\vhilt\ when tlioy had in sonn' ih?<j:reo recovered tlieir senses and
retleeted who antl where tliev were, they hend their knees and
jtrostrate themselves at lull len<j^th liet'ore the feet ol" the sacred
body, askinj,' pardon tor their foolish venture. Then they seize
the rudder and turn the ship hack to th<; shore and to their
fellows, and immediately they arrive there without any difficulty,
the wind blowing astern. . . . Amidst their lamentations in this
distress at length the accustomed hel]) of their ]>ious patron came
to their aid, whereby their minds were relieved from j,'rief and
their bodies from labour, seein<j that the Lord is a refuf,'e of the
poor, a helper in times of trouble. For apiiearinp^ in a vision to
one of them, Ilunred by name, he bade them seek, when the tide
was low, for the manuscript which, as above related, had fallen
from the ship into the midst of the waves; for jierchance, beyond
the utmost they could hope, they would, by the mercy of God,
find it. For the loss of that book too had afflicted them with the
most profound f^rief. . . . Accordin^^ly they go to the sea and find
tliat it had retired much further than it was accustomed ; and
after walking three miles or more they find the sacred manuscri])t
of the Gospels itself, exhibiting all its outer splendour of jewels
and gold and all the beauty of its jmges and writing within, as
though it had never been touched by water. . . . Further, the
above-mentioned book is preserved to this day in this church [of
Durham], which is honoured by the i^ossession of the holy father's
body, and, as Ave said before, no sign of damage by water is visible
in it. And this is believed to be due to the merits of St. Cuthbert
himself and of those who made the book, namely, Ijishop p]adfrid
of holy memory, who wrote it with his own hand in honour of the
blessed Cuthbert, and the venerable Ethelwold, his successor, who
caused it to be adorned with gold and precious stones, and
St. Bilfrid the anchorite, who, obeying with skilled hand the
wishes of his superior, achieved an excellent work. For it was
a splendid example of the goldsmith's art."
6. William of Malmesbury, Gesta Begum Anglorum. This
writer was born about 1095 and died about 1143. Nearly the
whole of his life appears to have been spent in the monastery
of Malmesbury, of which he ultimately declined the abbacy,
preferring to retain the librarianship. He was an active
historian, writing Tlie Acts of the Kings of Kn gland, in which he
summarises the early history from 449 to 731, where Bede had
already covered the ground, and then continues it in greater
detail down to 1125; Tlie Acts of the BisJiojys of England, an
ecclesiastical history from 597 to 1125; and the Neiv Iliston/,
a continuation of his earlier work fi'oni 1126 to 1142. He is
the most important historian since the time of Bede, to whom
he deliberately set himself to be a successor ; and he had a high
idea of a historian's duty, trying to trace causes and describe
characters, as well as to record events.
The copy here exhibited \Tlog(d 2IS. 13 D. ii.] was written in
the 12th century, probably in the author's own life-time. It
belonged to the Abbey of Margam, which was founded by
Chronicles of England. 95
Robert, Earl of Gloucester, to whom William of Malmesbury
dedicated his history.
The passage selected for exhibition and translation [Bk. III.
§ 245] describes the character of the English at the time of the
Norman Conquest.
"That day [of the battle of Hastings] was fatal to England, — the
day of the miserable downfall of their beloved country and of
submission to new masters. Submission had indeed long been
familiar to the English, who had changed greatly in the course
of time. In the first years of their arrival they had the appearance
and bearing of barbarians, they were practised in war, their worship
Avas savage ; but afterwards, when they had adopted the Christian
faith, the peace which they enjoyed led them gradually, as time
went on, to regard the use of arms as of but secondary importance
and to devote themselves entirely to religion. I am not speaking
of the poor, whose lack of means generally restrains them within
the bounds of right ; and I pass over the clergy, who are deterred
from error not only by the consideration of their profession, but
often also by the fea,r of shame. I speak of the kings, who by
reason of their power could indulge their desires as they chose ;
yet of them, some in their own country, and some at Rome, put off
their kingly garb and gained the heavenly kingdom, making
a blessed exchange, while many who to all appearance gave them-
selves to the world throughout their lives did so that they might
scatter their treasures to tlae poor or distribute them to monasteries.
What shall I say of the great army of bishops, hermits, abbots ?
Does not the whole island so shine with these relics of the old
inhabitants, that you can scarcely pass a single village of any size
without hearing the name of a new saint ? And how many more
are lost to memory for want of chroniclers ? But as time went on
the study of letters and of religion decayed, shortly before the
arrival of the Normans. The clergy, content with a smattering of
literary knowledge, could scarce stammer the words of the sacra-
ments ; one who knew grammar was a prodigy and marvel to the
rest. . . . The custom of drinking together was universal, the night
as well as the day being spent in this pursuit. They expended
great sums, while living in small and contemptible dwellings ;
unlike the French and Normans, who live at a moderate rate in
large and splendid buildings. Drankenness was followed by the
vices akin to it, which sap the vigour of a man. Hence it came
about that they encountered William with rashness and headlong
fury rather than military science, and after one battle, and that
a very easy one [!], they surrendered themselves and their country
into serfdom."
7. Henry of Huntingdon, Historic Anglonmi. This work forms
an exception to the rule that mediseval history was the work of
monks. Its author was probably a native of Huntingdon, born
about 1080, and brought up in the palace of Bishop Blouet of
Lincoln ; and between 1110 and 1120 he was made archdeacon
of Huntingdon. The history begins with Cfesar's invasion, and
in its first edition ended in 1129 ; subsequent additions brought
it down to the death of Stephen in 1154. The greater part of it
96 CJironivlet< of Eiu/hniJ.
is derivotl from Boile and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. As
a historian. Ilonry of Iluntinfrdon is intellic^ent. Imt oasy-going,
and prt'fi I's nioralisation to n-search.
The copy exhibited \Arinulcl MS. 48] was written abont the
end of the lllth century. It formerly belonged to the priory
of Southwick, in Hampshire.
The passage selected [ Bk. YI. § 38] contains a description of
the character of the Normans at the time of the Conquest. It
therefore forms a companion picture to the character of the
English at the same time given by William of Malmesbury
[see no. Gj.
"In the 21st year of kin^j William, since now the Normans had
fulfilled the righteous will of (toiI upon the people of England, and
scarcely any prince of the English race was left in England, but
all had been reduced to slavery and mourning, so that the very
name of Englishman was become a reproach, William, the author
of this punishment, ended his life. For God had chosen the
Normans for the extermination of the English race, because He saw
that they excelled all people in the quality of unrivalled savageiy.
Their nature is such that, when they have crushed their enemies
so far that they can go no further, they turn to crush one another
and reduce themselves and their lands to poverty and desolation ;
and always the Norman lords, when they have destroyed their
enemies and can no longer vent their cruelty on them, destroy
their own people as though they were enemies. This is continually
more and more evident in Normandy and England, in A]mlia,
Calabria. Sicily and Antioch. in short, in all the lands which God
has subjected to them. Hence in England unjust taxes and
iniquitous customs have multiplied exceedingly in these days.
All the princes were so blinded by greed of gold and silver that it
could be truly said of them, ' None asks whence a man has money,
but have it he must.' The more they talked of right, the greater
the wrong that was done. Those who were called Justices were at
the head of eveiy injustice. The sheriffs and officers whose duty
was to execute judgement and justice were worse than thieves and
robbers and fiercer than the fiercest. The king himself, when he
had leased all his lands at as high a rent as possible, would con-
tinually break his pledged word and give them to another who
offered more, and then to another, caring for nothing except in-
crease of gain."
8. Roger of Hovedex, Chrnnica. Eoger of Hoveden, or Howden,
in Yorkshire, had a very different training from that of most
medi.X'val historians. He was not a monk, but a secular cleric,
and, having obtained a post in the household of Henry II., was
employed on the king's service in embassies and negotiations,
and finallj' as an itinerant Justice. He is consequently a repre-
sentative of the Civil Service of his day. After 1189 he retired,
and died proV^ably soon after 1201. His Chronicle provides an
interesting example of the methods of the early historians, who
incorporated their predecessors' works in their own with the
Chronicies of England. 97
utmost freedom. It begins where Bede ends, in 731, and ends
in 1201, For the part from 731 to 1148 he simply copied an
earlier Chronicle, written at Durham, called The Historif of the
English since the death of Bcde, which was itself compounded
from the histories of Simeon of Durham [see no. 5] and Henry
of Huntingdon [see no. 7J ; while, to go still further back,
Simeon's history was largely derived from Florence of Wor-
cester and an early Northumbrian Chronicle coming down to
802, Fx'om 1148 to 1169 Hoveden's narrative appears to be
original, though partly based on the Chronicle of the Abbey of
Melrose, and the lives and letters of Becket. From 1170 to
1192 his work is merely a x-evision of the Chronicle ascribed
to Benedict of Peterborough. Finally, from 1192 to 1201, he
is an original and independent witness, Hoveden is the last
of the line of northern historians, and, as just shown, he in-
corporates much of his predecessors' work. In style he is
moderate and impartial.
The copy exhibited [Banal MS. 14 C, ii.] is contemporary
with the author ; it is probably the original text as finally
written out, and has marginal notes which may be in the
author's own hand. It only contains the Chronicle as far as
the year 1180; the second volume, containing the rest, is in
the Bodleian Library at Oxford.
The passage selected is a description of a striking scene in
Becket's career, his appearance at the Council of Northampton
in 1164.
" So after the celebration of mass the archbishop [Becket] put on
his stole and black canonical cope and proceeded at once to the
court of the king. And immediately there was a great concourse
of people from all sides, to see the end. But he bore his cross in
his right hand, while with his left he held the reins of the horse
whereon he rode. And when he had come to the hall of the king-
he dismounted and entered the king's house, carrj'ing his cross.
Then he entered the outer chamber, bearing his cross, alone ; for
none of his people followed him. And when he had entered he
found much people there, and sat down among them. The king
meanwhile was in the inner chamber with his intimate associates.
Then came Gilbert, bishop of London, who was of the king's party,
to the archbishop, and rebuked him warmly because he thus came
armed with his cross to the court ; and he tried to snatch the cross
from his hands, but the archbishop held it firmly. But Henry,
bishop of Winchester, said to the bishop of London, ' Brother, let
the archbishop hold his cross ; for he ought rightly to bear it.'
Then the bishop of London was very angry with the bishop of
Winchester, and said to him, ' You have spoken ill, brother, and
therefore evil shall befall you, because you have spoken against the
king.' Then came to him Roger, archbishop of York.
' How oft he thought to come with kindly words
And gently make request.'
[Orid. Metam. III. 376.]
H
5>8 Chronicler of England.
But the olil fire of hat rod came between, and would not let him
speak peaceably ; on the contrary, he roi)roached liini bitterly
because he thus came armed with his cross to the court, sayin<^
that the kiu'r had a sharper sword, and if the king would be
guided by bis advice, he would take away the archbishop's cross.
But one of the bystanders said :
'Trust me, if thou trust him thou'lt be deceived.
Sweet sings the bird-call till the bird be caught:
Under sweet honey deadly i>oison lurks.'
[Orid, Am. I. viii. 104.]
But the archbishop of Canterbury would not lay down his cross,
and said, ' If the king's sword slays the fleshly body, yet my sword
slays in the spirit, and sends the soul to hell.'"
'J. RicuAHD Fitz-Neal, DiaJoi/iis de Scaccario. This ■work is
not, strictly speaking, a history, but it contains very valuable
material for the early constitutional history of England. It is
a Latin treatise, in the form of a dialogue between a master
and pupil, on the nature and procedure of the Court of Ex-
chequer. In this court, under the Norman kings, "the whole
financial business of the countiy was transacted, and as the
whole administration of justice, and even the military organisa-
tion, was dej^endent upon the fiscal officers, the whole framework
of society may be said to have passed annually luider its leview.
It derived its name from the chequered cloth which covered
the table at which the accounts were taken " (Stubbs). The
author was Richard Fitz-Neal, Bishop of London and Treasurer
of the Exchequer under Henry II., and the Dialogue was
wntten in 11 76-1178.
Tlie copy here exhibited [Cotton MS, Cleop. A. xvi.] was
written in the 14th century ; and the selected passage is the
opening of the woi*k.
" In the 23rd year of king Henry II., as I was sitting in the window
of a chamber overlooking the river Thames, I heard the voice of
one speaking to me eagerly, saying, ' Master, hast thou not read
that there is no value in hidden knowledge or in hidden treasure?'
I answered, ' Yes,' and he at once proceeded ' Why then do you not
teach to others the knowledge of the Exchequer which you are said
to possess so plentifully ? Why do you not commit it to writing,
lest it i^erish with you ?' Then I said, ' Why, brother, you have
long sat in the Exchequer yourself, and nothing can have escaped
you, since you are so carefully observant ; and probably the same
is the case with the others who sit there.' He, however, replied,
' As those who walk in darkness and grope with their hands
frequently stumble, so do many sit there who seeing see not, and
hearing understand not.' .... Then said I, ' I see you are getting
angry. But calm yourself; I will do what you urge me. Come,
rise and sit down opposite me, and ask me of the matters which
trouble you . ■ .'
Pupil. What is the Exchequer ?
Chronicles of England. 99
Master. The Exchequer is a rectangular table, about ten feet in
length and five in width, placed like a dinner- table with persons
seated at it. It has a ledge about four fingers high all round it,
that nothing which has been placed upon it may fall off. Upon
the table is placed a cloth, which is bought each year in Easter
term. The cloth is not of any kind you please, but a black cloth
marked out by lines, at a distance of a foot or a hand's-breadth
apart. On the spaces thus marked out are counters, ranged in
their proper order, as will be explained presently. And though
the name of ' chequer ' is properly applied to a table such as this,
it is transferred also to the court which is held in the presence of
the chequer. Accordingly, if any decision has been made by the
common council of the realm on any matter, it is said to have been
done at the Exchequer of such and such a year."
10. JocELiN OF Brakelonde, CliroHica. This is not a history
of the country in the ordinary sense of the term, but is an
example of the more domestic chronicles of a monastery, from
Avhich much may be learnt with regard to the ordinary life of
the people. Jocelin of Brakelonde was an inmate of the great
monastery of St. Edmund at Bury St. Edmunds, and his chro-
nicle records the history of the monastery under the able and
vigorous Abbot Samson [1182-1202], with a short sketch
of his i^redecessor Abbot Hugh. It gives a graphic picture
of life in and around a monastery, and of the difficulties in
which the monastery might be involved ; and it has a special
interest as having been taken by Carlyle as the basis of his
Past and Present.
The manuscript here exhibited \Harley MS. 1005] is the onlj^
extant copy of the book, and was written in the 18th century.
It belonged formerly to Bishop Stillingfleet of Worcester.
The passage selected describes the part taken by Abbot
Samson, who, by virtue of his office, was summoned to the
Great Council [the predecessor of Parliament] at the time of
the imprisonment of King Richard Co3ur de Lion in Austria.
It also narrates an incident in the domestic life of the
monastery.
" When the report reached London of the capture of king Richard
and of his imprisonment in Germany, and the barons had met to
take counsel on the matter, the abbot sprang forward in the midst
of them all and said that he was ready to go and seek his Lord
the King, either in disguise or in any other way, until he found
him and got certain news of him ; by which saying he acquired
great praise for himself. . . . When there was war in England,
during the captivity of king Richard, the abbot in full convent
solemnly excommunicated all makers of war and disturbers of the
peace, not fearing Earl John, the king's brother, or any one else ;
whence he was called 'the magnanimous abbot.' After which he
-went to the siege of Windsor and bore arms, together with some
other abbots of England, having his own standard and leading
H 2
1(H) C/iVonlcles of Eiujhnid.
a large number of soldiers at great expense. We monks, however,
thought it a dangerous thing to do, tor fear of the consequences,
lost jierclunue an}' future al'bot should be compelled to go on
warlike expeditions in his own ))erson. . . .
"On another occasion four and twenty young men, sons of noble-
men, came with their followers to engage in a tilting match [in
detiance of an edict of the abbot]; and after it was over they
returned to the town to seek lodging. The abbot, however, hearing
of it, ordered the gates to be closed and the whole party sluit in.
The next day was the vigil of St. I'etcr and St. Paul. Accordingly,
having given a pledge not to depart except by leave, they dined
that day with the abbot ; but after dinner, when the abbot bail
retired to his chamber, they all started up and began carolling
and singing, sending into the town for wine, drinking, and after-
wards howling, totally dei)riving the abbot and convent of their
sleep ; doing all this in derision of the abbot, and spending in
such fashion the whole day until the evening, nor would they
desist at the abbot's order. Night coming on, they broke the
bolts of the town gates, and went otf by violence. The abbot,
however, solemnly excommunicated them all, by the advice of
archbishop Hubert, who at that time was Justiciar; and many
of them came in for repentance, begging for absolution."
11. "William of NEWBURcai, Historta Anglicana. William, sur-
named Petit, or the Small, "was born in 1136 and entered the
abbey of Newburgh in Yorkshire. He became famous in the
neighbourhood as a student of history, and undertook his prin-
cipal work, the Enyllsh Histon/, at the special request of the
Abbot and Convent of Eievaulx. It begins with a short sum-
mary from the Conquest to 1135, but from the accession of
Stephen to 1198, where it ends, it is a detailed and contemporary
Iristorj', written with judgement and impartiality, but generally
in a rather dry style.
The copy exhibited [Stowe MS. 62] was written in or soon
after the author's life-time, and belonged to the abbey of
Newburgh.
The selected passage [Bk. IV., Ch. xxxviii.] describes the
extraordinai-y efforts made to raise the sum necessaiy to ransom
Kichard I. from his captivity, in 1193.
" At that time the king of the English, being very weary of his
long imprisonment, frequently urged the administrators of his
kingdom and all his adherents who seemed to have any influence
to provide the sum necessary for his ransom, and so expedite his
release. Accordingly the royal officers pressed the matter forward
in all the borders of England, sparing none. No distinction was
made between layman and cleric, secular and monastic clergy,
town and country ; all alike, according to ,the amount of their
property or of their revenues, were compelled to pay for the
ransom of the king. Privileges, prerogatives, and immunities of
churches and monasteries were null and void. Rank and exemp-
tion were reduced to silence. None might say, 'I am such an
Chronicles of England. 101
one,' ov 'I am of such a position; have me excused.' Even the
monks of the Cistercian order, who had hitherto been exempt
from all royal imposts, were now charged with a greater load in
proportion to their previous escape from public burdens ; for the
wool of their flocks, which is notoriously the chief item of their
property, and which supplies the place of all other revenue for
general uses and necessary expenditure, they were now forced and
compelled to give up. It was supposed that the masses of money
thus swept together would exceed the total of the king's ransom ;
but when the separate collections were united at London, it was
found not to reach that amount. This was believed to be due to
fraud on the part of the collectors. Then, on account of the
insufficiency of the first collection, the royal officials made a
second and a third, despoiling all the richer persons and cloaking
barefaced plunder with the honourable pretext of the king's
i-ansom. Lastly, that no resource might be left untried, and that
what the palmerworm had left the locust might eat, and what the
locust had left the cankerworm might eat, and what the canker-
worm had left the caterpillar might eat, hands were laid upon the
sacred vessels themselves."
1 2. Matthew Paris, Historia Anglorum. ' The greatest of all the
monastic schools of history was that of St. Albans, and the
gi-eatest of the St. Albans historians was Matthew Paris. The
Scriptorium, or literary department, of this abbey was estab-
lished between 1077 and 1093 ; and the office of historiographer,
or writer of history, was created between 1166 and 1183. The
first St. Albans chronicle was probably the work of John de Cella,
abbot of St. Albans from 1195-1215. This extends from the
Creation to 1188, and is a compilation from the Bible and eai^ier
historians and romancers, of an entirely uncritical character.
Roger of Wendover, historiographer of the abbey early in the
13th century, continued this compilation from 1189 to 1201, and
carried on the history from 1201 to 1235 as an original historian.
The whole work down to 1235 frequently passed under Wend-
over's name, and with the title of Flores Historiaruni. In 1236,
on Wendover's death, Matthew Paris, who had entered the
monastery in 1217, succeeded him as historiographer. He then
transcribed Wendover's work with additions and corrections of
his own, and continued it as far as 1259. This entire work
constitutes the Greater Chronicles which pass under Paris's name,
being partly his own, and partly a re-editing of his predecessor's
work. But he also wrote an independent History of the English,
or Lesser History, extending from 1067 to 1253, rehandling his
materials according to his own judgement instead of simply
adopting the records of his predecessors. As a contemporary
historian Matthew Paris is invaluable. He had ample means of
collecting information and material, as he was acquainted with
the leading men of the day, including King Henry III., who
even invited him to be present on an important occasion that
he might be able to record it accurately. He is a lively and
102 Chronicles of Enfflarul.
vigorous writer, criticising freely ami with much independence,
and supporting tlie popuhir cause against tlie king's misgovern-
ment, and especially against the aggressions and extortions of
the Pope's legates. lie died in 1259.
The copy here exhihited |7?»>w/ ]\rS. 14 C. vii. ] is in all
probability Matthew's own copy of his Lesser llistorji. written
by himself. It belonged successively to Humphrey, Duke of
Gloucester, John Russell, Bishop of Lincoln, Henry ^'III.,
Henr}' Fitz-Alan, Earl of Arundel, and John, Lord Lumley,
after whose death, in KiOO, it was bought with the rest of
his library for Heniy, Prince of Wales, and so passed into
the Royal Library, presented to the nation by George II. in
1757.
The passage selected describes the death of King John in
1216. The translation is slightly condensed in a few places.
" King John then marched rapidly northwards, all the inhabitants
fleeing before his face, as at the approach of a hurricane. Arriving
at the place called Well-stream, which is a mixture of sea and
river water, he was foolhardy enough to cross without a guide :
and, while he himself escaped with difficulty, his carriages, con-
taining his plunder and booty and all his treasure and furniture,
were irrecoverably lost. For there is open ground in the midst of
the water, of the kind called a quicksand, which sucked in everj'-
thing, men, horses, arms, tents, victuals, and all that the king
held dearest on earth, next to his life. The next night he slept
at the Abbey of Swineshead, very melancholy and depressed, and
so much afflicted at his loss as to fall into an acute fever, much
increased by his habitual over-eating and drinking [A litter
was made for him, but it jolted him severely.] And being now
overtaken by the pains of death, he was compelled to descend
from the litter, saying * That confounded, that accursed litter has
shaken all my bones to pieces ; nay, it has nearly killed me.' ....
[After the administration of the Sacrament] one of those that sat
near said ' Our Lord Jesus, when about to die for us, prayed for
his persecutoi^, leaving us a good example. You should likewise
abandon all your anger and bitterness against those who owe you
ought.' To which he answered ^vith a sigh, ' It is verj' hard for
me to abandon my anger against those who try to drive me from
my throne and to aid my chiefest enemy, and who still follow me
with their persecution.' .... And his friend who had spoken first
pressed the king urgently, lest his soul should be in peril, urging
him for the love of Christ and for the safety of his soul to abandon
his ill-will towards all the barons. Then the king, who was now
at the last gasp, groaning from the depth of his heart with a
lamentable sigh, said ' If I may not be saved otherwise, be it as
you have iiersuaded me.' "
13. Ad.vm Murimuth, Continuatio Chronicarum. Adam Murimuth,
bom in 1275, was Doctor of Ci\41 Law at Oxford, and acted for
his University and for the Chapter of Canterbury in legal
matters. He was also frequently employed on diplomatic
Chronicles of England. 103
service by King Edward 11. , and was Canon successively of
Hereford and St. Paul's. His Continuation of the Chronicles
(which he began to write after 1325) starts fx-om the year 1303,
but until 1337 it is vei-y meagre in its information. In 1337
Murimuth retired to the rectory of Wraysbury, and from this
point his history becomes full and interesting. He continued
it year by year down to his death in 1347. It is of particular
value for the campaigns of Edward III. in France.
The copy exhibited [Royal MS. 13 A. xviii.] was written about
the middle of the 14th century, very soon after Murimuth 's
death.
The passage selected describes the Battle of Sluys in 1340, the
first great victory of the English navy.
"And on the Thursday [22 June] before the feast of the Nativity
of St. John the Baptist the wind was good, and the king made
a favourable start on his voyage. And on the Friday following,
that is, on the eve of St. John, he saw the French fleet drawn up
in the port of La Swyne, as it were in order of battle ; and for the
whole of that day he considered what would be best to do. And
on the feast of St. John the Baptist [24 June], early in the morning,
the French fleet, dividing itself into three divisions, moved out the
distance of one mile towards the fleet of the king of England.
When the king of England saw this, he exclaimed that he would
wait no longer, but at once prepared himself and his men for
battle. Accordingly, shortly after the ninth hour, having the
wind and the sun behind him and the tide in his favour, he
divided his fleet similarly into three divisions and attacked the
French. Then was fought a great sea fight, for the ships furnished
by Spain and France for the battle were great and strong. Never-
theless the English defeated the French and boarded the ships of
their first division, to wit, one very great ship called the St. Denis,
and another called the St. George, and others, such as the Chris-
topher and th^ Black Cog, which the French had previously captured
by treachery in the port of La Swyne, as narrated above. In this
first engagement fought the Earl of Gloucester, the Earl of North-
ampton, the Earl of Huntingdon, who was chief and admiral of
the ships of the Cinque Ports, Sir Robert de Morley, who was
admiral and chief of the northern ships, to wit, those of Yarmouth
and Lynn and the other ships from the north, and many other
noblemen. When then the first division of the French had been
defeated, though with great difficulty, they attacked the second
division, which they defeated more easily, many of the crews
leaping into the sea of their own accord ; and they captured their
ships in the twilight. Night now coming on, they resolved, partly
on account of the darkness, partly from excessive fatigue, to rest
till day. But the ships of the third French division resolved to
make their escape under cover of night ; and about thirty of theni
actually escaped. One, however, called the James de Depe, thought
in its flight to capture a ship of Sandwich, belonging to the prior
of Christ Church, Canterbuiy ; but her crew resisted, with the helji
of the Eail of Huntingdon. The combat lasted till morning, but
finally the English defeated the Normans and took their ship, in
which thev found over four hundred men killed."
104 Chronicles of Emjland.
1 1. CiiKoNU i.r. i>K St. Ai.bans. 1:}2S-I;5SS. Aflor the doath of
Mnttliew Paris [see no. 12 |. tlio St. Albans chronicle was carried
on from l^;")!) to 1272 by a writer who. from dilHdence at
following so great a historian as Matthew, conceals his name.
William Kishanger |born 1250] seems to have been the next
historiograi>her, and continued the histoiy from 1272 to KJCMj.
From l;3<'7 to l.'}2o, John de Trokelowe was the chronicler, and
for l.">2.'}and l.*)24 Henry de Blaneforde. For the next few years
there is a gap, and then comes the present chronicle, the author
of which is unknown. It has a special value as containing by
far the fullest account of the important years 187(j and 1377.
The author bitterly attacks John of Gaunt, who was the patron
ofWydifte; and when Henrj- IV., son of John of Gaunt, came
to the throne, this chronicle was suppressed, and a much toned-
down version substituted, Avhich is presei-ved in the Iio>/al -1/.V.
13 E. Lx. This latter chronicle extends from 1272 to 1392, thus
re-covering all the ground worked over by the historians men-
tioned above, and is believed to be the work of Thomas
Walsingham, who was chief copyist at St. Alban's in 1396, and
lived till 1420 or later. He may perhaps have had some share
in the original chronicle of 1328-13<SS, but of this it is impossible
to be certain. The Tlistoria Anglicana, which passes under
Walsingham "s name, is a comj^ilation from this chronicle and
other sources, notably Higden's Vohjchronkon | see no. 16', ex-
tending from 1272 to 1422. This is the last of the great series
of St. Alban's Chronicles which is also a general history of
England.
The copy exhibited [llarl. 3IS. 3634] was written in the 14th
centuiy. Some leaves from it have been incorporated in tlie
Bodleian MS. 316 at Oxford. It formerly belonged to Archbishop
Matthew Parker.
The passage selected is from the description of the trial of
Wycliffe at St. Paul's in 1377. It is part of the narrative which
is suppressed in the revised version by Walsingham.
" Accordingly, on the Thursday before the feast of the Chair of
St. Peter [19 Feb. 1377], the son of perdition, John Wycliffe, was
to appear before the Bishops, that a decision might be had con-
cei-ning the marvels which proceeded out of his mouth, by the
teaching, as was believed, of Satan, the adversary' of the whole
Church. Then after the ninth hour, attended by the Duke [John
of Gaunt] and Lord Henry Percy and some others, who by their
rank might overawe the weak-hearted, and followed by the afore-
mentioned Mendicants, that if any crumb should fall from the
rich men's table, — that is, if any unrefined words should escape
from the Bishops' mouths, — they might gather it up and gnaw it
by way of scandal, that offering of abomination, the above-
mentioned .John, was brought in with great pomp. Nor could he
be satisfied with common officers, except he were ushered by Lord
Heniy Percy, the Marshal of all England. ... At this point the
Chronicles of England. 105
devil astutely touml a way for bringing oif his pupil, who should
escape through the deaths of many from the hands of the
Bishops ; for he created a dissension between the great lords and
the Bishops, that so the trial might be delayed. As the people
thronged together and obstructed the passage of the lords and
this same John, Lord Henry Percy, by an abuse of the power
committed to him, miserably attacked the people in the church
[St. Paul's]. The Bishop of London, seeing this, forbad him to
exercise such authority in the church, and affirmed that, if he had
known he intended to behave in such a manner there he would
not have allowed him to enter the church. Then the Duke,
hearing these words, gnashed his teeth and swore he should
exercise authority there, whether the Bishop liked it or not. . . .
Thus the Duke and the Bishops were greatly excited, alike by the
insults which they hurled at one another and by the fury of the
peojde which had been aroused. This happened, as we believe,
by the device of the Enemy of mankind, who hoped that by an
occasion of this kind that lying scoundrel might escape for that
day from being confounded for his innovations. For he perceived
that he [WyclifFe] would be useful to him in every way ; and
therefore he took care that such a champion of his party should
not perish silently or without a struggle."
15. Thomas Elmham, Vita Henrici Quinti. Thomas Elmham was
a monk of St. Augustine's, Canterbury, and was treasurer of the
monastery in 1407, and Prior of Lenton, in Nottinghamshire, in
1414. He wrote a history of the monastery of St. Augustine's
and a Life of Henry V. The latter, which is here exhibited, is
one of the chief authorities for the events of that reign, though
written in a diffuse and pretentious style.
The copy exhibited [Cotton MS. Jul. E. iv.] was written in the
15th century. The passage selected [eh. 27] is part of the
description of the battle of Agincourt.
" When the hostile lines had approached within twenty paces, not
far from Agincourt, and the sound of the trumpets, rending the air
with tremendous clamour, summoned the courage of the warriors
to the battle, the enemy's force first moves forward, and advances
against the English. At once the terrible fury of war arises
greater and greater. On the one side, huge armed forces charge,
in the ancient manner of conflict, with deadly spear-thrusts and
eager sword-strokes and all other madnesses of war ; the strong
fastenings of armour are violently rent asunder ; and noble warriors
inflict on one another fatal wounds. On the other side, the warlike
wedges of archers, covering the sky with clouds by their dense and
powerful discharges, hurl forth, like storm-drops from a cloud of
rain, an intolerable swarm of piercing arrows, breathing all their
strength into the service of war and death. At the first conflict of
the armies, the French cavalry, who had been posted with the
object of charging down the archers and assailing the English in
the rear, were met with a reiterated discharge of arrows, which
wounded their horses and cast the riders to the earth or forced them
to retreat, and so this great and formidable scheme was shattered
to pieces at the beginning of the fight. ... In this deadly struggle,
10(> Chrunivlcs of KntjlanJ.
it must 1)0 roconli'tl, iibuvo all tiling.'^, how that brilliant star of
kinj's, tho lij^ht and lani|i of chivalry [Ilonry V.j, exposed that
inecious treasure of his ))er8on to all the chances of war, ami with
the i>re-eminent valour of his rank thundered with sudden panic
and irresistil)lo .issanlt upon the enemy, in unslackenin<i^anil noMe
war. Nor did the madness of battle so far respect the royal dij,'nity
as that he should escape the enemy's attacks and the heavy burd«'n
of wounds ; for a part of the iron coronet which crowned his royal
helmet was struck ott" by an enemy's blow. Verily if he had been
but a chief of inferior rank amon<f the fi^rhting knights, he would
yet have deserved the crown of honour above them all, for the ex-
cellent greatness of his noble valour."
16. Ranulph Higden, Pohfchronicon. This work was the most
popular history extant in the 14th and 15th centuries and even
later. The author was a monk of the abbey of St. Werburgh, in
Chester, and died in 1303. His chronicle is an universal history
of the world inLadn, from theCreation to the time of Edward III.,
and it is preceded by a geographical description of the world,
especially of Great Britain. In its first form the history closed
at 132G, l)ut the author subsequently brought it down to 1342 ;
and continuations of it beyond this date were frequently made
by other writers. As an independent authority it is not of much
value ; but it was the standard history of its day, and shows the
condition of historical and geographical knowledge at that time.
Its popularity is proved by the fact that, besides circulating
largely in Latin, it was translated into English. The translator
was John de Trevisa, chaplain to Lord Berkeley, who completed
his work in 1387. On the invention of printing, Trevisa's trans-
lation was printed by Caxton, in a slightly modernized form, in
the year 1482.
The copy exhibited [Add. IIS. 24194] is a manuscript of
Trevisa's translation, written early in the 15th cputur}'. It was
written for Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, who died in
1439, and whose wife was daughter and heiress of Thomas, Loid
Berkeley, for whom Trevisa executed his translation. It
belonged subsequently to Archbishop Tenison.
The passage selected [Bk. I., ch. 00] is from a description of the
character of the English in Higden's time. The language is
somewhat modernized, for the sake of intelligibility, Caxton's
version being adojited whenever possible.
"The Englische men that dwellen in Engelond and ben medled
[ = intermingled] in the island, that ben [ = are] far fi-om the places
that they sprung of first, will lightl}', without enticing of any other
men, by their owne assent turn to contrary dcdes ; and so uneasy,
also full impatient of peace, eager for business, and hating sloth,
that when they have destroyed their enemies all to the ground,
then they fighte with them selves and slay each other, as a void and
an empty stomach worketh in itself. Nevertheless men of the
south ben easier and more mylde ; and men of the north be more
Chronicles of England. 107
unstable, more cruel, and more uneasy. The middle men be
somdele [ = to some extent] partners with bothe. Also they give
themselves to gluttony more than other men, and be more costly in
mete and in drynke and in clothinge. , . . These men ben speedy
both on horse and on foote, able and ready to all manner of dedes
of armes, and they be wont to have the victorie and the masterie
in every fight, where no treason is walkyng. And they ben curious
and can well telle dedes and wonders that they have seen. Also
they go in dyvers landes ; unnethe [= hardly] ben any men
richer in their own land or more gracious in far and in strange
landes. They can better win and get new things than keep their
owne heritage ; therefore it is that they be spred so wide and ween
[ = think] that every land is their owne. The men ben able to do
all manner of sleight and wit, but before the dede blundering and
hasty, and more wise after the dede ; and they leave lightly what
they have begonne. . . . These men dispise their owne and praise
other men's, and unnethe [ = hardly] be pleased with their owne
estate ; what befalleth and becometh other men, they gladly take
to themselves ; therefore it is that a yeoman arrays him as a squire,
a squire as a knight, a knight as a duke, and a duke as a king."
17. The Chronicle of the Brut, This was one of the most
popular histories of England in the 15th and 16th centuries.
It was first written in French by an unknown author in the
reign of Edward III., and took its name from the fact that it
begins with the legendary colonisation of England by the
Trojans under Brut or Brutus. In its earliest form it ends in
1332. A revised edition, in which the accounts of the reigns
of Edward II. and Edward III. were enlarged, appeared shortly
afterwards ; and in 1435 this was translated into English by
John Maundeville, rector of Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk. The
history was then brought down to the year 1418, and in this
shape it became very popular and was largely circulated. A
further continuation was added to it, bringing the narrative
down to 1436 ; and finally, on the invention of i^rinting, Caxton
continued it to the year 1460 and printed it in 1480. This
edition, with additions and alterations, was fi'equently reprinted
in the course of the next fifty years, but since then the chronicle
has never been reprinted. The early part of the history is
based upon the romance of Geoffrey of IMonmouth (the source
of most of the legends concerning early English history), and
has no historical value ; from the reign of Edward I. it has some
original matter, but its chief interest is as the first popular his-
tory of England which circulated in the English language.
The copy exhibited [Add. MS. 83242] was written in the 15th
century. The passage selected is a criticism of English fashions
of dress in the reign of Edward III. In the following tran-
script the spelling has been modernised.
"In this time Englishmen so much haunted and cleaved to the
woodness [ = madness] and folly of the strangers [that] from iW
time of the coming of the Hainaulters eighteen years passed they
lOS CJii'oiiicUs of EiKjland.
oiil.iintHl ami fhiinj,'t'il IIrmu ovimy voar divers sliai)Os and disjruisiu^'
of olotbiiijjf. of Ion*,', lar<,'0 and broatl and wide clotlics, dostitute
and dislioit [ = i"ar removed] Ironi all old honest and good usage;
and another time short elothes and strait waist ed, jagged and cut
on every side, slatenyd [slashed) and Ituttoned with sleeves and
tippets of surooats and hoods over long and large and over much
hanging, that, [if] 1 sooth shall say, they were [more] like to tor-
mentors and devils in their clothing and showing and other array
than to men. And the women more nicely yet passed the men in
army and curiosity. . . . The which disguising and pride per-
adventure afterwards brought forth and caused many mishaiis and
mischiefs in the realm of England."
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CODEX ALEXANDRINUS.
( 109 )
BIBLICAL MSS.
[Exhibited in Cases G and H, against the pilasters, beginning on the right
of the entrance to the King's Library.]
A small selection of typical MSS. of the Bible, intended to illus-
trate the textual history of the sacred Scriptures, from the
earliest known copies of them in the original Hebrew and Greek,
down to the appearance of the first complete Bible in English.
Case G.
1. The Pentateuch, in Hebrew ; with the Greater Massorah in
the upper and lower margins, and the Lesser Massorah at the
side, 9th century ; probably the oldest MS. now in existence
of any substantial part of the Bible in Hebrew. The text is
furnished with vowel -points and accents. Vellum. [Or. 3IS.
4445.]
2. The Bible, in GreeJc : a volume of the celebrated " Codex
Alexandrinus," written in uncial letters, in double columns, on
very thin vellum, probably in the middle of the 5th centur5\
One of the three earliest and most important MSS. of the Holy
Scriptures, containing both Old and New Testaments and the
Epistles of St. Clement of Rome, It formerly belonged to the
Patriarchal Chamber at Alexandria (whence its name), and was
presented in 1628 to King Charles I. by Cyril Lucar, Patriarch
of Constantinople, and previously of Alexandria. [Royal MS.
1 D. viii,]
With this MS. are exhibited, for the sake of comparison, j)hotographs
of the only two MSS. of the Greek Bible (apart from a few small frag-
ments on papyrus) which are older than it, viz. (1) Codex Vaticanus (B),
in the Vatican Library at Rome, originally containing the whole Bible,
but now wanting most of Genesis, the Pastoral Epistles, and the Apoca-
Ij'pse ; (2) Codex Sinaiticus (n), discovered by Tischendorf at Mount Sinai
in 1844, of which some leaves are in the Universitiits-Bibliothek at
Leipzig, and the rest (including the whole of the New Testament, the
Epistle of Barnabas, and the Shepherd of Hermas) in the Imperial Library
at St. Petersburg. These two MSS. are assigned to the 4th century.
3. The Gospel op St. Luke, in GreeJc (Codex Nitkiensis). A
2)alhnpscst manuscript (one, that is, in which the original writing
has been partially washed out, and another work written above
it), containing portions of St. Luke's Gospel, with a Si/r/ac
treatise by Severus of Antioch written above it. The original
writing is in large uncials of the 6th century, written in double
columns, with enlarged initials projecting into the margin ; the
Syriac is of the beginning of the 9th century, written in double
columns in a direction at right angles to the Greek. The MS.
no BlhUnd MS8.
formerly belonged to the Syrian convent of St. Mary Doipara in
the Nit rian Desert in Egypt. Vellum. [Add. MS. 17211.]
-1. Tin; Oi.i) Ti:stami:nt, in GrceJc, of the Septuagint version. The
text follows the recension of Lucian, made at Antioch about
• A. p. .'UUi. which was for some time the standard text at Antioch
and Constantinople, but dift'ors in many details from that of the
majority of our MSS. and printed editions. Written in a neat
juinuscule hand of the l^Uh century. Part of the MS. is written
with three columns to the page, the rest after the more usual
method with two columns. Vellum. \Iloi/al MS. 1 D. ii. |
5. Tur: Acts, Epistles, axd Apocalypse, in Greek. Written in
minuscules by a monk Andreas, of the monastery of the Saviour
at Myopolis, who was engaged for three years at the work, and
finished it in a.d. 1111. Vellum. [Add. J/.S'. 28816.J
(>. The Four Gospels, in Sijriac, of the earlier version, sometimes
known, from the discoverer of this MS., as the " Curetonian
Syriac." The MS. was acquired (from the monastery of St. Maiy
Deipara in the Nitrian Desert in Egypt) in 1842, and was the
only known MS. of this version until the discovery in 1892 of
a palimpsest in the monastery of St. Catherine at Sinai, which
contains the same version in a somewhat different (and earlier)
form. 5th century. Vellum. {Add. MS. 14451.]
7. The Pextateuch, in Sijriac, of the later version, known as the
Peshitto. This version, which was probably the work of bishop
Kabbula at the beginning of the 5th century, became the
authorised version of the Syriac Church. The present MS.
(which was acquired with the preceding one) was written in
A.D. 464, and is one of the earliest extant copies of the Peshitto,
and the earliest MS. of the Bible in any language of which the
exact date is known. Vellurn. [Add. MS. 14425. j
8. The Apocalypse, in Co2)tic, of the Sahidic or Upper Egyptian
dialect : imperfect. Written in a small uncial hand, probably
in the 5th century, on pages measuring only 3i in. by 2| in. ;
one of the earliest extant representatives of this version.
Vellum. [Or. MS. ;]518.]
9. The Gospel of St. John, in Grrch and Coptic, of the Middle
Egyptian dialect ; imperfect. A palimpsest (see no. 3) ; the
Biblical text, which is the earlier, has the Greek and Coptic in
parallel columns, written in a large uncial hand, probably in
the 6th century. The later writing consists of arithmetical
tables and problems. Vellum, j Or. ilI»S'. 5707.]
10. The Eplstles and Acts, in Coptic, of the Bohairic or Lower
Egyptian dialect, with Arabic translation in the margins.
Written in 1308, being copied from a manuscript written in
1250. The Bohairic dialect having ultimately superseded all
others in Egypt for literaiy purposes, this version is the only
one of which complete copies are commonly found, the others
surviving only in fragments, such as the two preceding
specimens. Paper. [Or. MS. 424.]
p. Ill, no. II.
eipOSl lUO>?7sfp):LAeSCpi
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N O l^ s s
exK.le^^cRuT'^i f cs t i^x^jo)
LATIN GOSPELS.
Biblical MSS. Ill
11. The Four Gospels, in the Latin vulgate version, made by
St. Jerome at the end of the 4th century. Written in uncials,
perhaps in North Italy, in the 6th or 7th century. Vellum.
[Harlcif MS. 1775.]
12. The Four Gospels, in the Latin vulgate version. Written in
Northumbria, probably at Lindisfarne, in half-uncials, in the 8th
century. The text is closely akin to that of the celebrated
Lindisfarne Gospels {Cotton MS. Nero D. iv.), and belongs to the
best school of Vulgate MSS. Vellum. [Roi/al MS. 1 B. vii.]
13. The Bible, in the Latin vulgate version, as revised (between
796 and 801) by Alcuin of York, then Abbot of Tours ; with
large miniatures and illuminated initials. Alcuin was invited
from England by Charlemagne to superintend the education of
his kingdom, and his revision of the Vulgate was undertaken by
Charlemagne's orders. The present copy was written at Tours,
in the Caroline minuscule introduced during the reign of
Charlemagne, about the middle of the 9th century. Vellum.
[Add. MS. 10546.]
14. The Bible, in the io^/« vulgate version, as revised (about 810)
by Theodulf, Bishop of Orleans. Written, probably at Orleans,
in very small and neat Caroline minuscules, with three columns
to the page. 9th century. Vellum. [Add. MS. 24142.]
15. .The Acts, Epistles, and Apocalypse, in the Ljatin vulgate
version. Written at the monastery of St. Gall, in Switzerland, in
Caroline minuscules, under the dii-ection of Hartmut [abbot of
St. Gall, 872-883], who has added in his own hand the
apocryphal Epistle of St. Paul to the Laodiceans. Vellum.
[Add. MS. 11852.]
16. The Bible, in the Latin vulgate version ; with illuminated
initials. Written, probably at Canterbury or Eochestei-, by
a scribe named William of Devon, in the 13th century. It
represents a large number of Bibles produced both in England
and in France in this century, apparently under the impulse
of St. Louis and the University of Paris (where Stephen Lang-
ton, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, made the modei:n
division of the Bible into chapters). Such MSS. are generally
written in very small hands (see p. 83, no. 118). Vellum.
[Roi/al MS. 1 D. i.]
17. The Bible, in the Latin vulgate version ; with illuminated
initials. Written in the 13th century. A typical example of
the small portable copies of the Scriptures ])roduced during this
jDeriod in England and France, containing the whole Bible on
471 small leaves of thin vellum, in a very minute hand. [Royal
MS. 1 A. iii.]
18. The Pentateuch and Book of Joshua, paraphrased in Enr/lish
by -(Elfric the Grammarian (abbot successively of Corne and
Eynsham) ; with coloured illustrations. yElfric's work was
produced early in the 11th century, and was the earliest form
in which the Old Testament narrative was made accessible to
\\:2 Biblical MS^.
English readers in their own tongue. Tlie present MS. (one
of the two extant copies of the work) was written in the 1 Itii
century, ^'elhlnl. \('ofto)i MS. Chiudius B. iv. ]
19. The Four Gosi'kls, in Knijlisli, of the Anglo-Saxon or Wessex
version, produced early in the 1 1th century. This is the earliest
English version of the Gospels, apart from interlinear word-
for-word translations inserted in Latin MSS. (as in the Lindis-
farne Gospels or the Psalter shown in Case C, no. 51)), or tradi-
tional translations, such as those of Bede or King Alfred, of
which no trace has survived. Written eai*ly in the 12th
century, and belonged successively to Christ Church, Canter-
bury, to Archbishop Cranmer, and to John, Lord Lumley.
Vellum. [Iloijal 31 S. 1 A. xiv.j
20. The Bible, in English, of the earlier Wycliffite version, pre-
pared about 1880-1382 by Wycliffe's adherents, under the
direction, and perhaps with the assistance, of Wycliffe himself.
This version, Avhich was made from the Latin \'ulgate, not
from the original Hebrew and Greek, was the first complete
Bible in the English language. The present copy was written
towards the end of the 14th century, and Ijelonged to Thomas
of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, youngest son of Edward III,
who was put to death by order of Richard IL in 1397. With
fine illuminated initials and borders in the English style.
Vellum. [Efjerton MSS. (ill, 618.]
21. The New Testament, in English, of the later Wycliffite version,
a revision of the earlier one, made at the end of the 14th cen-
turj', probably by John Purvey, one of Wycliffe's followers.
15th century. Presented to Queen Elizabeth as a New Years
gift by John Bridges, one of her chai^lains. Vellum. [Ho/jal
3LS. 1 A. xii.]
22. The Psalter, in English, of the later Wycliffite version, with
the Canticles and Athanasian Creed. 15th century. Vellum.
[Add. 31 S. 10040.]
23. The Catholic Epistles axd Apocalypse, in English, of the
later Wycliffite version. 15th century. This volume and the
last are specimens of the small pocket copies of parts of the
Bible in English which circulated in the 15th and 10th
centuries, before their supersession by the printed Bibles of
Tyndale and his successors. Vellum. { Harle)/ 31S. o7(iS.\
p. 112, no. 20.
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WYCLIFFE'S ENGLISH BIBLE.
( 113 )
HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AND
PAPYRI.
[In frames fixed against tlie wainscot on either side of the entrance
to the King's Library.]
On the West Side.
1. Instrument written in Latin, on papyrus, 8| feet in length
by 1 foot in width, containing a deed of sale of a house and
lands in the territory of Rimini ; dated at Ravenna, 3 June,
in the 7th year of the reign of Justin the Younger [a. d. 572],
[Add. MS. 5412.]
2. Will of Abraham, bishop of Hermonthis, in Upper Egypt,
and head of the monastery of St. Phoebammon at Djeme, near
Thebes. Greek. Written on papyrus, probably about the end
of the 6th century. [Pap. 77.]
3. Deed of sale of a slave-boy, in Latin, whereby C Fabullius
Macer, an officer on the vessel " Tigris," in the Misenatian
squadron of the Roman fleet, purchases a boy named Abbas or
Eutyches, aged seven years, of Eastern nationality, from Q.
Julius Priscus, a soldier on the same vessel, for 200 denarii.
Dated at Seleucia Pieria, in Syria, 24 May, a. n. 166 ; with auto-
graph signatures of the parties and witnesses, whose seals in
clay are ranged along the top of the document. Written on
papyrus in a large cursive hand of early type ; the signatures
in similar hands, but generally smaller. [Pap. 229.]
4. Original Bull of Pope Leo X., conferring on King Henry VIII,
the title of Defender of the Faith; dated at Rome, 5 id. [11]
Oct., in the 9th year of his pontificate [a. d. 1521]. Signed by
the Pope and many of the Cardinals. It was much damaged
in the fire of 1731. [Qotton MS. Vit. B. iv. f. 226. |
5. Grant by Mahomet II., Sultan of the Ottoman Turks, to the
Genoese inhabitants of Galata (the suburb of Constantinople) of
special privileges for residence and trade ; the origin of the
" Capitulations " regulating the position of foreign residents in
Constantinople. Greel: With the monogram of the Sultan at
the top, and the signature of the vizier Saganos at the bottom,
in Arabic. Dated in the week following the capture of Con-
stantinople by the Turks [29 May, 1453]. [Fjjerton MS.
2817.]
1 1 1 Ilit^torical Documents and Papyri.
On the J-Msf S;,U:
[Tlio oasi's on tln' contral panels ami tin- small sliow-cahc boniath tliem
contain recent acquisitions of the Department, temporarily exhibited.]
0. Proclamation issued by the Lords Justices, administering the
kingdom during the absence in Hanover of George II., calling
upon all His Majesty's subjects to endeavour to seize and
secure the Son of the Pretender [i.e. Prince Charles Edward],
who is reported to have embarked in France with a view to
landing in Great Britain ; and offering a reward of i;30000 for
his capture. Dated at Whitehall, 1 Aug., 1745; with the
uutoiiraph signatures of the thirteen Lords Justices. On the
following day the Young Pretender landed in the Hebrides,
and on Aug. 19 raised his standard on the mainland. [Add.
MS. 3717t5, 1
7. Proclamation issued by Prince Charles Edward [the Young
Pretender], as "Prince of Wales and Regent of the Kingdoms
of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland," etc., in answ^er
to the above-described proclamation of the Government, offering
a reward of .£30000 '• to him or those who shall seize and
secure, till Our further Orders, the Person of the Elector of
Hanover [i.e. George II.], whether landed, or attempting to
land, in any part of His Majesty's Dominions. Should any
fatal Accident happen from hence, let the Blame lay entirely
at the Door of those who first set the infamous Example."
Dated ''Our Camp at Kinlocheill,'' 22 Aug. 1745. Printed.
[C. 18 e. 2 (93).]
8. Counterpart of a deed of conveyance of land at Port Philip,
now the site of Melbourne, Victoria, from the native chiefs
to John Batman. Founder of Victoria Colony, for 20 pair of
blankets, 30 tomahawks, 100 knives, 50 pair of scissors, 30
looking-glasses, 200 handkerchiefs, and 100 pounds of Hour.
Avith a yearly rent of 100 pair of blankets, 100 knives, lOO
tomahawks. 50 suits of clothing, 50 looking-glasses, and 50 pair
of scissors. Dated, G June, 1835. [Add. CJi. 377(50. j
[On pilaster near Case L, facing south.]
9. Letters Patent of James I., creating his son Henry Prince of
Wales and Earl of Chester ; witnessed by Charles, Duke of
York, and many other peers in full Parliament, 4 June, 1610.
With a fine impression of the second Great Seal of James L
The initial contains a finely executed miniature of the king
handing the patent to Prince Henry ; in the border are the
arms of the king, the prince, the principality of Wales, the
duchies of Cornwall and Chester, and the badge of the three
ostrich feathers. [Add. MS. 36932.]
p. 11 f>, no. -id.
GREAT SEAL OF EDWARD III.
( 115 )
SEALS.
[Ill the table-cases on either side of the entrance to the Department of
Prints and Drawings.]
Case L.
Great Seals op the Sovereigns of England.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
13.
14.
16.
18.
19.
20.
21.
2. Edward the Confessor. 1st
seal, obv. [1053-65] and rev.*
[1041-66.]
William I. 1st seal, obv. [1066-
87.]
William II. [1087-1100.] Cast
of rev.
Henry I. 4tli seal, obv. [About
1100-23.]
Stephen. 2nd seal, obv. [1139-
44.]
Henry II. 1st seal, obv. [1171-
74.]
Richard I. 1st seal, obv. 1189.
Richard I. 2nd seal, obv. 1 198.
John. Only seal, obv. 1200.
12. Henry III. 1st seal, obv.
1230, and rev. 1243.
Henry III. 3rd seal, obv.
[About 1259.]
15. Edward I. Only seal, obv.
1276, and rev. 1285.
17. Edward II. Only seal, obv.
1307-27, and rev. 1323.
Edward III. 2nd seal, obv.
1331.
Edward III. 3rd seal, obv.
1338.
Edward III. 6th seal, obv.
[1340-72.]
Edward III. 7th, or "Bretigny,"
seal, obv. [1366-75.]
2nd seal, obv. 1411.
2nd seal, obv. 1415.
1st seal, obv. 1442.
29. Edward IV. 2nd seal, obv.
[1461-71], and rev. 1462.
31. Edward IV. 5th seal, obv.
1471, and rev. [1471-83].
Richard III. Only seal, obv.
1484.
34. Henry VII. Only seal, obv.
1507, and rev. I486."
Henry VII I. 2nd seal, obv.
1536. (The last great seal of
England exhibiting gothic
architecture.)
Henry VIII. 3rd seal, obv.
1544.
38. Edward VI. Only seal, obv.
1548, and rev. 1553. (The
latter used by Queen Mary.)
40. Mary I. Only seal, obv. no
date, and rev. 1554.
Philip I. and Mary I. [1554-
58.] Only seal, obv. ; bronze
cast.
43. Elizabeth. 1st seal, obv.
[1558-85], and rev. 1559.
* On the obverse of a Great Seal the sovereign is generally rcprost-nted
enthroned, on its reverse mounted on horseback.
I 2
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
30.
32.
33.
35.
36.
37.
39.
41.
42.
Richard II.
seal, obv.
Richard II.
Henry IV.
seal, obv.
Henry IV.
Henry V.
Henry VI.
[1377-99.] 1st
2nd seal, obv.
[1399-1413.]
1st
116
tSeah
44. 45. Kli/.abth. 'Jiul seal, obv.
|15H.-.-l(;0:iJ. ami rev. 1598.
46. James 1. 1st seal, obv. ' 58.
1 160:^-5. 1 I
47. 48. Charles 1. :h\\ seal, obv. ' 59.
lG3:i, and rev. 1627. ; 60.
49. 50. Cominonwealtli. "The great !
seal of Eiifrlaiul. 1651," obv. in 61.
wax and rev. in sulphur. Used
in 1(;56. 63.
51. Commonwealth. Seal used
during the Protectorate of 65.
Oliver Cromwell, rev. [1658.]
52. Commonwealth. [1658-60.] 66.
Second Seal, used during the ,
Protectorate of Richard Crom- ] 67.
well, rev. I
53. Charles II. 3rd seal, rev. [1664- j 68.
74.] 1
54. 55. Charles II. Seal for Ire- ;
land, obv. and rev. Dated 70.
"1660."
56. .Tames II. Only seal, rev. 1686. 72.
57. William III. and Mary II.
[1689-94.] Original design on
stone for rev. of a great seal.
William III. and Mary II. Only
seal, rev. 1689.
Anne. 2nd seal, rev. 1704.
Anne. 3rd seal, obv. ; cast.
[Matrix made in 1707.]
62. George I. Only seal, oljv.
1720, and rev. undated.
64. George II. Only seal, obv.
undated, and i-ev. 1748.
George III. 4th seal, obv. No
date. (Not used after 1800.)
George III. 7th seal, obv. No
date.
George IV. Only seal, obv.
1824.
69. William IV. [1830-37.]
Only seal, obv. and rev. ;
proofs.
71. Victoria. 2nd seal, obv. and
rev. ; proofs. [1837.]
73. Edward VII. Obv. and rev. ;
proofs. [1904.]
Case M.
a.
Seals of Ecclesiastical Dignitaries.
1. Anselm. Archbishop of Canter- 14.
bury. [1093-1109.] 15.
2. Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln.
1145. 16.
3. Theobald, Archbishop of Can-
terbury. [About 1144.] 17.
4. Robert de Chesney or de Quer- 18.
ceto, Bp. of Lincoln. 1152.
5. Richard Fitz-Neal, Bp. of Lon- 19.
don. [1189-98.]
6. (ieoffrey Plantagenet. Bp. of 20.
Lincoln. [About 1173.]
7. William de Salso Marisco, Bp. ' 21.
ofLlandaff. 1190.
8. Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln. 22.
[1191-95.]
9. Hubert, Archbp. of Canterbury. | 23.
1198. _ I
10. Henr}', Prior of Abergavenny, 24.
Bp. ofLlandaff. [1193-121X.]
11. William of Blois, Bp. of Lin- 25.
coin. [1203-6.]
12. Stephen Langton, Archbp. of 26.
Canterbury. 1226. j
13. Elias de Radnor, Bp. of Llan- 27.
daff. [1230-40.]
Chapter ofLlandaff. [1230-40.]
Walter de Suthfield, Bp. of Nor-
wich. [1245-57.]
Henry Lexington, Bp, of Lin-
coln. [1254-58.]
Hugh Balsam, Bp. of Ely. 1266.
Lawrence de S. Martin, Bjj. of
Rochester. 1268.
AVilliam Middleton, Bp. of Nor-
wich. [1278-88.]
William Eraser, Bp. of St.
Andrews. 1281.
William de Luda, Archdeacon
of Durham. 1286.
Anthony Bek, Bp. of Durham.
1286.
John Romayne, Archbp. of
York. 1293.
John Salmon, Bp. of Norwich.
1308.
John de Aldreby, Bp. of Lin-
coln. 1305.
Robert Winchelsey, Archbp. of
Canterbury. 1309.
Richard de Kellawe, Bp. of
Durham. [1311-16.]
Seals.
117
28. John de Eglescliffe, Bp. of
Llandatf. [1323-47.]
29. William de Melton, Archbp. of
York. 1328.
30. Stephen de Gravesend, Bp. of
London. 1387.
3 1 . Ralph Stratford, Bp. of London.
1340.
32. William Bateman, Bp. of Nor-
wich. [1344-55.]
33. John Thoresby, Archbp. of
York. [1353-73,]
34. Simon Sudbury, Archbp. of
Canterbury. [1380-81.] Seal
" ad causas."
35. William Courtenay, Archbp. of
Canterbury. [1381-96.]
36. John Bokyngham, Bp. of Lin-
coln. 1386.
37. Chapter of Lincoln. 1386.
88. Henry Spencer, Bp. of Norwich.
1392.
39. Henry Beaufort, Bp. of Lincoln.
1403. Seal " ad causas."
40. Richard Clifford, Bp. of Lon-
don. 1409.
41. Philip Repingdon, Bp. of Lin-
coln. 1415. Seal " ad causas."
42. John Stafford, Archbp. of Can-
terbury. [1443-52.] Seal "ad
causas."
43. Richard Beauchamp, Bp. of
Salisbury. 1470.
44. William Smith, Bp. of Lincoln.
1496.
45. William Warham, Archbp. of
Canterbury. [1504-32.] Seal
of Prerogative Court.
4G. Thomas Cranmer, Archbp. of
Canterbury. 1540.
47. Edward Lee, Archbp. of York.
1540.
48. Thomas Thirleby, Bp. of West-
minster. (Design on wood.)
[1540-50.]
49. Nathaniel, Lord Crewe, Bp. of
Durham. [1674-1722.] "Pala-
tine seal," rev.
Seals of Abbots, Abbeys, etc.
1. Wilton, CO. Wilts. [1872.] [11th
cent, matrix.]
2. St. Mary's, York. [11th cent.]
8. Westacre, co. Norf. [About
1231-36.] [12th cent, matrix.]
4. Selby, co. York. 1282. [12th
cent, matrix.]
5. 6. Robert, Bp. of Bath, and
Priory of St. Peter's, Bath.
[1159-66.] [The latter from
10th or 11th cent, matrix.]
7. St. Alban's, co. Hertf. 1435.
[12th cent, matrix.]
8. Nun Kelynge, co. York. [13th
cent, charter, 12th cent,
matrix.]
9. Newstead, co. Notts. [12th
cent.]
10. Kilburn, CO. Midd. 1402. [12th
cent, matrix.]
11. Ankerwyke, co. Bucks. 1194.
12. Battle, CO. Suss. [About 1212.]
13. St. John's Redcliffe, Bristol, co.
Somers. [14th cent.] [Early
13th cent, matrix.]
14. Lees Priory, co. Essex. [About
1280-50.]
15. Merton, co. Surr. [About
1249-52.]
16. Simon, Abbot of St. Edmund's
Bury, CO. Suif. [1257-79.]
17. John, Abbot of St. Alban's.
1258.
18. Holy Trinity, Norwich. 1321.
[Matrix made in 1258.]
19. Greenfield, co. Line. [About
1260.]
20. John de Medmeham, Abbot of
Chertsey. 1269.
21. Chertsey, co. Surr. 1269.
22. St. James, Northampton.
[About 1270.]
23. Nun Appleton, co. York. 1272.
24. Simon, Abbot of Kirkstead, co.
Line. 1278.
25. Newhouse, co. Line, 3rd seal.
1283.
26. St. Bartholomew, London. 1533.
[13th cent, matrix.]
27. Peterborough, co. Northt., 2nd
seal. [13th cent.]
28 Lesnes, co. Kent. [13th cent.]
29. Selborne, co. Southt. [13th
cent.]
118
Seals.
:>0. South w irk, CO. Southt... l2n(l :W.
seal. [l:Uhcont.] 40.
:>1. Evesham, co. Wore, 1st seal. -41.
|i:Uhoont.] 42.
:^2. St. Paul's, London, '2nd seal. 43.
[18th cent.]
:\Z. Hagneby. CO. Line. 1392. [ 1.3th 44.
cent, matrix.]
:U. Hromholmc, co. Norf. 1421. 4-').
[13th cent, matrix.]
3.">. Christ Church, Canterbury, { 4t;.
3rd seal. 1452. [13th cent. 47.
matrix.]
36. Waltham, co. Essex. 1537. 48.
[13th cent, matrix.]
37. Boxgrave, co. Sussex. [13th 49.
cent.]
38. Daventre, co. Northt. 1295.
Thornholni, co. Line. 1297.
Oseney, co. Oxon. 1300.
Barlings, co. Line. l.>10.
Bridlington, co. York. 1327.
Bardney, co. Line, 2nd seal.
1347.
Henry, Abbot of St.AVerburgh,
Chester. 1394.
Bissemede, co. Bedf. 1523.
[14th cent, matrix.]
Elsing Spittle. London. 1405.
St. Edmund's Bury. 1517. [14th
cent, matrix.]
.John, Abbot of the above.
1517.
Dean and Chapter of Elj', co.
Cambr. 1822. [16th cent.
matrix.]
C. d.
Baronial Seals.
1. Milo de Gloecestria, afterwards 15.
3rd Earl of Hereford. [1140-
43.] 16.
2. Waleran de Bellomonte, Count
of Mellent, Earl of Worcester. 17.
[1144-60.]
3. Richard deHumetis. King's Con- 18.
stable of Normandy. [11.54-
80.] 19.
4. Robert, son of Turketiii. Knt.
[11.55-68.] I
5. Conan Le Petit, Duke of Brit- j 20.
tany, 5th Earl of Richmond, i
[1165-71.] 21.
6. Geoifrey Plantagenet, son-in- j
law of the above, 6th Earl of |
Richmond. [1168-86.] | 22.
7. Robert de Bellomonte, Count '
of Mellent. [1170-78.] 23.
8. Helyas de Albeni. [Late 12th
cent.] 24.
9. Roger de Lacy, Constable of
Chester. [1179-1211.] 25.
10. Hugh de Beauchamp. [12th
cent.] 26.
11. Simon de la Tour, Knt. [12th 27.
cent.] 1
12. Ral ph,. son of Stephen deOiland, 28.
or Holland. [12th cent.]
1 3. Roger de Mowbray, of co. York. 29.
[12th cent.]
14. Adam, son of Roger de Sumei-i. 30.
[1180-91.] '
John, Count of Mortain (King
John). [About 1188.]
Stephen de Turnham, Knt.
[About 1200.]
Gilbert Prudhomme. [Early
13th cent.]
Patrick, 5th Earl of Dunbar.
[About 1200.]
Alan, Count of Penthievre and
Goello, son of Henry, Count of
Treguier. 1202.
Baldwin, Count of Flanders.
[Early 13th cent.]
Leisanus lilius Morgani, of
CO. Glamorgan. [Early 13th
cent.]
Thomas de St. Walerie. [Early
13th cent.]
Richard, Earl of Cornwall, son
of King John. [122-5-72.]
The same, as King of the
Romans. 1257.
Brianus filius Radulphi, of co.
Essex. [Early 13th cent.]
Peter de Brus ill. [13th cent.]
Sir Robert de Ghisnes, Knt.
11245-50.]
Roger de Quincy, 2nd Earl of
Winchester. [About 1250.]
William de Fortibus, 7th Earl
of Albemarle. 1251.
Simon de Montfort, 2nd Earl
of Leicester. 1258.
Seals.
119
31. Geoffrey de Geynville, of Ire-
land. 1259.
32. John, son of Hubert de Burgh.
[About 1269.]
33. Robert, son of William de
Ferrers, Earl of Derby. 1262.
34. Guillaume, Avoue of Arras,
Lord of Bethune and Tenre-
monde. [13th cent.]
35. John Fitz-Alan, of co. Warwick.
[About 1272.]
38. Hugh de Neville. [1211-23.]
37. Robert, son of Walter de Da-
vintre, of co. Northampton.
[13th cent.]
38. Peter de Montfort. [Middle of
13th cent.]
39. Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Hert-
ford. [1262-95.]
40. Edmund Plantagenet, Earl of
Cornwall. 1275.
41. Sir John de la Hay, Knt. 1281.
42. Gerard de Furnivall. [Late
13th cent.]
43. Patrick, 8th Earl of Dunbar.
[About 1289-1309.]
44. Henry de Laci, 3rd Earl of Lin-
coln. 1290.
45. The same — a different seal.
[1300.]
46. John, Duke of Lori'aine and
Brabant. 1295.
47. The same, 2nd seal. 1300.
48. Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster.
[1295-1321.]
49. Theobald de Verdoun, Constable
of Ireland. 1313.
50. John de Mowbray, Lord of the
Island of Axholme [co. Line.].
1334.
51. William de Clinton, Earl of
Huntingdon. 1340.
52. Hugh de Courtenay, 2nd Earl
of Devon. 1349.
53. John Darcy. Lord of Knayth,
CO. Lincoln. 1349.
54. John Plantagenet "of Gaunt,"
Duke of Lancaster, Seneschal
of England. (Privy seal.)
1363.
55. The same, as King of Castile
and Leon. 1392.
56. 57. Sir Robert de Marny, Knt.,
and Alice Brun, his wife. 1365.
58. Walter, 4th Baron Fitz-Walter.
1368.
59. Ingelram de Coucy, Earl of
Bedford. 1369.
60. Henry Percy, 1st Earl of North-
umberland. 1390.
61. Edmund Plantagenet, Duke of
York, 5th son of Edward 111.
1391.
62. William de Beauchamp, 1st
Baron Abergavenny. 1396.
63. Michael de la Pole, 4th Earl of
Suffolk. 1408.
64. Thomas Plantagenet, Duke of
Clarence, second son of Henry
IV. 1413.
65. Humphrey Plantagenet, Duke
of Gloucester, fourth son of
Henry IV., seal for chanceiy
of Pembroke. 1426.
66. William de Hoo, Knt. 1427.
67. Sir Maurice de Berkeley, Lord
of Beverstone. 1428.
68. Sir James Ormond, Captain of
Gournay, France. 1441.
69. Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pem-
broke. 1459.
70. John de la Pole, Earl of Lin-
coln. [1467-87.]
71. John de Vere, 13th Earl of
Oxford, Lord Great Chamber-
lain and Lord High Admiral.
1496.
72. Richard Grey, Earl of Kent,
Baron Grey of Ruthyn.
[1506-7.]
73. Sir Robert Dudley, K.G., Earl
of Leicester. 1566.
74. The same — another seal. 1577.
75. Charles Howard, 1st Earl of
Nottingham, Lord High Ad-
miral. ICOl.
Seals of Queens Consort and Ladies of Rank.
76. Alice of Brabant, 2nd wife of
Henry L [After 1135.]
77. Mary, daughter of Lawrence of
Rouen. [12th cent.]
78. Liece,daughter of the preceding
and of Ralph of Rouen. [12th
cent.]
79. Ydonia de Herste, Lady of
1.'20
Seah.
rroinhill. lo. Kont. [Lute
1-Jth ront.l
80. Mai!,Mrot ilo Quiiuv, Countess
of NViiuhoster. [About \'220.]
81. Ela. Countess of Salisbury.
|12'2t>-40.]
b'2. Mar','aret de Lacy, Countess of
Linioln and reniltroke. [After
124:).]
8^. Maud, daupfhter of William
Luvetot, widow of Gerard,
Baron Furnival. [About
1260.]
84. 85. Sir Hu-jrli de Colewoi-tlie.
Knt., and Elizabeth his wife.
[Late 13th cent.]
86. Agnes de Percy, of co. Lincoln.
[About 1300.]
87. Joan de Stuteville. [1265-75.]
88. Mabel de Gatton. [13th cent.]
89. Isabel de Beaumont, widow of
Sir John de Vescy. [1289-
1311.1
90. Isabella of France, wife of
Edward II. [1307-57,]
91. Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lin-
coln, daughter of the Marquis
of Saluces. 1310.
92. Margaret de Neville. 1315.
93. Elizabeth de Bur-li, [;adv of
Clare. 1335.
94. Elizabeth de Multon, wife of
Walter de Bermyngliam. 1341.
95. Matilda of Lancaster, Countess
of Ulster. 1347.
96. Euphemia de Lucy, widow of
Sir Walter de Heselarton, Knt.
1369.
97. Anne of Bohemia, wife of
Richard II. 1390.
98. Anne, Countess of Stafford.
daughter of Thomas, Duke of
Gloucester, youngest son of
Edward III. ' 1434.
99. Margaret, Countess of Shrews-
bury, daughter of Richard, Earl
of Warwick. 1456.
100. Elizabeth Wydevile, wife of
Edward IV. 1467.
101. Margaret, Countess of Salis-
bury, daughter of George,
Duke of Clarence. 1514.
102. Jane Seymour, wife of Henry
VIIL 1537.
103. Henrietta Maria, wife of
Charles I. [1625-69.]
104. Catharine of Braganza, wife
of Charles IL 1662.
( 121 )
ILLUMINATED MSS.
[In Cases 1-7, and in a special Case reserved for the Rothschild Bequest, in
the Grenville Library, beginning on the left as the visitor enters from the
Hall.]
An illuminated MS. is one enriched with gold and colours, in
miniatures, in borders wholly or partially enclosing the text,
and in ornamental initials. Those here exhibited are arranged
according to schools or the countries in which they were pro-
duced. Nos. 1-7 are Byzantine MSS., dating from the 11th to
the 13th century, and char'acterized by a rigid formalism,
most apparent in the stereotyped figures and attitudes of the
four Evangelists in copies of the Gospels. The colours are
opaque and sombre, and the backgrounds of gold or in mono-
chrome. A marked feature of the school is the rectangular
head-piece, the designs of which are an unmistakable indication
of oriental origin. A freer style of Byzantine work may be
seen in the delicate marginal illustrations in no. 2.
The other side of the same case contains English MSS. of the
10th and 11th centuries. They chiefly illustrate the style which
originated at Winchester during the episcopacy of St. ^thel-
wold (963-984), no doubt under his direct influence, and
which prevailed in Biblical and liturgical MSS. down to the
Conquest. In this style thick body colours and both gold and
silver were employed, with elaborate frame-borders and initials
of conventional foliage and interlaced work ; but other ex-
amples are given of a simpler form of illustration, in which
English artists also excelled, consisting of outline dra\vings in
ink or bistre, only slightly, if at all, touched with colour. The
curious fluttering drapery, hunched shoulders, and unnaturally
long hands and feet are especially characteristic of the period.
The next two cases show the progress of illumination in
England fi-om the 12th century, when it had been pro-
foundly modified by the results of the Conquest, down to the
middle of the 15th century, after which, largely owing no
doubt to the Wars of the Eoses, it practically became extinct.
Generally speaking, in the 12th century the figure-drawing
is bold, the colours thickly laid on, and the background of
highly burnished gold. The initials are often of large size,
and are filled with intricate masses of foliage, amid which
figures of various kinds are sometimes introduced. In the
13th century a minuter and more refined style came into
use. The features, hair, and drapery are more carefully treated.
122 lUuminatcd Manu^^'-rlpts.
aiul latterly the body })eoomes more flexible ; delicate little
miniatures occupy the interior of the initials, and plain gold
grounds l)egin to give place to diapers and other }>atterns in
gold and colours. At the same time, as Gothic influences
extended, richer eff'ects were obtained by the use of pinnacled
niches and other decorative architectural details. Meanwhile
the border also developed. At first a mere prolongation of
a linil) of the initial, terminating in a simple volute or bud, it
gradually extends the whole height of the text, turns the
corners along the toi> and l)ottom, and ultimately surrounds
the page on all four sides, branching out more and more in
the process into foliage, flowers, scroll-work, and other orna-
mentation. This style reached its perfection in the 14th
centurj', the finest jjeriod of pure illumination in Western
Europe. Down to this time there was no essential difference in
style between English and French MSS., and they may chiefly
be distinguished by the colouring, the English preferring lighter
tones, especially of blue and green, and the French a deep blue
and other more brilliant colours, often combined with a ruddy,
copper-like gold. Shortly before 1300 a school of artists, con-
nected apparently with East Anglia,becameprominentin England,
whose work is more distinctive and at its best is unsurpassed.
No. 26 is a tyi^ical, but Ijy no means a superlative, example of it.
This school, however, did not last long, its decay being perhaps
hastened by the ravages caused by the Black Death in 1348-40 ;
and when a sudden revival in the art took place near the end
of the centuiy, the new style was in a gi'eat measure indepen-
dent of it, and had still less in common with contemporary
French work. Possibly it was not altogether of native growth,
but received an impulse on the marriage of Kichard II with
Anne of Bohemia in 13S2 from artists of the flourishing school
of Prague. Some of its most important remains are showui
in nos. 30-33, in which it will be observed that the features
in the figures are no longer drawn with a pen but are care-
fully painted with a brush, while new and peculiar forms of
foliage appear in the ))orders. Probably the best miniature-
work of this style was all executed before 1425, but with more
or less modification it continued to be the ordinary style for
decorative purposes as long as the English School was of any
account.
With regard to French illumination (Cases 4, 5), which off"ers
a wide field, only a few points can here be noticed. To a far
greater extent than was apparently the case in England it enjoyed
royal patronage, and its debt in particular to Louis IX. (122<;-
1270) and to Charles V. (1364-1380) and his sons the Dukes
of Berry (d. 1416) and Burgundy (d. 1419) can hardly be over-
rated. From the 13th century onwards it possessed in an
eminent degree the qualities of refinement, poetic feeling, and
brilliance, culminating about 1400 in the lovely productions of
Illuminated Manuscripts. 123
Pol de Limboui'g, Jacquemart de Hesdin, and the Paris school.
Besides several MSS. of this period in the general series n
specially remarkable one is shown in the Rothschild Case, no. 1.
Apart from their miniatures French MSS. may usually be
recognized by the ivy-leaf style of border-, the simpler forms of
which date from the first half of the 14th century. It is
composed of delicate, thread-like sprigs with small tridentate
leaves, either of colour or more often of highly burnished gold.
This light and graceful, but somewhat monotonous, design fre-
quently overruns the whole of a wide margin, and latterly it is
combined with gaily painted foliage and flowers, l)irds, gro-
tesques, etc., small miniatures also being sometimes inter-
spersed. In the 15th century, besides other advances towards
realism, diapered and other ornamental backgrounds in the
miniatures wei'e gradually superseded by landscape. This was
at first crude and frankly conventional, showing little sense of
perspective, but the drawing afterwards improved and the
scenery was truer to nature. As illumination proper declined, a
more pictorial style was thus developed, of which Jean Fouquet,
of Tours, was the most illustrious exponent. The ascription
to him of no. 64 is very doubtful, but it is the work of no
ordinary hand ; and of a somewhat later date nos. 65 and 66
are also typical representatives, on very different scales, of the
Tours school, both possibly being due to Fran9ois Fouquet, son
of the better known Jean.
Towards the end of the century, when the French school in
general was in its decadence, the Flemish school reached its
highest point. In earlier times they approaclied near together
in style, though in one respect at least, a fondness for hu-
morous subjects in the margins, Flemish illuminators showed
more of an English spirit. Latterly, under the influence of
Memling and his followers, the style of miniature was de-
veloped which is exemplified in nos. 82-87 and Rothschild
MSS. nos. 4, 10. Among other qualities it is remarkable for
depth and softness of colour, j:)ower of expression, and fine land-
scape and atmospheric effects. In conjunction with it the
peculiar Flemish type of border also made its appearance, con-
sisting in its most usual form of a broad band of colour or
flat gold, serving as a ground for minutely realistic flowers,
fruit, butterflies, insects, and other isolated objects. Another
phase of late Flemish art is illustrated in the lower compart-
ments of Cases 4, 5. The huge volumes there displayed,
following others of English and French origin, are decorated
with miniatures which are often interesting foi- their subjects
and treatment, but are otherwise of no particular merit. They
were turned out in large numbers at Bruges, and many of them
appear to have been done to order for the English royal library,
bearing the arms of Edward IV. and Henry VII.
I'M' IHiiiiiiihttrd Manuscripts.
Gonunn art is so iujidoquately represented by the four MSS.
(nos. 8S-5)1) at the einl of Case G that it may be passed over, but
the Italian MSS. which till Case 7 (nos. 92-111, 12*)-l:34) call for
some notice. Froni lack of earlier materials, the first of them is
of the 1 4th century, but it still shows strong Byzantine influence.
No. do is more distinctly Italian, the somewhat stunted figures,
greenish flesh-tints and heavy drapery, together with the
peculiar red and other colours, being marked characteristics.
To the same century belong such fine MSS., among others, as
the Bolognese Bible (no. 129), the Dante witli tinted drawings
(no. 95), the lai-ge Prato volume (no. ISO), the Durandus (no. l-'U),
and the Florentine Gradual (no. 132), the veiy different styles
of which show the amazing versatility of Italian art. In
illumination, as in other branches, rapid advance was made in
the 15th century, the best of the miniatures being exqui-
sitely finished works of art, and the borders frequently marvels
of invention, richness, and grace. A familiar type of orna-
mentation is formed of twining vine-tendrils, generally in white
or gold upon a coloured ground (no. 101). This is used in both
borders and initials, and seems to have been a revival of the
interlaced Lombardic work of the 11th and 12th centui-ies
(see Case C, no. 101, in the Saloon). Beautiful borders were also
composed of the most delicate flower and scroll work, studded
with glittering spots of gold (no. 106), and in another style the
text was enclosed within rectangular panels, richly painted in
crimson, blue and green, and covered with floreated designs in
gold and colours (no. 110). Both these styles were afterwards
much elaborated, the artists availing themselves of the resources
of the classical renaissance and adding graceful candelabra,
trophies and vases, medallions with portrait busts and copies of
antique gems, cupids, fawns, sphinxes, etc., and wonderfullj-
painted pearls, rubies and other jewels. This brilliant period,
however, was of brief duration. Not long after 1500 the art
declined in Italy, as it had done elsewhere, and illumination
became a mere vehicle for the disi>lay of technical skill without
refinement or taste.
Case 1.
Nos. 1-7. Byzantine School.
1. Gospels, in Greek ; 11th century. Miniatures of the Evan-
gelists and head-pieces, in colours on a gold ground. Formerly
in the library of the Escurial in Spain. [Burneij MS. 19.]
2. Psalter, in Greek ; written by the arch-priest Theodorus of
Caesarea for Michael, abbot of the Studium monastery at Con-
stantinople, and completed in Feb. lOGG. Marginal illustrations
of Bible-history, Lives of saints, etc., in the best style of Byzantine
art. \Aclfl. MS. 19852.]
Illuminated Manuscripts. 125
3. Lives of Saints, by Simeon Metaphrastes, in GreeJc ; 11th-
12th century. Beautiful miniatures of saints, and elaborately
designed head-pieces, [Add. 3IS. 11870.]
4. Gospels, in Greel' ; 12th century. Figures of the Evangelists
and numerous finely executed miniatures. [Harley MS. 1810.]
i). Gospels (that of St. John missing), in Greek ; 12th century.
Miniatures of the Evangelists. [Add. MS. 22740.]
6. Gospels, in Greeh ; 12th-13th century. Miniatures of the
Evangelists and head -pieces. [Add. MS. 5112.]
7. Gospels, in Greek • written by the monk Theophilus in 1285.
Miniatures of the Evangelists and head-pieces. [Burney MS. 20.]
Nos. 8-38. English School *.
8. Charter of the foundation of New Minster, Winchester, by
King Edgar in 966. Written in book-form, in gold. A minia-
ture, on a purple ground, representing the king, between the
Virgin and St. Peter, offering the charter to the Saviour, who is
seated within a mandorla suj^ported by angels ; with a border of
coloured foliage on a framework of gold. [ Cotton 3IS.Yes-p. A.viii.]
9. Psalter, in Latin ; written at Winchester, probably in the
time of Bishop ^thelwold [963-984]. The tinted miniature
of the Crucifixion is an exceptionally fine example of English
figure-drawing, and the large ornamental B on the opposite
page served as a model for the initial in English Psalters down
to the Conquest. [Harleij MS. 2904.]
10. Gospels, in Latin ; written at New Minster, Winchester,
early 11th centuiy. Miniatures of the Evangelists and fine
initials and borders in gold, silver, and colours at the beginning
of each Gospel. [Add. MS. 34890.]
11. Gospels, in Latin ; early 11th century. Apparently written (per-
haps at Winchester) for Christ Church, Canterbury, containing
an inserted copy of a charter of King Cnut confirming its
privileges. Initials and borders in Winchester style. [Royal
MS. 1 D. ix.]
12. " Psychomachia," by Aurelius Prudentius, a Latin poem on the
conflict between virtues and vices in the soul, with marginal
notes in English ; early 11th century. Outline drawings, tinted,
the two shown representing Humility ascending to heaven, and
Luxury seated at a banquet. [Cotton MS. Cleop. C. viii.]
13. Offices of the Holy Cross and Trinity, with calendar, tables,
etc., in Tjatin and English ; written at New Minster, about
1012-1020, partly by the monk ^Ifwin, who became abbot in
1035. Two outline drawings, tinted, one of the Crucifixion,
the other (exhibited) of the Father and Son seated and the
Virgin standing on their right, with the infant Jesus in her
arms and the Holy Spirit as a dove settling on her head. Below
* See also nos. 112-114, in the lower compartment of the same case.
126 Ulvm't iiated M(()nisrri/)fs.
are Satan, Judas, and Ariiis tlio heresiaich, fettered, and the
o]>en jaws oi Hell. | Cotto)i MS. Titus D. xxvii. j
I I. Kegister and niarty»olt)gy of New Minster, afterwards Hyde
Abbey, in lAtlin and Kyujlislt ; written about lOlG-lO'JO, with
continuations. Three pages of outline drawings, slightly
tinted. The first depicts Cnut and his ([ueen yElfgyfu placing
the great gold cross upon the high altar ; in the two pages
shown angels are leading souls to the gate of heaven, held open
b)' St. Peter, while, below. St. Peter and the devil are contending
for a soul, and two souls are being cast into hell, the gate of
which is locked by St. Michael. | Htoivc MS. 944. ]
15. Psalter, in Lathi, with glosses in English ; probably written
at New Minster, about 1050. Miniatures, initials, and borders
in colours, without gold. [Arundel MS. (50. |
Case 2.
16. Psalter, in Latin ; 12th century. Finely executed miniatures
in a stiff, archaic style. The original owner, a female, appears
to have been connected with the abbey of nuns at Shaftesbury,
in Dorset. [Lansdou-ne MS. 383.]
1 7. Life of St. Guthlac of Croyland, depicted in eighteen fine outline
drawings in ink, slightly tinted, on a vellum roll, within medal-
lions, accompanied by explanatory Latin sentences; late 12th
century. \Harlcy Roll Y. 6, J
18. ■ Psalter, in Latin ; late 12th century. Five full-page miniatures
on burnished gold backgrounds, and initials wdth figures and
foliage. Belonged to Westminster Abbey. [Uoi/al 3IS. 2 A.
xxii.]
10. Smaragdus on the monastic Kule of St. Benedict : early 13th
century. A full-page miniature of St. Dunstan. on a gold ground.
Belonged to Christ Church, Canterbury. [JRoijal 3IS. 10 A'.
xiii.]
20. Bible, in Latin. A typical example of a 13th centuiy Bible,
written in a minute hand and delicately illuminated with
figure-initials and partial borders. Belonged to Robert de
Bello, abbot of St. Augustine's, Canterbury, 1224-1253. [Burney
MS. 3. J
21. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in L^atin, with calendar of a marked
English character; latterhalf of the 13th century. Executed for
a lady, who is kneeling before the Virgin in the first initial.
Miniature-initials, with small grotesques, birds, animals, etc.,
in the margin, of most delicate work. | Ef/erton 31 S. 1151.]
22. Psalter, in Latin ; late 13th century. Miniatures and figure-
initials, rather coarsely executed. The miniature shown on
the left represents the Tree of Jesse, a favourite subject at the
beginning of English Psalters. Belonged to John Grandison,
Bishop of E\'eter (1327-1369), who bequeathed it to Isabella,
daughter of Edward III. [Add. MS. 21926.]
p. 126, no. 15.
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LATIN PSALTER, WITH ENGLISH GLOSS.
ENGLISH, XI CENT.
p. 127, no. 25.
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APOCALYPSE.
ENGLISH. XIV CENT.
Illuminated Manuscripts. 127
2o. Apocalypse, and miracles of St. John, with a commentary, in
Latin ; late 13th century. A miniature, in parts tinted only, in
the upper half of each page. This volume and no. 25 belong-
to an important class of MSS., apparently of English origin,
which are devoted to the illustration of the Apocalypse. A fine
French example may be seen in no. 48. \_Add. MS. 35166. |
24. A series of coloured full-length figures of English kings from
Edward the Confessor to Edward I., with brief notes in French ;
executed during the reign of Edward I. (1272-1307), the space
under his figure not being filled in with text. The two pages
shown represent John taking a poisoned cup from the Abbot
of Swineshead, and the coronation of Henry III., who holds in
his hand a model of Westminster Abbey. [^Cotton MS. Vitell.
A. xiii.]
25. Apocalypse, with j^rologue and commentary, in French.
Miniatures with figures admirably drawn in outline and
slightly tinted, on grounds of dark blue and red. The designs
are characterized by unusual spirit, as in the conflict with the
dragon on the page exhibited. \ Royal MS. 19 B. xv. ]
26. Breviary, in Latin, with two series of chronological notes
ending in 1322 ; apparently connected with Norwich and
executed between 1322 and 1325. A fine example of the East-
Anglian school, having miniature-initials, with stipi^led gold
and diapered grounds, and partial borders ending in sprays
of coloured foliage, often supporting grotesques. [Stotve MS.
12.J
27. Psalter, in Latin ; with an English calendar, and the arms of
England impaling Hainault in the first border. Executed
therefore for Philippa of Hainault, queen of Edward III.,
Ijetween 1328, when she married, and 1340, Avhen Edward
quartered the arms of France. Beautiful initials and sprig
borders, partly defaced ; the former containing figures deli-
cately painted on patterned gold and diapered grounds.
[Hurley 3IS. 2899. J
28. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin and French. ; 14th century.
Miniatures, initials, and borders rather coarsely executed, with
a marked use of bright red. The subject on the page shown
is the legendary story how Christ in his childhood changed
some children who were hidden from him in an oven into
swine. [Egerton 31 S. 2781.]
29. Fragments of a Psalter, in Latin ; 14th century. Miniatui'e-
initials and elaborate frame-borders of foliage and interlacing,
on a gold ground, with small miniatures inserted at intervals.
[Eoyal MS. 13 D. i.]
30. Hours of the Virgin, in IjUtin ; end of 14th century. Miniatures,
initials, and borders, the last with the corner clusters and
light sprays of foliage ending in trumpet- and spoon-shaped
flowers characteristic of the period. On either side of the
gracefully modelled miniature of the Annunciation which is
128 invminaied Manuscripts.
exhibited are kneeling figures of a. husband and wife, for one
of whom the MS. was executed. The sprays which surround
the arcliitoctural setting were probably added by another hand.
[Jioi/id MS. -2 A. xviii.r
31. Admiralty Ordinances, etc., in Latin and French ; written
in «.>r very soon after 1418. Fine initials and borders in the
strongly marked English style noticed above. [Cotton MS.
Vesp. B. xxii. j
Case 3.
32. A selection from two volumes of initials and borders of ex-
ceptional beauty cut from a large Missal, in Latin, written and
illuminated at the end of the 14th century. In its perfect state
the MS. must have been a magnificent example of English art,
superior even to the great Bible, Eoyal MS. 1 E. ix, which it
rlosely resembles in style. Both were probably executed
for Richard II. and belonged to the royal chapel. [Add. MSS.
29704, 29705. J
33. Fragment of a Lectionary, in iMtin ; about 1400. Executed
for John, 5th Lord Lovel of Tichmersh (d. 1408), or j^ossibly
for his son, .John, 6th Lord (d. 1414). Fine miniature-initials
and borders, of the same style as those in no. 32, but less well
preserved. At the beginning (exhibited) is a large miniature
of the artist, Brother John Siferwas, presenting the volume to
Lord Lovel ; a remarkable specimen of early English portrai-
ture. The arms in the border opposite are those of (1) John,
5th Lord, impaling those of his wife, Maud Holand ; (2) John,
(»th Lord, viz. Holand and Lovel quartered ; (3) John, 6th
Lord, impaling those of his wife Eleanor Zouche ; and (4) the
same, impaling Salbron ( ? a second wife). The same artist
illuminated the famous Sherborne Missal, now at Alnwick
Castle. [Jlarlc^ JIS. 7026.]
34. Select Psalms, with calendar and prayers, in JMin ; early
15th century. A single miniature, and numerous foliated initials
and borders. Arms of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, son of
Henry IV. (b. 1391, d. 1446) ; and his note of ownership at the
end. The crowned kneeling figure in the miniature, as ex-
hibited, is api)arently Henry V. [Rot/al 2IS. 2 B. 1.]
35. Metrical Life of St. Edmund, King and Martyr, by John
Lydgate, in Emjlisli. Apparently a copy executed for Henry VI.
on his visit to Bury St. Edmunds Abbey in 1433. Upwards
of a hundred miniatures, specially interesting for the costumes,
which belong, as is usually the case, to the date of the MS.
[llarleij MS. 2278. J
36. Psaltei-, in Latin ; 15th century. Miniature initials and bor-
ders at the principal divisions. [Royal MS. 2 B. viii. |
37. Treatise, in Latin, on the education of princes, dedicated to
Henry VI. ; loth century. Frame-borders, with foliage ui)on
p. 128, no. 32.
INITIALS FROMoA MISSAL.
ENGLISH, END OF XIV CENT.
Illuminated Manuscripts. 129
a gold ground, of a rather unusual style, at the beginning
of each chapter. \CoUon MS. Cleop. A. xiii.]
38. Missal, in Latin ; 15th century (before 1446). Figure initials,
and borders with light feathery sprays of foliage. The border
exhibited also includes panels of twisted leaf scroll-work, with
circular corner-bosses of bold acanthus-like designs. Bequeathed
by William Melreth, alderman of London, to the church of
St. Laurence, Old Jewry, in Jan. 1446. [Arundel MS. 109.]
Case 4. •
Nos. 39-71. French School*.
39. Gospels of St. Luke and St. John, in Latin ; written in
Caroline minuscules of the latter part of the 9th century, with
two illuminated pages before each Gospel. The style is that
of the Franco-Saxon school associated especially with the
Abbey of St. Denis near Paris, and the panelled borders filled
with interlaced work, the terminal dogs' heads, etc., show
affinities with MSS. of the earlier Anglo-Irish school. The
peculiar form of corner ornament, in silver, is found also in
the so-called " second Bible " of Charles the Bald (d. 877) at
Paris. [Egerton MS. 768.]
40. Psalter, in Latin ; late 12th century. Apparently written for an
abbey of nuns in some relationship with the Cluiiiac monastery
of La Charite sur Loire. Large initials enclosing miniatures
and foliage, on plain gold or coloured grounds. [Harleij MS.
2895.]
41. Psalter-, in Latin ; 13th century. Written for an inmate of
an abbey of nuns, perhaps in the neighbourhood of Nantes.
A beautiful specimen of French work ; with large miniature-
initials, the figures delicately painted on a burnished gold
ground and the angles of the frcinie outside the letter filled in
with fine diapers in colours. [Rotjal MS. 2 B. ii.]
42. Psalter, in Latin ; loth centuiy. Eighteen large miniatures
of the Life of Christ ; and large figure-initials, with plain
burnished gold grounds, of somewhat inferior work. Illuminated
initials and partial borders, and detached sloping ribbons of gold
and colovu' in the lower margins, generally terminating in human
and other grotesques. [Add. MS. 17868.]
43. Treatise on surgery, in French, translated from the Latin of
Eoger Parmensis [fl. 1180), etc. ; 13th century. Besides other
miniatures, figure-initials and partial foliated borders, the MS.
includes twenty-one pages of curious illustrations of surgical cases,
on plain grounds, alternately dark blue and pink. Sixteen of
these pages are divided into nine compartments, the first three
of which contain scenes from the Life of Christ, on gold and
diapered grounds, as in the pages shown. The remaining sub-
* See also nos. 115-120 in the lower comijartments of Cases 1, 4.
K
130 JliaiKt iHitrd ^f(l nti.s('i'i/)t8.
jocts on th«> same pages <I<^al witli sword and spear ■wounds,
and the sotting of dislocated limbs. | Sloa)ic MS. 11)77. |
41. Bil)le. in />(»//« ; l-"Uh eentiiry. Another exami)le of a Bilde in
the style charactiM-istie of the period, minutely written and
«lelioately iHuminated {rf. no. l>(>). [Add. JIS. 27694. j
4"). Gospel Lectionary. in JaiHii, of the use of Paris ; written late
in the l-Jth century, and very closely resend)ling a somewhat
earlier MS. given to the Saiute Chapelle by St. Louis (d. 1"J70).
The initial I of the prefatory words "In illo tempore " of each
Lesson is filled witli scenes from the Life of Christ, delicately
painted on burnished gold and diapered grovmds, the extremities
of the letters being i)rolonged so as to form jmrtial borders.
[Add. :\IS. 17341.1
4C. Bible History, witli luoialized interpretations, in Latin ; late
13th century. An im])erfect MS., other portions of which are
at Oxford and Paris, belonging to a special class of '"Livres
d'images," profusely illustrated for the purjjose of religious
instruction. Eight miniatures on every page, on a gold ground
within medallions, the style being suggestive of stained-glass
windows. Those exhibited refer to incidents in the shipwreck
of St. Paul, with their symbolical meaning, e. g. the ship is the
church in the storms of this world, the lightening of it by
throwing the corn overboard is the casting off of sins, the pi-o-
jiosal to kill the prisoners is the evil counsel given to kings
against the poor, etc. [Harl. MSS. 1526, 1527.]
47. Apocaly])se, in iMiin, with a French translation ; early 14th
century. Miniatures in the ujiper part of each page, remarkable
both in design and colouring ; the backgrounds of dark-coloured
diapers. The pages slunvn represent the angel casting a great
millstone into the sea (xviii. 21), and the praising of God in
heaven on the destruction of Babylon (xix. 1). Belonged in the
1 7th century to the Carthusian house of Val-Dieu near Mortagne,
dioc. Seez. '[Add. MS. 17333.]
48. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin ; early 14th century (after
I31S), the calendar pointing to St. Omer, in the extreme north
of France. Witli line miniature-initials on stippled gold and
diapered grounds, and richly decorated with foliated borders
and small marginal grotesques and other figures. Executed for
a lady, who is rei)resented, kneeling, on the page shown. The
MS. belonged to .John Kuskin. [Add. MS. 36684.]
49. Psalter, in Lxitlii ; early 14th century. Exquisitely i>ainted
figure-initials on grounds of delicate diaper-work in gold and
colours. [Add. MS 29923.J
50. Missal, in Latin, of the use of Paris ; middle of 14th century.
Delicate miniature-initials and partial ivy-leaf borders, with
two large miniatures before the Canon, of the Crucifixion and
Christ in glory ; patterned gold and diapei-ed grounds. The
arms of Beauvau, of Anjou, are in the first border. Given by
Itier de Martreuil, Bishop of Poitiers (1395-1405) Chancellor
p. 130, no. 45.
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GOSPEL LECTIONARY.
FRENCH, XIII CENT.
p. 130, no. 50.
MISSAL.
FRENCH, XIV CENT.
Illuminated Manuscripts. 131
of Berry, to John, Duke of Berry, son of Charles V. of France,
and by him, in 1404, to the Sainte Chapelle at Bourges. [Harleii
MS. 2891.]
51. Order of the Coronation of the King and Queen of France, in
French and Latin ; with an autograph note by Charles V. (1364-
1380) that he caused it to be revised, transcribed and historiated
in 1305. Thirty-eight miniatures, on gi-ounds of diaper, gilt
scroll and other patterns, of curious interest as depicting the
different stages in the ceremony. The two shown represent the
liing (obviously a portrait of Charles V.) taking the oath, and
seated before the altar, on which lie the crown, sword, etc.
From the royal library at the Louvre, whence it probably passed
into the possession of John, Duke of Bedford, Regent of France
(1422-1435). [Cotton MS. Tib. B. viii.]
52. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin ; late 14th century. Delicate
miniatures on diapered and gold grounds ; ivy-sprig borders
with a few small grotesques. Arms of Andrault, Seigneurs de
Langeron en Nivernois, quartering those of Gencien. [Add.
3LS. 23145.]
53. St. Augustine, De Civitate Dei, in Latin ; late 14th century
(before 1380). Two small miniatures in vol. i. and eleven in
vol. ii. (the latter mostly in grisaille) on coloured grounds
covered with designs in gold ; ivy-sprig borders on the first page
of each book. The miniature shown (from vol. i.) illustrates
the persecution of the early Christians and the offering of gifts
to the Church in the person of St. Peter ; the border differs
from the rest by including grotesque figures and birds. Arms
of Hugues Aubriot, Provost of Paris (1367-1381) ; but the lions
supporting the shield suggest that the MS. was originally
intended for Charles V. (d. 1380). [Add. 3LSS. 15244, 15245.]
54. Epistle, in FroicJt, by Philippe de Maizieres, Celestin of
Paris, to Richard II. of England, advocating peace and friend-
ship between him and Charles VI. of France ; 1395-1396.
A miniature of the author presenting the work to Richard II. ;
on the opposite page the armorial beai'ings and crowns of
France and England, the Crown of Thorns, etc. Ivy-sprig
borders, with dragons at the corners. Apparently the original
presentation-copy, [lioyal MS. 20 B. vi. ]
Case 5.
55. Bible History, in French, translated (1291-1294) by Guiart
des Moulins from the Historia Scholastica of Petrus Comestor ;
about 1400. The first page of Genesis very richly decorated,
and numerous small miniatures at the heads of books and
chapters, on grounds of diapers or of scroll and other designs
in gold upon colour ; the ivy-sprig borders and initials highly
burnished. Belonged (cf. no. 50) to John, Duke of Berry
(d. 1416). [Harlei/ MSS 4381, 4382.J
K 2
132 Illuminated ManuscHpts.
50. Hours oftlio Virgin, etc., in Z((//n; early loth centurj'. Beautiful
miniatures, some of which show Italian influence ; illuminated
initials and ivy-sprig borders, with variegated foliage and
dragon terminals, in groat profusion. The style is that of the
artists who worked for the Dukes of Berry and Burgundy
(of. Rothschild MSS., no. 1, below). {Add. MS. 32454. J
57. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin ; early 15th century. Four-
teen large and many smaller miniatures, the best of which
show a strong Italian influence. The borders round the large
miniatures are of richly coloured foliage on burnished gold,
with amorini and other figures, small birds, butterflies, etc.,
freely introduced ; the remaining borders are of ivy-sjirigs
and coloured foliage, with grotesques, birds, etc. The shields
intended for arms are left blank, but the device of a sun with
golden ra5'S occurs on each page of the calendar. [Add. MS.
29433.]
58. Histoi-y of Louis IX. and Philip III. of France by Guillaume
de Nangis, in French; about 1410. A miniature representing
the Virgin (possibly also meant for Isabel of Bavaria, queen
of Charles VI.) instructing the Dauphin Louis (b. 1396, d. 1415);
the backgi'ound being formed of the heraldic charges of Finance
and Bavaria, and the canopies and carpets bearing the arms of
France and the Dauphin. A full ivy-sprig border round the
same page. [Royal MS. 13 B, iii.]
59. Psalter, in Xrtf/w ; early 15th century. Miniature-initials with
gold and patterned grounds ; ivy-sprig and floreated borders,
with corner medallions enclosing figures on gold, of an unusual
style. The subjects of the miniatures are described in French
in red and Idue rubrics within the text. From the evidence
of the calendar the MS. appears to be connected with Metz.
[Add. 3IS. 16999.]
60. History of Alexander the Great, in French, translated from
the Historia de Proeliis ; early 15th centuiy. Miniatures in the
upper part of most of the pages, of special interest for their
subjects ; partial ivy-sprig borders. [Boyal MS. 20 B. xx. ]
61. Psalter, etc., in Latin ; about 1425-1430. Fifteen exquisite
miniatures of Parisian style, and richly illuminated Ijorders
and initials on every page. In six of the miniatures King
Henry VI. (b. 1421, succ. 1422) appears as a child, crowned
and wearing along mantle embroidered with the arms of France
and England quartered. In the one shown he is kneeling
before the Virgin, and behind him stands St. Katherine, patron-
saint of his mother, Katherine of France. The MS. was no
doubt a gift to him either from Queen Katherine or from his
grandmother, Isabel of Bavaria, queen of Charles VI. of France.
[Cotton MS. Dom. A. xvii. ]
62. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in French ; 15th century. Delicately
painted miniatures, mostly in grisaille, on backgrounds of blue
studded with golden stars ; ivy-sprig and floreated borders.
p. 132, no. 62.
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HOURS OF THE VIRGIN.
FRENCH XV CENT.
Illuminated Manuscripts. 133
Fine coloured portraits of the owner and his wife, each kneel-
ing before the Virgin, at the beginning. [Hurley MS. 2952.]
63. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin ; middle of 15th century.
Beautiful miniatures, some on a very minute scale ; and deli-
cate borders of ivy-sprigs, coloured foliage and flowers, birds,
etc. Belonged to Etienne Chevalier, Treasurer of France
(d. 1474). [Add. 3IS. 16997.]
64. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin; middle of the 15th cen-
tury. Thirty miniatures, besides vignettes in the calendar, with
landscape backgrounds, for the most part very finely executed ;
ordinary ivy-sprig and foliated borders. According to Count
P. Durrieu, an early work of the famous French artist, Jean
Fouquet, of Tours. [Add. MS. 28785.]
65. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin ; about 1470. Eighteen
miniatures in two different hands, twelve being apparently
by the same ax'tist who illustrated, on a much larger scale, no.
66. The MS. measures only 3^ inches by 2^, and is a choice
example of the minute and dainty type of a book of Hours
intended for a lady's use. It bears later signatures of members
of the Luxembourg family, and was perhaps executed for Louis
de Luxembourg, Count of St. Pol, Constable of France (be-
headed in 1475), or for his wife. [JEgerton 3IS. 2045.]
66. The Memorabilia of Valerius Maximus : a translation into
French, with additions, begun in 1375 by Simon de Hesdin
and completed in 1401 by Nicholas de Gonesse ; about 1475.
A large composite miniature at the beginning of each of
the nine books, and a small miniature before each chapter, by
an excellent artist of the school of Tours, perhaps Franyois
Fouquet, son of Jean. The subjects shown are : (1) Q. Metellus,
after a life of unalloyed happiness, dies suri'ounded by his
family ; (2) Gyges, chief priest of Lydia, learns from an oracle
that the poorest man in Arcadia is happier than himself;
(3) Gyges takes a ring, with the power of making him invisible,
from the finger of a statue in an enchanted palace ; (4) Candaules,
king of Lydia, reveals to Gyges the beauty of his queen ; (5)
Gyges slays Candaules, usurps the crown, and marries the queen.
Executed for Philippe de Comines the historian (cf. no. 69),
whose arms and monogram appear in all the large miniatures.
[Harlei/ 3ISS. 4374, 4375.]
67. Hoursofthe Virgin, in JVewc/i ; 15th century. Finely executed
miniatures, surrounded by elabox-ate borders of foliage, flowers
and fruits on a plain ground, with figures frequently introduced.
The other borders throughout the MS. are of pink and gold
foliage in exquisite taste, and the initials enclose well painted
human heads, birds, butterflies, etc. Much injured in places
by damp. [Add MS. 25695.]
68. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Xa^m ; 1 5th century. Miniatures
and borders of French style, many of the former showing
a strong Italian influence. The MS. bears the arms of Saluces,
I ■) 1 Uluml netted Mn n u !<irl2)t8.
in two placos ;iltored into those of Urft*, and it contains tlio
portrait of a lady knooliuLi: l)efore the Virgin. She is i)r()bal)ly
Anuilio, tiaugliter of I\Iainfroy do Saluces (d. l^.")")), Marshal
of ISavoy. and niothor i>f Cathorino do Polignac, who married
Pierre d'Urfv (d. 150S). \A(hl. BfS. 27()«>7. ]
(i'.^. Hours of the Virgin, in Latin ; late loth century. Miniatun s
of a rather hard, decadent style, surrounded by borders of gohl
escallop shells ; the other borders, along the outer edge of the
jxiges. are composed of instruments of the Passion. Arms of
Philippe de Comines (d. 1511). gxtes. a bordure and chevron or,
three escallop shells argent. ( llarlcn 318. 286;>.]
7(>. Les Commentaires de la Guerre (Jallique, adapted from
Caesar, De Bello Gallico, by Albert Pigghe for Francis I. :
the first volume of the unique MS., completed in Nov. 1520,
the second being at Paris and the third at Chantilly. Minia-
tures of great refinement by "Godofredus pictor Batavus"
mainly in grisaille, but with occasional touches of colour and
gold. [Ilarlcn MS. 6205.]
71. Hoiu's of the Virgin, etc., in Latin; executed in 1525 for
Francois de Dinteville, Bishop of Auxerre, whose arms are in
the borders. Miniatures of decadent French style within archi-
tectural borders ; the rest of the borders are of Flemish style,
composed of flowers, birds, insects, etc., on a gold ground.
[Add. 3IS. 18854.]
Case 0.
Nos. 72-87. Flemish School*.
72. Missal, in Latin, of the church of St. Bavon at Ghent ; late
12th century. A full-page miniature of the Crucifixion before the
Canon, coarsely executed on a plain unburnished gold ground,
and a small miniature of Christ in glory opposite ; the large
initials filled with boldly designed scroll foliage. [Add. 3IS.
I«j949.]
7o. Psalter, in Lai fin ; l-ith century. Initials, in square frames,
enclosing small figures on grounds of burnished gold, blue and
pink. Arms of Brabant (V), togetlier with those of the family
_ of Yve of Flanders. [Add. JIS. 27591.]
74. Psalter, in L.atin ; late 13th century. Full-page miniatures
of the Life of Christ, and miniature-initials, coarsely executed,
with thick black outlines on a burnished gold ground ; partial
borders of narrow bands of gold and colour, ending in dogs'
heads, etc. [Royal MS. 2 B. iii.]
75. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin ; late 13th century. Full-
page miniatures, and miniature-initials with the extremities
prolonged into partial borders without foliage. [Add. MS.
17444.]
* See also nos. 121-128 in the- lower comjmrtmf-nts of Cases 4, 5.
Illuminated Manuscripts. 135
7(). Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin ; 13th-14th century, the
calendar pointing to Maestricht. Full-page miniatures and
miniature-initials with burnished gold grounds ; the )>orders
and the margins of every page decorated with well-executed
humorous and other subjects. [Stoice MS. 17.]
77. Breviaiy, in Latin ; early 14th century. An obit in the calendar
connects the MS. with the Priory of nuns of Val-Duchesse,
at Anderghen, near Brussels. Miniatures and miniature-initials,
with gold and diapered grounds ; partial borders ending in
foliage and supporting birds, etc. [Jlarle>j MS. 2449.]
78. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin ; early 14th century.
Miniatures after the calendar and in the principal initials ;
nearly comjjlete borders ending in foliage, with small figures,
grotesques, etc. [Add. MS. 24681.]
79. Twenty-seven miniatures, without text, illustrating the Travels
of Sir John Mandeville, ch. 1-5 ; early 15th century. The out-
lines are drawn with a pen and delicately shaded in black and
white with a brush, on vellum tinted a soft pale green ;
colour is used for flesh-tints, foliage, the sky and sea, and
floreated backgrounds, and gold for crowns, nimbi, embroidery,
etc. The designs shown represent (1) the statue of Justinian
before the church of St. Sophia at Constantinople, and (2) the
king of France and the Byzantine emperor, each holding the
head of the spear which pierced Our Lord's side. The pro-
venance is uncertain, but is apparently Flemish. [Add. MS.
24189.]
80. Ordinance of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, for the
regulation of his military levies, in French ; dated at Trier,
[Oct.-Nov.], 1473. This copy was probably made soon after,
and for Charles himself. A miniature of the Duke promulgating
the ordinance in presence of his council ; the border composed
of foliage in gold on a dark-grey ground, with the arms of the
duke and of his six duchies, nine counties, etc. The initials
C. M. are those of Charles and his wife, Margaret of York.
[Add. MS. 36619.]
81. Statutes of the order of the Golden Fleece, with a register of
the chapters held from 1429 to 6 May, 1481, in French ; probably
written in 1481. Illustrated with the arms of the knights in
colour, generally six on a page, and with fine full-length
l)ortraits of Pliilip the Good, Duke of Burgund}^, founder of
the order, Charles the Bold, his successor, and Maximilian,
Archduke of Austria, who married the latter's daughter
and heir. The portrait shown is that of Duke Philip. [Harteij
MS. 6199.]
82. Hoursof the Virgin, etc., in /yW/zM ; late 15th century. Numer-
ous beautifully executed miniatures, and borders of foliage,
fruit, birds, butterflies, etc., on grounds of gold or colour, with
small medallion miniatures at intervals. At the beginning
(probably inserted later) are fulMength portraits of Philip the
136 Illumimited ^f^n^Ui'^•rij>ts.
Fair. Duke of Rurmiiuly (d. 1. ")()<;), aiul his wife Joanna of
Civstillo (m. 145)()). '[.•!(/(/. JIS. 172.SO.J
83. Hours of tlie Virgin, etc., in jAitin ; late 15th century. Minia-
tures and borders of tho same style as those in no. 82. The
small miniature at the foot of the page shown, depicting a
maiden seated, with a lion urgent, crowned and collared or,
before her, is sujiposed to refer to the city of Ghent, where the
MS. was probably executed. {Efjcrfon J/N. 1147.]
84. Eight miniatures, apparently cut from a Book of Hours, with
borders of Howers. fruit, birds, etc., on a gold ground ; end of
l'")th centuiy. The one shown on the light depicts the Emperor
Frederick III.], the Kings of the Romans [Maximilian], of Spain
Ferdinand], and of England [Henry VII.], and an Archduke
of Austria [Philii) the Fair, representing Burgundy], kneeling
before the altar of St. George, with the King of France [Charles
VIII.] kneeling somewhat apart on the left. The sul>ject no
doubt refei's to the peace between the powers first named and
France at the end of 1492, in the negotiations for which England
[St. George] took a leading part. [Add. 3IS. 25098.]
85. Prayers, services for the dead, etc., in Latin, French, and
Flonish ; about 1500. Probably executed at Bruges for a nun
of the abbey of Messines. near Ypres. Twenty-two miniatures,
and borders of flowers, birds, etc., on plain grounds of colour or
gold. [Egerton 3IS. 2125.]
86. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin; about 1500. Miniatures
and liordei's of ordinary Flemish style. [Add. 2LS. 15G77.]
87. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin, with two rubrics in English;
early lOth century. Miniatures and borders of Flemish style,
but possibly executed in England. In one of the margins is
a note written and signed by Henry VIII. [King's MS. 9.]
Nos. 88-91. German School.
88. Fragment of a Psalter in Latin; about 1175-1185. The
calendar written in gold on a purple ground between gold
columns with small miniatures within the arches. Four
nearly full-page miniatures on patterned grounds of red and
gold, with decorated borders. On three of the five remaining
Images the text is in gold on purple, with large initials of bold
foliated designs in colour. The MS. belonged to Henry the
Lion. Duke of Saxony (d. 1195), whose portrait, with that of
his wife Matilda, daughter of Henry II. of England (m. 1168,
d. 1189), is under the Crucifixion on one of the images shown.
[Lansdmvne 3IS. 381.]
89. Psalter, in Latin ; 13th century. Miniatures of the Life of
Christ, etc., of the Thuringo-Saxon school, on grounds of un-
burnished gold, with borders of plain colour ; tlie large initials
filled with boldly designed foliage on gold, within square
p. 136, no. 85.
HOURS OF THE VIRGIN.
FLEMISH, ABOUT 1500.
Illuminated Manuscripts. 137
frames. The design of the Last Supper, as exhibited, is of a
specially curious type. [Add. MS. 18144.]
90. Sixteen miniatures, without text, illustrating the Life of
Christ and no doubt originally prefixed to a Psalter ; 13th
century. Backgrounds of highly burnished gold, and frames
of plain bands of gold and colour. [Add. MS. 17687.]
91. Splendor Solis, a treatise on Natural Philosophy, etc., in
German', dated 1582. Twenty-two curious full-page minia-
tures, some with borders, showing Flemish influence. [Harley
MS. 3469.]
Case 7.
Nos. 92-111. Italian School*.
92. Breviary, in Latin, of Benedictine use ; 14th century. Minia-
ture-initials and borders, following Byzantine models. [Add.
2LS. 15205.]
93. Simone da Cascia, Lordene della vita cristiana, composed in
1333, followed by legends of saints, etc., in Italian; 14th century
(after the adoption of the triple tiara by Urban V., 1362-1370).
Fine miniatures of the school of Giotto, on gold grounds, with
foliated prolongations of the initials. [Add. MS. 27428. |
94. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Zaf/« ; 14th century. Miniatures
of the Life of Christ on burnished gold grounds, with figure-
initials, and foliated borders surrounded by studs of gold. [Add.
MS. 15265,]
95. Dante, La Divina Commedia ; 14th century. The Inferno
and Purgatorio to Canto 23 illustrated by lightly coloured pen-
and-ink drawings in the lower margins ; with other sketches
by an inferior hand, uncoloured, Purg. 24-33. A full-page
illuminated border, with two small miniatures on a deep blue
ground, before the Purgatorio. The fine central figure with
a halo of golden rays in the drawing exhibited represents Cato
(Purg. 1). [Add. MS. 19587.]
96. History of the Israelites from the captivity in Egypt to the
death of Joshua, in Italian ; early 15th century. Coloured
drawings within frames, generally lour on a page, in a curious
style. [Add. MS. 15277,]
97. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin ; early 15th century.
Miniature-initials on a burnished gold ground and a series of
saints on diapered grounds at the end ; borders with foliated
scroll-work, gold studs, birds, etc. The calendar plainly points
to Naples as the place of origin, and the arms of Zurli of
Naples, supported by amorini, are in the first border. [Add.
MS. 17943. J
98. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin ; early 15th century.
Large miniature-initials on a gold ground ; borders of boldly
designed scroll-work on gold, combined with lighter foliage,
* See also nos. 129-134 in tlie lower conii>ai-tnu'nt of the same case.
l.")>< Illuminated MKHuscripts.
flowers, etc., on tlio plain velliun. Tlu- cak'ndar is distinctly
Veronese. | .((/(Z. J/N. ^L^oiJy. |
W. llonrs of tlio ^'i^gin, etc., in Lut'tti; loth century. Sniull
niiniaturos within the initials, in the culcnclar. and Ixjfore the
several Hours ; foliatetl borders with numerous <;(>ld studs, and
other borders of delicate lilip^ree in blue or red. slightly touched
with gold. \Add.MS.M-lM.\
!<M>. Plutarch's Lives of Great Men, translated into Latin by
liionardo Bruno of Arezzo and others : middle of l-")th century.
Fine miniatures enclosed in the large initials and elsewhere,
within burnished gold frames ; a few foliated initials, but no
borders. The provenance is uncertain. [Add. j\IS. 223 IS,]
lUi. Aristotle's Ethics, translated into Spanish by Charles, Prince
of Viana (d. 1461), son of John, King of Navarre (1425) and of
Aragon and Sicily (1458) : a copy made for Charles himself,
probably during liis residence in Sicily, 1458-1459. A full
border on the first page, of branch-work, foliage and rayed gold
studs, with figures of a gallant and a lady, amorini, birds, etc.,
and the arms of Navarre, Aragon, and Sicily. A large initial
to each of the ten books in gold or colour, made to ai)pear as if
cut out of the solid and filled either with white vine tendril
interlacing or with exquisitely delicate scrolls of foliage, as
in the example shown. [^Add. MS. 21120. |
l<>2. Hours of the Virgin, &c., in Latin ; 15th century. Minia-
ture-initials on a gold ground, with borders of scroll-foliage
and rayed gold studs. The calendar is Siennese. [Add. 3IS.
15278.]
lo^j. Covenant of Christophoro Mauro, Doge of Venice, with the
Venetian people on his election, 12 May, 14(J2, in Latin;
written no doubt in the same year. A miniature of the Doge
kneeling before the Virgin, with a full border of flowers, birds,
and animals, with small rayed gold studs interspersed, and at
the foot the arms of the Doge supported by amorini. [Add. MS.
1581 6. J
104. Congratulatory oration by Bernardo Bembo, j^atrician of
\'enice, to the Doge, Christophoro Mauro (14(>2-1471), with
a preface addressed to Cardinal Ludovico Scarampi (d. 14(55),
in Latin ; probably a copy presented by Bembo to the Cardinal,
when the latter was made a patrician of Venice in 14G2. Two
ornamental pages of architectural designs, with angels, amorini,
peacocks, etc. ; on the first the arms of Bembo, on the other
those of the Doge and Cardinal. [Add. MS. 14787. ]
105. Panegyric Vjy Vittore Capello of his maternal grandfather,
Marco Barbarigo, Doge of Venice (1485-1486), in Latin ; dated
4 May, 1486. A miniature of the author presenting the book
to the Doge, with a female figure standing by, holding the
banner of St. Mark ; below are the arms of the Doge, sup-
ported by two centaur- amorini. [Add. MS. 214()o. |
106. Breviary, in iMtin ; late 15th century. Pull borders at the
I>. i:m, no. Kvs
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BREVIARY OF S. CROCE, FLORENCE.
ITALIAN, END OF XV CENT.
Illuminated Manuscripts. 139
several divisions, of foliage, flowers, fruit, animals, birds, rayed
gold studs, etc., with very minute vignette miniatures at in-
tervals ; small miniature-initials and simple l>orders else-
where. Arms of Medici of Florence, and the Medici device of
• a diamond ring. \^Add. MS. 25G97. |
107. The Triumphs of Petrarch, in Italhtn ; late 15th centurj'-.
Borders of the same Florentine style as in no. lOG, with tiny
vignettes interspersed and larger miniatures at the foot of the
page. Arms and device of Medici, as above. [IJarlcij MS.
5761.]
108. Breviary, in Latin, of the Franciscan convent of Santa
Croce at Florence ; end of 15th century (after 1482). Three
miniatures at the foot of the page, and smaller ones in the
initials and in vignettes within the border, all of the finest
Florentine work ; a full panelled border on the first page, and
other borders of foliage, flowers, fruit, amorini, birds, vases,
etc., lightened up by numerous tiny raj'ed gold studs. [Add.
MS. 29735.]
109. Psalter, etc., in JmHii ; late 15th century. Four nearly full-
page miniatures, the drapery and the landscape backgrounds
heightened with gold ; figure-initials and borders, the latter
mostly of floreated scroll-work, with birds, gold studs, etc., on
the plain vellum, but in one case on a broad gold ground.
Arms of Dati of Lucca (?) on the first page. [Add. 3IS. 15114.]
110. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin ; end of 15th century.
Miniature-initials before the several services, and full borders
of gold arabesque-work on richly coloured grounds, with small
vignette busts of saints, amorini, etc., interspersed. Executed
at Florence for a lady named Smeralda or Esmeralda. Arms,
gules, a bend azure, on a chief argent a cross of the field. [Add.
MS. 33997.]
111. Livy's History of the Macedonian War, with the Epitome of
Florus, etc., in lAitin ; end of 15th century. A full border on the
first page of flowers, gold studs, and filigree pen-work, with
medallion miniatures at the corners and sides and, below, the
arms of Jerusalem and Aragon quarterly, supported by four
amorini ; other borders of the white vine tendril i)attern.
[Harlep MS. 3694.]
The lower compartments of Cases 1, 4, 5 and 7 contain the
following MSS., which are too large to be exhibited with tlie
foregoing in their proper sequence. Nos. 112-114 are English
in origin, nos. 115-lj;t French, nos. 121-128 Flemish, and
nos. 129-134 Italian.
112. Genesis and Exodus, witli the Glossa Ordinaria, in Latin;
written in England, 13th century. A large initial I enclosing
miniatures of the Creation in medallions on a dark-blue diapered
ground ; on the same page a full border of narrow bands of
1 10 Illuminated Manusvrijds.
jjoUl, silver anil oolmir. witli coriior-piccps supporting birtls,
!iniiu;ils, oto. Tlio fust voluino of a largo Bible, which belonged
to the convent of the Dominicans in London. [Jfoi/ul MS.
;} E. i.]
1 1-"?. Exposition of the Apocalypse, in French ; early 14th century.
Miniatures of English work on diapered grounds, within frames
of a plain band of colour; figure-initials and jiartial })orders
ending in -simple foliation. \IiOi/<il JilS. 15 D. ii.J
114. Decretals of Gregory IX., with the gloss of Bernard of
Parma, in Latin ; written in Italy, but illuminated in England,
14th century. Narrow Ijand-borders, with interlacing at the
ct)rners, round botii text and gloss ; grotesque figures between
the columns, and the lower margins filled with coloured draw-
ings illustrating trades, sports, war, etc., but especially popular
tales, animal fables, romances, miracles of the Virgin, and
legends of the saints. Belonged (loth century) to St. Bartholo-
mew's Priory, Smithfield, London. [Tfoyal 3IS. 10 E. iv.]
115. Romances of the Saint Graal and Morte Arthur, in French;
early 14th century. Small miniatures on burnished gold
grounds ; partial borders with terminal foliage, grotesques and
other figures. Executed in northern France, or possibly in
England, [noyal MS. 14 E. iii.]
IIG. Bible History, in French, translated from the Historia Scho-
lastica of Petrus Comestor ; written by Thomas Du Val, canon
of the Augustinian Abbey of Clairefontaine, diocese of Chartres,
in 1411-1412. Two large and many small miniatures, the latter
especially in the Apocalypse ; ivy-sprig and fioreated borders.
[lioyal MS. 19 D. iii.]
III. Komances of Alexander the Great, Charlemagne, etc., in
French ; executed by French artists, and presented by John
Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, to Margaret of Anjou on her
marriage to Heniy VI. of England in 1445. Three large minia-
tures (one of which represents Talbot offering the MS. to the
queen) and numerous smaller ones ; borders of French style,
with frequent use of the daisy (marguerite). [lioyal MS. 15
E. vi.]
118. Livre de la Boucachardiere, a universal history to the time
of the Maccabees, in French, by Jean de Courcy, begun in 1416 ;
second half of the 15th century. Six large miniatures, and
liorders and initials, of French style, [llarley MS. 4376.]
1 1 '.>. Valerius Maximus, translated into French by Simon de Hesdin
and Nicholas de Gonesse (cf. no. 66) ; late 15th century. Nine
large miniatures, with initials and borders, of French work.
Arms of France, with a bendlet sinister gules. [Hurley MS,
4372.]
120. L'Histoire Tripartite, a universal history to the time of Con-
stantine, in French ; dated 1473. Twelve large miniatures,
with borders, etc., of French work. [lioyal MS. 18 E. v.]
121. Valerius Maximus, in French, as above, no. 119 ; dated 1479.
Illuminated Manuscripts. 141
Nine large miniatures of Flemish work, with borders contain-
ing the arms of Edward IV. and his badge of the White Kose.
[Eoijal 3ISS. 18 E. iii, iv.]
122. Bible History, in French ; late 15th century. Large minia-
tui-es of Flemish work, with borders containing the arms of
Edward IV. [RoyaUISS. 18 D. ix, x.]
123. History of Godfrey de Bouillon, King of Jerusalem, in
French ; late 15th century. A fine miniature (a king and his
court, with buildings and landscape), and a border of flowers
and gilt scrolls on a black ground, of Flemish work. Arms of
Edward IV. [Royal 3IS. 17 F. v.]
124. St. Augustine, De Civitate Dei, translated into French by
Eaoul de Praelles ; late 15th century. Miniatures, some in
tones of grey, and borders of flowers, strawberries, etc., on
a white ground, of Flemish or French work. [Royal MS. 14 D. 1.]
125. Le Livre des proprietez des choses, translated by Jelian
Corbechon from the Latin of Bartholomew de Glanville ;
written at Bruges by Jehan du Ries in 1482. Miniatures, and
borders of flowers, birds, etc., on a dark ground. [Royal MS.
15 E. iii.]
126. Boccaccio, De casibus virorum illustrium, translated into
French by Laurent de Premierfait ; late 15th century. Six
large and many small miniatures, and borders containing the
arms and Eed and White Roses of Henry VII. [Royal MS.
14 E. v.]
127. La Forteresse de la Foi, a translation into French by Pierre
Richard dit I'Oiselet of a Latin treatise against the Saracens
and Jews by Alphonsus de Spina ; written at Lille by Jehan
Duquesne, late 15th century. Five large miniatures, and
borders of flowers, scrolls and grotesques on a light ground.
[Royal MSS. 17 F. vi, vii.]
128. Psalter and Antiphonal, in Latin ; written by Franciscus
Meert, of Louvain, for Tongerloo Abbey, in Brabant, in 1522.
Small miniatures, initials, and borders of flowers, birds, jewels,
etc., on coloured grounds. [Add. MSS. 15426, 15427.]
129. Bible, in Latin ; written in Italy, probably at Bologna,
14th century. Fine miniature-initials on blue and gold
grounds, with borders of slender knotted stems terminating
in sweeping scrolls of conventional foliage ; two very large
initials in Genesis and St. Matthew, with scenes from the
Creation and a Tree of Jesse, splendidly Dluminated. [Add.
MS. 1S720.]
130. Address, in Latin verse, to Robert of Anjou, King of Sicily
(1334-1342), from the town of Prato in Tuscany, which had
placed its(-lf under his protection; about 1330-1340. Attributed
on insufficient grounds to Convenevole da Prato, tutor of
Petrarch. Numerous finely executed miniatures, mostly of a
symbolical character, including portraits of Robert of Anjou,
and figures of Italy, Rome, Florence, etc. [Royal MS. 6 E. ix.]
1 \'2 IlluhuiKtlnJ Mttnutxripts.
\'-M. Duraiulus (1«^ divinis odu-iis ; written in It;ily, 1 tth contiiry,
hut of uncoitaiii |>rovoiian«o. A i'ow small miniatures, mostly
onolosoil within initials, on j^rold or diapered grounds; other
large initials tilled with lovely foliated designs on colour or
stippled gold, the horders comiK)sed of slender stems, with knots,
rosettes, etc., at intervals, terminal scrolls of foliage, and rows of
small hurnished gold studs along the edges. {Add. j\IS. ^}1(>;{2.]
l'-\'2. (Jradual. in I.dfiii ; written in Italy, in the neighhourhood
of Florence, and possihly foi" the Ahbey of Yallombrosii, 1 tth
century. ]^arge initials of foliated designs on a richly hurnished
gold ground, enclosing tinelv executed miniatures. [Add. JIS.
l,si<»,s.]
loo. Decretum. or digest of canon law, of Oratian of Chiusi, with
the gloss of Bartholomew of Brescia, in Latin ; written in Italy,
14th century. A small miniature at the head of each chapter,
with another in the initial below ; at the beginning a large
miniature of the Pope in council and a stem and scroll border
round the text, with vignettes of the symbols of the Evangelists,
l)irds, etc., and rayed gcjld studs along the edges. [Add. 3ISS.
15274, 1527o.|
134. Hymnarium of the convent of Augustinian Hermits of San
Salvatore ' de Silva Lacus ' j Sienna], in Latin; dated 141.").
Large foliated initials enclosing miniatures, brilliantly coloured,
on burnished gold grounds ; borders of foliage, figures in
vignettes, grotesque heads, gaudily painted birds, gold studs,
etc. [Add. Jrs. .-iOoU. !
KOTIISCIIILD MSS.
In a special Case, between Cases <> and 7. are exhibited a
selection of illuminated MSS, of various schools bequeathed in
1898 by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild, M.P., viz :—
1. Breviary, in Jjitin. of Franciscan use ; early 15th century.
ImjKjrfect, the missing portions being in Ilarleij MS. 2897.
The comjdete MS. belonged to John. Duke of Burgundy,
assassinated in 1411>. An exceptionally fine example of French
illumination, with two nearly fiill-jjage miniatures and forty-
two smaller ones, mostly with backgrounds of delicate diaper-
work or scroll and other j)atterns ; full or partial ivy-sprig
borders and initials, witli high!}' burnished gold, on nearly
every page. \]tOthsc/ii(d MS. ii. |
2. Hours of the \'irgiji. etc., in JmH)) : middle of 15th century.
Seventeen large miniatures, some with landscape backgrounds,
and many smaller ones in the calendar and on shields at the
foot of the page, of French work ; burnished ivy-sprig and
floreated borders throughout, [liothschild MS. iii.]
Rothschild Manuscripts. 143
8, Boccaccio, De casibus virorum illustiium, the French version
by Laurent de Premierfait, finished in 1409 ; late 15th century.
A half-page miniature and full box'der of ivy-sprigs, strawberries,
etc., before each of the nine books, and smaller miniatures in
the text, by French artists of the same school as no. 66 above.
The miniature shown repi'esents the contest between Poverty
and Fortune. \EothschiId MS. xii.]
4. Hours of the A'irgin, etc., in Jjutin ; end of the 15th centur)'.
Finely illuminated by Flemish artists with seventy-five large
miniatures, and twelve smaller ones in the calendar ; the
borders usually of scrolls, flowers, birds, butterflies, etc., on
a gold ground. Some of the miniatures closely resemble in
design (though of inferior execution) those in the famous
Grimani Breviary at Venice. [llothscMld MS. iv.]
5. Breviary, in lAitin ; written at Piacenza by the Franciscan
Niccolo Pignocho, of Bagnacavallo, in 1480. Miniature initials,
and four borders of flowers, gold studs, filigree pen work, etc.,
enclosing the arms of Biraghi. Belonged to Daniel Birago,
commissary-general of Milan under Sextus IV. (1471-1484) and
archbishop of Mitylene (d. 1495). [Rothschild MS. i.]
6. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin ; late 15th century.
Six large and six smaller miniatures of Flemish work, with
borders of architectural designs or of flowers, butterflies,
jewels, etc., on a gold ground. [liothschild MS. v.]
7. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin ; late 15th century. Ten
small miniatures of Franco-Italian style ; floreated borders, with
vignette busts, amorini, birds, gold studs, etc. Arms of Gritti
of Venice, j Bothschild 31 S. viii.]
8. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in L.atin ; end of 15th century.
Six full-page miniatures of Milanese style, with borders of
foliage, flowers, vases, pearls and other jewels, doves, etc., on
grounds of rich crimson, blue and green. [Rothschild MS. vii. |
9. Exposition of the Apostles' Creed, in rhymed Latin verse, with
a marginal gloss in prose ; preceded by a dedication by the
author Marc Picault to Charles VIII. of France (1483-1498).
A full-page miniature of the king receiving the MS. from the
author, and smaller miniatures of the Apostles. [liothschild
MS. xi.]
10. Hours of the Vii'gin, etc., in LMtin ; early IGth century.
Nine large and fourteen smaller miniatures of Flemish work,
with borders of flowers, fruits, grotesques, etc., generally on a
gold ground. Portraits of Floris van Egmond, Count of Buren
(d. 1589), wearing the collar of the Golden Fleece (which he
received in 1505), and of his wife Margaret van Bergen.
[liothschild MS. X. |
11. Hours of the Virgin, etc., in Latin; early 16th century.
Sixteen miniatures in architectural settings, of French work ;
the calendar illustrated by pictures of rural occupations,
hunting, hawking, etc. [liothschild 3IS. vi.]
144 Bothschild Afamiscriptt<.
1-. Houi-s of the Virgin, etc., in I.iitin : oarly l()th century.
Fifteen large und four small miniatures of the same style as
no. 10 ; the borders mostly of flowers, birds, etc., on gold.
[Jiothschihl MS. ix. 1
lo. Boccaccio's Decameron, the French version made in 1111 by
Laurent do Premierfait ; late loth century. Ten coarsely
executed miniatures, of French work. The binding (which is
exhibited) is by Uerthelet and bears the motto ' Foy pour
debvoir' of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, the Protector
(beheaded in 1552). [liothschild MSS. xiii, xiv.]
( 145 )
BIJN^DINGS OF MSS.
[In Case 8 in the middle of the Grenville Library, to the left.]
1. The Four Gospels, in Latin ; probably written in N. W.
Germany, late 10th century. Bound in thick wooden boards,
covered with leather. In the upper cover is a sunk panel,
which, together with the surrounding frame, is overlaid with
copper-gilt ; the frame is also studded with large crystals. The
metal in the panel has a scale pattern repousse, the sunk edges
being covered with small leaves, etc. In the centre is a seated
figure of Christ, in high relief, the eyes formed by two black
beads ; and at the four corners are small squares of champleve
enamel, in blue, green and red, added not earlier than the 14th
century. [Add. 318. 21921.]
2. The Four Gospels, etc., in GreeJc ; 10th century. Byzantine
binding, 12th century (?), of wooden boards, covered with
(tarnished) crimson velvet and lined with fine canvas richly
embroidered in coloured silks. Round the upper cover are
nailed thin plates of silver-gilt, with figures in relief, probably
contemporary with the MS. The plates along the top and
bottom contain half-lengths of the Four Evangelists, St. Peter
and St. Paul, with their names. The plates at the sides appar-
ently represent the overthrow of the heresiarchs Nestorius and
Noetus in three designs, with inscriptions. A central plate, of
much later work, represents Christ between the Virgin and
St. John, all with enamelled nimbi. [Add. 3IS. 28815.']
3. Gospels of SS. Luke and John, in Latin ; written in Germany,
13th century. Bound in thick wooden boards, covered with
leather stained red. In the upper cover is a sunk panel of
Limoges enamel on copper-gilt, of the end of the 13th century :
Christ in glory, within a vesica, with the symbols of the
Evangelists at the corners, the figures gilt, with heads in relief.
Plates of enamel, of leaf-and-flower pattern, are attached to the
outer frame. The colours used are shades of blue, light green,
yellow, white and red. The shelving sides of the sunk recess
are covered with thin plates of copper-gilt, worked in diamond
pattern. [Add. MS. 27926.] Presented, in 1868, by the executors
of Felix Slade, Esq.
4. The Four Gospels, in Latin ; written, probably in Western
L
140 Bludiiujtt of ^f((nut>(•r^2)ts.
Germnny, 0th century. Bound in wooden boards, covered with
silver phitos. showiiifj tnices of gilding, of the 14th century.
In a sunk panel on the uj>j>er cover is a seated figure of Christ.
in high relief, the hollow l>eneath filled with relics; the borders
have a scroll-and-tlowi-r pattern repoussi-, and. as well as the
panel, are set with gems, renewed in 1S:}S. Attached to the
two outer corners are the symViols of SS. Luke and John, set in
translucent enamel of deep blue, the nimbi green. The sunk
panel on the under cover has a fine ivy-leaf pattern rejwusse,
with an em])OSsed Agnus Dei in the centre ; the borders similar
to those on the upper cover, but without the gems and enamels.
[ Arid. MS. 11848.]
5. Psalter, in Latin ; written and illuminated for Melissenda.
daughter of Baldwin, king of Jerusalem (1118-11:31), and wife
of Fulk. count of Anjou. and king of Jerusalem (1131-1144).
Inserted in the wooden covers are two fine Byzantine ivory-
carvings of the 12th century. On the upper cover are six scenes
from the life of David, enclosed within circles, the figures in the
intervening spaces symbolizing the triumph of the Virtues over
the Vices ; the whole surrounded with an elaborate interlaced
and floriated border. The general design of the under cover is
similar, with six scenes representing the works of Mercy, and
figures of birds and beasts. At the top is the name Herodius,
probably that of the artist. Both covers jewelled with small
rubies and turquoises. [Egerton MS. 1139.]
6. Liber Sapientiae : early 18th century. English binding of
thick wooden boards, covered with brown leather, blind-tooled :
archaic stamps forming a central panel, with border ; the designs
including, on the upper cover, a bishop in pontificals, a lion, a
mounted warrior with lance, a half-length warrior with sword
and shield, rosettes, and a honeysuckle device, and, on the under
cover, a church, a centaur shooting, a stag, a crowned king
mounted, a winged lion with nimbus, and a saltire between four
human heads. \^Add. MS. 24076.]
7. Historia Evangelica, by Petrus Comestor, 13th century.
English binding of wooden boards covered with dark-brown
leather, blind-tooled : a panel, with border, the stamps bearing
king David, a lion, a griffin, a dragon, etc, [^Egerton MS.
272.]
8. Hours of the Virgin, in Latin ; written in the Netherlands,
about A.D. 1300. Binding of brown leather, blind-tooled : a
panel formed by impressions of a single stamp in three squares,
containing two birds, a griffin and a pelican respectively ; with
border of oblong dragon-stamps. [Add MS. 17444.]
0. Medical Treatises, in Ljatin ; written in the Netherlands, 13tli
century. Binding. 14th century, of brown leather, blind-tooled :
a panel of square stamps bearing a fleur-de-lis and across moline
voided ; with border of rosettes within ruled lines, and small
dragon-stamps. [Add. MS. 26622.]
Bindings of Manuscripts. 147
10. Psalter, in Latin ; written in England, end of the 13th century.
Embroidered binding (now let into modern leather covers),
probably worked by, or for, Anne, daughter of Sir Simon
Felbrigge, K.G., a nun of Bruisyard, co. Suffolk, who owned
the MS. in the latter half of the 14th century. On the upper
cover, the Annunciation, on the loAver, the Crucifixion, worked
on fine canvas in coloured silks. [Sloane MS. 2400.]
11. Prayers, in Latin; written in Germany, 12th century. Binding,
15th century, of dark-brown leather, blind-tooled : a panel of
lozenge-stamps bearing severally a pierced heart, an eagle, and
a fleur-de-lis ; in the borders, rosettes and a long leaf-pattern
stamp. [Add. 3IS. 15301.]
12. "Livre des Quatre Dames," by Alain Chartier ; written in
France, early 15th century. Binding of brown leather, blind-
tooled : a panel of nine narrow vertical bands of small stamps,
bearing severally a lion, a quatrefoil, a serrated quatrefoil, and
a stag ; with borders of fleur-de-lis and larger serrated quatrefoils.
[Add. MS. 21247.]
13. Poems by Cristoforo di Fano, etc., in Latin ; written in Italy,
late 15th century. Binding of brown leather, blind-tooled : a
panel of a diaper pattern, on either side two rows of small stamps
bearing an Agnus Dei and an open flower ; with borders of
beaded lattice-work and intersecting segments. [Add. MS.
17812.]
14. Small Manual of Prayers, in German ; written by Johann vom
Wald, A.D. 1485, Binding of brown leather, ruled, and stamped
with rosettes ; with brass corners and central boss. The leather
is continued at the bottom in a long hanging strip tapering to
a point and finishing with a plaited button for attachment to
the girdle or dress. [Add. 3LS. 15700.]
15. Commonplace-book of theology, in LMtin ; written in Germany,
15th century. Binding of deer-skin ; having a short iron chain
with ring attached, for the purpose of securing the volume to
the fixed rod of the shelf or desk. [Add. 3IS. 30049.]
16. Letters, etc, of Gasparino Barzizza and others, in LMtin;
written at Milan, a.d, 1438. Binding of brown leather, blind-
tooled : a panel of a diaper pattern between two rows of stamps
on either side bearing an Agnus Dei and a double scroll ; with
three narrow borders of different designs, a running flower,
zigzag riljbon, etc., divided by ruled spaces. Brass bosses and
fittings for clasps. [Add. 3IS. 14786.]
17. Bible Glossary, in Latin; written in Italy, late 15th century.
Binding of brown leather, blind-tooled : a panel of stamps
bearing severally the biscia (or serpent devouring a child) of
the family of Visconti, an Agnus Dei, and a small rose ; with
borders of a small lozenge with the biscia, and a large stamp
with a shield of arms, similar to that painted on the first i>age
of the MS, [Add. MS. 17397.]
18. Chartulary of the Church of St. Bavon at Ghent ; 12th century,
L 2
148 Bindings of Manuscriptt<.
with adilitions. Flemish Miuling. 15th century, of liglit-ln'own
loathor. bliiul-tooliHl : a panel, latticed with double cross lines
and sot with stanij)s l)oarini; a llcur-do-lis. a flint and steel (the
device of Philip. Duke of Bur<:;:undy, d. 14(57), a floreated-
lozenge, and a bee ; in the border, the same lozenge and a rosette.
Brass-mounted clasps. [Add. 3IS. 109")'J.]
10. Breviary, in Latin ; written in the Netherlands, 15th century.
Binding of vellum stained red and impressed with a single
stamp : a panel in three vertical bands containing various birds,
beasts, etc., with a border of trailing vine. Brass clasps and
fittings. Belonged to Roode Clooster near Brussels. [Add.
MS. 11864.]
20. History of the German Empire to a.d. 1450, by Thomas
Ebendorffer, of Hasell)ach ; dedicated and presented to the
Emperor Frederic III. Binding of dark-brown leather, with
designs cut in outline and brought into low relief by stippling
the background. On the upper cover are the emperor's arms
(the eagle black), with the inscrijition '' Fridericus rex, etc.,
1451," and below, his motto "aeiou" [i.e. Au.stria3 est
iruperare orbi universe] ; the whole surrounded by foliage, with
the binder's name, ''Petrus ligator," at the base. On the under
cover is a boldly treated design of foliage, with shield of arms
at the top. Brass corner-pieces, central boss, etc. [Add. MS.
22273.]
21. The "Phajnomena" of Aratus ; wn-itten in Italy, late 15th
centuiy. Binding of brown leather, blind-tooled : a panel and
border of interlaced cable pattern, set with bead-like dots and
minute rings, the last of metallic lustre ; in the centre a star
>\'ithin a circle, both thickly beaded. [Add. 3IS. 15819.]
22. Church-services, in Latin ; written in Germany, probably at
Regensburg, end of the 15th century. Binding of brown
leather, gilt-tooled : a panel of rich floreated pattern, with border
of flowing-leaf and roses. Brass corner-pieces, central boss, etc.
[Add. MS. 17337.]
23. Ordo Missae, etc. : written in Italy, late 15th centuiy. Binding
of brown leather, gilt-tooled : a panel having a floreated circular
design in the centre, with broad arabesque border. [Ilarley MS.
2912.]
24. Sarum Breviary, in Latin ; written in Flanders, about a.d.
1500. Binding of brown leather, l>lind-tooled : at the corners
four panels from the same single stamp, of trailing vine pattern,
with eagle, stag, etc., together with a border insciibed, "Ob
laudem Christi librum hunc ligaui Anthonius de Gauere " [i.e.
Gavere, S.W. of Ghent]. Between the panels are impressions
of two long stamps containing respectively three angels playing
on trumpets and triangle, and a piper and four peasants dancing.
[Roijal MS. 2 A. xii.]
25. Description of the Holy Land, in French, by Martin Brion ;
dedicated to Henry VIII. Binding of crimson velvet, with the
Bindings of Manuscripts. 149
arms of England, Lancaster roses, etc., embroidered in coloured
silks, gold thread and seed-pearls. [Royal MS. 20 A. iv.]
26. Commentary, in Latin, on the campaign of the Emperor
Charles V. against the French in a.d. 1544; addressed by
Anthonius de Musica, of Antwerp, to Henry VIII. Binding
of dark-brown leather, gilt-tooled : in the centre the arms of
England, with the initials H. E., flanked by medallions of Plato
and Dido, etc. ; above and below, tablets inscribed, "Vero defen-
sori fidei," etc. ; the whole within a light tooled border. [JRoyal
MS. 13 B. XX.]
27. ''Le Chappellet de Ihesus": prayers, with miniatures of
French work, 16th century. Belonged to Anna, wife (1521-
1547) of Ferdinand, king of the Eomans, and afterwards to
Margaret Tudor (d. 1539), wife of James IV. of Scotland.
Binding of green velvet, having silver-gilt clasps with the
letters Anna on the sides ; Tudor roses of silver-gilt added at
the corners and in the centre, each bearing one of the letters
Marguerite. [Add. MS. 25693.] Presented, in 1864, hj the Earl
of Home.
28. Lists of cities, etc., named in Trogus Pompeius and in the
epistles of Cicero ; addressed by Petrus Olivarius to Edward,
Prince of V^ales, a.d. 1546. Binding of light-brown leather,
gilt-tooled : a panel having the Prince of Wales's feathers, motto
and initials E, P., surrounded by a circle of rays, in the centre ;
with scrolls, rosettes, and stars in the field, and a border of
arabesque. [Royal MS. 15 C. i.]
29. Travels of Giosafat Barbaro, of Venice, to Tana and Persia ;
translated by William Thomas, and dedicated to Edward VI.
Binding of light-brown leather, gilt-tooled : scroll-work with the
arms of England in the centre within a circle, flamed. The
circle, as well as a surrounding interlaced oblong and lozenge,
and an outer border, coloured black. [Royal MS. 17 C. x.]
30. Collects, etc., of the Evangelical Church at Regensburg, in
German ; written in Germany, 16th century. Binding (appar-
ently Italian) of dark-brown leather, covered with very rich
and delicate gilt-tooling arranged in panel and boi'ders ; in the
centre, the cross-keys, the arms of Regensburg. Narrow clasps
of iron. [Add. MS. 18312.]
31. Commission from Francesco Venerio, Doge of Venice, to
Hieronymo Michiel as captain of galleys, A. n. 1554. Binding of
crimson leather, gilt-tooled in panel and border, one cover having
in the centre the name "Hieronimi Michael," the other the date
''MDLiiii." [Add. MS. 17373.]
32. Carta de Hidalguia, or grant of nobility, from Philip II. of
Spain to Diego de la Guardia Espino, a.d. 1589. Spanish binding
of light-brown leather, covered with elaborate tooling arranged
in panel and three borders ; with brass clasps. [Add. MS.
18166.]
33. Gospels for Lent and Easter, in German ; late 15th century.
ir)() Bindings of Mamtscri/its.
IJiinHiitr, l()th contury, of whito skin, Mind-toolod : honlois witli
omMiMuatioul tiijuros of Faith, Ilopoiuul Charity, .ind nu'dallions
of Erasimis, Luther, IIuss aiul Mehmchthon, inscribed with
names and inserted among foliage, etc. ; in the centre, a shield
of arms originally gilt. \Egcrfon MS. 1122.]
.'54. Acts of (Juidol)aldo II.. Duke of Urbino, investing Count Pietro
Bonarelli and Ilippolita his wife with the territories of Orciano
and Torre, A.I). lo5i)-15()S. Oriental-pattern binding of papier-
mache, with sunk compartments ; the latter gilt and stipjiled,
the raised surface blue, the whole covered in scroll-work in
colours and gold respectively. In the centre, a shield of arms
painted in oils. [Add 3[S. 226G0.]
8.5. Houi-sof the Virgin, in Latin ; written in France, 15th century.
Binding, Kith century, of olive leather, tooled with small ovals,
each containing one of various designs, as a sun, bee, acorn,
pink, etc. Among the designs in larger ovals on the back is the
letter S. [Add. 318. 29706.]
30. Commission from Jeronimo Priolo, Doge of Venice, to Benetto
Semiteccolo as captain of galleys, a.d. 1.564. Binding of crimson
leather, gilt-tooled with scroll-work. etc. : in the centre, the
arms of Semiteccolo in colours. [Add. MS. 18846.]
( 151 )
LIST OF BENEFACTOES TO THE DEPARTMENT
OF MANUSCRIPTS.
The following are the principal donations which have been
made to the Department since the foundation of the British
Museum in 1753 : —
1753. Sir John Cotton, Bart. The Cottonian Library of
MSS. and Charters formed by his grandfather, Sir Kobert
Cotton, Bart. Presented to the nation in 1700; incor-
porated in the Museum in 1753.
1753. Henrietta, Countess of Oxford, and Margaret,
Duchess of Portland. The Harley Collection of MSS.
and Charters, formed by Eobert Harley, Earl of Oxford,
and his son Edward, second Earl.
1753. Sir Hans Sloane, Bart. The Sloane Collection of MSS.
and Chai'ters. Bf/ hequest.
1757. His Majesty King George II. The Koyal Library of
MSS. and Charters.
1765. The Rev. Thomas Birch, D.D. Historical and other
MSS. By hequest.
1785. The Rev. William Cole. Collections for the History
of Cambridgeshire. By hequest.
1790-99. Sir William Musgrave, Bart. MSS., chiefly bio-
graphical.
1796. Sir William Burrell, Bart. Collections for the history
of Suffolk. By hequest.
1807-14. Lord Frederick Campbell. Collection of Charters.
1809. The Very Rev. Sir Richard Kaye, Bart., Dean of
Lincoln. Autographs and DraAvings. By hequest.
1822-30. Hudson Gurney, Esq. Collections for the history
of Suffolk, by H. Jermyn.
1826. Adam Wolley, Esq. Collections, chiefly relating to
Derbyshire. By hequest.
1829. Francis Henry, fourth Earl of Bridgewater. The
Egerton MSS. and Charters, with an annual income for
their maintenance and augmentation. By hequest.
1835. Maj.-Gen. Thomas Hardwicke. Correspondence and
papers. By hequest.
1838. Charles, Baron Farnborough. Stock in the public
l")..* //.sY <;/" liciirfttrfors (o Ihr Department of Manuscripts.
Funtls. :is an addition to tlie Bridgewater Bequest. Bit
IS 12. The Executors of Richard, Marquess WoUesley.
Otlk'ial Paiuns of the i\Iarque.ss Wellosley, Oovoruor-
Gonoral of India, 17JKS-1805.
1844. The Governors of the Welsh School and the
Cymmrodoriou Society. Two large collections of
Welsh MSS.
1849. Vincent Novello, Esq. Music by various English
composers.
1855-70. Sir Walter Calverley Trevelyan, Bart. Charters
and papers of the family of Calverley, and other papers.
1857. William Haldimand, Esq. Correspondence of Briga-
dier-Gen. Bouquet and of Gen. Sir Frederick Haldimand,
K.B., during their commands in North America,
1757-85.
1858. The Rev. Lord John Thynne, Sub-Dean of West-
minster. Correspondence of John, Lord Carteret, after-
wards Earl Granville.
18G0. Anne Florence, Countess Cowper. Correspondence of
Thomas Eobinson, afterwards Lord Grantham.
1864, Coventry Patmore, Esq. Collection of Plays.
1865. H. M. Queen Victoria. Papyri from Herculaneum.
1869. John Cam Hobhouse, Baron Broughton. Correspondence
and papers. By bequest.
1870. Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, Bart., M.P. Papers
and deeds of the family of Caiyll.
1873. Mrs. Lina Balfe. English Operas by her husband,
M. W. Balfe.
1873. Hugh, third Marquess of Westminster. Charters of
Reading Abbey.
1877. The Hon. Maria Otway-Cave. Papers of Henry
Stuart, Cardinal York, and papers relating to the
Sobieski family.
1879. William White, Esq. A sum of money, partially ex-
pended on additional rooms for the Department of MSS.
By bequest.
1881. William Burges, Esq., A.R.A. Illuminated MSS. By
bequest.
1884. Sir Michael Costa. Original scores of his compositions.
By bequest.
1885. Thomas A. E. Addington, Esq. Rubbings from English
Monumental Brasses.
1886-9. Walter John, fourth Earl of Chichester. Corre-
spondence of Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle,
and of the first and second Earls of Chichester, with
other papers relating to the Pelham family.
1887. Jesse Haworth, Esq., and Henry Martyn Kennard,
Esq. Greek Papyri from Egypt.
List of Benefactors to the Department of Manuscripts. 153
1890. Mrs. Hannah Streatfelld. Collections for the history of
Kent, by the Eev. T. Streatfeild.
1891. Senorita Llanos-Keats. Letters of John Keats.
1891. Mrs. Cross (" George Eliot "). Original Manuscripts
of her works. Bij bequest.
1891. Miss Elizabeth Moreton. Papers of the family of
Moreton.
1893. John Malcolm, Esq., of PoltaUoeh. The Sforza Book
of Hours.
1893. Miss Mary Augusta Gordon. The Khartoum Journal
and other papers of General C. G. Gordon. By bequest.
1894-6. Samuel Butler, Esq. Correspondence of Dr. S. Butler,
of Shrewsbury School, Bishop of Lichfield.
1894. Thomas Washbourne Gibbs, Esq. Autograph Journal
of Laurence Sterne, etc. Bif bequest.
1896. Sir A. WoUaston Franks, K.C.B. Rubbings of Monu-
mental Brasses.
1896. Miss Eliza Wesley. Autograph Music of Samuel Wesley,
Bach, etc. By bequest.
1896. A de Woe Walker, Esq. Autograph Poems of Walter
Savage Landor.
1896-7. George C. Boase, Esq. Journals of travels, by J. J. A.
Boase, etc.
1897. F. C. Miers, Esq. Papers of Francis Place.
1897. Robert Barrett Browning, Esq. Letter of Elizabeth
Barrett Browning.
1898. Miss Christian Maclagan. Rubbings of Sculptured
Stones of Scotland.
1898. Hallam, second Lord Tennyson. Epilogue to " Idylls
of the King," by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
1898. Miss Helen Lindsay. Illuminated MSS.
1898. Sir George Grove, C.B. Correspondence of Dean
Stanley with Sir G. Grove.
1898. Baron Ferdinand Rothschild, M.P. Illuminated MSS.
and Book of Funeral Processions. By bequest.
1900-3. The Egypt Exploration Fund. Greek and Latin Papyri.
1901. Canon Charles M. Church. Papers of Gen. Sir Richard
Church.
1902. John Ernst Perabo, Esq., of Boston, U.S.A. Autograph
Sonata of Franz Schubert.
1904. Herbert Spencer, Esq. Original Manuscripts of his
works. By bequest.
1905. Charles Alban Buckler, Esq. Water-colour views of
English cathedrals, churches, etc., by John Buckler,
J. Chessell Buckler, and C. A. Buckler. By bequest.
1905. Mrs. Joseph Pennell. Collections on the Romany
language and people, by C. G. Leland.
1906. H. M. King Edward VII. Papyri from Herculaneum.
( l=>4 )
FACSIMILES OF AUTOGRAPHS.
Price : each series of 30 plates, 7s. (id., except the second, which
is only sold in complete sets.
FIRST SERIES, 1895. {Second Edition, 1898.
Queen Katherineof Arafron, 1513 ;
Archbishop Cranmer, 1537; Bishop
Hugh Latimer (mai-ginal notes by
Henry YIIL), about 1538 ; Edward
VI., 1551 ; Mary, Queen of Scots,
1571 ; English Commanders against
the Spanish Armada, 1588 ; Queen
Elizabeth, 1603 ; Charles I., 1642 ;
Oliver Cromwell, 1649 : Charles II.,
1660; James, Duke of Monmouth,
16S5; William 111., 1689; .lames
Stuart, the Pretender, 1703; .John
Churchill, Duke of Marlborough,
1706; William Pitt, Earl of Chat-
ham, 1759: George 111., 1760;
George Washington, 1793; Horatio,
Viscount Nelson, and Emma, Lady
Hamilton, 1805; Arthur Wellesley,
Duke of Wellington, 1815; General
Charles George Gordon, 1884 ;
Queen Victoria, 1885.
.lohn Dryden. 1682 ; .Toseph
Addison. 1714; S. T. Coleridge,
1815 ; William Wordsworth, 1834 ;
.lohn Keats, 1 S20 ; Charles Dickens,
1870 ; W. M. Thackeray, 1851 ;
Thomas Carlyle, 1832; Robert
Browning, 1868.
SECOND SERIES, 1896.
Henry V., 1419 f?) ; Queen Anne
Boleyn. 1528-9 ; Cardinal Wolsey,
1530; Episcopal Declaration, 1537;
William Cecil, Lord Burghley,
1586; Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam,
1595; .lames 1., 1623; Thomas
Went worth, Earl of StraflFord, 1633 ;
•John Pym, 1643 ; .lohn Graham of
("laverhouse. Viscount of Dundee,
1679 ; Mary II., 1692 ; Robert, Lord
Clive, 1757; George II., 1757;
William Pitt, the younger, 1790:
Edmund Burke, 1791.
Frederic II., the <^Jreat, of Prussia,
1757 ; Napoleon Bonaparte, Em-
peror of the French, 1798 and
1807.
John Milton, 1646-52; SirChiis-
topher Wren, 1675 ; Sir Richard
Steele, 1720; William Hogarth,
after 1751 : William Cowper, 1779;
Edward Gibbon ,1788; Robert Burns,
1792 ; George Gordon, Lord Byron,
1810; Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1819;
Charles Lamb, 1822 ; Alfred, Lord
Tennyson, 1864.
Martin Luther, 1536 ; Franfois
Marie Arouet de Voltaire, 1760.
Facsimiles of Autographs.
155
THIKD SEEIES, 1897.
Edward IV., 1471 ; Henry VII.
and Elizabeth of York ; Henry VIII.
and Katherine of Aragon ; Mary I.,
1547 ; Lady Jane Grey, 155B ; Ad-
herents of Queen Mary, 1553 ; Sir
Walter Ralegh, 1586 ; Archbishop
Land, 1640 ; the Council of State,
1653 ; Admiral Robert Blake, 1654 ;
.James II., 1680 ; Robei-t Harley,
Earl of Oxford, 1711 ; Henry St.
John, Viscount Bolingbroke, 1715 ;
"Junius," 1772 ; "Warren Hastings,
1780; Charles James Fox, 1798.
Charles v., Emperor, 1555; Henry
IV. of France, 1606.
Ben Jonson, 1609 ; Sir Isaac
Newton, 1682; Alexander Pope,
1714; Jonathan Swift, 1730;
Thomas Gray, 1750; Oliver Gold-
smith, 1763; Samuel Johnson, 1781 ;
David Hume, 1766 ; David Garrick,
1776 ; Sir Walter Scott, 1820 ; Lord
Macaulay, 1839.
Michelagniolo Buonarroti, 1508
(?) ; Desiderius Erasmus, 1525.
FOURTH SEEIES, 1898.
Sir Thomas More, 1534 ; Edward
VI., 1547 ; Sir Philip Sidney, 1586;
Sir Francis Drake, 1586; Robert
Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, 1598 ; Sir
Walter Ralegh, 1617 ; George Vil-
liers, Duke of Buckingham, 1623 ;
John Hami)den, 1642 ; Charles I.,
1645 ; Richard Cromwell, Lord Pro-
tector, 1660; William Penn, 1681 ;
Queen Anne, 1704; Sir Robert
AValpole, 1730; Richard Brinsley
Sheridan, 1805; Arthur, Duke of
Wellington, 1828 ; Albert, Prince
Consort, 1856.
Philip II. of Spain, 1579 ; Louis
XIV. of France, 1688.
Dr. John Donne, 1602 ; Henry
Purcell, before 1683 ; John Locke,
1699 ; Daniel Defoe, 1705 ; Thomas
Ken, Bishop of Bath and Wells,
1709; Laurence Sterne, 1767;
Thomas Chatterton, 1769 ; John
Wesley, 1783; "George Eliot,"
1859 ; Alfred, Lord Tennyson,
1872.
Albrecht Diirer, 1523 ; Jean
Jacques Rousseau, 1764.
FIFTH SERIES, 1899.
Heniy VIII., 1518; John Knox,
1561 ; Robert Devereux, Earl of
Essex, 1596 ; James Graham, Mar-
quess of Montrose, 1644 ; Oliver
Cromwell, 1645 ; Thomas, Lord
Fairfax, 1645; John Maitland, Duke
of Lauderdale, 1669 ; Charles II.,
1G72 ; William III., 1688 ; William,
Duke of Cumberland, 1746 ; Ben-
jamin Franklin, 1782; Prince Charles
Edward Stuart, 1784 ; Henry John
Temple, Viscount Palmerston, 1832 ;
Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beacons-
field, 1833 ; Richard Cobden, 1848 ;
John Russell, Earl Russell, 1850 ;
William Ewart Gladstone, 1856;
John Bright, 1861.
Edmund Spenser, 1588-1598 ;
Jeremy Taylor, 1661; Izaak Wal-
ton, 1647-1662 ; John Milton, 1667;
Geo. F. Handel, 1749-50 ; Henry
Fielding, 1750; Samuel Richardson,
1754 ; Thomas Gainsborough, about
1760; Sir .loshua Reynolds, 1773;
Horace Walpole, 1776; James
Boswell, 1795 ; Elizabeth Barrett
Browning, 1859.
OXFORD: HORACE HART
PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY
A GUIDE TO THE EXHIBITION IN THE
KINGS LIBRARY
British Museum
A GUIDE TO
THE EXHIBITION IN
THE KING'S LIBRARY
ILLUSTRATING THE HISTORY OF
PRINTING, MUSIC-PRINTING
AND BOOKBINDING
I
PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES
1901
r. - J? KA A VY \
' r 1'
4
V
^^y^A^ Vi^:*^ ot --''<-
INTRODUCTION
The Library of Printed Books consists of over
two million volumes, acquired partly under the
provisions of the Copyright Act, which give the
Trustees of the British Museum a right to a
copy of every book published in the United
Kingdom, partly by purchase, and partly by
donation or bequest. Among the most important
collections which have been presented or be-
queathed are : the printed books of Sir Hans
Sloane, forming part of his private museum, the
offer of which to the nation at about one fourth
of its value, brought about the Act of Parliament
of 1753, constituting the British Museum; the
printed books in the Old Royal Library presented
by George 11. in 1757, containing books collected
by English Sovereigns from the time of Henry
vii. ; the Thomason Civil War Tracts purchased
by George iii. and presented in 1762 ; the rare
books, including many fine specimens of binding,
bequeathed by the Rev. C. M. Cracherode in
1799; the library of Sir Joseph Banks, consisting
principally of works on natural history, received
6 INTRODUCTION
in 1S20; the m;ioniliccnt library formed by King-
George III., and presented to the Museum by his
successor, in accordance with an arrangement with
the Treasury, in 1823; and the choice collection
bequeathed by the Right Hon. Thomas Grenville,
received in 1847.
The Gallery in which the library of George in.
was placed, and to which it gives its name, the
* King's Library,' was specially built for the recep-
tion of this collection in 1828, and was the first
portion of the present building to be erected.
Here, together with some specimens from the
Department of Oriental Printed Books and Manu-
scripts, is arranged an exhibition, drawn from the
several collections of the Department of Printed
Books, illustrating the history of printing and
bookbinding, and including also some examples
of first editions of famous Enoflish books. The
first half of the exhibition is intended to illustrate
the introduction and development of printing in
Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Spain,
and England, the order of the countries as here
given being that in which the art of printing with
movable types is known to have been first used
in them. The history of English Printing is
continued down to the end of the Nineteenth
Century, and examples are also shown of books
printed abroad for the English market, and of
early printing in Scotland, Ireland, and the
INTRODUCTION 7
Colonies. In cases xv. and xvi. are shown some
famous English books, and the exhibition is con-
tinued with examples of early printing in Greek
and Hebrew (xvii.) of illuminated printed books
and printing in colours (xviii.), and of printed
music (xxi., xxii.). Case xix. is at present reserved
for books recently acquired ; Case xx. for specimens
of the Tapling Collection of Postage Stamps ;
Cases xxiii., xxiv. for examples of printing and
book-illustration in China and Japan ; Cases xxv.-
xxviii. for various temporary exhibitions. In
Cases xxix., xxx., are shown some English Royal
Bindings, and in Cases xxxi.-xxxiv., a collection
of Bindings of printed books, illustrating the
history of book-binding in England, France, Italy,
Germany, and Holland.
I. [. FROM THE 'aRS MORIENDI'
THE TEMPTATION TO IMPATIENCE (REDUCED)
Case I.— BLOCK-BOOKS
In this case are shown some representative examples of
books in which not only the illustrations but the letter-
press has been cut in relief in wood, and printed from
the solid block without any use of movable types. The
earliest dated example of a picture printed from a wood-
block is the 'Saint Christopher' of 1423, now in the
John Rylands Library at Manchester. At what date
the difficult task of cutting letterpress as well as pictures
was first attempted is not known. No block-book exists
with a date earlier than 1470, and the long-accepted
belief that letter-printing from the solid block was neces-
sarily prior to that from movable types, and must there-
fore have been introduced by about 1440, is now seriously
challenged. Only works of the most popular character
were printed in this way from blocks, which thus served
the purpose of stereotype plates, and the advantage of
being able to print fresh copies, as required, without
resetting, caused block-books to be produced as late as
about 1530, the approximate date of the last example
here shown. The block-books for which the earliest
dates have been claimed appear to have been produced
in the Netherlands and the district of the lower Rhine.
The dates now generally assigned to them are some
twenty years later than those formerly proposed, starting
from about 1450 or 1460, i.e. about the same time as the
earliest printing with movable types. The early block-
books were printed only on one side of the leaf, the
impression being taken by rubbing, with a dabber or
burnisher, the back of a sheet of paper laid on the thinly-
inked wood-block. The later ones were printed in a
press on both sides of the paper.
I. The Netherlands, printer unknown, date
about 1460. — Ars Moriendi.
Block-book consisting of two preliminary pages of
text, followed by eleven pictures, each faced by a page
u
lo SPECIMENS OF EARLY PRINTING
of text, sliowing the temptations to Unbelief, Despair,
Impatience (shown in the illustration), Vain-glory, and
Avarice, which beset the dying, the angelic inspirations
by which they may be resisted, and lastly, the final agony.
The pictures agree closely with a series of small engrav-
ings on copper by the 'Master E. S.', whose latest work,
judging from its artistic development, is dated 1467.
The balance of probability is in favour of the woodcuts
having been copied from the engravings rather than the
engravings from the woodcuts, though the latter have
perhaps the greater artistic merit. This is generally
recognised as the first edition of this block-book, which
was frequently copied throughout the fifteenth century.
(Bought at the Weigel Sale in 187 1.)
2. The Netherlands, printer and date un-
known, — Biblia Pauperum.
Block-book of scenes from the life of Christ, each
illustrated by two prefigurements from the Old Testa-
ment, with rhyming verses and texts. A series of
pictures from the Old and New Testaments on the same
plan was executed at Klosterneuburg in Austria as early
as 1 181, and at the beginning of the fourteenth century
we find manuscript versions of this ' Bible of the Poor.'
In its block-printed form in the fifteenth century it went
through several issues and editions, of which this and
the uncoloured copy shown next to it are among the
earliest. The two issues have twenty-six leaves in com-
mon, differing only in fourteen. This copy corresponds
with that described by Schreiber {Manuel de Famateur
de la gravure) in connexion with his Plate 74, but has
twenty-six leaves agreeing with the issue illustrated in his
Plate 40, instead of only twenty-four.
3. The Netherlands, printer and date un-
known. — Biblia Pauperum.
Another issue of the block-book of scenes from the
life of Christ with their Old Testament prefigurements.
This copy corresponds throughout with that illustrated
by Schreiber in his Plate 40. An earlier issue exists in
which the leaves do not bear the number-letter between
BLOCK-BOOKS ii
the two scrolls beneath the upper compartment. (King's
Library.)
A small section of text from this block-book is given
as an example of the letter-cutting of the early period.
It reads, with the contractions expanded: ' Legitur in
3° libro regum x° capitulo quod regina Saba audita fama
Salomonis venit in Iherusalem cum magnis muneribus
eum adorando, quae regina gentilis erat. Quod bene
figurabat gentes quae dominum de longinquo muneribus
veniebant adorare.'
§fiIoiuouf6 u^P^ui iO?Ku
olumtrrg uuumb/ niato ^
rail Q iTsius emittie^as^
1. 3. SECTION OF WOODCUT TEXT FROM
THE BIBLIA PAUPERUM
Germany, printer unknown, about 1465.
— Apocalypse in Latin.
Pictures illustrating the Apocalypse, with explanatory
texts. Three editions of this block-book were issued in
the Netherlands, and three in Germany. This is the
first German edition. (King's Library.)
Netherlands, printer and date unknown.
— ' Historia beatae virginis ex Cantico
Canticorum.'
An interpretation, by pictures and texts, of the Song
of Songs with reference to the Blessed Virgin. This
issue is unique in having above the first picture a title
in Dutch : ' Dit is die voersienicheit van marien der
moder godes Ende is geheten in latijn cantic'
12 SPFXIMENS OF EARLY PRINTING
6. Cicnnany, sii^ncd V. W., 1470. — * Dcfcn-
soriuni inuiolatae castitatis beatac vir-
i^'inis.'
Pictures of marvels tending to promote a belief in the
miraculous birth of Christ, with explanatory text. The
initials have been doubtfully interpreted as those of
Friedrich Walther of Nordlingen.
7. Nuremberg, Johann Miiller, not later than
1474. — German Almanack by the astro-
nomer-printer, Johann Miiller of Konigs-
berg (Joannes Regiomontanus).
Printed on both sides of the leaf in a press. This
issue ends with the author's name, given as ' Magister
Johann van Kunsperck.'
8. Germany, printer unknown, about 1475.
— Planetenbuch.
Block-book representing Saturn, Jupiter, the Sun,
Venus, and the Moon, and their influences on human
life according to the old astrology, with German metrical
descriptions.
9. Rome, printer unknown, about 1475. —
Mirabilia Romae.
A guide-book to Rome for the use of German pilgrims,
remarkable among block-books as having only five
pictures or borders in its 184 pages of wood-cut text.
It bears the arms of Pope Sixtus iv., and must therefore
have been printed during his Pontificate ( 147 1- 1484),
probably in connection with the Jubilee of 1475. -^
piece of this edition was subsequently incorporated in
a type-printed edition issued by Stephen Plannck. It
may, therefore, have been printed by Ulrich Han, a
German printer at Rome, to whose business Plannck
succeeded. Printed on both sides of the leaf in a press.
10. Venice, Giovanni Andrea ' Vavassore.
about 1 530. — * Opera noua contemplatiua
BLOCK-BOOKS
13
^. ^ „. jla6
I. 9. PAGE FROM THE ' MIRABILIA ROMAE'
14 SPI^XIMENS OF KARLY PRINTING
. . . laqual tratta dc Ic figure del testa-
mento vecchio : le quale figure sonno
verificate ncl tcstamento nuouo, con le
sue expositioni.'
The last known block-book. An adaption of the
' Biblia Pauperum.' Printed on both sides of the leaf in
a press.
Case II.— GERMANY
EARLIEST EXAMPLES OF PRINTING WITH
MOVABLE TYPES. ABOUT 1455.
It has been proved from contemporary documents that
experiments with some kind of printing (not necessarily
book-printing) with separate letters were being made
at Avignon in 1444, and there are references to the
results of other experiments at about the same date in
Holland, which have been connected by a very confused
tradition with the name of Lourens Janszoon Coster of
Haarlem. But the first printed documents which can be
assigned a place or date are the earliest issues of the two
Indulgences shown in the central compartment of this
case (Nos. i, 2). These were printed at Mainz in the
autumn of 1454, and before August 1456 the splendid
Latin Bible with forty-two lines to a column (3) was also
in existence, the other large Bible shown (4), that with
thirty-six lines to a column, being completed subsequently,
but not later than 1461. One Indulgence is connected
with one of the Bibles by the identity of its large type ;
the other Indulgence with the other Bible. It is thus
generally supposed that there were in 1454 two printing-
offices at Mainz, each of which issued a Bible and an
Indulgence. One of these printing-offices must reason-
ably be assigned to Johann Gutenberg, to whom nearly
contemporary evidence ascribes the invention of the art
of printing with movable types. But in 1455 a gold-
GERMANY 15
smith, Johann Fust, brought and won an action against
Gutenberg for the balance of two loans advanced in 1450
and 1452, and in 1457 Fust is found printing in con-
junction with his son-in-law, Peter Schofifer. Much
controversy has arisen as to whether Fust and Schofifer
had from the first an independent printing-office, or
whether they succeeded to Gutenberg's, as a result of
the lawsuit of 1455, and (in the latter case) as to who
was the owner of the second printing-office. No sufficient
materials for settling these problems have as yet been
discovered. It seems probable that Gutenberg (against
whom a similar action had been brought at Strassburg
as early as 1439) was ruined at the very moment of
success. His name is not found as the printer of any
extant book, and there are rival claimants to every piece
of printing which has been attributed to him. But
whether or no he brought any single book to the point
of publication, he has no serious rival for the honour of
having brought printing into existence as a practical art.
In the manuscript books which preceded those in
printed letters, it was usual for the large initials at the
beginnings of chapters, and often for chapter-headings,
or any part of the book which required decorative treat-
ment to be added by a 'rubricator' after the writing of
the text. The use of a separate page for the title of a
book was practically unknown. The earliest printed
books, being closely modelled on manuscripts in every
respect, imitated them in these points.
I. Mainz, printer uncertain, 1455. — Indul-
gence granted by Pope Nicholas v.
through Paulinus Chappe, proctor-
general of the King of Cyprus, con-
ferring privileges on all Christians
contributing to the cost of the war
against the Turks. Printed in 31 lines.
An earlier edition of this 31-line Indulgence was pub-
lished, and twice reprinted, in 1454. The first manuscript
date on any known copy of it is 15th November of that
year. It represents the earliest dated printed document.
16 Sri'.riMKNS OF KARI.V PRINTING
2. Mainz, })rintcr uncertain, 1455. — Indiil-
t;oncc granted by Pope Nicholas v.
through l^aulinus Chappe, proctor-
general of the King of Cyprus, con-
ferring ])rivileges on all Christians
contributing to the cost of the war
against the Turks. Printed in 30 lines.
An earlier edition of this 30-line Indulgence was pub-
lished in 1454. The first manuscript date on any known
copy of it is 27 Fel)ruary 1455.
3. jMainz, generally attributed to the press
of Gutenberg, about 1455. — Latin Bible,
with 42 lines to a column.
This Bible is printed throughout in the larger of the
two types used in the 30-line Indulgence shown next
to it. It gives no information as to the place or date
at which it was printed, or the printer who produced it.
It must have been finished some time before August
1456, as a copy in the Bibliotheque Nationale at Paris
contains a note of the completion of the rubrication
{i.e. the filling in of the headlines and initials by hand,
as explained above) at that date. It used at one time
to be generally referred to as the Mazarine Bible from
the accident of the copy in the Mazarine Library at
Paris being the first to attract attention. It is now
known either as the 'Gutenl)erg' or the '42-line' Bible.
Although this liible is generally attributed to the press
of Gutenberg, it is contended by some writers that it was
finished and published by the goldsmith, Fust, and his
son-in-law, Schoffer ; by others, that Fust and Schoffer
were responsible for it throughout. This is one of the
copies which at the beginning, and again at fol. 129 sg.,
have some columns printed with only 40 or 41 lines.
(King's Library).
4. Place and printer uncertain, not after 1461,
— Latin Bible, with 36 lines to a column.
This Bible is printed throughout in the larger of the
two types used in the 31-line Indulgence shown next to
Germany 17
it. It gives no information as to the place or date at
which it was printed, or the printer who produced it.
The type is also found in the Manung widder die Durcke
(a 'prognostication' for the year 1455), and in about
[tpttm tttbue ti rtpmn nodibaa : t(
nmto ioquttemr ei uedw^tltiitbant
tnimDoIomntaturtftrafmtu
-V~\o&iftcdtim(tttobO0ruum:tt
jjpmatDiee m qua nat^fum rttnoi
in itua indu ^ totcpt? t& t^ orao.|>tV
tstUaummicm tchtbca$.jRQ rcqrn^
im mm tnis HtCupri; n non tUuQtet
lumtm. fi9b&um m tmebre ^ umbta
ntomalDccu^tc tu mU0af inuoto
tur amarituDmt. jHotlcm jUant mtt^
broTue turbo poHiisat jKon mroiiU'
tetut in Dtcbue anni ufc nmntcmitf
nttnlibu0.]|)itt nojf tUa folttadanitc
II. 3. MAINZ, NOT LATER THAN I456
PART OF A COLUMN OF THE 42-LINE BIBLE
twelve other books, some of which were printed by
Albrecht Pfister at Bamberg in 1461, 1462. A copy
of the Bible in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, has
the date 1461 written in it. It has been variously con-
tended (a) that this Bible was printed by Gutenberg at
B
iS SPPXIMKNS OF EARLY PRINTING
Mainz bcfore"i455, and the type subsequently sold to
Pfistcr ; {/y) that Pfister printed it at Mainz in partner-
ship with Gutenberg, or by the aid of his instruction ;
{c) that Pfister printed it at Bamberg. It appears to be
usM> I3ii)fbat mi tolo^f tCft
yl% ufljfmmictn i^ nt
Jts^^^^^ aptcuitiob osfu
' um:ftmalftiijritijmfuo:£tlO'
mtm !* V)mat \im in qua na '
me fura it nmn qua \nM fft
roiuetimo tS tfnnio * hm Ida
ufctmir in trntbras* Jtn rrqni-
rat tmn Um irfup ft non illiif*
tcet luminf ^iOijrtumtt m tent*
b2f n umbra mo2ti0*£)rcupf t
f uin raligo rt inuoluaf amari*
II. 4. MAINZ, NOT AFTER I461
PART OF A COLUMN OF THE 36-LINE BIBLE
established that, with the exception of the first few pages,
this Bible was set up from the text of the 42-line Bible,
errors in which it repeats. (King's Library).
GERMANY 19
Cases iii.-v.— THE SPREAD OF
PRINTING IN GERMANY,
1457-1532
In 1457 appeared the earliest book bearing the name of
its printer and date of publication. This was the first of the
two liturgical Psalters shown in Case III., its last paragraph
or colophon stating that it was produced by Johann Fust,
a citizen of Mainz, and Peter Schoffer of Gernsheim, on
the Vigil of the Assumption (14 August) 1457. Peter
Schoffer had been an illuminator, and to his influence
may be ascribed the initials printed in blue and red,
by which an attempt was made to rival the beauty of
illuminated manuscripts. A second Psalter was printed
in 1459, and after some other books a fine Bible, in 1462.
But in that year Mainz was captured and sacked, and the
progress of printing there was temporarily checked.
Meanwhile, not only had Albrecht Pfister been printing
some popular books in the type of the 36-line Bible at Bam-
berg, but without any obvious connexion with the Mainz
printers another great Latin Bible had been produced
in or before 1460 by Johann Mentelin at Strassburg, a city
where Gutenberg appears to have made experiments as
early as 1439. In 1466 Ulrich Zel, a clerk (or scribe) of
Mainz, issued his first dated book at Cologne, and among
other printers soon afterwards found at work there was
Arnold ther Hoernen, who is distinguished for his early
use of a separate page for a title, of leaf-numeration and
head-lines.
At Augsburg the first dated book was issued by Gunther
Zainer in 1468, and to this and the neighbouring city of
Ulm the skill already acquired in the production of wood-
cuts for devotional pictures and playing-cards soon gave
great importance in the history of printing. Book-
illustration, indeed, quickly became popular throughout
Germany, and early examples of it are shown in Case IV.,
and in the famous Nuremberg Chronicle in Case V. The
'Virgil' of 1502, and the German version of Petrarch's
De Remediis utriusque Fortunae, published, after many
20 SPFXIMENS OF EARLY PRINTING
delays, in 1532, arc examples of the later period, in which
much more delicate and ambitious illustrations were,
accompanied by a steady deterioration in print and paper,
which gradually brought woodcuts into disrepute. On
the other hand, the vellum Prayerbook and the romance
of ThcuerJtvick, produced for the Emperor Maximilian
show the excellent work which could be produced in the
sixteenth century by German printers, when working
under favourable circumstances.
Case HI.— GERMANY, 1457-1471
1. Mainz, Fust and Schoffer, 1457. — Latin
Psalter, arranged in the order in which
the Psahiis were sung in Church, with
music notes added by hand.
There has been much controversy as to the manner
in which the large initial letters in this Psalter were
printed, but they are now generally regarded as having
been stamped in, after the rest of the page had been
printed, a separate stamp being used for each colour. On
vellum. (Grenville Library).
2. Mainz, Fust and Schoffer, 1459. — Latin
Psalter, arranged in the order in which
the Psalms were sung by the Benedic-
tines, with music notes added by hand.
A copy of this Psalter, belonging to Sir John Thorold,
was sold in 1884 for ;^495o, the highest price ever paid at
auction for a printed book. On vellum. (King's Library.)
3. Mainz, Fust and Schoffer, 1462. — Latin
Bible.
This is the first dated edition of the Bible, and the
first instance of a book formally divided into two volumes,
the colophon to vol. i. being dated ' anno m.cccc.lxii.' that
to vol. ii. (here shown), on the Vigil of the Assumption
GERMANY 21
(August 14). Some of the small initials in this volume
were printed, others were added by hand, and after this
the use of printed initials was discontinued for some years.
On vellum. (King's Library.)
Pm hoc opufculu} finitu ae copkiuct ad
cufcbiaj tciitiduftric m aiutatr Q)agmitii
pn-^obatinc fijft duc^cr ^etrmfcboiffber ^
gcmflxf m dcrica Diotcp ciufdcj d> confu-:
matu. Anno iticaniacois t)fiice» A\»cccc4xii*
In vig:*^^ anumpcois glbfcvirg'imj& marie*
III. 3. MAINZ, FUST AND SCHOFFER, 1462
COLOPHON FROM LATIN BIBLE
4. Strassburg, Johann Mentelin, about 1460.
— Latin Bible.
A copy of this Bible in the library of Freiburg gives
1460 as the date of rubrication of the first volume and
1 46 1 as that of the second. At the end of the second
volume of the present copy are some contemporary verses
in honour of Mentelin. According to the Chronicle of
Joannes Philippus de Lignamine (Rome, 1474) in 1458
Mentelin was printing as many sheets as Gutenberg, i.e.
300 a day. (King's Library.)
5. Cologne, Ulrich Zel, 1466. — S. John
Chrysostom. Expositio super Psalmum
miserere.
The earliest dated book known to have been printed
22 SPFXIMENS OF EARLY PRINTING
at Cologne. Zel was a scribe of the diocese of Mainz.
( King's Library.)
6. Cologne, Arnold ther Hoernen, 1471. —
Adrianus Carthusiensis. Liber de
Remediis utriusque Fortunae.'
The numeration of the leaves, one of the improvements
ther Hoernen introduced, is placed in the middle of the
outer margin of each right-hand page. (King's Library).
Case IV.— GERMANY, 1473-1484
1. Augsburg, Gunther Zainer in the monas-
tery of SS. Ulric and Afra, not after
1473. — Speculum Humanae Saluationis.
The information that this book was printed in the
monastery of SS. Ulric and Afra is given in a manuscript
note, dated 1473, in a copy in a private library. The
Abbot of the Monastery in 147 1 had arbitrated in a
dispute in which the Augsburg woodcutters objected to
Zainer printing illustrated books, and had decided that
he might do so if guild woodcutters were employed.
Zainer was a native of Reutlingen and had introduced
printing into Augsburg, completing his first dated book
12 March 1468.
2. Ulm, Johann Zainer, 1473. — Boccaccio.
De Claris mulieribus.
Johann Zainer, a relative of the Gunther Zainer, who
worked at Augsburg, introduced printing into Ulm, com-
pleting his first dated book ii January 1473. In the
excellence of its illustrated books Ulm competed with
Augsburg, though it was far less important as a centre of
printing.
3. Nuremberg, Anton Koberger, 1483. —
German Bible.'
Printing was introduced into Nuremberg by Johann
GERMANY
23
Sensenschmidt in 1470. Koberger began work there the
next year, and quickly proved himself one of the most
prolific and important of German printers. In this Bible
he imitated the pictures of an edition in Low German
Bdlaanr^lxta pfigumuit oztum macic pec (kllam
|}uLQl^b/ Balaam c^c jplxc baut ^Dztx&eutec ttn,
\gr pgung inane Dutcb am ltci:en>
iecciuam nzcubabmcnoftce captiuimttehteratio
^mcijidaefit rx2 patcc qui tenDbis 2dhnauit.6e
ne^idus fit m BItus qui te t matccm atDptautt-£c'
ne&idus fit fpulfandus qui cc in vcecD fandriBcauic
ibenc^iduo fit vtccc^ patens qui te mtito genccauic.
IV. I. AUGSBURG, G. ZAINER, ABOUT 1471
PART OF PAGE FROM 'SPECULUM HUMANAE SALVATIONIS' (REDUCED)
printed by Heinrich Quentell at Cologne about 1480,
uniting them with a handsomer type. The first German
Bible had been printed by Mentelin at Strassburg about
1466. Sixteen editions (including two in Low German)
were published during the fifteenth century, of which this
is the eleventh. (King's Library.)
24
SPECIMENS OF EARLY PRINTING
Q|>2a cibum qmttne*ttnm committit coili#
Kunc illi foliba fcruat ouite few*
fl^tu cauta pares murntu p2emunit amico /
Vt latcat*ne fit m fua 5amna pagus
S^ic latet*cccc lupus wouet fcoflia^poce raping
€%p2\m\t vt patcar.t feofiia claufa fit i*
Sta p2ocul c5u3 ait/capiifasgutturcfalfo
Cum bznt capiifes/tc p2ocul cfTe uolo*
CJuob mca fis parens mentitur pmaso f cquen5i /
fKirtiuia qua vitco te bocet efTe lupum
Jfnfita riato2uni cc2bi dodrina parentum
Szpz parit frud:am/fp2cta uocete folet*
IV. 4. STRASSBURG, KXOBLOCHTZER, ABOUT 1483
PART OF PAGE FROM AESOP (REDUCED)
GERMANY 25
4. Strassburg, Heinrich Knoblochtzer, about
1483. — Vita Aesopi cum fabulis.
About 1477, Johann Zainer printed at Ulm an illus-
trated edition of Aesop's Fables, and editions with
woodcuts more or less closely copied from this were
speedily printed in other towns of Germany, in the
Netherlands, Italy, France, and England.
Knoblochtzer's is probably the second German imita-
tion, that by Anton Sorg of Augsburg being the first.
Knoblochtzer began printing at Strassburg in 1477, and
was a publisher of popular books, mostly illustrated.
5. Strassburg, Johann Priiss, 1484. —
' Johannes von Montevilla Ritter.'
The second dated book printed by Priiss. After
producing several illustrated romances, he became a
printer chiefly of theological and scholastic works. This
German translation of 'Mandeville' was made by Otto
von Demeringen. (Grenville Library.)
Case v.— GERMANY, 1493-1532
I. Nuremberg, Anton Koberger, 1493. —
Hartmann Schedel. ' Liber cronicarum
cum figuris et ymaginibus ab inicio
mundi.'
This famous chronicle contains 1809 woodcuts, of
which 645 are separate designs, and 11 64 applications
of these to different scenes and persons. Thus 44
different cuts serve for 224 Kings, and 28 cuts for 198
Popes. Many of the pictures of cities, on the other hand,
have some real topographical value. In that of Cologne
the crane used for the unfinished cathedral is a con-
spicuous object. The best of the woodcuts are the work
of Wilhelm Pleydenwurff and Michael Wohlgemuth, the
master of DUrer.
;6 SPECIMENS OF EARLY PRINTING
2. Strasshuri^, Johann Griininger, 1502.—
Puhlii X'irgilii Maronis Opera.
The first illustrated edition of Virgil, produced under
the supervision of Sebastian Brant, the author of The
Ship of Fools ^ who took a special interest in the woodcuts,
so that they are spoken of as his work (expolitissimis
figuris atque imaginibus nuper per Sebastianum Brant
superadditis). In a preface in Latin verse, he boasts that
by the help of these pictures the ignorant will be able to
read Virgil as well as the learned (Hie legere historias
commentaciue plurima doctus, Nee minus indoctus per-
legere ilia potest).
3. Augsburg, Heinrich Steyner, 1532. —
Petrarch. * Von der Artzney beyder
Gltick, des guten und widerwertigen.'
The illustrations to this book were executed by Hans
Burgkmair, under the supervision of Brant, in 1520 ; but
owing to the death first of the original translator Peter
Stahel, and then of the publisher, Grimm, its issue, as
completed by Georg Spalatinus, was delayed till 1532.
4. Augsburg, Johann Schonsperger, 15 14.
— Ilorae intemeratae virginis Mariae
secundum usum Romanae curiae.
This Prayerbook, of which it is believed only ten copies
were printed, was intended for the private use of the
Emperor Maximilian, by whom it was probably arranged.
The elder Schonsperger to whom its execution was
entrusted, had begun work at Augsburg in 1481, and was
now a veteran among German printers. A copy of the
Prayerbook in the Royal Library, Munich, has marginal
designs by Diirer. On vellum.
5. Nuremberg, Johann Schonsperger, 151 7.
— Melchior Pfintzing. Theuerdanck.
An allegorical poem written by Pfintzing, perhaps with
the help of Maximilian himself, on the occasion of the
Emperor's marriage with Mary of Burgundy. A special
ITALY 27
fount of type, distinguished by its flourishes, was cut by
Jost Dienecker of Antwerp, and the printing entrusted
to Schonsperger of Augsburg. The one hundred and
eighteen woodcuts were designed by Hans Schaufelein.
On vellum. (Grenville Library.)
Cases VI. and vii. — ITALY
German printers soon carried the new art into other
countries, and Italy, then the home of scholarship, was
the first to receive it. The earliest printers here were
Conrad Sweynheym and Arnold Pannartz, who after
printing four books in 1465-67 at the Benedictine monas-
tery at Subiaco, where many of the monks were Germans,
at the end of 1467 removed to Rome, where a compatriot,
Ulrich Han, was also just beginning to work. In August
1470 a Sicilian physician, Joannes Philippus de Ligna-
mine, who had set up a third printing-office at Rome,
completed his first book. The specimens of the work
of these printers, exhibited in Case VI., show that they
adopted the restored book-hand, imitated from the fine
manuscripts of the time of Charlemagne, which had come
into use in Italy at the end of the previous century. But
it was at Venice, where John of Speier began to work
in 1469, and a French printer, Nicolas Jenson in 1470,
that this Roman type attained its greatest beauty, and
that of Jenson has never been surpassed. Within the
next five years printing was introduced into most of the
chief cities of Italy, and before the end of the century
presses had been set up in more than seventy different
towns, though the output of the Venice printers fell but
little short of the total of all the other Italian towns.
For the first few years the presses were mainly occupied
in producing editions of the Latin classics, appealing to
wealthy scholars who despised any form of printed
decoration in their books. But woodcuts are found
almost from the first in the more popular books in the
vernacular, and from a little before 1490 illustrations
become very common. Specimens of these, exemplifying
the different schools of illustration which grew up in
-S SPF.riMEXS OF EARLY PRINTING
dirterent towns, arc exhibited in Case vil., together with
a book printed in the italic type introduced by the
scholar-printer Aldo Manuzio in 1501, and one of the
earliest imitations of it.
Case VI.- ITALY, 1465-1472
1. .Subiaco, Sweynheym and Pannartz, 1465.
— Lactantius. Opera.
Cardinal Turrecremata, the Abbot of the Monastery of
Saint Scholastica at Subiaco, was an author and patron
of learning, and many of the inmates of the monastery
were Germans ; it was natural, therefore, that the first
German printers should stop there on their way to Rome.
Of the four books printed at Subiaco (one of which has
perished) the ' Lactantius' is the first bearing a precise
date : it is also the first book in which a real Greek type
was used, though some Greek characters mixed with
Roman appear in the 'Paradoxa' of Cicero printed at
Mainz in the same year. For many years after this most
printers left blank spaces for the Greek quotations in
Latin books to be filled in by hand.
2. Rome, Sweynheym and Pannartz, 1469. —
Apuleius. Opera.
On removing to Rome Sweynheym and Pannartz
adopted a new fount, remarkable for its use of the long
s at the end of words. They now printed so many
books, almost exclusively Latin classics and the works of
the Fathers, that in 1472 they appealed to Pope Sixtus iv.
for pecuniary help, mentioning in their letter twenty-
eight works which they had issued at Subiaco or at
Rome, sometimes in more than one edition, the total
number of printed volumes amounting to 1 1,475.
3. Rome, Joannes Philippus de Lignamine,
1470. — Suetonius. Vitae Caesarum.
De Lignamine, who was born in Messina, was a
physician and an officer of the papal household, and the
first native printer in Italy. His types, both Roman
and Greek, are peculiarly bold and striking.
ITALY 29
« s ti or^ti \j »T X . b^j2-5 ^§
;; ^S 3 g.-g -» :t o ^ \j I ^S g I
in b
tn c/^
SI'KCIMKXS OF KARLV I'RINTING
lo in alcuna coHa hauefle p ignoratia
o pci inaduciTentia manchato traifor/
matoiouer mcompofitamence^ferto
ueramente rechicdo perdono fempre
fopponcndoui ad ogni fpintuale 5C
teniporale correcftione de qualunque
diuociffima perfona di 2;afchaduno
perito maeftro dc fapienciiTio dodlore
de la uoflra fadifrima madre ecclefia
cadiolica di ronia»
ANNO A CHRISTI INCARNA /
TIONE.MCCCCLXLPER MAGI/
STRVM NICOLA ViM lENSON
HOC OPVS QVOD PVELLA/
RVM DECOR DICITVR FELICE
TER IMPRESS VM EST*
LAVS DEO*
VI. 6. VENICE, JENSON, I471
COLOPHON OK 'DECOR PUELLARUM,' MISDATED 1461
4. Venice, Joannes de Spira, 1469.— Cicero.
Hpistolae ad Familiares.
The first book printed at Venice. John of Speier
obtained a monopoly of printing there for five years, but
died early in 1470, being succeeded by his brother
Uendelin, to whom the privilege did not apply. Only
ITALY 31
one hundred copies were printed of this edition. Of these
the British Museum possesses four. The copy shown is
on vellum. (King's Library.)
5. Venice, Nicolas Jenson, 1470. — Cicero.
Epistolae ad Atticum, Brutum, et Quin-
tum fratrem.
Jenson was a native of Sommevoire, near Bar-sur-Aube,
and was for some time master of the mint at Tours. He
is said to have been sent to Mainz in 1458 by Charles vii.
to learn the art of printing; but this mission, if it ever
took place, appears to have had no results in P>ance.
Jenson's Roman type is considered the finest of all the
Italian founts ; it should be compared with the writing in
the Italian manuscript 109 of the Exhibition of Latin and
other Mss. (Grenville Library.)
6. Venice, Nicolas Jenson, 1471. — Decor
Puellarum.
Much disputation has arisen over this book, owing to
the date in the colophon being given as mcccclxi., leading
to the assertion that Jenson introduced printing into Italy.
It is now recognised as one of a number of cases in which
dates have been put ten years too early through the
accidental omission of an x. (King's Library.)
7. Verona, Joannes de Verona, 1472. —
Robertus Valturius. De re militari.
Previously to the appearance of this work a single book
had been printed at Verona in 1470. John of Verona
may be the same as the Giovanni Alvise who printed an
illustrated Aesop in that city in 1479. The 'De Re
Militari ' had been written some years before its publica-
tion, being dedicated to Sigismondo Malatesta who
died in 1464. The woodcuts in the printed edition were
probably copied from drawings in the original manu-
script, and the designs have been attributed to the
medallist Matteo de' Pasti, who lived at the court of
Malatesta.
^2 SPKClMrXS OF KARI.Y PRINTING
Case VII.— ITALY, 1477-1503
1. Morciicc. Nicolaus Laurentii, of the
diocese of I^rcslau, 1477. — Antonio
Ik'ttini. Monte vSanto di Dio.
In 1471, tlic goldsmith Bernardo Cennini, printed a
single book at Florence, and in the following year two
others were printed there by Johann Petri of Mainz, but
it was not till 1477 that printing took root in the city.
This book, by Bettini, printed there in that year, is remark-
able as containing the earliest engraved book-illustra-
tions. When a second edition was issued, in 149 1,
woodcuts were substituted for the engravings. (Grenville
Library.)
2. Naples, printed by certain ' Germani fide-
lissimi,' for Francesco de Tuppo, a jurist,
1485. — Aesop's Fables, in Latin and
Italian.
The ' most faithful Germans ' may have been Matthias
of Olmiitz, called Moravus, and his workmen, or perhaps
Johann Tresser and Martin of Amsterdam, the term
' German ' being very loosely used in the fifteenth century.
The illustrations in this 'Aesop,' more especially in the
' Life,' show the modification of the Ulm designs by
Italian influence. The decorative borders appear to be
original. (Grenville Library.)
3. \'enice, Giovanni Ragazzo for Lucantonio
Giunta, 1490. — Biblia vulgare istoriata.
The first illustrated edition of the Italian version of the
Bible by Niccolo Malermi. It contains upwards of four
hundred little woodcuts, some of them adapted from the
pictures in the Cologne Low German Bible of about 1480,
but the majority original. The letter b. with which some
of the woodcuts are signed, is now generally regarded as
the mark of the workshop where the wood blocks were
cut, not as the initial of a designer.
ITALY
33
Incomenciaellibronominatobaruch, Ca. I
T qfte fono Ic parole del libro
lequale fcriHe Baruch filiolo de
neria figliolo de maafaiafiglio^
lodefcdechia figliolo de fedei
figliolo de elchia cflendo in ba
bylonia nel quinto ano nel fe^-
ptitiio di del mefe nel tepo che
i caldei pigiiorono ihciufale 61 abruforonla col fo
CO Jlche Baruch legette le parole de qfto libro a le
orechic de lechonias filiolo de loachim re de iuda :
& a le orechie del nniuerfo populo che uenia al li /
bro&aleorechiedepotctifigliolidi re;&:ale ore/
chie di preri:8^ ale orechie del populo dal minimo
jfino al magiorcide tuti habitati i babylonia:6i egli
federtc al fiume liql udcdo piageuano: & ieiunaua-'
no di orauano nel coi'^QdiQ del fignorcEt lor reco
VII. 3. VENICE, G. RAGAZZO FOR L. A. GIUNTA, I490
PART OF COLUMN FROM MALERMI BIBLE
Venice, Aldus
Crasso, 1499.
phili.
Manutius for Lionardo
— Hypnerotomachia Poli-
This is the most famous of Venetian illustrated books,
a romance, the authorship of which is revealed by a
C
/
cumrcligiofotripiulio pljiKlcndo&iubilando.Qiulccrano Ic Nym-
pIicAnudr)Mdc,&aglirdolcntifiorileHymcnitlc,ruiircntc,faIicndo
uKiiiKlcdiiuiui&d.iqiialil<jilatodclflorcoVcrtunnoflridoncllafrou
tcdcpiirpur.inrc&mclincrofc.ciimclgrcmiopicnodcodorifcri dc fpc-'
dhtiiniiiillori.amannlalbgioncdcllanofo Arictc.Scdcndoouantcro-
praiuuiicrcrnmaX'cIia.daquatrocoriiigeriFauiiitiratajIniiinculatidc
(Irophicdcnoucllcfiondc, Ciimlafuaamata & belliflima moglic Po-
mona coronatadcfructi cum ornatodcfluodcglibiodifnmicapigli,pa
rca cllo fcdctc,& a gli pcdi dcllaqiialc una coftilia Clcpfydria iaceua.ncl
Ic mane tcncntc una lhpatacopiadefiori& maturati frudicum Imixta
fogliatiira.Pri'cedctcla Vchaaglitrahcnti Fauni propinq; ducformofe
Nymp!iean(ignane,Vnacuunohaftilc T rophiogerula.dcLfgoni-Bi
dcim.farculi.&falcionctti ,cu una ppendctc tabclla abaca cu tale titula.
INTEGEKRIMAMCORPOR.VALITVDINEM.ET
STABILEROBVR.CASTASQVEMEMSAR.DELI
TIAS. ET BEATAM ANIMI SECVRITA
TEM C VLTORIB,M»OFFERO,
Vn. 4. VENICE, ALDUS 1 499
PAGE FROM THE ' HYPNEROTOMACHIA ' (REDUCED)
ITALY 35
sentence formed by the initial letters of successive
chapters, ' Poliam frater Franciscus Columna peramavit,'
Francesco Colonna being a Dominican friar and Polia a
certain Lucretia Lelio of Treviso, where Colonna had
taught. Some of the woodcuts are signed b., the reference
here also being doubtless to the workshop in which they
were cut.
5. Venice, Aldus Manutius, 1501. — Virgilius.
The first book printed in italic type, the characters being
cut, in imitation, it is said, of the handwriting of Petrarch,
by a certain Francesco da Bologna, who has been identi-
fied with the painter Francesco Raibolini, better known
as Francia. The new type quickly became popular
because of its compactness. The scholar-pubhsher
Aldus Manutius, who introduced it, was born in 1450,
and began to print at Venice in 1494, at first applying
himself chiefly to printing Greek. (Grenville Library.)
6. Fano, Hieronymo Soncino, 1503. —
Petrarch. Opere Volgari.
One of the imitations of the italics of Aldus, and note-
worthy for the unjust suggestion in the preface that he
had taken to himself the credit of having designed the
type, (Grenville Library.)
7. Ferrara, Lorenzo Rossi, 1497. — Jacobus
Philippus Bergomensis. De claris
mulieribus.
Printing had been begun at Ferrara as early as 147 1,
but throughout the fifteenth century the city seems to
have been unable to support more than one press at
a time. Some of the later illustrations in the De claris
?milieribus, notably one of the Damisella Trivulzia, are
said to be authentic portraits. In the same year Rossi
printed a handsome edition of S. Jerome's Letters, with
little woodcuts in the Venetian style.
8. Florence, Francesco Buonaccorsi, 1490. —
Giacopone da Todi. Laude.
Books with woodcut illustrations suddenly became
36 SPFXIMENS OF EARLY PRINTING
r.O.N-INrRrMVMGEORGICOR.VM,
ARGVMENTVM.
Qji idficidt liCtdi fe^ks,t[Uie fyicYiifermt
A gricold,utfkdlcm ttrr-im frof.md.dt drdtrh,
5 cnwid, ^«o iddenid mcdo^atltus'ij; loconmi
E do(Hit,7ncjJesmdgnoolJ7nfoen6rereddi,
r.V'M'GEORCICORVMXTBERPJlI
lAVS AD MOECEN ATXM*
Yidficiat Umsfi^tef,<iuofyder6
terrdm,
^renites,
c omenidt,<iiite cHYet hoHm^^uis
odtushdhmdo
5 it fmri^dtc^ydj^ihus c^nta. sxfenintid pards,
H inc cunert md^idm . Yoso cUriffvna rmndi
L uminajidhentem codo qua dndtis dnnam
'Liher,ct'dlma Ceres,ueprofimfnere tellus
C hdonid'm pjn^i gUndem rmtnuit drifht,
V ecHld(^; imtentisKcheloid rmfatit unis^
E tMsdgrejhmfr/ejenddnumnaFdtfm,
r erttfitml,Tdtinuj;'fedcm,Dryddes'<li]puelU,
M unerd ucflrd dno^nie^ 6 cui ^ritm jremcntem
F uSt cc^umi ntdgno telhis percuffA tridenti
N eptune,et (Hltvrnemort0n,(Hi pin^idCate
T er centum viimtondentdtirmtaiuumd^
I pfe nermslicjuens pdtrimn,[dltns\i Liaei
e
VII. 5. VENICE, ALDUS, 150I
PAGE FROM THE VIRGIL PRINTED IN ITALICS
ITALY
37
popular in Florence in 1490, and for the next few years
were produced in great numbers. The illustration in
this book of Giacopone in ecstasy before a vision of the
VII. 9. FLORENCE, LIBRI, ABOUT 1495
WOODCUT FROM TITLE-PAGE OF ' LA FESTA DI
SAN GIOVANNI
Blessed Virgin (in whose honour he wrote the Stahat
Mater) is a fine example of the larger outline woodcuts.
9. Florence, Bartolommeo di Libri, about
1495.— Feo Belcari. La fe.sta di San
38 SPECIMENS OF EARLY PRINTING
(iiovamii (luanclo fu uisitato da Christo
ncl discrto.
Libri, thougli he seldom put liis name to a book, was
one of the most prolific of Florentine printers. This
hook from his press is one of the numerous editions of
Rappicscntazioni, or Florentine miracle-plays, most of
which at this period bear on their title-page a woodcut
of the Angel who always spoke the prologue, and beneath
this a picture illustrating the play.
Case VIII.— FRANCE
I'KINTIN'l; was introduced in 1470 into France by two
professors of the Sorbonne, Guillaume Fichet and Jean
Hcynlyn, who invited three Germans, Ulrich Gering of
Constance, Martin Kranz, and Michael Friburger of
Colmar to set up a press within the precincts of the
college. Heynlyn himself acted as corrector to the
press, while Fichet with the help of his patrons found
the funds and decided the books to be printed. These
were mostly of a scholastic nature, including several
classical texts, and they were printed, therefore, in
' reman ' characters, in imitation of the revived book-
hand which had spread from Italy to France. In 1472
Fichet and Heynlyn gave up their connexion with the
Sorbonne press, and the printers, after issuing a few
books on their own account, removed in 1473 to other
quarters, where they soon found competitors. Among
these were Peter Wagener, nicknamed ' Caesaris ' or
' Caesar,' and Johann Stoll, who used an exceptionally
graceful semi-Gothic type. In 1473 also printing was
introduced into Lyons, where the more popular character
of the books published was marked by the use of black-
letter types akin to the handwriting in vernacular
manuscripts. In 1481 Jean du Pre, began work at Paris
and proved himself the finest of the early French printers,
paying special attention to the illustration of his books,
of which a fine example is shown in the edition of
S. Augustine's Cite de Dieu, which he helped to print
at AJDbeville. In 1485 the great popular publisher,
Antoine V^rard, began his long career at Paris, printing
FRANCE 30
almost exclusively in French, and producing specially
illuminated vellum copies of most of his books, for the
kings of France and England and other patrons. Both
he and Jean du Pre made many experiments in illus-
trating editions of the Hours of the Blessed Virgin, and
these were brought to their perfection in the last years
of the century by Philippe Pigouchet, Before 1500
presses had been set up in about forty French cities,
but in quite half of these only temporarily, or to print
some special books. Next to Paris and Lyons the chief
printing centre was at Rouen, where many service-books
were printed, for use in England as well as in France.
1. Paris, Gering, Friburger and Krantz at the
Sorbonne, 1470. — Gasparinus Barzizius.
Epistolae.
The first book printed in France. The author, who
died in 1431, was an Italian scholar of the Renaissance,
and his letters were used as models of Latin prose.
2. Paris, Petrus Caesaris and Johannes Stoll,
about 1474. — Franciscus Florins. De
amore Camilli et Emiliae.
When the Sorbonne printers started on their own
account, they printed at the sign of the Soleil d'Or in the
rue S. Jacques. Cpesaris and Stoll fixed their press two
doors higher up at the sign of Le Chevalier au Cygne,
and a little further on, at the sign of Le SoufBet vert, was
a third printing office owned by the first native French
printers in Paris, Louis Symonel, Richard Blandin, and
Jean Simon, who used at first a type almost identical with
this of Caesaris and Stoll, gradually introducing into it
some new letters. The competition between the three
firms was keen and even unscrupulous.
3. Lyons, Guillaume Le Roy for Barthdlemy
Buyer, about 1478. — The New Testa-
ment in French, translated by Guyard
des Moulins.
Le Roy was a native of Li^ge ; he introduced printing
40 Sl'FA IM1:NS ()!'■ KAkLY PRINTING
rc intclhga amavi* nullu ego tnodu offi'/
c'lif mcif/auc amoii meo in illu facii»Secl
nc ab onibus te dcfcitu effe iudices/ ego
(^qucm forte in numero amico^^ n5 babe/
bas])polliccoc tibi oper^ mc5» d(^qd illi
non fine fcclere neglcxerut)ego patatus
fum defcnfione tuam fufciperc ♦ Tu uero
admoncbiS/quibus adiumentis opus tibi
fit^d ego necg pecuniae nc(| confilio tibi
deero ♦ Vale j
Foelix Eptai^ Gafpatini finis*
Vt fol lumen^fic doftcinam fundif in orbem
Mufarum nutcix^regia parifiuf ^
Hinc propc diuinam/tu qua gcrmania nouit
Artem faibcndi/fufcipc promerita*
Primos eccc librof'quos baec induftcia finxit
Francorum in temf '^dibuf atcf tuif ♦
Michael VdalricufyMartinufc| magifta
Hof impreffcrunt«ac facient alioC;
VIII. I, PARIS, THE SORBONNE PRESS, 1470
COLOPHON OF THE EPISTOLAE GASPARINI
FRANCE 41
into Lyons in 1473, ^"^ seems at first to have been
employed by Buyer, a merchant of Lyons, to print books
in his house.
4. Paris, for Antoine Verard, 1492. — L'Art
de bien vivre et de bien mourir.
Antoine Verard carried on business as a pubHsher at
Paris from 1485 to 1512. In a career just twice as long
as Caxton's, he published about three times as many
books, upwards of three hundred in all, of the same
popular character, bestowing on their illustration the
care which Caxton devoted to editing and translating.
Ve'rard may very probably have had a printing-house
of his own, but he also employed several printers
to work for him. Thus the first section of this book
contains the name of Pierre Le Rouge as its printer, the
second those of Gillet Cousteau and Jean Menard.
5. Rouen, Martin Morin, 1492. — Missale
secundum usum Ecclesiae Sarisburi-
ensis.
Printing was introduced into Rouen, not later than
1487, by Guillaume Le Talleur, who printed three law-
books for Richard Pynson, himself a Norman by birth.
Martin Morin began work in 1491, and may have taken
over Le Talleur's business, since he is found in 1492 in
possession of some of his type. This is the second
edition of the Sarum Missal, and the first of many
service-books printed at Rouen for English use.
6. Abbeville, Jean du Pre and Pierre Gerard,
i486. — S. Augustine. La Cit(^ de Dieu.
Only three books were printed at Abbeville during the
fifteenth century, La Somme rurak of Boutillier, this fine
edition of La Cite de Dieu and Le Triomphe des Neuf
Freux, the last remarkable for a genuine portrait of
Du Guesclin, amid the conventional representations of
the other Worthies. In the first and third of these books
Gerard's name stands alone, and Du Pre, who continued
printing at Paris during 1486-87, probably only helped
him with type and wood-blocks.
42 Sri-.CIMl-.NS (^I'^ KARLY PRINTING
VIII. 8. PARKS, P. PIOOUCHET, 150I
PAGE FROM A ' HORAE AD USUM SARUM ' (REDUCED)
FRANCE 43
7. Paris, Jean du Pre, 1489. — Heures a
lusaige de Rome.
Most of the border pieces in this edition are of the
nature of the Biblia Fauperum, and a hst of them at the
beginning of the book is headed ' Cest le repertoire des
histoires et figures de la Bible, tant du vieilz testament
que du nouueau, contenues dedens les vignettes de ces
presentes heures imprimees en cuyure,' from which we
learn that the illustrations were cut in relief on copper,
instead of wood. This early edition by Jean du Pre
influenced the arrangement of Books of Hours for many
years.
8. Paris, Philippe Pigouchet, 1501. — Horae
ad usum Sarum.
Pigouchet finished printing his first Book of Hours
ist December 149 1, and throughout his career devoted
himself almost exclusively to the production of these
Prayerbooks, most of the editions from his press being
published by Simon Vostre. After using his first set of
illustrations in several editions, Pigouchet introduced a
second in 1496, and gradually made individual changes
in this, till it reached its highest excellence in editions of
about the date of that here shown. In his later editions
the illustrations are very inferior.
Case IX.
THE NETHERLANDS
In the Netherlands, about fifty books, mostly for use in
schools, are so connected, although in eight different
types, as to form a single group, and from their technical
defects can hardly be the work of a printer trained in
Germany after the art had been fully developed. The
sight of books printed in Germany, or even the report of
experiments there (those of Gutenberg seem to have
begun at Strassburg as early as 1439) may have sufficed
to give some unknown workman in the Netherlands the
.J.J SPF.riMF.XS OF KARLY PRINTING
necessary suggestions; or there may have been an alto-
gether separate invention, according to the legends which
have been connected with the name of Lourens Janszoon
Coster, who lived at Haarlem from 1436 to 1483. These
legends are first mentioned in the Batavia of Junius,
written in i 56S, and are in part at least quite incredible ;
but in the Cologne Chronicle of 1499 there are re-
ferences to editions of Donatus printed in the Netherlands
before the discovery of the art in its perfected form at
Mainz, and in the diary of Jean de Robert, Abbot of
Saint Aubert, Cambrai, entries have been found of the
purchase in 1446 and again in 145 1 of a Doctrinalc
(see exhibit 3) jetc ai vioule, a phrase which cannot
reasonably be interpreted to refer to block-books. The
extant books and fragments for which an early date is
claimed offer no clue to the time at which they appeared,
save that some of them cannot be earlier than 1458 nor
others later than 1474. As to the place of printing there
is no evidence save the fact that the wood-cuts used in four
editions of the Speculum Humanae Saluationis, which form
part of this group, appear in the possession of a wandering
printer during the time that he was working at Utrecht.
In 1473 books with printed dates were issued by Nicolaus
Ketelaer and Gerard Leempt at Utrecht, and by John
of Padcrborn (better known as John of Westphalia) and
Thierry Martens at Alost. After this, printing in the
Netherlands proceeded on normal lines, and an interesting
school of book-illustration soon developed. During the
fifteenth century printing was introduced into twenty-one
towns in the Netherlands, the presses of Antwerp and
Louvain being the most important, while those of
Deventer were very prolific. Among individual printers
John of Westphalia, who worked for over twenty years at
Louvain, and Gerard Leeu, who worked for seven years
at Gouda and for nine at Antwerp, were the most im-
portant. At Antwerp Leeu printed several books for the
English market (see Case xiii. b), and it was in the
Netherlands, at Bruges, that William Caxton, our earliest
English printer, printed his first books. Specimens of
these are shown in Case XI., but in this case is exhibited
a book from the press of Colard Mansion, who was for
some time his partner.
THE NETHERLANDS 45
1. Printer, place and date uncertain. —
Speculum Humanae Saluationis.
This edition of the Speculum is distinguished by having
the text of twenty of its pages entirely cut in wood, as in
the block-books. Like three other editions with the
same woodcuts it is brought by its type among the group
of books for which a date is claimed earlier than that of
the earliest books printed by Ketelaer and Leempt, the
first Dutch printers whose names we know. (Grenville
Library.)
2. Kuilenburg, Jan Veldener, 1483. — 'Die
Spieghel onser Behoudenisse,' a Dutch
translation of the ' Speculum Humanae
Saluationis.'
Veldener, who appears to have been trained as a
printer at Cologne, printed successively at Louvain (1474),
Utrecht (1478), Kuilenburg (1483), and again at Louvain
(1484). While at Utrecht in 1481 he issued an edition
of the Episteln ende Euangelien in which he used two
halves of the old Speculum woodcuts. In this Dutch
edition of the Speculum printed at Kuilenburg in 1483 he
used all the old blocks of the woodcuts, similarly sawn in
two, so that each picture stands by itself. He also had
twelve new woodcuts made in the same style. (Old Royal
Library.)
3. Printer, place and date uncertain. —
Alexander Gallus. Doctrinale.
A fragment of four leaves in the main type of the
editions of the Speculum (No. i). Although from such
fragments, all of them on vellum, found inside the covers
of contemporary bindings, fifteen or more editions of the
Doctrinale are known to have been produced in this and
similar types, only one complete copy of a single edition
has yet been found. The book is a grammar and prosody
written in verse.
4. Printer and place uncertain, date not
earlier than 1458. — Ludovicus Pontanus
46 SnaiMl'XS OF KARLY PRINTING
IX. 2. KUILENBURG, VELDENER, I483
PAGE FROM 'DIE SPIEGHEL ONSER BEHOUDENISSE '
THE NETHERLANDS 47
de Roma. Singularia in causis
criminalibus.
The second part of this book, which contains the
treatise of Enea Silvio Piccolomini De MuHeribus Pravis,
gives the author his ofificial title as Pope Pius ii., thus
proving that it cannot have been printed earlier than
1458, the year of his election. The connexion of this
book with others in the same group of types enables the
same inference to be extended to them, (Old Royal
Library.)
5. Utrecht, Ketelaerand Leempt, about 1473.
— Vegetius. De re militari.
During the two years they were at work Ketelaer and
Leempt printed a remarkable number of first editions of
important books. In 1475 their type passed into the
possession of William Hees.
6. Louvain, John of Westphalia, about 1475.
— Vergerius. De ingenuis moribus.
John of Westphalia received his training as a printer
in Italy, and brought Italian founts with him to the Low
Countries. This book, with its initial letters printed in
red, represents the earliest stage of his press at Louvain,
where he worked from 1474 to 1496. In 1473 ^^id the
early part of 1474 he had issued at Alost, in conjunction
with Thierry Martens, the first books printed in what is
now Belgium.
7. Gouda, Gerard Leeu, 1479. — * Reynaertdie
Vos.'
Leeu introduced printing into Gouda in 1477, ^^^
printed there until 1484, when he removed to Antwerp.
The last book from his press, with a colophon in which
his death is mentioned, is shown in Case xiii/'. With
the exception of a verse paraphrase printed by Ketelaer
and Leempt, this is the first edition of Reynard the Fox
in any language. (Grenville Library.)
48 SrKCIMl'NS OF KARLY PRINTING
8. Gouda, Cierarel Leeu, 1480. — Dialogus
Great lira rum.
The first illustrated book from Leeu's press, and the
Ifljjaie atnft eft ♦ fo:dt j
m ttcfc^ngc fee ofjftaet«
6t^u6jffot6com6tcq^C
fc)) fbi^ <ff wc^ie ft na «6P«
)X«t mouuoiv vfec fo:ce6 ^
ACtiD:^. o;iv it t(tiit ce cepe
d confuittt |)fti6 ^ wfpiiM
^i(f(Wtfe ttctxti(\w nc gai
IX. II. BRUGES, COLARD MANSION, I476
PART OF COLUMN FROM ' BOCCACCIO
first edition of the Dialogus Creaturarum, a collection of
stories about animals, with morals. (Granville Library.)
9. Antwerp, Gerard Leeu, 1491. — Duytsche
Ghetijden.
Imitated from the French editions of the Hours of the
SPAIN 49
B. Virgin produced by Jean du Pre at Paris, 1488-
90. This is the only known copy of the book in which
these borders and cuts first appear. After Leeu's death
they were frequently used by Adr. van Liesveld.
10. Haarlem, Jacob Bellaert, 1484. — Otto von
Passau. Boeck des Gulden Throens of
der xxiv. Ouden.
Jacob Bellaert was the first printer at Haarlem (1483),
using type obtained from Leeu at Gouda. The wood-
cuts in his first book were also borrowed from Leeu,
while most of his other blocks passed later into Leeu's
possession. Bellaert disappears in i486, and in that
year Jan Andrieszoen printed a few books at Haarlem,
which after this possessed no press during the fifteenth
century.
11. Bruges, Colard Mansion, 1476. — Boc-
caccio. De la ruyne des nobles hommes
et femmes.
Mansion was a calligrapher, and this type of 'lettres
batardes' is said to be based on his own handwriting.
For his connexion with Caxton see Case xi. In 1484
he had to flee from Bruges to avoid imprisonment for
debt, and left his printing materials behind him.
Case X.— SPAIN
In Spain the first press was set up at Valencia in 1474
by Lambert Palmart, a ' German ' or Fleming, and
Alonzo Fernandez of Cordova, and by the end of the
fifteenth century printing had been introduced into
twenty-four other places, though in many of these only
by travelling printers called in to print special books.
In addition to Valencia, the more important centres of
printing were Saragossa, Seville, Barcelona, Salamanca,
Burgos, and Toledo, and even in these the output of the
D
50 Sl'HClMKNS OF KARLV TRINTING
press was mostly small, the total number of Spanish
fifteenth century books, which can at present be traced,
only amounting to between five and six hundred. These
were produced by rather less than fifty printers, of whom
two out of every three were foreigners, only about one
book in six issuing from a native press. Nevertheless,
as in other countries, the handwriting to which readers
were accustomed was generally taken as a model, and
early Spanish books, both in their type and illustrations,
have a peculiarly massive and dignified appearance.
They retained this, moreover, throughout the first half
of the sixteenth century, when in other countries
printing was undergoing great changes, mostly for the
worse.
1. \'alencia, Lambert Palmart, about 1475.
— Aesop's Fables.
Printed in the same reman type as the 1474 ' Obres
e Trobes' of Fenollar, and the 'Sallust,' finished 13th
July 1475, the earliest books printed in Spain. Palmart
was a Fleming. He printed some of his books in
partnership with Alonso Fernandez, a native of Cordova.
2. Saragossa, printer uncertain, 1478. —
Bernardinus de Parentinis. Liber de
expositione missae.
Printing was introduced into Saragossa in 1475 ^y ^
certain Matthaeus of Flanders, whose name is only found
in an edition of the ' Manipulus Curatorum ' finished on
October 15th of that year. This book also is usually
assigned to his press.
3. Burgos, Friedrich Biel, about 1485. —
Glosa de las coplas de Mingo Revulgo.
Biel had been in partnership with Michael Wensler
at Basel about 1472, and one of the printers' devices he
adopted in Spain bears the arms of Basel. He intro-
duced printing into Burgos in 1485, and speedily proved
himself one of the finest printers in Spain.
SPAIN 51
4. Burgos, Friedrich Biel, 1487. — Doctrinal
de los Caballeros.
Another specimen of the fine printing of Friedrich
Biel, showing different types. This is said to be the
only perfect copy of the * Doctrinal.'
»]Cf»
Eftalapelta fuftilla
que Y>ifte tan Doiooaoa
muecta flaca ttanffiaM
furat>io$qtteattta6 man^Ua
confttfuecca7 coiacon
comctiealb:auolcon
pmatauacUobo Viejo
oia \>n ttifte x>t W enoio
tela mete en vn jtpnco
iriicboslos ^fetoe^imltotprorisue agotalaffepu
biica jfecontanoo ottos oanoe que paoef^ pot oefcto
Dclas quatto vittuccs catoinalce^ ton- Jufticia -Jfot
talQa-ptuom£ta-£emi)etanpa>f)>2utaoa9})otqua
- X. 3. BURGOS, F. BIEL, ABOUT 1485
PART OF PAGE FROM ' COPLAS DE MINGO REVULGO'
5. Barcelona, printer uncertain, about 1484.
— Libre del Consolat, or Statutes of
Barcelona, in Catalan.
Printing was introduced into Barcelona in 1478 by
Pierre Brun of Geneva, in partnership with Nicolaus
Spindeler. This book, distinguished by its numerous
printed initials, was probably from the press of Spindeler
when working by himself.
52 SPKCIMKXS OF KARLV PRINTING
6. Iluctc. unknown printer, 1485. — Diaz de
Mont:ilvo. Copikicion de Icyes.
The only book [)rinted at Huete. With remarkable
borders and initials cut on soft metal. Each initial
illustrates the subject of the laws set forth in the section
which it begins.
7. Sex'ille, Meinardus Ungut and Stanislaus
Polonus, 1494. — Manuale Hispalense, or
Ritual of the Diocese of Seville.
Ungut and Stanislaus appear to have worked at Naples
under Matthias Moravus until the break up of his press
in 149 1. They must then have come straight from Naples
to Seville, where they issued their first book in the same
year.
8. Seville, Meinardus Ungut and Stanislaus
Polonus, 1495. — Caspar Gorricio. Con-
templaciones sobre el Rosario de Nuestra
Senora.
\Vith numerous illustrations and fine initials.
9. Seville, Pierre Brun, 1499. — Historia del
imperador Vespasiano.
Pierre Brun of Geneva had been working in Spain for
over twenty years when this book was published ; at
Tortosa with Nic. Spindeler (1477), at Barcelona first
with Spindeler (1478) and then with Posa (1481) at
Seville with Giovanni Gentile (1492), and now again,
after an interval, at Seville on his own account, in 1499.
10. Barcelona, J. Rosembach, 1493. — Diego
de San Pedro. Carcel de Amor.
Rosembach began printing at Barcelona in 1492, and
worked there with intermissions till 1530. He was em-
ployed from time to time to print special service-books
at Tarragona (1498), Perpignan (1500), and Montserrat
(1518).
ENGLAND 53
Case xi^.— ENGLAND
BOOKS PRINTED BY CAXTON
Printing was introduced into England by William
Caxton, a mercer, born in the Weald of Kent about 1420.
As he tells us himself in his first book, Caxton in 1469
had been living abroad some 'thirty years, for the most
part in the countries of Brabant, Flanders, Holland, and
Zealand,' and had been for some time Governor of the
English Merchants at Bruges. About 1469 he entered
the service of Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy (sister of
Edward IV.), as her secretary, and by her he was en-
couraged to continue a translation of Raoul Le Fevre's
Recueil des histoires de Troye, which he had begun and
laid aside. The translation was finished in September
1471 during a visit to Cologne, and Caxton, who had
promised to 'dyverce gentilmen and to my frendes to
addresse to hem as hastely as I myght this sayd book,'
saw at once that, unless his hand was for ever to be
weary and his eyes dimmed 'with overmoche lokyng on
the white paper,' it must be printed. To gain some
practical insight into the new art, of which Cologne was
already an important centre, he seems to have visited
one of the printing offices in the city, and to have taken
some part in printing an edition of Bartholomew's ' De
Proprietatibus Rerum,' But his stay at Cologne was
brief, an English book could not be printed there without
his supervision, and printing in the Low Countries was
as yet (on the most favourable view) in its infancy.
Thus it was not until two or three years later, when
printers whose names have come down to us were at last
at work at Utrecht and Alost, that Caxton resumed his
plan, associated himself with Colard Mansion, a skilled
calligrapher, and with his aid printed his book The
Recuyell of the Histories of Troye. This probably appeared
in 1475, and was followed by The Game and Play of the
Chesse, which for many years was regarded as the earlier
of the two. Had all gone well with his patrons Caxton
might have continued to print English books at Ikuges,
54 SPECIMENS OF EARLY PRINTING
B
v£. 5 c 12 £^c9 e^i« t^ i:^ ='^^ = <«
^. r^ s w
o ^
X -J
< w
< w
<
BOOKS PRINTED BY CAXTON 55
but the disastrous defeat of Charles the Bold by the Swiss
at Morat, in June 1476, probably quickened his desire to
return to England. At Michaelmas 1476 he hired a shop
in the Sanctuary at Westminster, and there in the autumn
of 1477 published The Dictes or Sayengis of the Philo-
sophres. From 1477 to his death in 1491, his press was
never idle, though his own personal energies must have
been mainly occupied with the numerous books which he
edited or translated for it to print. Including single
sheets and new editions, his known publications at Bruges
and in England number just a hundred, and eight differ-
ent founts of type were used in printing them. Almost
all the books were of a popular character, not intended
for scholars, but for well-to-do and fairly educated readers.
Poems of Chaucer, Gower and Lydgate, several romances
(including Malory's Morte d'Arthur), chronicles, the
Golden Legend (the great collection of Lives of the
Saints), moral treatises, books of devotion, a few Horae
and a Psalter were the chief issues from the first English
press, and it is improbable that books of any other kind
would at this period have found purchasers in England.
I. Type I. Bruges, with the help of Colard
Mansion, about 1475. — The Recuyell of
the Histories of Troye, translated by
Caxton from the French of Raoul Le
F^vre.
Lefevre was chaplain to Philip, Duke of Burgundy, and
finished his Recueil des histoires de Troye in 1464.
Caxton's translation was begun at Bruges, ist March
1468/9, and finished at Cologne 19th September 147 1.
In the Epilogue to the third book he thus describes the
printing of it : ' Thus ende I this book whyche I have
translated after myn Auctor as nyghe as God hath gyven
me connyng, to whom be gyven the laude and preysing.
And for as moche as in the wrytyng of the same my penne
is worn, myn hand wary and not stedfast, myn eyen
dimmed with overmoche lokyng on the whit paper, and
my corage not so prone and redy to laboure as hit hath
ben, and that age crepeth on me dayly and febleth all the
bodye; and also because I have promysid to dyverce
56 SrFXIMKNS OF KARLV PRINTING
gentilincn and to my frcndcs to addrcssc to hem as hastely
as I myijht tliis sayd hook. Therefore I have practysed
and le'rned at my great charge and dispense to ordeyne
this said book in prynte after the maner and form as ye
may here see, and is not wreton with pcnne and ynke,
as other bokes ben, to thende that every man may have
them attones, for all the bookes of this storye named the
Recule of the Historyes of Troyes, thus enprynted as ye
here see, were begonne in oon day and also fynysshid in
oon day.' The French original was printed in the same
tvpe as the translation, but whether by Mansion alone,
after Caxton had left Bruges, or with Caxton's help, is
disputed. (King's Library.)
2. Tvpe I. Bruges, with the help of Colard
Mansion, 1475 or 1476. — The Game and
Playe of the Chesse, translated by Caxton
from Jean de Vignay's French version of
the Ludus Scaccorum of Jacobus de
Cessolis.
In the prologue to the second edition of this work
Caxton writes that Jean de Vignay's ' book of the chesse
moralysed ' came into his hands while resident at Bruges,
and that for the benefit of those who knew no Latin or
French he translated it into English, 'and whan I so had
achyeved the sayd translacion I dyde doo sette in enprynte
a certeyn nombre of theym, whiche anone were depesshed
and solde.' On returning to England, Caxton left this
first fount of type at Bruges, and no more English books
were printed with it. (Grenville Library.)
3. Type 2, 1477. 'The Dictes or Sayengis
of the Philosophres,' translated by Earl
Rivers from ' Les dits moraux des philo-
sophes,' a version by G. de Tignonville
of an anonymous Latin work of the four-
teeth century.
A copy of this book in the John Rylands Library has
a colophon with the more precise date ' the xviij day of
BOOKS PRINTED BY CAXTON
57
4ii>
vi/cT
£ §^^^^^
'^ s^ijf#T<£"s^^
S S^^ 3,«
■2.
so
so
5 I^^^S^^^I &
B'^^
.8
«^^ ^ 5 ^ 3 "g »^ S
^tsf
s^"^
o
s «
^ fa
. o
58 Sl'HCIMKNS OV lOARLV I'RINTING
the month of November.' A French book on tlie Four
Last Things (' Les iiuatre derrenieres choscs ') had already
been prhited in this type, jiresumably at Bruges, by Colard
Mansion only. Caxton's translation of Le Fevre's romance
of 'Jason,' and two thin Latin books, a speech by John
Russell, and a treatise entitled ' Infancia Saluatoris' are
also in this type, and were probably printed by Caxton at
Westminster during 1477. But the ' Dictes ' is the
earliest book printed in England, bearing its own evidence
as to place and date.
4. Type 2, about 1478. — Chaucer. The
Canterbury Tales.
The number of leaves in this book (372) considerably
exceeds that of all the other books in the same type which
can be regarded as prior to it. It is probable, therefore,
that Caxton, who frequently in his prefaces and epilogues
expresses his admiration for Chaucer, as soon as he started
work in England, began printing the Canterbury Tales at
one of his presses, the smaller books being printed in
succession at another while this was in progress. (King's
Library.)
5. Type 2 (later form), about 1481. The
Game and Playe of the Chesse. Second
edition. With woodcuts.
Caxton's use of illustrations probably began with two
small woodcuts of a master and scholars in the third
edition of the ' Parvus Cato,' used again soon afterwards,
with many others, in the 'Mirror of the World.' This
second edition of the ' Game and Playe of the Chess ' is
reckoned the third of his illustrated books, and the
woodcuts in it, probably copied from some foreign
edition, show a slight advance on their predecessors.
6. Type 3, between 1480 and 1483. — Latin
Psalter, with the Canticles, etc., for use
as a service-book.
The only known copy of this book. The type in
which it is printed was used only for a few service-books
and for headlines in other works.
BOOKS PRINTED BY CAXTON
59
tto ^rx^ tic fc« MO (6j)ngc/5(» 2| fOatCc no( accufc f^c/ iF<« )
f^8?« f^elbc to ^^n) another lljar/ Ttn^ 06 l^c^wt^v cam?/
fc/TCnb? ^e f^ccp^t^? fet? ibit? t§c Oect)? onD2 of f^c c^cij f^?^
»?c?)2 ^ t§c §UM<ScK ^c pCacR tbOew i§c IbttCf Ibae / (j ibtt? |^e
confgncnt t§? ^mUt ^n^xfioo^ ^m Wj«C / ^^^ ^^ ^«^f
Ib^ic^i? percsf^ttcd? ibcC aCC tQc fh^net)? mamto of t^c^^zp^^
f 0f^ ciU)c^/C^«^2 ^t^!*) « f^^S^ ^9^^ ^f*^ ^^ f^cpg^t^
citcouMttcJ)? an^ mc^fe Xbit^ tQc Ibutf /^ Ib^mc 6? fagO/page
tttc of f^ai 3 fttMc acp& t§c fccttft/C; 2tn?> (Qcnnc f^c ibuCf
^I» fong^tie/ an^ no( f§gt) fe^ tie t§gtj c^aj / if os 6j) tQenj 3
f^BO? ^«c ecjj 6^fmy?)?/^f 3 C«2>? noi ffc?>oe aibc^e/ff ?tnJ)
iQecfbtt m«9 tttttfj not («if?e nj ^^m tl^cii Oat^ tlbo fhwe an^
tlbo^ngttcc/fbt fuc^ ^C^c leCggc an^2 fcmeCaCC? 6) (§c fcoi
)»iot)f e^c ib^ica? cno^nere^ ibi(9 ^t$ (t>n0ue/ati^ ptjic^ctQ (o;
ctlbtt99t0^a^(C?
XI. 7. WESTMINSTER, CAXTON, I483
PAGE FROM 'AESOP' (REDUCED)
6o Sri-XIMKNS OV ICARLV I'RIXTIXG
7. Tvpc 4, 1484. — 'The book of the subtyl
hvstorves and Fables of Esope which
were transhited out of Frensshe into
Hnglysshe by Wylliam Caxton, 1483.'
The woodcuts in this Aesop are ultimately derived
from those in the Ulm edition of about 1477. The
French edition from which Caxton translated has not
yet been discovered.
8. Type 5, about 1488. — S. Bonaventura.
Speculum \'itae Christi, ' the booke that
is cleped the Myrroure of the blessed
lyf of Jhesu Cryste.'
This copy, which belongs to the second of the two
issues, is printed on vellum. The only other vellum
'Caxton ' known is the copy of the ' Doctrinal of Sapyence,'
1489, in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. The
author of the translation is not known.
9. Type 6, about 1490. — The Fifteen Oes
and other prayers.
Caxton's colophon states: 'Thiese prayers tofore
wreton ben enprented bi the commaundenientes of the
most hye and vertuos pryncesse our liege ladi Elizabeth
by the grace of God Quene of Englonde and of Margarete
Moder vnto our souerayn lOrde the Kyng, etc. By
their most humble subget and seruaunt William Caxton.'
This is the only book known to have been printed by
Caxton with ornamental borders. The woodcut of the
Crucifixion belongs to a set of Horae cuts, presumably
Flemish, subsequently used by Wynkyn. The only copy
known.
ENGLAND 6i
Case xib.
PRINTING AT OXFORD, ST. ALBANS, AND
IN THE CITY OF LONDON
The competition which Caxton met from other printers
was only sh'ght, and the total known output of all the other
presses in England during his life only amounted to about
one half of his. At Oxford in 1478-79 three small books
were printed from a fount obviously of Cologne origin.
A change of type forbids a positive statement that they
were the work of Theodoric Rood of Cologne, whose
name first appears in a book dated 11 October 148 1 ; but
there is no reason to doubt the identification. In 1485
the name of an English stationer, Thomas Hunte, is joined
with Rood's in a metrical colophon, but shortly after this,
in i486 or 1487, the press came to an end, having printed, as
far as is known, only fifteen books. Save for some seven
books produced in 15 17-19, there was no more printing at
Oxford until 1585. At Cambridge there was no fifteenth
century press; nine books were printed by John Lair dc
Siberch about 1521, but continuous printing only began
in 1583.
In 14S0 an unnamed printer, whom we know to have
been the master of the Abbey school, issued his first dated
book at St. Albans, and eight books printed at this press
have survived, six of a scholastic and two of a popular
character, the latest date in any of them being i486.
Although two of the St. Albans books competed with
editions of his own, Caxton allowed some of his type to
pass into the Schoolmaster's hands, and there seems to
have been some connexion between the two presses.
In 1480, a foreign printer, John Lettou, set up a press
in the city of London, and in that and the following year
printed a few books and indulgences, some of them at the
expense of an Englishman, William Wilcock. In 1482
Lettou was joined by William Machlinia (William of
Malines?) and five law-books were printed in partnership.
After this Machlinia printed more than twenty books by
himself, probably working till 1490 or 1491, when his
stock appears to have been taken over by Pynson.
62 sri-riMl-.NS OF KARLV PRINTING
l^csicies I'ynson who succeeded Machlinia, and Wynkyn
who succeeded Caxton, the only other firm working in
Kngland in the fifteenth century was that of Julian
No'tarv, who printed from 1496 to 15 18, producing, as far
as we know, fewer than fifty books, but putting very good
work into them.
1. Oxford, unnamed printer, probably Theo-
doric Rood, '1468' (for 1478). — Expositio
in synibolum Apostoloriim.
This book is dated in its colophon mcccclxviii., an x
having dropped out, as in the 'Decor Puellarum ' of
Jenson (Case vi. 6). Precisely the same misprint occurs
in three other books printed in 1478, at Augsburg,
Barcelona, and Venice. The 'Expositio' is attributed
to S. Jerome, but was really written by Tyrannius
Rufinus of Aquileia (d. 610). (King's Library).
2. Oxford, unnamed printer, probably Theo-
doric Rood, 1479. — Aristotle. Libri
Ethicorum traducti a Leonardo Aretino.
The second book printed at Oxford. Its close simi-
larity in make-up to the first is sufficient proof that there
could not have been an interval of eleven years between
them. (Grenville Library.)
3. Oxford, Theodoric Rood and Thomas
Ilunte, about 1484-85. — Lyndewode.
Constitutiones prouinciales Ecclesiae
Anglicanae.
This is the largest of the Oxford books, both in size
and in number of pages. Four different types were used
in printing it.
4. St. Albans, the Schoolmaster-printer,
1480. — Laurentius de Saona. Noua
Rhetorica.
The first dated book printed in St. Albans abbey; an
ENGLAND 63
undated edition of the ' Eleganliae ' of Augustinus Dathus
was probably issued before it. The type is apparently
identical with Caxton's No. 2, used in the earliest books
he printed in England. (King's Library.)
uaooms a%iie£2?i fnqiiam \)cc keiitibu
ttiiDxcicnis fiipca cjspotiix rcgulam con
fc'lua'titui* at>iiei;ttnui3 befvccemut vt
nobis etommhus<^ui ipczitiZ>xunt concc
l)afc bommue f it>c qUiXm tnUepmuti ciiHo
^inctitdi conditn^to tppcct^ite UiOicie
re j?ofi tarn cotonam 5 ^ mueitin mfec coi
qui rGfiirgimt I'ti vit-am cfcecnam-Utecart
i£>eto a conFulioite ct obptobno efectio ♦
j?eu cnflum botitimim noReum pec t^ncm
i ^eo f atui omtnpcixti en Cpititu fanctO)
glotia et tmpettum fn ferula feculccum
amen «
(iS^pUcit cjgporicio fancti Jttotnm ni
fimbolo apoRoto2um at> papain laui^
cmm InipwITa ©jcomc CEt fmita A<*
no bDmmt ♦ AV «' cccc t Ijcviij ♦ jcvtj*^ie
?>eccmbeis «♦
XI (5. I. OXFORD, T. ROOD, I478
COLOPHON OF 'EXPOSITIO,' MISDATED I468
5. St. Albans, the Schoolmaster -printer,
i486. i ^ 6g. — 'The Bokys of Haukyng and
Huntyng, and also of Cootarmuris,'
commonly known as the Book of St.
Albans.
The metrical treatise on hunting ends with the words
Explicit Dam Julyans Barnes in her boke of huntyng,'
X
64 si'i:ciMi:xs ov i:arlv printing
and Dii ilic sircni;th of tliis ascrii)tion the whole book,
together with a treatise on Kishing with an Angle added
in Wynlcyn do Worde's reprint in 1496, is popularly
attributed to an otherwise unknown Juliana Bernes, or
Berncrs, represented as being a daughter of Sir James
Berners (executed in 1388) and Prioress of the Nunnery
of Sopwcll, a dependency of St. Albans. (Grenville
Library.)
6. London, John Lettou for William Wilcock,
1480. — Antonii Andreae Quaestiones
super duodccim libros metaphysicae
Aristotelis.
The first book printed in the City of London, though
Lettou had previously printed one or more editions of an
Indulgence in favour of those giving aid against the Turks.
7. London, John Lettou and William Mach-
linia, about 1482. — Vetus Abbreuia-
mentum Statutorum.
The other four books printed by Lettou and Machlinia
in partnership, all of them in the British Museum, were
Littleton's New Tenures and the Statutes of the 33rd,
35th and 36th years of Henry vi.
8. London, William Machlinia for Henry
Vrankenbergh, about 1483, — Speculum
Christiani, attributed to Watton.
The colophon states that this book was printed ' ad
instancias necnon expensas Henrici Vrankenbergh mer-
catoris,' and in the Public Record Ofifice is a deed dated
loth May 1482, demising an alley in Clement's Lane to
Henry Frankenbergk and Barnard van Stondo, merchants
of printed books. (King's Library.)
9. Westminster, Julian Notary and Jean
Barbier for W^ynkyn de Worde, 1498.
— Sarum Missal.
Only two earlier books from Notary's press are known,
ENGLAND 65
the device in each of them bearing the initials of himself
and Barbier, and of a not certainly identified I. H. The
second of these books, like this missal, was printed for
Wynkyn de Worde. (King's Library.)
10. London, Julian Notary, 1508. — Promp-
torium Paruulorum Clericorum.
After issuing one book in London, Notary worked
at Westminster from 1497 to 1503, and thereafter 'with-
out Temple Bar, in St. Clement's Parish, at the Sign of
the Three Kings.' This is the earliest printed English-
Latin vocabulary, supplementing the Latin-English of the
Hortus Vocabulorum. Another name for it was Medulla
Grammaticae, or Marrow of Grammar. Earlier editions had
been issued by Pynson and Wynkyn. (Grenville Library.)
Case xiia.
BOOKS PRINTED BY WYNKYN DE WORDE
In the letters of denization, which he took out in 1496,
Wynkyn de Worde is described as coming from the
Duchy of Lorraine. The 'Worde' in his name is
generally identified with Worth in Alsace. His
Christian name, which he never used in any of his
books, was John. Although he lived till 1534, he seems
to have come to England with Caxton in 1476, for in
1480 Elizabeth, wife of Wynand van Worden, is men-
tioned as the former occupant of a tenement leased from
Westminster Abbey, the lease standing naturally in her
name while her husband was an alien. Caxton was so
occupied with editing and translating that it is probable
that from the first Wynkyn held an important position
in the printing office, and on his master's death in 1491
he took over the business, the earliest books bearing his
own name appearing in 1493. From this year to his
death in 1534 he was the most prolific of English
printers of his day, his total publications still extant
amounting to over six hundred, including new editions
and broadsides. Of these over one hundred were issued
in the fifteenth century. In all his different devices, of
which he had at least fifteen, Wynkyn retained Caxton's
E
sri':ciMKNS OF i-:arlv printing
mitials. ami his larg;cr books were mostly reprints of those
which Caxtoii had already published. He introduced
some improvements, such as title-pages, and the more
frequent use of ornamental initials, and printed some fine
books, notably the De Proprietatibus Rerum here shown,
but he was not a conspicuously good printer. Up to 1500
he continued in Caxton's house, removing in that year to
the Sign of the Sun in P'leet Street. On his death his
business passed to his executor, John Byddell.
1. About 1493. — 'The lyf of saint Katherine
of Senis,' i.e. S. Catharine of Siena.
' Compiled by a worshypful clerke, fryer Raymond of
the ordre of Saynt domynik,' i.e. Raymundus de Vineis.
Printed in Caxton's type 4*. (King's Library.)
2. 1494. — Walter Hylton. Scala Perfec-
tionis.
A metrical colophon states : ' th' auctour Walter
Hilton was And Wynkyn de Worde this hath sett in
print In \\'illiam Caxtons hows,' also that the book was
dedicated to Margaret, Countess of Richmond and
Derby, and printed by her command. In later books,
printed in the reign of Henry viii., Wynkyn frequently
styles himself printer ' unto the most excellent princess
my lady the King's grandame.'
3. About 1494. — Hours of the Blessed
Virgin according to the use of Sarum.
The large woodcuts belong to the set of which Caxton
used one in the 'Fifteen Oes ' (Case xia. 9). They
appear to be of Flemish origin.
4. About 1495. — Bartholomaeus De Pro-
prietatibus Rerum.
Printed on paper made at Hertford by John Tate.
Some of the woodcuts are copied from those in the
rjutch version printed by Bellaert at Haarlem in 1485.
Bartholomew was an English Minorite who flourished
about 1230. This English version was finished by John
Trevisa in 1398. (Grenville Library.)
BOOKS PRINTED BY W. DE WORDE 67
(om\»^at (^al be f^oiH^ fette
(0 t{|ia tt^ethe b^ I^dpe of ouit
iPtHe . \xAX not of at but oonl^
d£ fud^c as "fyA^ mi^iiz ma ;
b^tf^tonmtbraunce^
Jlnctprt libei^p-De piottind;
ta*€aptmHi l^rimttm
Pt(i!o$U0
LgemzloetbtoetsDepat
ceDtocbieaeSCtoerfa;
^i)t9l)eBrta.anot!)er j£u
^ropa*ti)c e!)prDel[ffrtra/
,__ C!)tfct()re paites of rjc
VbotloetbereaOfj^gttpD ipkemoci^etpol
oce)>mcb)> mco/Joz afiafticrc5);?el) out
of ^ (ouei) bj> i^eed Ditto tlje noztlje/Hno
£uropa ou(e of i{)e noitl)e t)nco ^ tbeft/
XII«. 4. WESTMINSTER, WYNKVN DE WORDE, ABOUT 1 495
SECTION OF COLUMN FROM DE PROPRIETATIBUS RERUM
5. 1496. — The Book of St. Albans. Second
edition.
This is the earliest edition which contains the treatise
on Fishing with an Angle. For the first edition see Case
68 SrEClMKNS OV KARLV PRINTING
xi.^ 5. Printed with type which had belonged to
C.odfried van Os. (King's Library.)
6. About 1496. — Statuta edita in parliamento
tcnto apiid W'cstmonasterium An. xi.
Regis Ilcnrici Septimi.
On vellum, with illuminated initials and paragraph
marks.
7. 1502. — 'The Ordinarye of Crystyanyte
or of Cristen men, newly hystoryed
and translated out of Frenshe into
Englysshe.'
Translated from LOrdinaire des Chretiens, a treatise
on Baptism, the Commandments, the works of mercy,
etc., written in 1467. With numerous woodcuts, none
of them, apparently, designed for the book. (Grenville
Library.)
8. About 1507. — ' The Dystruccyon of Iheru-
salem by Vespazian and Tytus.'
The woodcuts are copied from French cuts used at
Paris by Jean Trepperel.
9. 1 52 1. — Whittinton. Grammaticae prima
pars.
A specimen of Wynkyn's roman type, and of the very
numerous grammatical works by Whittinton, which he
printed from 1512 onwards. In this one year, 1521, he
is known to have issued thirteen different works by
^\■hittinton, besides three reprints.
10. 1529.— Malory. La Mort d'Arthur.
First printed by Caxton in 1485, reprinted with strange
woodcuts by Wynkyn de Worde in 1498, and now again
in 1529. (Grenville Library.)
ENGLAND 69
Case XII^.
BOOKS PRINTED BY RICHARD PYNSON
Richard Pynson was a native of Normandy and pro-
bably learned printing at Rouen. Slight, but sufficient,
indications show that he took over Machlinia's business
in 1490 or 1491, and while making arrangements for
carrying it on he had three legal books printed for him
by Guillaume Le Talleur of Rouen. He also took Le
Talleur's device as the model for the earliest of his own.
His first dated book is a Doctrifialc printed in November
1492, of which the only copy known is in the Grammar
School Library at Appleby. When this was published
he had already printed a fine edition of Chaucer's Canter-
bury Tales. During the fifteenth century Pynson is
known to have printed over seventy books, and from
1500 to his death in 1529 or 1530, upwards of three
hundred more, his total output being thus rather more
than half that of Wynkyn de Worde. About 15 10 he
was appointed printer to Henry viil., and fully deserved
this distinction, his books being better printed and of
a more important character than those of Wynkyn. He
also took much more pains in illustrating them, though
for this he seems to have been dependent mainly on
foreign woodcuts or woodcutters. On his death his
business was taken over by Robert Redman.
1. 1492. — Chaucer. ' The boke of the Tales
of Canterburie.'
Reprinted from Caxton's second edition, with new
illustrations. The state of Pynson's device in this book
shows that it was printed earlier than the 'Doctrinale'
of November 1492. (King's Library.)
2. 1493. — Henry Parker. 'Diues and Pauper,
that is to say the riche and the pore
fit (Mi no tfofpf f (trofe ^f re nc tecge
IDC reuc aC ii} t fK Orcte gob quot) ge
fit ttoCbc foXDc jottj biffiruetpe
£Di fp'^pntJf 9 col:pCi'; outccfenecoii?
ant) tger f ozc (Joofl (3 IDame t6.e 6ifozi?
^pioCp6ot)pf?aeataeetcfee
ant) g fgae^e cfpnlze pou a fofp 6efee
2:6at it fiat »)al2p»; afee tgiecompanp
Idnt it f^At nat 6c of p6ieofop5p
5llc of pSpffiao ne tcrmee quepnte of Catbe
S5c« 10 6ut f^teeeat^i? i«? mp malCDe
iljere enbit? f ge fquj^ew proCogue
a nt) 5erc 6eSpn jwtt gie STafe
a 3:furr^efi?t5efonbeof2:a¥f«t^
2:ffcte bueeeeb a bing tgat Mmb rnflp
Xn<J. I. LONDON, PYNSON, ADOUT I492
PAGE FROM 'CANTERBURY TALES' (REDUCED)
BOOKS PRINTED BY PYNSON 71
fructuously tretyng upon the x. com-
mandments.'
Until the discovery of the ' Doctrinale ' of November
1492, this was always quoted as Pynson's first dated
book. (King's Library.)
3. 1494. — 'The boke callde John Bochas
descriuinge the Fall of Princis, Prin-
cessis and other nobles, translated into
Englissh by John Ludgate.'
Lydgate's version of the De Casibus lUustrium Virorum
of Boccaccio, with woodcuts from a French version
printed at Paris by Jean Du Pre.
4. 1497. — Terence. Comoediae sex.
With the exception of the Cicero Pro Milone printed
at Oxford, of which only a fragment has been preserved,
this is the first Latin classic printed in England. (King's
Library.)
5. 1 506. — Manuale ad usum insignis ecclesiae
Sarum.
Printed on vellum, in red and black ; one of the finest
of Pynson's books.
6. About 1508. — Petrus Carmelianus. A
Latin description of the reception of the
Ambassadors of Maximilian, who came
to England in 1508 to arrange a mar-
riage between Charles, Prince of Castile,
afterwards the Emperor Charles v., and
the Princess Mary.
Printed on vellum, with two interesting woodcuts,
very unlike English work of the period. The tract has
no title-page or title of any kind. (Grenville Library.)
72 Sl'KCIMKXS OF KARLY PRINTING
7. 1509. — ' The Shyp of Folys translated out
of I.atcn, iTcnch and Doche by Alex-
ander Harclay.'
Barclay's version of the Narrenschiff of Sebastian
Brant, with the Latin translation of J. Locher in the
margin. The woodcuts are copied from those in the
original edition. (Grenville Library.)
8. 151 6. — Robert Fabyan. ' Newe Chronicles
of Englande and of France.'
The first edition of Fabyan's chronicles. Some, at
least, of the woodcuts in it are taken from French
sources. (Grenville Library.)
9. About 1520. — ' The famous cronycle of the
warre whiche the romayns had agaynst
Jugurth, compyled in latyn by the re-
nowmed romayn Salust, and translated
into Englysshe by Syr Alexander Bar-
clay.'
The translation was made at the request of Thomas,
Duke of Norfolk, and Pynson was allowed a special
privilege for printing it. It has the Latin text in the
margin. (Grenville Library.)
10. 1 52 1. — Henry vin. Assertio Septem
Sacramentorum aduersus Martin. Luth-
erum.
The first edition of the work for which Pope Leo x.
conferred upon Henry viii. the title 'Defender of the
by Faith.' Some of the ornaments are copied from designs
Holbein made for Froben of Basel. (Old Royal Library.)
ENGLAND 73
Case xuia.
ENGLISH PRINTING IN THE SIXTEENTH
CENTURY
Pynson had been preceded as King's Printer by William
Faques, whose extant books, three of them dated 1504.
are all admirably printed. He was himself succeeded by
Thomas Berthelet, who kept up the tradition of good
printing sufficiently well, though he is now perhaps
better known as the owner of the bindery at which the
chief gilded English bindings of the middle of the
century were produced. Berthelet was followed by
Richard Grafton, who had taken a prominent part
in the publication in England of Coverdale's Bible,
and lost his office under Mary for having printed the
proclamation of Lady Jane Grey. During this period
little good printing was done in England save by the
royal printers, but neither Jugge and Cawood who suc-
ceeded Grafton, nor the Barkers under Queen Elizabeth,
could vie with the best work of John Day, the finest
English printer since Pynson. Helped by the patronage
of Archbishop Parker, Day, who printed from 1546 to
1584, brought out many notable books. He also took
an interest in book-illustration, and the woodcuts in
Cunningham's Cosmographical Glass (probably by foreign
workmen), and Foxe's Book of Martyrs (presumably
English) are of a more original and ambitious character
than any previously attempted in English books.
Holinshed's Chronicles, Spenser's Shepherd's Kalender,
and a few later books were similarly illustrated. After
this woodcuts became unfashionable and were largely
replaced by engravings on copper.
I. London, William Faques, 1504. — Psal-
terium.
A liturgical Psalter according to the use of Sarum.
Printed 'ex mandate victoriosissimi Anglie regis Henrici
septimi,' Faques being the King's printer. (Grenville
Library.)
74 Srr.ClMKNS OF KARLY I'RINTING
2. London, Thomas Herthelet, 1532. — Jo.
Gowcr. 13e Confessione Amantis.
The second edition of Gower's Confessio Amantis,
the first having been printed by Caxton. The book is a
good specimen of Berthelet's black-letter.
3. London, Thomas Berthelet, 1544. — Psahiii
sen precationes ex variis Scripturae locis
collectae.
An example of Berthelet's roman type. In its English
form this book was known as ' the King's Psalms,' and
was often issued with ' the Queen's Prayers or Medi-
tations,' attributed to Katharine Parr.
4. London, Edward Whitchurch, April 1540.
— * The Byble in Englyshe, with a pro-
loge therinto made by Thomas, Arch-
bishop of Canterbury.'
First edition of Cranmer's Bible, being a revision of
Coverdale's version as published at the instigation of
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, in April 1539, by
Grafton and Whitchurch in conjunction. The former
partners now printed separately, editions by Whitchurch
appearing in April and November 1540, and May and
November 1541; editions by Grafton in July 1540 and
December 1541. This copy, which is printed on vellum,
bears an inscription showing that it was presented to
Henry viii. by his 'loving faithfull and obedient subiect
and daylye oratour, Anthonye Marler of London, haber-
dassher.' (Old Royal Library.)
5. London, Richard Grafton, 1547. — * In-
iunccions geven by Edwarde the vl To
all and singuler hys louinge subiectes
aswel of the Clergie as of the Laietie.'
This book contains specimens of Grafton's printing in
black-letter, roman capitals and italics.
ENGLAND 75
6. London, John Day, 1559. — William
Cunningham. ' The Cosmographical
Glasse.'
With a fine portrait of Cunningham, a map of Norwich,
and numerous pictorial initials.
7. London, John Day, 1563. — John Fox.
'Actes and Monuments of these latter
and perillous dayes,' generally known
as Fox's Book of Martyrs.
With numerous woodcuts probably by English artists.
8. London, for J. Harrison, 1577. — Raphael
Holinshed. ' The Chronicles of Eng-
lande, Scotland, and Irelande.'
With numerous woodcuts.
Case xiii^.
ENGLISH BOOKS PRINTED ABROAD
As late as the middle of the seventeenth century English
books printed abroad were both numerous and interesting.
Until the accession of Elizabeth the most important
section of them was formed by the Latin Service-books,
for the production of which the printers of Paris, Rouen,
and Antwerp were specially well equipped. Before the
Reformation began these were supplemented only by a
few Latin grammatical works with English glosses, and
by about a dozen popular books, of which Gerard Leeu at
Antwerp printed four (in 1492-93), Antoine Vcrard at
Paris two (1503), and John of Doesborgh at Antwerp
( 1 505-1 520?) most of the rest. When the Reformation
had begun not only were many controversial works printed
in Protestant districts abroad, but for twelve years (1525-
1537) all editions of Tyndale's New Testament and both
the first and second editions of Coverdale's Bible were
76 SrECIMKNS OF KARLV TRINTIXG
printed out of luigland. After the accession of Elizabeth
the forcii;n printing of English books still continued, the
presses being employed by Roman Catholic controver-
sialists or by Trotcstant dissenters, like the Brownists.
1. Antwerp, (icrard Leeu, 1493. — ' Cronycles
of the Reame of England.'
The three other popular English books printed by
Leeu were The History of Jason, The History of
Knight Paris and the Fair Vienna, and The Dialogue
of Solomon and Marcolphus. While printing The
Chronicles of the Realm of England, from Caxton's
edition, Leeu died from a blow received in a quarrel with
one of his workmen, and his death is thus commemorated
in the colophon : ' Enprentyd by maistir Gerard de Leew,
a man of grete wysedom in all maner of kunnyng, whych
nowe is come from lyfe unto the deth, whiche is grete
harme for many a poure man. On whos sowle god
almyghty for hys hygh grace have mercy. Amen.'
(Grenville Library.)
2. Antwerp, Thierry Martens, 1493. — Joannes
de Garlandia. Synonyma. With Eng-
lish glosses.
The first book printed by Thierry Martens at Antwerp.
The British Museum has two copies. No other is known.
3. Paris, for Antoine Verard, 1503. — ' Traytte
of god lyuyng and good deyng.'
A translation into northern English of L'Art de bien
vivre et de bien mourir (Case viii. 4).
4. Paris, Wolfgang Hopyl, for Gerard Cluen
and Francis Birckman, 1504. — Missale
ad consuetudinem insignis ecclesiae
Sarum.
Between 1495 ^^^d 1520 Hopyl printed several service-
books for the English market. Francis Birckman was a
citizen of Cologne, who seems to have had agencies at
Antwerp {see No. 8;, London, and Paris.
ENGLISH BOOKS PRINTED ABROAD yj
5. Paris, for Antoine Verard, 1506. — Horae
diuae Virginis Mariae secundum usum
insignis Ecclesiae Sarum.
Other French printers and publishers of Sarum Horae
were Philippe Pigouchet (Case viii. 8), Simon Vostre,
Jean Richard of Rouen, Pierre Guerin, F. Regnault,
Thielmann Kerver, and Germain Hardouyn.
6. Antwerp, Jan van Doesborgh, about 1505.
— The Fifteen Tokens of the Day of
Doom.
Among the other English books printed by Doesborgh
were 'a gest of Robyn Hode,' 'the lyfe of Virgilius,'
' Frederick of Jennen,' ' Mary of Nemmegen,' ' Howleglas,'
' Of the newe landes founde by the messengers of the
Kynge of Portyngale,' etc. Both part of the text and
some of the woodcuts of the Fifteen Tokens are ultimately
derived from the section on the coming of Antichrist
in the French 'Art de Bien Mourir' (Case viii. 4).
7. Rouen, Pierre Olivier for Jacques Cousin,
15 16. — Manuale ad usum insignis eccle-
siae Sarum.
Other Rouen printers and publishers who produced
English service-books were Martin Morin (Case viii. 5),
Pierre Violette, Eustace Hardy, Jean Caillard, Pierre
Olivier, Jacques Cousin, etc.
8. Antwerp, Christophorus Endoviensis for
F. Birckman, 1523. — Processionale ad
usum insignis ecclesiae Sarum.
Christopher of Endhoven, who also calls himself
Ruremundensis, besides printing several other Sarum
service-books, seems to have had almost a monopoly of
Processionals. Of six editions in the Museum printed
between 1523 and 1545 all are from his press.
7S SrPXIMKXS OF KARLV I'RINTING
9. C()loi;ne, Peter Ouentel, 1525. — The New
Testament translated by William Tyn-
dale.
The only known fragment of the uncompleted first
edition of Tyndale's New Testament. Three thousand
nmi:em\>i
m^ t>4rcf ^
me was V'^
pe,rf/p:e>'
tc of (S^ot^
moueb vp^
2^nb(B»ob (ay be: Utt^cvc be %^t,r t^ere
irA8l{0^.2Cttb(Srobf^we t^e(i0^tt^4t;i<;
ri?a9 0<?ob.5;|)en(B^obbeuvbcb i^lig^tftom
t^e 'oarcPrte9,4nb caUcb t^c liQ^tfrnyct^tfy
ti?eb4r<f ite0,nig^t:.<2:|)eft of t^c euenynse
nnb mo:nyngc w<^a m»^bc t^je fix ft b^ye*
XIII(J. 10. I'RINTLD ABROAD, 1 535
SECTION OF A COLUMN OF THE FIRST PRINTED ENGLISH BIBLE
copies of the first ten sheets (A-K) had been printed at
Cologne, when the editors were obliged to flee to Worms
and there begin work afresh. (Grenville Library.)
ENGLAND 79
10. Place uncertain, at the expense of Jacob
van Meteren, 1525. — 'The Bible, that is
the holy Scripture of the Olde and New
Testament : faithfully and truly trans-
lated out of Douche and Latyn into
Englishe.'
The first printed English Bible. Edited and, as
regards the parts not already rendered by Tyndale, trans-
lated by Miles Coverdale. Probably printed at Zurich.
(Grenville Library.)
Case xiwa.
LATER ENGLISH PRINTING
During the seventeenth century printing in England,
as in other countries, became cheap and bad. In the
eighteenth century the founts of Caslon marked a dis-
tinct improvement, and those of Baskerville, though now
no longer admired as they used to be, may be credited
with showing, like the amateur press of Horace Walpole,
a renewal of interest in printing as an art.
The revival or re-invention of wood-engraving by
Bewick, about 1780, had no good effect on printing, the
new illustrations being too delicate to print well with
type. The founts also of this period were almost
uniformly bad, and there was little improvement until
1844 when the Chiswick Press revived the use of 'old-
faced' type, such as Caslon's. Since this date much
excellent printing has been done in England, and also
in Scotland, where many books published by London
firms are now printed. In 1891 a new influence was
introduced by the books which William Morris then
began to print at the Kelmscott Press, close to his own
house at Hammersmith. The types, border-pieces, and
initials in these were designed by himself, and the wood-
cut illustrations were mostly after drawings by his friend
Sir Edward Burne-Jones. Fifty-three books were printed
at the Kelmscott Press between 1891 and 1896, when
8o SriAlMKNS OF KARLV PRINTING
the press was closed and the wood-blocks of the illus-
trations, borders and initials presented to the Department
of Prints in the British Museum.
1. A Specimen of the Several Sorts of Letter
g^iven to the University by Dr. John
Fell, sometime Lord Bishop of Oxford.
Oxford, 1706.
The types illustrated in this specimen book were almost
all obtained from Holland, about 1670.
2. A Specimen of Printing Types by William
Caslon, Letter-founder, London. 1766.
The earliest books printed with Caslon's types, an
Arabic Psalter and an edition of the works of Selden,
were issued in 1725. At the time of his death, a year
before this specimen-book was issued, Caslon was recog-
nised as the foremost of English typefounders.
3. Strawberry Hill, private press of Horace
Walpole, 1757. — Odes by Mr. Gray.
The first book issued from Walpole's press, the printer
employed on it being William Robinson, an Irishman.
Walpole writes as to it, ' I found him [Gray] in town
last week ; he had brought his two Odes to be printed.
I snatched them out of Dodsley's hands.' Dodsley,
however, remained the publisher. The two Odes are
The Progress of Poetry and The Bard.
4. Birmingham, John Baskerville, 1759. —
Milton. Paradise Lost.
After experiments extending over several years, Basker-
ville printed his first book, a quarto Virgil, in 1757.
His types excited great controversy, and their success was
so partial that for some time after 1763 he almost ceased
printing, a Horace of 1770 and some other Latin classics
printed in the three years which preceded his death in
1775 being his chief later works. After his death the
bulk of his type was purchased by Beaumarchais and
ENGLAND 8i
used for printing two editions of Voltaire. Baskerville's
printing was much praised by Dibdin and Macaulay, but
the old dislike to the exaggeration both of the thin and
thick strokes has recently revived.
5. Newcastle, 18 18. — The Fables of Aesop.
With designs on wood by Thomas
Bewick.
Woodcuts had almost disappeared from English books
when Bewick was apprenticed to a jobbing engraver at
Newcastle in 1767. In 1774 he engraved some illustra-
tions to Gay's Fables, and his edition of that work in
1779, his 'Select Fables' (1784), 'History of Quad-
rupeds' (1790), and 'History of British Birds' (1797)
revived a lost art, though with a new technique. The
'Aesop' of 1818 was his last important work.
6. London, Charles Whittingham the
younger, 1844. — * So much of the diary
of Lady Willoughby as relates to her
domestic history and to the eventful
period of the reign of Charles the First.'
The first book in which the use of old-faced type was
revived. Whittingham had determined to use Caslon's
old types in an edition of Juvenal, but the Juvenal was
delayed, and meanwhile the opportunity occurred of
printing this seventeenth-century story in a type which
would give it an old-world look.
7. Flammersmith, William Morris at the
Kelmscott Press, 1892. — Jacobus de
Voragine. The Golden Legend. Cax-
ton's translation.
Although owing to its large size it only appeared in
November 1892, when six smaller works had already
been issued from the Kelmscott Press, the Golden
Legend was the first book which Morris planned when
he began ])rinting, and the type used in it was always
called the 'Golden' type. The illustrations are from
drawings by Sir E. Burne-Jones.
F
\
82 sriaiMi:Ns ov karlv trinting
8. Ilaniincrsniith. William Morris at the
Kclinscott Tress, 1892. — Morris. A
Dream of John Ball and A King's
Lesson.
Trintt'd in the 'Ciolden' type. The frontispiece is
from a drawing l)y Sir E. Burne-Jones.
9. Hammersmith, William Morris at the
Kelmscott Press, 1893. — The History
of Godefrey of Boloyne and of the con-
quest of Iherusalem.
A reprint of Caxton's edition of 1481. Printed in
the large black-letter type first used in the reprint of
Caxton's ' The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye,' and
thence known as the ' Troy ' type. On vellum.
10. Hammersmith, William Morris at the
Kelmscott Press, 1894. — Psalmi Peni-
tentiales.
An English rhymed version of the seven Penitential
Psalms in the Kentish dialect of the fourteenth century.
Printed in the smaller form of the Troy type known as
the 'Chaucer' type, from its use in the great folio edition
of Chaucer's works.
11. Hammersmith, William Morris at the
Kelmscott Press, 1896. — Morris. The
Well at the World's End.
Printed in the 'Chaucer' type. The illustrations
from drawings by Sir E. Burne-Jones.
SCOTLAND 83
Case xiv^.
PRINTING IN SCOTLAND, IRELAND, AND
THE COLONIES
The earliest books known to have been printed in
Scotland, the ' Flyting of Dunbar and Kennedy,' and
ten similar tracts, were the work of Walter Chapman
and Andrew Millar, who were licensed by James iv, to
set up a press in Edinburgh in 1507; the earliest in
Ireland was a Prayer Book printed at Dublin in 1551
by Humphrey Powell, an English printer, whom the
Privy Council had encouraged by a gift of twenty
pounds to transfer his press to Ireland. Copies of these
books are preserved respectively at Edinburgh and
Dublin. The examples of Scottish and Irish printing
here shown represent the work of Davidson and Bassan-
dyne, the most notable of the sixteenth century printers
in Edinburgh, and of William Francke, or Franckton,
who was the chief printer in Dublin at the beginning of
the seventeenth century.
In North America, Stephen Day set up the first press
in 1639, i" Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts,
printing in that year the Freeman's Oath and an
Almanack, and in 1640 'The Psalms in metre, faithfully
translated for the use, edification, and comfort of the
Saints in publick and private, especially in New England.'
American printing in Colonial days is here represented
by the famous Bible in the language of the Massachusetts
Indians printed at Cambridge, the New Testament in
1661, the Old in 1663. A similar book, a Prayer-book
and Catechism, printed in 1767 at Quebec for the use of
the Montagnais tribe, illustrates early printing in Canada,
and along with this are shown what are believed to be
the first books printed at the Cape of Good Hope, in
Tasmania, and Australia.
I. Edinburgh, Thomas Davidson, about
1528. — Ad serenissimum Scotorum
regem Jacobum quintum de suscepto
S4 SPECIMENS OF EARLY PRINTING
rci;iii rci; inline a diis fcliciter ominato
Strcna.
The ronian type on the title-page of this book was the
first used in Scotland. The subject of the book is the
assumption of power by James v. in 1528. No other
copy is known.
2. Edinburgh, Thomas Davidson, 1536. —
Hector Boece. 'The hystory and
croniklis of Scotland, translatit be
Maister J. Bellenden.'
The best known of the productions of Davidson's
press, and the one on which his fame as a printer chiefly
rests.
3. Edinburgh, T. Bassandyne and A.
Arbuthnot, 1576-79. — The Bible and
Holy Scriptures contained in the Old
and New Testament.
The first Bible printed in Scotland. The price of it
was fixed at ^4. 13s. 4d. Scots. Bassandyne died while
the book was in progress.
4. Dublin, at the expense of John Usher,
1 57 1. — John O'Kearney. Aibidil Gaoid-
heilge, & Caiticiosma.
The first book printed with the Irish type presented to
O'Kearney by Queen Elizabeth. The preface alludes to
an earlier form of the Catechism; but of this, if it was
ever printed, nothing is known.
5. Dublin, John Francke or Franckton,
1602. — Tiomna Nuadh ar dTighearna
agus ar Slanaightheora losa Criosd.
First edition of the New Testament in Irish. Printed
in the type given to O'Kearney by Queen Elizabeth,
PRINTING IN THE COLONIES 85
6. London, Henry Denham at the cost of
Humphrey Toy, 1567. — Testament
Nevvydd ein Arglwydd Jesu Christ.
The first portion of the Bible in Welsh. Translated
by W. Salesbury and R. Davis, Bishop of St. Davids.
7. Cambridge, Massachusetts, S. Green and
M. Johnson, 1661-62. — John Eliot's
translation of the Bible into the lan-
guage of the Massachusetts Indians.
The first Bible printed in America. (King's Library).
8. Quebec, Brown and Gilmore, 1767. —
Prayer-book and Catechism compiled by
J. B. de La Brosse for the use of the
Montagnais Indians.
Said to be the first book printed at Quebec.
9. The Cape of Good Hope, 1814. — Grand.
Narrative of the Life of a Gentleman
long resident in India.
The first book printed in South Africa.
10. Hobart Town, Andrew Bent, 1818. —
* Michael Howe, the last and worst of the
Bushrangers of Van Diemen's Land.'
The first book printed in Tasmania.
iL Sydney, R. Howe, 1825. — Busby. A
treatise on the culture of the vine.
The first book printed in Australia.
S6 FAMOrS ENGLISH BOOKS
Cases XV. and xvi.
I N the first of these cases arc exhibited the Bible of i6i i,
the first edition of the English Book of Common Prayer
to<;cther with some of the previously authorized service-
books out of which it was compiled, the first folio edition
of Shakespeare's Plays and specimens of two of the
earlier quarto editions. In the note to the description
of the liible of i6i i, references will be found to the Cases
in which earlier editions of the Bible are exhibited. In
Case XVI. are shown copies of the first editions of some
of the chief masterpieces of English literature, from the
poems of Surrey and Wyatt in ' Tottel's Miscellany,' to
the first edition of Tennyson's Poerns, published in 1830.
c
ase XV.
An exhortation vnto prayer, thought mete
by the Kynges maiesty, and his clergy
to be reade to the people in euery
churche afore processions. Also a
Letanie with suffrages to be sayd or
songe in the tyme of the sayd proces-
sions. — London, Thomas Petyt, 1544.
The first edition of the Litany as now, with slight
alterations, in use in the English Church.
The Primer in Englishe and Latyn set
forth by the Kynges Maiestie and his
Clergie to be taught, learned, and read,
and none other to be used throughout
all his dominions. London, R. Grafton,
1545-
Revised primers had previously been edited by William
Marshall and by John Hilsey, Bishop of Rochester.
But it was not until 1545 that the 'Prymers of Salisbury
use ' were superseded by authority.
FAMOUS ENGLISH BOOKS ^y
3. The Order of the Communion. London,
R. Grafton, 1548.
This is not a complete Communion service, but an
interpolation in the missal to be used ' immediatly after
that the preest him selfe hath receiued the Sacrament,
without the variying of any other Rite or Ceremony in
the Masse, untill other Order shalbe prouided.'
4. The Book of the Common Prayer and
administracion of the Sacramentes, and
other rites and ceremonies of the
Churche : after the use of the Churche
of Englande. London, E. Whitchurch,
7th March 1549.
First edition of the first Prayer Book of Edward vi.
At the back of the last leaf is the King's Proclamation
ordering copies to be sold unbound at not more than
two shillings, those bound ' in paste or boards ' at not
more than three shillings and fourpence.
5. The Holy Bible, conteyning the Old
Testament, and the New : newly trans-
lated out of the originall tongues : with
the former translations diligently com-
pared and reuised by his Maiesties
speciall commandement. Appointed to
be read in Churches. London, Robert
Barker, 161 1.
First edition of the so-called ' King James' Bible,' or
Authorized Version. Of the versions by which it was
preceded the first editions of Tyndale's New Testament
and Coverdale's Bible are shown in Case xiii/\ These
were prohibited in England, but a revision of Coverdale's
translation, printed in 1537, was 'set forth with the
Kinges most gracyous lycence,' and this was further
revised and reprinted under the auspices of Thomas
Cromwell, Earl of Essex in 1539- A corrected edition
of this, * apoynted to the use of Churches,' was published
CHAP. I.
The creation ofHeauen and Earth, 3 of the
light, 6 of tlie firmament, 9 of the earth fe-
paratediiotn the waters, 11 and made fruit-
iull, 14 oftheSunne,Moone, andStarres,
io offifhandfbwie, 14 of hearts and cat-
tell, 1.6 ofMan in the Image of God. to Al«
fo the appointment of food.
m(^ MS «)%'
out fo;m^ , atto
1)0^5, anDuarfee*
neffe was jjpott
tlje fate of tije ueepe : anu tifte ;S>ptriit
of (1500 niooueo Upon tile fate of tDe
ibatcrs.
3 :3tnti<so!5faio,*|lett||ereijeKsl)t:
anofljccciDasiiisljt
4 :5tnD<i5oS!fattJtfjeKgI}t,ti)atitvvas
gooo : an!) 0OU oittiltjea ^ tfie Itjg^t fcom
tljeoacuencire.
\V. 5. THK HOLY niBLE, 161I
section of column krom first edition of the
'authorized version'
FAMOUS ENGLISH BOOKS 89
in April 1540 (see Case xiiia.). The other important
Bibles which preceded the Authorized Version were the
Geneva Bible (1557-60), the Bishops' Bible (1568), and
the Roman Catholic annotated translation, of which the
New Testament was printed at Rheims in 1582, and the
Old at Douay in 1609-10. The first printed Latin Bibles
will be found in Case 11., and important German, Italian,
French, Scotch, Irish, and Welsh editions in Cases iv.,
VII., VIII., and xiv/.
6. Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies,
Histories and Tragedies. Published
according to the true Originall Copies.
London, Isaac Jaggard and Ed. Blount,
1623.
The first collected edition of Shakespeare's Plays.
With dedication to William, Earl of Pembroke, and
Philip, Earl of Montgomery, signed by John Heminge
and Henry Condell, the actor-editors. The portrait is
by Martin Droeshout ; the lines facing it by Ben Jonson.
7. An excellent conceited Tragedie of Romeo
and luliet. As it hath been often (with
great applause) plaid publiquely, by the
right Honourable the L. of Hunsdon
his Servants. London, J. Danter, 1597.
The first edition. Bequeathed by David Garrick.
8. The excellent History of the Merchant
of Venice. With the extreme crueltie
of Shylocke the lew towards the saide
Merchant, in cutting a just pound of his
flesh. And the obtaining of Portia, by
the choyse of three Caskets. Written by
W. Shakespeare. London, J. Roberts,
1600.
One of two editions published in 1600. The other, also
in the Museum, was printed by I. R. for Thomas Heyes.
90 l-AMOrS ENGLISH BOOKS
Case XVI.
1. 'Tottcl's Miscellany.' — Songs and Son-
cttcs written by the right honorable
Lorde Henry Haward, late Earl of
Surrey, and other. London, R. Tottel,
1 557-'
The first English anthology, and one which remained
very popular throughout the sixteenth century. The
poems of Sir Thomas Wyatt were first printed in it, and
among the other poets represented were Sir F. Bryan,
Lord Vaux, Nicholas Grimald, and Thomas Churchyard.
2. Sir Philip Sidney. An Apologie for
Poetrie. London, for H. Olney, 1595.
This, like all Sidney's writings, was first published
after his death. It was written between 1579 and 1585.
An edition under the title 'The Defence of Poesie' was
printed in the same year for William Ponsonby, who was
the only authorized publisher of Sidney's books.
3. Edmund Spenser. The Faery Queene.
Disposed into twelve' books fashioning
XII. morall vertues. London, for W.
Ponsonbie, 1590.
The first three books only. The second three were
published in 1596.
4. Francis Bacon. Essayes. Religious Medi-
tations. Places of' perswasion and dis-
swasion. London, J. Windet for H.
Hooper, 1597.
In the dedication to his brother Antony Bacon writes :
' I do now like some that have an orchard ill-neigh-
boured, that gather their fruit before it is ripe, to prevent
stealing. These fragments of my conceit were going
FAMOUS ENGLISH BOOKS 91
to print : to labour the stay of them had been trouble-
some and subject to interpretation ; to let them pass
had been to adventure the wrong they mought receive
by untrue copies. Therefore I held it best discretion
to publish them myself.' This first edition contains only
ten essays; that of 161 2 has thirty-eight; that of 1625
fifty-eight.
5. Robert Herrick. Hesperides, or the works
both humane and devine of Robert Her-
rick, Esq. London, for J. WiHiams
and F. Eglesfield, 1648.
6. John Milton. Paradise lost. A poem
written in ten books. By John Milton. V.
Licensed and entred according to order.
London, Peter Parker, 1667.
7. Izaac Walton. The Compleat Angler or
the Contemplative man's Recreation.
Being a discourse of fish and fishing,
not unworthy the perusal of most
anglers. London, T. Maxey for R.
Marriot, 1653.
8. John Bunyan. The Pilgrim's Progress
from this world to that which is to
come delivered under the similitude of
a Dream, wherein is discovered the
manner of his setting out, his dangerous
journey, and safe arrival at the desired
country. London, for N. Ponder, 1678.
9. Daniel Defoe. The Life and strange
Surprising Adventures of Robinson
Crusoe of York, Mariner, who lived
92 fam(h;s knglisii books
cip^ht and twenty years all alone in an
un-inhabitcd island on the coast of
America near the mouth of the great
river of Oroonoque, etc. London, for
W. Taylor, 17 19.
Before publication as a book Robinson Crusoe had
been printed in Nos. 25-289 of 'The Original London
Post, or Heathcot's Intelligence.'
10. Jonathan Swift. Travels into several
remote nations of the World. By
Lemuel Gulliver, first a surgeon and
then a captain of several ships. London,
for Benj. Motte, 1726.
11. Oliver Goldsmith. The Mcar of Wake-
field ; a tale : supposed to be written by
himself. Salisbury, B. Collins for F.
Newbery, London, 1766.
12. Robert Burns. Poems, chiefly in the
Scottish dialect. Kilmarnock, John
Wilson, 1786.
13. Wordsworth and Coleridge. Lyrical
Ballads. With a few other poems.
Bristol, printed by Biggs and Cottle
for T. N. Longman, London, 1798.
14. Sir Walter Scott. Waverley, or Tis
Sixty Years since. Edinburgh, printed
by James Ballantyne and Co., for
Archibald Constable, etc., 1814.
15. Alfred Tennyson. Poems, chiefly lyrical.
London, Effingham Wilson, 1830.
SPECIMENS OF EARLY PRINTING 93
Case XVII,
PRINTING IN GREEK AND HEBREW
Printed Greek characters were used for Greek quota-
tions in Latin books printed at Mainz and Subiaco as
early as 1465, though the Mainz Greek is mixed with
Roman letters and ludicrously inaccurate. An undated
edition of the Greek text of the Batrachomyomachia,
accompanied by two Latin versions, appears to be the
work of Thomas Ferrandus of Brescia, and may have
been produced about 1474. But the first book printed
wholly in Greek, and the first Greek text with a certain
date, the Grammar of Lascaris (No. i), was printed at
Milan in 1476 with type cut under the direction of
Demetrius Damilas, a Cretan of Milanese origin. During
the next eighteen years a few Greek books were printed
at Milan, Florence (where the Greek press was practically
an off-shoot of the Milanese), Parma, Venice, and Vicenza.
In 1494-5, Aldus set up his press at Venice and began
printing Greek books in much greater numbers, replacing
the older and more dignified founts by new ones based
on the current Greek writing of his day. His high
reputation as a publisher caused the form of Greek letter
he thus adopted to be generally imitated, and modern
Greek types still show the influence of his innovation.
The first Hebrew printed books may have been issued
in 1475. The earliest is said to have been printed at
Reggio and finished in February of that year, but its
existence is disputed. The date of another book, printed
at Piove di Sacco, is sometimes interpreted as July 1475,
sometimes as 1478. Hence the books issued by Abraham
Conathat at Mantua from May 1476, and by Abraham
ben Chajjim dei Tintori at Ferrara from May 1477 (No. 9),
are the earliest undisputed productions of Hebrew
presses. But the most important of the fifteenth century
printers of Hebrew are those of Soncino (1483) and
Naples (1488), who founded a school which carried the
printing of Hebrew into many distant places, including
Constantinople.
94 Sri<:CIMKNS OF KARLV PRINTING
1 Milan, Dionysius Paravisinus, 1476. —
Constantino Lascaris. Greek Grammar.
The first hook printed wholly in Greek. The type
was cut under the direction of Demetrius Damilas, a
Cretan, of Milanese descent. It was used afterwards at
Florence to print the works of Homer and other books.
(King's Library.)
2. Milan, printer uncertain, about 1479.
— The Idylls of Theocritus and the
Works and Days of Hesiod.
An example of the second Greek fount used at Milan
after Bonus Accursius of Pisa had become superintendent
of the press in place of Damilas. The printer at this
period is not certainly known. This and an undated
Aesop, in the type of the Lascaris, and a Batrachomyo-
machia, also undated, probably printed at Brescia, are the
first Greek texts of the classical period which appeared
in print.
3. Florence, Lorenzo di Alopa, about 1494-5.
— Euripides. Four Tragedies.
Printed entirely in majuscules, on the model of
Greek lapidary inscriptions. Before the experiment was
abandoned as unsatisfactory, five books had been thus
printed. The earliest of them was the Greek Anthology,
issued in 1494. (King's Library.)
4. \^enice, Laonicus Cretensis, i486. — Batra-
chomyomachia.
The first book wholly in Greek printed in Venice.
With interlinear glosses in red. The type is remarkable
for its archaic appearance. (King's Library.)
5. Venice, Aldus Manutius, 1495. — Lascaris.
Greek Grammar.
The first book printed by Aldus, and the only one in
this earliest variety of his new ' modern-face ' type,
which was immediately afterwards modified. It has a
Latin translation on alternate pages. (King's Library.)
GREEK AND HEBREW 95
6. Venice, Zacharias Callierges, 1499. — Ety-
mologicum Magnum.
The first of four books issued in 1499 and 1500, at the
expense of Nicolaus Blastus, a Cretan merchant, all
remarkable for the richness of their ornament. (King's
Library.)
7. Alcala de Henares, Arnaldo Guillen de
Brocar, about 15 14. — Musaeus. Hero
and Leander.
The type here used was cut in preparation for the
New Testament of the great Polyglott Bible, printed
under the superintendence of Cardinal Ximenes at Alcala
(Complutum) in 15 14. It is supposed to have been
imitated from the writing of an early Greek manuscript
sent from the Vatican Library to the editors for use in
editing the text.
8. London, Reginald Wolfe, 1543. — S. Chry-
sostom. Two Homilies.
The first Greek text printed in England. It is accom-
panied by a Latin version by Sir John Cheke.
9. Ferrara, Abraham ben Rabbi Chajjim dei
Tintori, 1477. — Levi ben Gerson. Com-
mentary on Job.
The first book printed by Abraham ben R. Chajjim,
who afterwards went to Bologna and thence to Soncino,
where he directed the famous press of Joshua Solomon
called Soncino, and his two nephews.
ID. Place, printer and date uncertain, per-
haps Brescia, about 1500. — Lsaac ben
Solomon Sahula. Book of Fables.
Remarkable among Hebrew books for its woodcut
illustrations.
96 srKCiMi:NS ov i-:arlv printing
II. Lisbon. Ivabbi Hliczcr. 1491. — Penta-
teuch in llcl)rc\v, with a commentary.
Rabbi Eliczcr was the first i)rinter in Lisbon (1489),
where no Christian printer was at work before i495-
In the fifteenth century there were only five presses in
Portugal, and three of these were Hebrew. Printed on
vellum. (King's Library.)
Case XVIII.
During the fifteenth century several attempts were
made to print woodcut illustrations in various colours.
Thus in 1457 Fust and Schoffer printed the large initials
of their Psalter in red and blue, in 1485 Erhard Ratdolt
at Venice printed an astronomical diagram in red, black,
and yellow, in 1490 Jean du Pre at Paris tinted the
illustrations in a Horae in different colours, and a few
other experiments were made, two of which are here
shown. Erhard Ratdolt was the most persevering in
these attempts ; other printers quickly abandoned them
as too costly, and it was recognised that the only way to
introduce contrasts of colour (other than red and black)
into books was by hand-work. Books thus decorated
compare very poorly with illuminated manuscripts, but
a few examples are here shown, both of original designs
in colours painted in special copies, and also of the
commoner practice of painting over woodcuts.
1. Venice, Johann Herzog, 1490. — Crispu.s
de Montibus. Repetitio tit. Institutio-
num de Heredibus.
An example of printing in red, brown and green.
2. Aug.sburi^, Hrhard Ratdolt, 1493. — Mis-
sale Brixinense.
Colour printing supplemented by hand-work.
ILLUMINATED BOOKS 97
3. Venice, Erhard Ratdolt, 1482. — Euclid's
Geometry in Latin.
An example of Ratdolt's decorative innovations in
another direction, the dedicatory letter to the Doge,
Giovanni Mocenigo, to whom this vellum copy was pre-
sented, being printed in gold. The border design is hand-
painted. (King's Library.)
4. Paris, Gering, Friburger and Crantz for
G. Fichet. — Fichet. Rhetoricorum libri.
Special copy on vellum for presentation to Sixtus iv.,
with an illumination of the author handing his book to
the Pope. (Cracherode Library.)
5. Paris, P. Pigouchet, 1498. Horae ad
usum Romanum.
On vellum, with the printed illustrations painted over
by hand.
6. Venice, Aldus Manutius, 1501. — Martial.
Epigrammata.
On vellum. With illuminated design. (King's
Library.)
7. Florence, Giunta, 1514. — Plautus. Comoe-
diae.
On vellum. Probably the presentation copy to Lorenzo
II. de' Medici, to whom the book is dedicated. With
an illumination. (King's Library.)
8. Travelling Library of Sir Julius Caesar,
Master of the Rolls in the reign of
James l
With a catalogue of the books on the panel, within an
ornamental design. The bindings of the religious works
are stamped with an angel, of the historical with a lion,
of the poetical with a wreath. Most of the books are
printed at Leyden.
G
98 Sri-:CIMKNS Ol- ICARLV PRINTING
Case XIX.
Ri:CENT ACCESSIONS
Some of the more interesting of the books acquired from
time to time by the Museum, by purchase or presentation,
are temporarily exhibited in this Case. At the back of it
are at present shown some English Proclamations of
historical interest.
Case XX.— POSTAGE STAMPS
In 1S91 Mr. Thomas Keay Tapling, M.P., bequeathed to
the British Museum his great collection of Postage Stamps,
then valued at about ^^50,000, and now at considerably
more. Selections from these stamps, changed from time
to time, are here exhibited.
Cases XXI., xxii. — MUSIC
In the earliest books requiring musical examples blank
spaces were left for the music to be written by hand.
Later on, either the notes were printed and the lines of
the stave left to be inserted in manuscript, as in Gerson's
' Collectorium super Magnificat' (Esslingen, Conrad
Fyner, 1473), or the lines were printed and the notes
written, as in Francisco Tovar's ' Libro de Musica Pratica '
(Barcelona, J. Rosenbach, 15 10). Use was also some-
times made of wooden or metal blocks, a method which
first appears in the 'Musices Opusculum ' of Nicolaus
Burtius (Bologna, Ugo de Rugeriis, 1487), and in the
' Flores Alusice ' of Hugo Spechtshart (Strassburg, J. Pryss,
1488), and which was occasionally used (as in Turbervile's
' Booke of Faulconrie,' 1575), long after type-printing had
been brought to perfection. In Germany, movable
music-types were first used in the ' Missale Herbipolense '
(Wurzburg, 1 481), printed by Jorg Reyser, the second
MUSIC-PRINTING 99
edition (1484) of which is exhibited. Almost simultan-
eously Octavianus Scotus of Venice printed plain-song
in the same way, i.e. from movable types, with two
printings. Further important progress was made by
Ottaviano Petrucci (Venice and Fossombrone), Erhard
Oeglin (Augsburg), Andreas Antiquus de Montona
(Rome), and Pierre Attaingnant (Paris), examples of
whose printing are shown. One of the earliest dated
engraved musical works (Verovio's ' Diletto Spirituale,'
Rome, 1586), and rare works in Organ, Lute and Guitar
Tablature are also exhibited. In the lower divisions of
the Cases will be found some fine choir-books and full
scores, remarkable for their great size.
1. Esslingen, Conrad Fyner, 1473. — Jean
Charlier de Gerson. Collectorium super
Magnificat.
The first book containing printed musical notes. The
notes are printed from punches, the lines of the stave
being left blank, to be filled in by hand. (King's
Library.)
2. Venice, Theodorus Francus, 1480. —
Franciscus Niger. Brevis Grammatica.
The musical notes are printed from type, the space for
the lines left to be filled in by hand. (King's Library.)
3. Venice, Octavianus Scotus, 1482. Dom-
inican Missal.
The second work printed by Scotus containing plain-
song in Roman notation printed from movable types.
4. Wurzburg, Jorg Reyser, 1484. Missale
Herbipolense.
This is the second issue of Reyser's Wurzburg Missal
of 1481, the first work containing plain-song in Gothic
notation printed from movable types.
loo SPKCIMKNS Ol- KARI.V PRINTING
F
^
c^
^^^^
sfct^^^E^
1=
renor
p^^^^^
©cmollrflta itifurati cai<'fiiKifiJfoc:mo ticida ^
r
XXI. 5. KOI.OGNA, UGO DE RfGERIIS, I4S7
BLRTIUS, MUSICES OPUSCULUM
MUSIC-PRINTING loi
5. Bologna, Ugo de Rugeriis, 1487. —
Nicolaus Burtius. Musices Opusculum.
The earliest book containing music printed from
blocks. (Grenville Library).
6. Strassburg, J. Pryss, 1488. — Hugo
Spechtshart. Flores Musice omnis
cantus Gregoriani.
7. Seville, ' por quatro alemanes companeros,'
1492. — Domingo Duran. Lux Bella.
The first Spanish work containing printed music.
8. Westminster, Wynkyn de Worde, 1495.
— The Polychronicon of Ralph Higden,
translated into English by John de
Trevisa.
The first book printed in England containing musical
notes. The passage in which they occur describes the
consonances of Pythagoras. The double octave is
wrongly printed, containing a note too much. (King's
Library).
9. Venice. Joannes Emericus for Lucan-
tonio Giunta, 1499- 1500. Graduale
Romanum.
10. Cologne, H. Quentel, 1501. — Nicolas
Wollick, Opus Aureum.
11. Venice, Octaviano Petrucci, 1503. — Misse
Petri de la Rue.
One of the earliest books printed by Petrucci.
loj sri-:cnn:N's ov i'.arlv printing
12. \\ill.uli)licl. Diego de Gumiel, 1506. —
Hartholome de Molina. Arte de canto
llant^ Lux \'identis dicha.
13. Augsburg-, Erhardt Oegiin, 1507. — P.
Tritonius. Melopoiae sive Ilarmoniae
Tetracenticae.
14. Barcelona, J. Rosenbach, 1510. — Fran-
cisco Tovar. Libro de Musica Pratica.
In this work the staves only are printed, the notes
being written by hand.
15. Paris, J. Radius Ascensius, 1510. —
Joannes Mauburnus. Rosetum exer-
citiorum spiritualium et sacrarum medi-
tation um.
This work contains musical examples in block-printing
and early representations of musical instruments.
16. \'enice, A. de Zannis de Portesio, 15 12. —
Pranchinus Gaforus. Practica Musicae.
17. Antwerp, Jan de Gheet, 1515. — A Col-
lection of Wood-cuts, Verses, and Music
in praise of the Emperor Maximilian.
The music, which is probably the first printed at
Antwerp, is by Benedictus de Opitiis. Printed from
wooden blocks.
18. Rome, Andreas Antiquus de Montona,
1 5 16. — Liber quindecim Missarum, by
Josquin de Pres, Brumel, Fevin, Pierre
de la Rue, J. Mouton, Pippelare and P.
Rosselli.
The earliest musical work printed at Rome.
MUSIC-PRINTING 103
19. Venice, Bernardinus Vercelensis, 1523.
— Marco Antonio de Bologna. Recer-
chari, Motetti, Canzoni.
The earliest collection of organ or virginal music in
modern notation.
20. London, Wynkyn de Worde, 1530. —
The Bass and part of the Treble Part of
a collection of twenty English Songs by
Cornysh, Taverner, Cowper, Fayrfax,
and others.
The earliest collection of music printed in England.
21. Nuremberg, Hieronymus Formschneider,
1532. — Hans Gerle. Musica Teusch,
auf die Instrument der grossen vnnd
kleinen Geygen, auch Lautten, welcher
... in die Tabulatur, zu ordnen . . . ist.
22. Valladolid, Diego Hernandez de Cordova,
1538. — Luys de Narbaez. El Libro del
Delphin de Musica de cifras para taner
Vihuela.
A collection of compositions and arrangements for
the Vihuela, a six-stringed instrument analogous to the
guitar. Printed in Tablature, which was first introduced
into Spain from Italy by Narbaez.
23. Lyons, Jacques Moderne, 1539. — Le
Parangon des Chansons. Quart Livre.
24. Paris, Pierre Attaingnant, 1540. —
Clement Jannequin. Huitiesme Livre
104
Sri^XIMENS OF KARLY PRINTING
mact ! i
MUSIC-PRINTING 105
contenant xix. Chansons nouvelles a
quatre parties.
The Contra-tenor and Bassus Parts.
25. Venice, Antonio Gardano, 1549. —
Giacques Buus. Intabolatura d'Organo
di Recercari. Novamente stampata con
carateri di stagno.
26. London, R. Grafton, 1550. — John Mer-
becke. The Booke of Common Praier
noted.
27. Mexico, Johannes Paulus Brissensis,
1556. — Ordinarium sacri ordinis heremi-
tarum Sancti Augustini.
The first music printed in America.
28. Venice, Angelo Gardano, 1566. — Mel-
chior Neysidler. Intabolatura di Liuto.
Libro I., II.
29. Rome, apud Haeredes Valerii et Aloysii
Doricorum fratrum, 1567. — G. Ani-
muccia. Missarum Liber Primus.
30. Leipzig, by the heirs of J. Berwald, 1571.
— E, N. Amerbach, organist of the
church of St. Thomas, Leipzig. Orgel-
oder Instrument-Tabulatur.
This volume formerly belonged to J. S. Bach, and
contains his autograph.
31. London, H. Bynneman for C. Barker,
Kx. sri:ciMKXS of i-:.\rlv rRixriNG
1575. — Ci. Tiirbcrvilc. The Noble Arte
c)t X'enerie.
Witli musical examples printed from blocks.
32-
Munich, Aehim I)Crg-, 1580. — Orlando di
Lasso. Ofhcia aliquot, de praecipuis
festis anni, 5 vocum.
Printed at Munich. Part iii. of the great edition of
Lasso's sacred music, published under the collective title
of ' Patrocinium Musices.'
33. Rome, Simone Verovio, 1586. — Diletto
Spirituale. Canzonetti a tre et quattro
\'oci composti da diversi ecc""'. musici . . .
con I'intavolatura del Cimbalo et Liuto.
Edited and engraved by Simone Verovio in 1586.
This work and Peetrino's * Melodie Spirituale' (issued by
Verovio in the same year) are the earliest dated examples
of Music printed from copper plates.
34. Rome, Jacobus Tornerius and Bernar-
dinus Donangelus, 1589. — G. P. da
Palestrina. Hymni totius anni . . .
quattuor vocibus concinendi.
35. Munich, Adam Berg, 1594. — Cesare de
Zaccari. Hymni quinque vocum de
tempore per totum annum.
36. Munich, N. Heinrich, 16 10. — Orlando di
Lasso. Missae Posthumae.
Edited by Rud. de Lasso.
37. Printer and date uncertain. — II primo,
secondo e terzo Libro della Chitarra
Spagnola.
By an anonymous composer known as 'TAcademico
MUSIC-PRINTING 107
Caliginoso detto II Furioso.' Probably printed at Rome,
about 1610.
38. London, engraved by William Hole for
Dorothy Evans, printed by G. Lowe,
about 161 1. — Parthenia, or the Mayden-
head of the first Musicke that ever was
printed for the Virginalls. By William
Byrd, Dr. John Bull and Orlando
Gibbons.
39. London, engraved by William Hole, 161 3.
— Angelo Notari. Prime Musiche nuove
a una, due e tre voci, per cantare, con la
Tiorba et altri Strumenti.
40. Mainz, Christopher Ktichler, 1666-67. —
Cantus Gregoriano-Moguntinus, Brevi-
ario Romano accomodatus.
41. Clavier Uebung. Theil 11. By J. S.
Bach.
Published at Niirnberg, by C. Weigel, in 1735. A set
of proof-sheets containing many corrections in Bach's
handwriting.
42. De Profundis. Psalm for sixteen-part
chorus and orchestra, by D. F. E.
Wilsing.
Published at Berlin, in 1853, by Schlesinger, at the
expense of Frederick William iv.. King of Prussia.
43. Mass, for Solos, Chorus, Organ and
Orchestra, composed for the consecration
io8 (.IIINI'.SI-: BOOKS, ETC.
o( the Cathedral o( Gran, by Franz
Liszt.
Full score, printed in 1859, at the Imperial Printing
Press, Vienna.
Cases XXIII., xxiv.
CHINESE AND JAPANESE
PRINTING AND BOOK
ILLUSTRATION
These two Cases belong to the Department of Oriental
Printed Books and Manuscripts. Attention may be
drawn here to the earlier exhibits, more especially to
the Buddhist DharanI of the eighth century, the earliest
specimens of printing known to us as existing in any
part of the world, and the Chinese Encyclopaedia printed
in Korea from movable types in 1337.
Cases xxv.-xxviii. — TEM-
PORARY EXHIBITIONS
During the last few years temporary exhibitions have
been arranged in these Cases from the Museum collec-
tions of Italian, French, and Spanish illustrated books,
the books printed by William Morris at the Kelmscott
Press, the works of Chaucer, English books with engraved
illustrations, etc. These temporary exhibitions are
changed at intervals of about a year." '
Cases xxix.-xxxiv.
BOOKBINDINGS
The last six Show-cases in the Gallery contain examples
of bindings of printed books, in continuation of the exhi-
BOOKBINDINGS 109
bition of bindings of manuscripts in the Grenville Room.
The Library of the British Museum is particularly rich
in fine bindings, both English and foreign — the English
consisting principally of the books belonging to the Old
Royal Library, given by King George II, to the nation in
1757 — while the foreign are generally found in the mag-
nificent collection bequeathed to the Museum in 1799 by
the Rev. C. M. Cracherode, who had been able to take
full advantage of the great dispersion of valuable books
consequent upon the French Revolution.
In Cases xxix. and xxx. are exhibited books which
have been bound for English Kings and Queens from
Henry Vlll. to George IV., mostly by English binders.
The specimens exhibited in Cases xxxi. to XXXIV.
are arranged, as far as the difference in their sizes will
permit, in chronological order, so as to illustrate the
history of bookbinding in Germany, Italy, France and
England.
Cases XXIX., xxx.
ENGLISH ROYAL BINDINGS
The Kings and Queens of England were great admirers
of fine bindings, and many handsome examples which
belonged to Henry VIII., Edward VI., Queen Mary and
Queen Elizabeth, are to be found in these Cases. James I.
possessed a large number of superbly bound books, re-
splendent with gold tooling ; the sides being generally
ornamented with his arms and initials, and thickly
studded with heraldic thistles, fleurs-de-lis, etc. Henry
Prince of Wales inherited from his father the love of
fine bindings, and several which belonged to him are
exhibited in Cases xxix. and xxxiv. When the
library of Lord Lumley was purchased by this accom-
plished young prince, he appears to have had most of the
books rebound in calf, with his arms in the centre of the
covers, and crowned roses, fleurs-de-lis. Prince of Wales'
feathers, or crowned lions rampant in the corners. During
the troubled reign of Charles i., comparatively few books
were added to the royal collection, but his son Charles II.
no sri'A'iMi-.NS ov ijookhin dings
increased it very considerably. His books are generally
handsomely but plainly bound in red morocco, the sides
and backs being stamped with his cypher. Some of the
bindings executed for this monarch, however, are most
elaborately tooled ; one of singular beauty is exhibited
in Case XXX. Samuel Mearne was his bookbinder.
Many other English bindings worthy of special notice
will be found in this exhibition.
1. Henry \iii. and Anne Boleyn. — Centre
portion of an old binding inlaid in
modern work. With initials H. A. on
either side of crowned Tudor rose, and
legends : La loy a este donne par Moyse.
La Grace et la verite est faicte par lesu
Christ. Probably bound for presenta-
tion to the Queen. Ascribed to Thomas
Berthelet, the King's binder. Brown
calf. (Old Royal Library.)
La Saincte Bible. Antwerp, 1534.
2. Henry viii. — Royal arms w^ith supporters
and Tudor badges, including a crowned
rose, and initials K. H. Ascribed to
Berthelet. Brown calf. (Old Royal
Library.)
Opus eximium de vera differentia regiae potestatis et
ecclesiasticae. London, 1534.
3. Henry viiL— With motto ' Dieu et mon
Dn^it,' and initials H. R. The edges of
the leaves are inscribed : ' Rex in aeter-
num vive.' Ascribed to Berthelet.
White deerskin. (Old Royal Library.)
Elyot. The Image of Governance. London, 1541.
ENGLISH ROYAL BLNDINGS
I II
D I E
hVet* mon*
XXIX. 3. ENGLISH. A BINDING BY THOMAS BERTHELET FOR
HENRY VIII.
112 SriaiMKNS OF BOOKBINDINGS
4. Ilcniy Mil. — Orange velvet binding-, em-
bri)i'derecl w ith gokl cord. Initials H. R.
Ascribed U) ikMthelet. (Old Royal
Library.)
Latin Hiblc. Zurich, 1543.
5. Katharine Parr. — Purple velvet, em-
broidered with the Queen's arms.
Petrarch. Opere volgari. Venice, 1544.
6. Henry viii. — Red satin, embroidered with
gold cord. The edges of the leaves are
inscribed : ' Rex in aeternum vive.'
Ascribed to Berthelet.
Bade. De Natura Rerum. [With other works.]
Basel, 1526-36,
7. Edward \i. — Each side bears the royal
arms, crowned initials E. R., the motto
' Dieu et mon Droit ' and date mdlii.
Ascribed to Berthelet. Brown calf.
(Old Royal Library.)
Petri Bembi Historia Veneta. Venice, 1551.
8. Queen Mary. — Each side bears the royal
arms and initials M. R. Ascribed to
Berthelet. Brown calf. (Old Royal
Library.)
Epitome operum diui Augustini. Cologne, 1549.
9. Queen Elizabeth. — Green velvet binding
(restored), with gold enamelled plaques.
On one side are the royal arms of
ENGLISH ROYAL BINDINGS 113
England, on the other a crowned Tudor
rose. (Old Royal Library.)
Nouum Testamentum Graece. Paris, 1550.
10. Queen Elizabeth. — With the Queen's
arms and initials. A presentation copy
from Archbishop Parker, in whose house
it may have been bound, perhaps by the
workmen of John Day, the printer. On
the corner-pieces are the initials I. D. P.
Brown calf inlaid with white deerskin.
(Cracherode Library.)
Flores Historiarum per Matthaeum Westmonasterien-
sem coUecti. London, 1570.
iL Queen Elizabeth. — Binding with sunk
panels, painted with the Queen's arms
and the name * Elisabetha.' Italian
work. Red morocco inlaid with red
and pale brown morocco. (Old Royal
Library.)
Mascher. II fiore della retorica. Venice, 1560.
12. Queen Elizabeth. — Green velvet, inlaid
with satin, embroidered with pearls and
the Queen's arms. (Old Royal Library.)
Christopherson. Historia Ecclesiastica. Louvain,
1569.
13. Queen Elizabeth. — Crimson velvet, with
centrepieces, corners and clasps of ena-
melled gold. The centrepieces bear a
double red rose crowned, with the
initials E. R. (King's Library.)
Meditationum Christianarum libellus. Lyons, 1570.
II
114 SrFXIMENS OF BOOKBINDINGS
14. Ouccn Iilizabcth. — With the Queen's
badi^c. a crowned Falcon bearing a
sceptre. Brown calf.
Trogi Pompeii historiarum Philippicarum Epitoma.
Paris, 1 581.
15. James i. — With the King's arms and the
initials I. R. Dark green morocco.
(Old Royal Library.)
Thevet. Pourtraits et vies des hommes illustres.
Paris, 1584.
16. James i. — A\^ith the King's arms on a
field of thistles, fleurs-de-lys, etc. Olive
morocco. (Old Royal Library.)
Pontificale Romanum. Rome, 1595.
17. James i. — With the King's arms, with
supporters, on a field of thistles. Olive
morocco. (Old Royal Library.)
Godwin. Rerum Anglicarum Annales. London, 1616.
18. James i. — W^ith the King's arms on a
field of flowers. W^hite vellum. (Old
Royal Library.)
Abbot. De Gratia et Perseverantia Sanctorum.
London, 16 18.
19. Henry, Prince of Wales. — With the
Prince's ostrich-feather badge. Olive
morocco. (Old Royal Library.)
Rivault. Les clemens de I'artillerie. Paris, 1608.
20. Henry, Prince of Wales. — Ostrich-feather
ENGLISH ROYAL BINDINGS 115
badge and initials H. P. Brown calf.
Old Royal Library.)
Commentaires de messire Blaise de Monluc. Bor-
deaux, 1592.
21. Henry, Prince of Wales. — Crimson
velvet, stamped with ostrich - feather
badge in gold and silver. (Old Royal
Library.)
Becano-Baculus-Salcolbrigiensis. Oppenheim, 161 1.
22. Henry, Prince of Wales. — Arms, and in
the corners crowned lions rampant.
Brown calf. (Old Royal Library.)
Froissart. Chroniques. Paris, 15 18.
23. Henry, Prince of Wales. — Arms, and in
the corners fleurs-de-lys. Brown calf.
(Old Royal Library.)
Lycosthenes. Prodigiorum chronicum. Basel, 1557.
24. Henry, Prince of Wales. — Arms, and in
the corners crowned Tudor roses.
Brown calf. (Old Royal Library.)
Bouchet. Les Annales d'Acquitaine. Paris, 1540.
25. Henry, Prince of Wales. — Arms, and in
the corners the ostrich-feather badge
in silver. Brown calf. (Old Royal
Library.)
Adam Goddam super quattuor libros sententiarum.
Paris, 151 2.
26. Henry, Prince of Wales. — Ostrich-feather
badge in gold and silver, with initials
Ii6 SPECIMENS OF BOOKBINDINGS
II. r. Hiown calf. (Old Royal
Libran.)
I^ Mareschalerie de Laurent Ruse. Paris, 1563.
27. Charles i. — W^ith the King's arms.
Black morocco. (Old Royal Library.)
Williams. The right way to the best religion.
London, 1636.
28. Charles n. — 'Cottage' design, stained in
black, with the King's cypher, crowned,
between palm branches. Attributed to
Samuel Mearne. Red morocco. (Old
Royal Library.)
Common Prayer. London, 1669.
29. Charles n. — With the King's cypher,
crowned, between palm branches. At-
tributed to Samuel Mearne. Red
morocco. (Old Royal Library.)
Sixteenth century Tracts.
30. James n. — With the King's cypher,
crowned, between palm branches. At-
tributed to Charles Mearne. Red
morocco. (King's Library.)
Common Prayer. Oxford, 1681.
31. W^illiam in. — With the King's arms.
Red morocco. (Old Royal Library.)
Memoirs of the Earl of Castlehaven. London, 1681.
32. William in. — With the King's cypher,
ENGLISH ROYAL BINDINGS
117
lis SrKClMKNS OF BOOKBINDINGS
crownctl, between i):ilni branches. Red
nn)r()CC().
Rccucil de diverses pieces servans a I'histoire de
Henri in.
33. Oueen Anne. — 'Cottage' design, with
the Queen's initials, crowned, between
pahn branches, in each corner. Red
morocco. (King's Library.)
Aelfric. An English Saxon Homily on the birthday
of St. Gregory. London, 1709.
34. George i. — With the King's arms and
crowned cypher. Red morocco.
Account of what passed in a conference concerning
the succession to the Crown. MS.
35. Caroline, Princess of Wales. — With the
arms of the Princess. Red morocco.
(King's Library.)
Playford. Wit and Mirth. London, 17 14.
36. George, Prince of Wales, afterwards
George n. — Ostrich-feather badge and
initials G. P. Red morocco. (King's
Library.)
Musgrave. Antiquitates Britanno-Belgicae. Exeter,
1719.
37. George IL— With the King's arms. Red
morocco. (King's Library.)
Chandler. A Vindication of the Defence of Christi-
anity. London, 1728.
38. George, Prince of Wales, afterwards
STAMPED BINDINGS 119
George iii. — Mosaic binding, with the
Prince's arms and cypher. Bound by
Andreas Linde. Red morocco, with
black and yellow inlays. (King's
Library.)
Der Gantze Psalter, London, 1751.
39. George, Prince of Wales, afterwards
George iv. — Mosaic binding, with
ostrich-feather badge. Red and black
morocco. (King's Library.)
London and its Environs described. London, 1761.
Case XXXI.
STAMPED BINDINGS, WITH EXAMPLES OF
GERMAN AND DUTCH WORK OF LATER
DATE
In Case vni. of the Exhibition of Manuscripts in the
Grenville Library may be seen fine examples of the
different styles of bookbinding in use during the five
centuries which preceded the introduction of printing, —
the metal covers, enriched with jewels and enamels,
chiefly used for Gospel-Books ; the ivory and embroidery
found on smaller volumes of unusual value ; and the
leather impressed with small stamps (ungilded), which, at
least from the eleventh century, formed the binding of
books in ordinary use. Similar blind-stamped bindings
are found on the earliest printed books, many of them
being protected by the brass bosses and corner-pieces
which had recently come into fashion, and were really
useful as long as the medieval custom of keeping books
lying on their sides, instead of standing upright, still con-
tinued. Besides bosses and corner-pieces, early printed
books are also occasionally found with chains attached to
I20 sri:riMK\s ok bookbindings
them, the use of chains, which lasted in Engh'sh churches
till the cii;htcenth century and even later, beinL,^ in the
fifteenth century almost universal in public libraries.
About 1470 larcje panel stamps came into fashion, beint^
used at first for the centre of large designs and afterwards
as the sole ornament of small bindings. In France these
panel stamps mostly took a pictorial form, representing
scenes from the I5ible, figures of saints, etc. In England
the examples which have been preserved are mainly
heraldic or floral. In Germany, towards the middle of
the sixteenth century, portraits of celebrated persons,
such as Luther, Melanchthon, the Emperor Charles v.,
etc., were frequently used as stamps. The white pigskin
bindings on which they are usually found, although the
stamps seldom show clearly on the hard leather, are the
most characteristic examples of German work, which in
subsequent centuries developed little originality. With
the German bindings are exhibited a few Dutch ones, the
more notable being the work of Poncyn and Magnus,
both of whom in their designs show the influence of Le
Gascon.
1. German cut and blind-stamped binding.
Brown calf.
Rainerus de Pisis. Pantheologia. Basel, 1475.
2. German blind -stamped binding, with
bosses, chain and label. The name of
the binder, Conradus de Argentina is
on a scroll. Black calf.
Bartolus de Saxoferrato super Infortiato. Venice,
1471.
3. German blind -stamped binding with
colour, signed and dated by the binder,
' lo. Richcnbach 1475.' Pigskin.
Jacobus de Voragine. Legenda Sanctorum. Basel,
1474-
STAMPED BINDINGS 121
4. German blind-stamped binding, with large
panel stamp. Brown calf.
Postilla Thome de Aquino in Job. Esslingen, 1474.
5. German blind -stamped half binding.
Pigskin on oaken boards.
Terentii Opera. Lyons, 1493.
6. French blind-stamped binding, with large
panel stamp of the vision of ' Ara Coeli,'
and the initials and device of Julian
Notary. Brown calf.
Ovidius Naso. Epistolae. Lyons, 1528.
7. English blind-stamped binding, with
small bosses. Attributed to Thomas
Hunte of Oxford. Brown calf.
Nider. Consolatorium. Paris, 1478.
8. English blind-stamped binding by Richard
Pynson, with panel stamps of double
rose and device. Brown sheepskin.
Abbreviamentum Statutorum. London, 1499.
9. English blind-stamped binding, with panel
stamps of the arms of Henry vin. and
double rose. Brown sheepskin.
Beroaldus. Opuscula. About 15 10.
10. English blind-stamped binding, with
Tudor badges and the initials N. S.,
i.e. Nicholas Spierinck of Cambridge.
Brown calf.
Le Fevre. Liber Trium Virorum. Paris, 15 13.
122
si'i:cimi:ns of hookiuxdings
11. lini^lish blind -stamped binding, with
panel stamps of the arms of Henry \iii.
and Katharine of Arragon. Brown calf.
Whittinton. De octo partibus orationis. London,
.521.
XXXI. 8. ENGLISH BLIND-STAMPED BINDING
BY RICHARD PYNSON
12. English blind-stamped binding by John
Reynes, with panel stamp : * Arma
LATER GERMAN AND DUTCH BINDINGS 123
Redemptoris Mundi.' Brown sheep-
skin.
Henrici viii. ad M. Lutheri epistolam responsio.
London, 1526.
13. German blind-stamped binding, with
panel portraits of the Emperor Charles v.
and John Frederick, Duke of Saxony.
Brown calf.
Camerarius, Kari^xw? tou XpiortavKr/xov. Leipsic,
1570-
LATER GERMAN AND DUTCH BINDINGS
14. German blind-tooled binding, with small
stamps. Pigskin.
Sacerdotale. Venice, 1587.
15. German binding, with portraits in gold.
Dated 1563. Brown calf.
New Testament in Croatian. Tubingen, 1563.
16. German armorial binding. Dated 1568.
Brown calf.
Kirchengeseng. [A Moravian hymnbook.] 1566.
17. German coloured binding, with silver
fillets. Pale calf. (Slade Bequest.)
Der Stat Niirmberg verneiite Reformation. Frankfort
am Main, 1566.
iJ4 Sl'FAlMKNS OF BOOKHINDINGS
1 8. German coloured binding, from the
library of Albert v. Duke of Bavaria.
With emblematic figures. Red morocco.
Canisius. De Maria virgine. Ingolstadt, 1577.
19. German binding (probably of the seven-
teenth century), with stamps of the
Crucifixion and S. John in gold. Brown
calf.
Catechismus. Strassburg, 1582.
20. Dutch binding, with central panel stamp
and large cornerpieces. With the name
of the owner : D. Joannes Baptista
Bovrier. Brown calf.
David. Veridicus Christianus. Antwerp, 160 r.
2 1. Dutch binding by Poncyn of Amster-
dam. Red morocco.
Biblia. Amsterdam, 1655.
22. Dutch binding by Magnus of Amsterdam.
Red morocco.
Missale Romanum. Antwerp, 1663.
23. German or Dutch binding, with silver
bosses, clasps and corners.
Biblia, Deutsch. Liineburg, 1683.
24. German binding in silver, with niello
and filigree work.
Bussieres. Flosculi Historiarum. Cologne, 1688.
ITALIAN BINDINGS 125
25. German binding, with the arms of Ber-
nardus Abbas Ethalensis in the centre
of a floral design. Brown calf.
Braun. Historia Augusta. Augsburg, 1698.
26. German tortoiseshell binding, with inlays
of silver and mother-of-pearl. (Slade
Bequest.)
Arndt. Gebetbuch. Ulm, 1722.
Case XXXII.
ITALIAN BINDINGS
Through the trade of Venice with the East, Italian
binders in the second half of the fifteenth century adopted
patterns and methods of ornamentation not previously in
use in Europe. In the Show-case of ' Bindings of Manu-
scripts' (Grenville Room, Vlll. 21) may be seen a fine
blind-tooled design, consisting of a panel and border of
interlaced cable pattern, set with bead-like dots and with
minute rings or roundels of metallic lustre. The cable
pattern or ' Arabic knots ' will be found on several early
Venetian and Florentine bindings of printed books here
shown, while the binding of Omnibonus ' De octo parti-
bus orationis' offers an example of the use of the gilt
roundels. The use of gold tooling was also introduced
into Europe through Venice, where it became common
in the last years of the fifteenth century. Many of the
earliest bindings on which it is found cover books printed
by Aldus, who may have had his own bindery. Three
fine bindings exhibited, two of them with sunk cameo
designs, belong to books printed at Florence, and were
probably made in that city. Eastern influences survived
for many years at Venice in the richly decorated sunk-
panel bindings, of which examples are shown in No. 15
of this Case, and No. 1 1 of the English Royal Bindings
(Case XXIX.), but about 1520, for ordinary gilt leather
bindings the Oriental rope-patterns were superseded by
126 sri<:ciMKXs of bookbindings
liy;htcr geometrical designs, whicli were so often used on
books bound for Jean Grolier, Vicomte d'Aguisy (who
in 1 5 10 succeeded his father as treasurer of the Duchy of
Milan) that they have become associated with his name.
Two of these Grolier books are here shown, with two
books bound for another famous collector, Tommaso
Maioli, about whom little is known, and an example of the
famous cameo bindings at one time owned by Demetrio
Canevari. Towards the middle of the century the geo-
metrical designs on bindings tend to grow heavier, and
the strap-work patterns are often found painted in various
colours. After about 1560 Italian binding degenerated
very rapidly, but in the seventeenth century the art was
temporarily revived by the use of some very decorative
and effective ' fan ' patterns, of which examples are shown
in Nos. 18 and 19 of this Case.
1. Blind-stamped binding, with small gilt
roundels. With metal bosses and clasp.
Pale brown calf.
Omnibonus. De octo partibus orationis. Venice,
1474.
2. Blind-stamped binding, with gilt roundels
and coloured cameo designs of Curtius
leaping into the abyss in the Roman
Forum, and Horatius Codes defending
the Sublician bridge. Grolier's copy,
containing his autograph. Deep brown
morocco. (Grenville Library.)
Celsus. De Medicina. Venice, 1477.
3. Venetian binding, with Arabic knots and
the small ' Aldine ' leaf, surrounded by
borders of figured and knotted work.
Olive morocco.
Petrarch. Sonetti e Canzoni. Venice, Aldus, 1501.
ITALIAN BINDINGS 127
4. Florentine binding, with sunk cameo por-
traits of Philip of Macedon and Alexander
the Great, with borders of interlaced
work. Deep red morocco. (Cracherode
Library.)
Greek Anthology. Florence, 1494.
5. Florentine binding, blind-tooled, with
small cameo portrait of Julius Caesar.
Brown morocco.
Bonini. 'Ey)(^eipi8iov ypa/x/iaTiKyJs. Florence, 15 14.
6. Florentine binding, with Arabic knots and
figured border. Olive morocco.
Caesar. Commentaria. Florence, 15 14.
7. Venetian binding, made for Jean Grolier,
Vicomte d'Aguisy, perhaps by the firm
of Aldus, with interlacing geometrical
design, enclosing scroll work and two
Arabic knots. On the upper cover are
the Author's name and the inscription :
lo. Grolierii et Amicorum ; on the lower
is one of Grolier's mottoes : Portio mea
Domine sit in terra viventium. Citron
morocco. (Cracherode Library.)
Silius Italicus. De Bello Punico secundo. Venetiis,
in aedibus Aldi, 1523.
8. Binding with interlaced geometrical
design, made for Jean Grolier, with
inscription : lo. Grolierii et Amicorum,
and motto : Portio mea Domine sit in
i:S SPFA'IMKNS OV 1500 K BINDINGS
terra \i\ciUiuni. Citron calf. (Crach-
cicxlc Library.)
Wittichindi Saxonis rerum ab Henrico et Ottonc I.
Impji. gestarum libri in. Basel, 1532.
9. Hiiuliiii;" with borders of arabesque desic^n
on a ground of gold dots, with a central
cartouche. Made for Tommaso Maioli,
with his monogram and inscription, Tho.
Maioli et Amicor. Brown morocco.
(Cracherode Library.)
Caesar. Commentarii. Rome, 1469.
1 0. Binding with borders of arabesque design,
partly stained black, partly studded with
gold dots, with a central cartouche.
Made for Tommaso Maioli, with his
monogram and inscription, Tho. Maioli
et Amicorum. Olive morocco inlaid
with pale brown. (Cracherode Library.)
Hypnerotomachia Poliphili. Venice, 1499.
11. Binding with coloured cameo design of
Apollo in his chariot. Part of a collec-
tion at one time owned by Demetrio
Canevari, physician to Pope Urban vii.
Dark olive morocco.
Polydori Vergilii Anglicae Historiae libri xxvi. Basel,
1534.
12. Binding with cameo stamp of an eagle
soaring over a rocky sea, with motto, Este
IVocul. Made for Apollonio Filareto,
ITALIAN BINDINGS
129
%b^fai^'eo^YD^^f>3)f.:i^^fo^fj't?^e>''ta^if::i^)a^f:^»^t^u^^'e.:^^^
XXXII. 9. ITALIAN BINDING FROM THE LIBRARY OF JEAN GROLIER
I
130 SrivCIMKXS OF BOOKBINDINGS
Secretary of Picrluigi Farnese. Brown
nu)ri)ca). (Sladc Bequest.)
rtolemy. Geographica Enarratio. Lyons, 1541.
13. Coloured binding, with strap-work
j)attern. Brown morocco.
Zantani. Le Imagini. Parma, 1548.
14. Coloured binding, with large centre
stamp. Brown morocco,
Petrarca. Opere. Venice, 1550.
15. Venetian binding inlaid in oriental style,
with sunk panels. Red morocco inlaid
with black and yellow. (Slade Bequest.)
Piccolomini. Delia Institutione morale. Venice,
1560.
16. Armorial binding, with floral scroll-work.
Red morocco.
Elysius. Christianae Religionis Arcana. Venice,
1569.
17. Coloured binding, with the arms of
Cardinal Barberini. Brown morocco.
Lauro. Pianta e historia di Malta. Rome, 1639.
18. Binding with outer border in compart-
ments, and fan-pattern centre and corner-
pieces. Brown morocco. (Presented by
Sir R. C. Hoare.)
Ripamonti. Historia Patriae. Milan, 1641.
19. Binding with outer border of spirals, and
fan-pattern centre and corner-pieces. Red
FRENCH BINDINGS 131
morocco. (Presented by Sir R. C.
Hoare.)
Ripamonti. Historia Patriae. Milan, 1648.
20. Coloured armorial binding, with the arms
of Pope Clement xiii. Dull red morocco.
Oddi. Constitutiones Synodales. Viterbo, 1763.
21. Armorial binding, with the arms of Pope
Clement xiii. Brown morocco.
AUegrini. De Laudibus S. Stanislai Kostkae oratio.
Rome, 1767.
Case XXXIII.
FRENCH BINDINGS
The designs on which gold-tooling was first used in
France are for the most part clumsy imitations of
Venetian work. In the bindings of the artist-printer
Geofifroy Tory the influence of the earlier Italian designs
is still evident, though they are used in a more individual
manner and combined with Tory's own device of a broken
vase and a ' toret,' or wimble. After Grolier returned
from Italy in 1529 he is said to have introduced Italian
binders into France, the books presumed to have been
bound for him at Paris being distinguishable only by
minute differences, and perhaps by a slightly greater
precision of style, from those of Venetian workmanship.
The bindings here shown executed for Henri II. illustrate
the continued survival of Italian influence, but the general
handling is original, and about the yean 560 French binders
took the place of Italian as the finest in Europe. The work
associated with the name of Nicolas Eve illustrates two
entirely new styles, of French origin, which began about
i}2 sim-:cimi-:ns of ijookbindings
tliis Umc, the use of the ' semis,' or repetition of the same
small stamp at res^^uhir intervals over the greater part of
the binding, and the so-called 'fanfare' style, in which
the ground is closely covered with combinations of small
tools representing branches of palm and laurel, floriated
spirals and other ornaments. The 'semis' is found on
the binding of the ' Statuts de I'ordre du Sainct Esprit,'
for which the bill of Nicolas Eve has been preserved ; the
theory that all or most ' fanfare ' designs may be attributed
to him is much less certain. These designs are found on
royal bindings of later date, but a sumptuary law issued by
Henri III. in 1577 seems to have compelled private book-
lovers to content themselves for some years with stamping
only their coats of arms on their books, a simple method
of decoration to which the excellence of the leather in
many cases lends great dignity and distinction. For
royal bindings the 'semis' continued in use, some bind-
ings in this style being ascribed to Clovis Eve (probably
a son or nephew of Nicolas), to whom are attributed the
very decorative bindings, supposed to have been made for
Marguerite de Valois, of which an example is shown. At
the beginning of the seventeenth century a new fashion
arose, the ' pointille ' work (designs made up of very fine
dots), which is especially associated with an anonymous
binder referred to as Le Gascon. These designs con-
tinued in vogue for many years, and were largely imitated
both in Holland and England. In the eighteenth century
the most important styles are the ' dentelle ' (floral or
conventional designs with indented borders, resembling
lace) and the fine inlaid work in difl"erent coloured
leathers. Bindings with these designs are associated with
the names of Monnier, and of members of two great
families of binders, the Padeloups and Deromes. Simple
armorial bindings continued in use through both the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the latest examples
of them here shown being from the libraries of the three
daughters of Louis XV.
I. Binding with the arms of Henry viii., and
motto : * Dieu et mon droit.' Partly
stamped in blind, partly in gold, with
FRENCH BINDINGS 133
imitations of Venetian patterns. Brown
calf. (Old Royal Library.)
Galen. Methodus medendi. Paris, 15 19.
2. Central portion of a binding with the arms,
device and crowned initials of Francis i.,
King of France. Brown calf inlaid in
modern leather. (Grenville Library.)
C. Suetonii Tranquilli Duodecim Caesares. Venice,
1521.
3. Binding with device of Geoffroy Tory,
and imitations of Venetian stamps.
Olive morocco.
Petrarca. Opere. Venice, 1525.
4. Coloured binding, in Venetian style, made
for Jean Grolier, Vicomte d'Aguisy,
with his inscription and motto. Brown
calf. (Cracherode Library.)
Machiavelli. II Principe. Venice, 1540.
5. Armorial binding, with the arms, initials
and badges of Henri 11., King of France.
Olive morocco. (Cracherode Library.)
Moschopuli de ratione examinandae orationis. Paris,
1545-
6. Coloured binding, with cameo portrait of
Henri 11., King of France. Pale calf.
Coustumes du Bailliage de Sens. Sens, 1556.
7. Binding with arabesque design in imita-
tion of Italian work. Olive morocco.
(Cracherode Library.)
Lucretius. De Rerum Natura. Paris, 1563.
134 SPECIMENS OF BOOKBINDINGS
8. Coloured binding, with the arms of
Catherine de' Medici. Olive morocco.
(Craeherode Library.)
Dionysii Areopagitae opera. Paris, 1562.
9. Binding with oval panel surrounded by
arabesques. Made for Jean Grolier,
Vicomte d'Aguisy, with his inscription
and motto. Olive morocco. (Craehe-
rode Library.)
Aeneas \'icus. Commentaria in vetera imperatorum
Romanorum numismata. Venice, 1560.
10. Binding with geometrical design, with
the arms of Jean Baptiste Colbert,
Marquis de Seignelay, subsequently
added. Red morocco. (Craeherode
Library.)
Novum Testamentum. Paris, 1565.
11. 'Fanfare' binding, with the arms of
Jacques Auguste de Thou. Attributed
to Nicolas Eve. Red morocco. (Craehe-
rode Library.)
Poetae Graeci. Paris, 1566.
12. 'Fanfare' binding, with the arms of
Jacques Auguste de Thou. Attributed
to Nicolas Eve. Red morocco. (Craehe-
rode Library.)
Valerius Maximus. Dictorum factorumque memor-
abilium libri ix. Antwerp, 1574.
FRENCH BINDINGS
135
13. Binding with a 'semis' of fleurs-de-lys
and tongues of fire, with the arms of
XXXIII. 12. 'fanfare' binding for JACQUES AUGUSTE DE THOU
Henri iii., King of France, the badge of
the Saint Esprit, and the monogram of
\:,G SI'KCIMl'NS OF BOOKBINDINGS
llcnri and his Queen, Louise of Lor-
raine, in the corners. One of forty-two
copies of the Statutes of the Order of
the Saint Esprit bound by Nicolas 6ve
in 1579. Orange morocco. (Presented
by Lady Banks.)
Le Livre des Statuts de I'Ordre du Sainct Esprit.
Paris, 1578.
14. Binding with a semis of fleurs-de-lys,
with the arms of Henri iii. and one of
the monograms from the collar of the
Order of the Saint Esprit. Olive
morocco. (Grenville Library.)
L'Histoire des Faicts des Roys de France. Paris,
1581-
15. Binding with a semis of fleurs-de-lys,
with the arms of Henri iii. Olive
morocco.
Horatius Flaccus. Opere d Oratio. Venice, 1581.
16. Binding with a floral diaper, the upper
co\'er bearing a shield charged with
three fleurs-de-lys on a bend, the lower
a similar shield with three lilies, sur-
rounded by the motto : ' Expectata non
eludet.' Usually asserted to have been
bound by Clovis Eve for Marguerite de
Valois, Queen Consort of Henri iv.
Red morocco. (Cracherode Library.)
Caesar. Commentarii. Paris, 1564.
FRENCH BINDINGS 137
17. Armorial binding, with the arms and
monogram of Jacques Auguste de Thou
and his first wife, Marie Barban^on.
Red morocco. (Cracherode Library.)
ApoUonii Alexandrini de Syntaxi libri iv. Frankfort,
1590.
18. Armorial binding, with the arms and
monogram of Jacques Auguste de Thou
and his second wife, Gasparde de la
Chastre. Pale brown morocco, with a
stamped and coloured pattern. (Crache-
rode Library.)
Phaedri Fabulae. Paris, 161 7.
19. Armorial binding, with the arms and
initials of Henri iv. King of France.
Red morocco. (Old Royal Library.)
J. A. de Thou. Historia sui temporis. Paris, 1604.
20. Armorial binding, with the arms of Mary
de' Medici, widow of Henri iv., with
semis of fleurs-de-lys, and the Queen's
monogram. Olive morocco.
Dion Cassius. Historia Romana. Hanover, 1606.
21. Armorial binding, with the arms of
Louis xni., and semis of his crowned
initial. Brown morocco. (Grenville
Library.)
Ammianus Marcellinus. Rerum gestarum libri xviii.
Hamburg, 1609.
23. Inlaid 'pointilld' binding by Le Gascon.
138 SPECIMKXS OF HOOKBINDIXGS
l\ccl morocco with olive and citron inlays.
(Kini^'s Library.)
Charcin. Histori.i I'.clli Darici. Rome, 1616.
^^.'^^^i^^t^^^^t^^m^i^^^t^M^
XXXIII. 24. lilMJiNG BV LE GASCON
24. ' Pointillc ' binding by Le Gascon. Red
morocco. (Cracherode Library.)
Novum Testamentum Graece. Amsterdam, 1633.
FRENCH BINDINGS 139
25. Armorial binding, with the arms of Fey-
deau de Brou. Red morocco.
Languet. Epistolae. Groningen, 1646.
26. Binding made for the Baron de Longe-
pierre, with his badge of the Golden
Fleece. Attributed to Du Seuil. Red
morocco. (Cracherode Library.)
Claudianus. Opera. Leyden, 1650.
27. Armorial binding by the younger Pade-
loup with the arms of the Comte d'Hoym.
Black morocco.
Eutropius. De Gestis Romanorum. Paris, 1539.
28. Inlaid diaper-pattern binding by the
younger Padeloup. Brown morocco
with olive and crimson inlays. (Slade
Bequest.)
Office de la Semaine Sainte. Paris, 1712.
29. Inlaid floral binding by Jean Monnier.
Crimson morocco with inlays of many
colours. (Slade Bequest.)
La Sainte Bible. Cologne, 1539.
30. Inlaid and painted floral binding, perhaps
by J. A. Derome. Red morocco with
inlays of many colours. (Slade Bequest.)
Heures nouvelles. Paris, 1749.
31. 'Dentelle' binding by J. A. Derome,
with the arms of the Right Hon. Thomas
140 SrRCIMF.XS Ol' l^OOKHINDINGS
Grcnvillc added. Citron morocco.
(Circnvillc Library.)
rhilclphi Satirae. Milan, 1476.
32.
'Dcntcllc' binding by J. A. Derome,
with the arms of the Rev. C. M. Crache-
rode. Blue morocco. (Cracherode
Library.)
Taciti Opera. Venice, 1473.
Armorial binding, with the arms of
Madame Adelaide, eldest daughter of
Louis XV., King of France. Red
morocco.
Abbadie. L'art de se connoitre soi-meme. The
Hague, 1749.
34. Armorial binding, with the arms of
Madame Victoire, second daughter of
Louis XV., King of France. Olive
morocco.
L'Anti-Lucrece. Par M. le Cardinal de Polignac.
Paris, 1754.
35. Armorial binding, with the arms of
Madame Sophie, third daughter of
Louis XV., King of France. Citron
morocco.
Chevreau. Histoire du Monde. Paris, 171 7.
ENGLISH BINDINGS 141
Case XXXIV.
ENGLISH BINDINGS
The imitation of Italian artistic binding quickly spread
over the greater part of Europe, reaching England in the
latter part of the reign of Henry VIII. Thus we find
Thomas Berthelet, the king's printer and binder, in
a bill which is extant, charging Henry the sum of
£i\7, OS. 6id, for supplying certain works, and also for
printing and binding various books and proclamations,
some of them being described as 'gorgiously gilted on
the leather,' with ' arabaske drawing in golde on the
transfile,' and others as bound ' after the facion of Venice.'
These 'gorgiously gilted' bindings quickly superseded
the plain stamped ones of Reynes, Pynson, Notary and
other early English binders, of which examples are shown
in Case XXXI.; and up to nearly 1570 the imitation of
Italian designs still continued, the bindings on the books
of the English collector Thomas Wotton being frankly
modelled on those made for Grolier. As in printing,
however, so in bookbinding, the work of John Day, carried
on with the active help of Archbishop Parker, shows
marked originality, and his bindings in brown calf, with
white inlays, are especially notable Throughout the
century, also, another native style of binding, that in
embroidered velvet, continued in use, being exchanged
under the Stuarts for the gayer and more elaborate, but
not more decorative, embroidery on silk and satin with
silver guimp. In leather bindings the French 'fanfare'
style failed to cross the Channel, but the 'semis' was
extensively used in England at the beginning of the
seventeenth century. Under Charles I. a lighter style of
decoration came into fashion, and bindings of consider-
able beauty and originality were produced at Oxford and
Cambridge, as well as in London. After the Restoration
the royal binder, Samuel Mearne, by a combination of the
pointing work of Le Gascon, with larger sprays and with
142 SPFXIMENS OF l^OOKBINDINGS
the curious gabled rectangles known as ' Cottage ' designs,
produced some very pleasing work, the general effect of
which is hardly diminished by the irregularities in its
execution. Under Mearne and his successors this style
of decoration enjoyed a long life, lasting with slight
modifications till the reign of George li. In the middle
of the eighteenth century English binding was at a very
low ebb, but Roger Payne, who began work a little before
1770, speedily revived the art, and was a worthy rival of
the best French binders.
It should be noted that, as illustrations of the historical
development of English binding, the books in Cases xxix,
and XXX. should be studied as supplementing those here
shown.
1. Armorial binding, with the arms and
initials of Edward vi. Attributed to
Thomas Berthelet. Brown calf. (Old
Royal Library.)
Andreasius. De 'amplitudine misericordiae Dei.
Basel, 1550.
2. Armorial binding, with the arms of Queen
Mary. Attributed to Thomas Berthelet.
Brown calf. (Old Royal Library.)
Bonner. A profitable and necessarye doctryne.
London, 1555.
3. Binding with central panel stamp sur-
rounded by a Venetian border. Ascribed
to Thomas Berthelet. White deerskin.
(Grenville Library.)
Joannes a Lasco. Tractatio de sacramentis. London,
1552.
ENGLISH BINDINGS 143
4. Binding of Italian design, with the white
horse and oak spray badge of Henry
Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel, inlaid. Pale
brown calf. (Old Royal Library.)
Biblia. Venice, 1544.
5. Coloured armorial binding, with the arms
of Mary Queen of Scots, with supporters.
Black morocco. (King's Library.)
The Black Acts. Edinburgh, 1556.
6. Green velvet armorial binding, inlaid with
coloured silk and stamped in gold, with
the arms of Queen Elizabeth. (Old
Royal Library.)
Bibha. Zurich, 1544.
7. Inlaid armorial binding, painted with the
arms of Queen Elizabeth. Black
morocco, the corners inlaid with white
deerskin. (Old Royal Library.)
Nicolay. Navigations et Peregrinations orientales.
Lyons, 1568,
8. Coloured binding in the ' Grolier ' style,
with the inscription, ' Thomae Wottoni
et Amicorum.' Brown calf. (Old Royal
Library.)
Cicero. Questions Tusculanes. Lyons, 1543.
9. Coloured binding in the ' Grolier ' style,
with the arms of Thomas Wotton.
Brown calf.
Plinius Secundus. Historia NaturaHs. Lugduni, 1548.
i.l4 SriXlMlCNS OF BOOKBINDINGS
10. Hiiulini;- with the Hear and Ragged Staff
badge of Robert Dudley, Earl of
Leicester, and his initials. Brown calf.
(Grenville Library.)
Clemens Alexandrinus. Opera. Florence, 1550.
11. Coloured binding, with the Bear and
Ragged Staff badge of Robert Dudley,
Earl of Leicester. Brown calf. (Old
Royal Library.)
Plato. Convivium. Paris, 1543.
12. Binding with the names of 'William'
and ' Mildred Cicyll ' (Lord and Lady
Burghley) stamped on the covers.
Brown calf. (Old Royal Library.)
Basilii Magni et Gregorii Nazanzeni Epistolae Graecae.
Hagenau, 1528.
13. Ldaid armorial binding, probably by
John Day, with the arms of Queen
Elizabeth. Brown calf inlaid wdth
white deerskin. (Cracherode Library.)
The Gospels in Anglo-Saxon and English. London,
1571-
14. (ireen velvet binding embroidered in
gold and silver threads and coloured
silks, probably in the house of Matthew
Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury. (Old
Royal Library.)
Parker. De Antiquitate Britannicae Ecclesiae. Lon-
don, 1572.
ENGLISH BINDINGS 145
15. Armorial binding and 'semis 'of roses,
with the arms of Queen Elizabeth.
Brown calf. (Old Royal Library.)
Grant. Graecae Linguae Spicilegium. London, 1577-
16. Black velvet embroidered with gold and
silver threads and coloured silks. (Old
Royal Library.)
Orationis Dominicae Explicatio. Per L. Danaeum.
Geneva, 1583.
17. Purple velvet embroidered with silver
thread. (Old Royal Library.)
Vermigli. Common Places of Peter Martyr. London,
1583-
18. Armorial binding, with the arms of
James i. and supporters, with a semis of
small fleurs-de-lys. Pale brown calf.
(Old Royal Library.)
Casaubon. De rebus sacris et ecclesiasticis exercita-
tiones. London, 16 14.
19. Crimson velvet binding stamped in gold.
(Old Royal Library.)
In Jacobi regis felicem in Scotiam reditum Academiae
Edinburgensis congratulatio. Edinburgh, 161 7.
20. Armorial binding, with the arms of
James l, and semis of flowers. Olive
morocco. (Old Royal Library.)
Thomae Bradwardini Arch. Cantuariensis de causa
Dei contra Pelagium. London, 1618.
21. Purple velvet binding, mounted in silver.
On the centre ovals are engraved the
K
146 SIT.CIMKNS OF ROOKRINDINGS
arms of lames i.. and on the corner-
pieces antl clasps the royal badges and
initials. (Old Royal Library.)
lames 1. A meditation upon the Lord's Prayer.
London, i6iy.
22. Armorial IjindiiiL;", with the arms of
Charles l Some of the roundels in the
design are coloured red. Olive morocco.
(Okt Royal Library.)
Dallington. Aphorismes Civilland Militarie. London,
1613.
23. Armorial binding, with the arms of
Charles l Blue morocco.
Corpus Statutorum Univ. Oxon. Oxford, 1634.
24 White satin binding, embroidered with
symbolical figures of Peace and Plenty.
Booke of Psalmes. London, 1635.
25. Blue velvet binding stamped in gold and
siK^er. Some of the stamps appear to
be those used by the Cambridge binder
Thomas Buck, and also at Little Gid-
ding.
Notitia Dignitatum. Lyons, 1608.
26. Crimson velvet binding mounted in
silver. The centre plaques contain
portraits of Charles l and Queen
Henrietta Maria.
New Testament and Book of Common Prayer.
I^ndon, 1643.
ENGLISH BINDINGS 147
27. Inlaid Cottage design binding. Black
morocco inlaid with crimson and yellow.
Bible. London, 1658.
28. Coloured binding, the design pieced out
with silver paint. Attributed to Samuel
Mearne. Black morocco.
Discourse of Parliaments. 1677.
29. Coloured Cottage design binding. At-
tributed to Samuel Mearne. Red
morocco.
Common Prayer. London, 1678.
30. Cottage design binding, probably by
Charles Mearne. Blue morocco.
Bidpai. Fables. London, 1699.
3L Cottage design binding. Red morocco.
Ashmole. History of the Order of the Garter.
London, 17 15.
32. Painted armorial binding covered with
transparent vellum. By James Edwards
of Halifax. With the arms of Charlotte,
Queen Consort of George in., with sup-
porters.
Common Prayer. Cambridge, 1760.
33. Armorial binding by Roger Payne, with
the arms of the Rev. C. M. Cracherode.
Red morocco. (Cracherode Library.)
Cicero. De oratore. Rome, 1468.
148 s p i-:c I Mi: Ns oi'' bookbindings
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ENGLISH BINDINGS 149
34. Armorial binding by Roger Payne, with
the arms of the Rev. C. M. Cracherode.
Olive morocco. (Cracherode Library.)
Lascaris. Erotemata. Venice, 1495.
35. Binding by Roger Payne, with the arms
of the Rt. Hon. Thos. Grenville added.
Olive morocco. (Grenville Library.)
Tasso. La Gerusalemme Liberata. Genoa, 1590.
Printed by T. and A. Constable, (late) Printers to Her Majesty
at the Edinburgh University Press
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