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(before the Comitte for scandalous Ministers) an innouatinge, and scandalous Minister, an enimie to the sinceare professors of Religion and most inuective and foule mouthed against Parliamentes, did (beinge a delinquente) resigne vp his Rectorship to the Deane and Chapter of Westm, who presently presented one Mr. Beuoies, who for some Reasons best knowen to himselfe, resigned vp the same to the said Deane and Chapter: Your petitioners then addressed themselues by petition to the said Deane and Chapter, the Deane willed them to presente three men, out of which hee made choice of one M George Smith, and promised forthwith to settle him in the saide Rectorship. But by reason of the saide Deane his delaies the said Rectorship fell in lapse vnto the Bishop of London, who hath likewise suffered the same to fall in Relapse vnto the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Your petitioners humbly pray your Honors That theire sad condition (as sheepe with out a shephard) may bee considered: And to bee pleased to take some speedy corse that the said Mr Smith (who was elected and approued by the said Deane and by him also promised to bee settled there) may bee placed forthwith in the said Rectorship: The rather for that your petitioners being in number 120 housekepers (the whole parish contayninge not in all aboue 150) haue not had in the memorie of man, a setled godly minister to instructe them

And they shall pray etc.

[Endorsed] 17 Martij 1641.

Parishioners of St.

Richarde Wright Phillip Rickards.

Leonards Foster Lane london. Exped.

To the right honorable the Lords Assembled in the highe Court

of Parlament.

The humble petition of William L" Arch-Byshop
of Canterburye.

Humblye sheweth that vpon the Order of this hrble House bearinge date the 17th of thiss Instant March, that he should gine the Psentation of St. Leonards Foster Lane to Mr George Smith, yo' Lps humble petitioner was willing, & is still to doc as he was requyred. And thiss, though the livinge be nowe in his Legall right to bestowe: And though he knowe manye able Ministers yt want such a pfermet, & M' Smith a mear Strainger to hime: And though yo' Lps former Order of Octob: 23. giue hime leaue to name to yr Hřble House what clarke he pleases to anye Benefice he hath to giue And hath bin of soe readye obedience, as that he caused a ẞsentation to be forthwith drawn, & sealed in Psence of the wch brought ye Order. Onlye he desyred the to send Mr Smith to hime & he should haue it. And yo' Lps knowe it is a dewtye wch yor petitioner Owes to this church & state, to see ye orders & examin ye sufficiencye of such as he psents to Benefices. And we should he not doe yo' Lps might Justlye more then find fault with hime.

Thearfore humblye prayeth yt Mr Smith maye come to yor Lps poore petitioner, that he maye in some sort satisfye his owne conscience, & his dewtye to ye publicke, And noe mã shall be more redilye obaye yo' Lps orders in thiss & all things els, then yo' deuoted petitioner, & he shall praye as he is in dewtye bound for yo' Lps happines.

24th March.
[Endorsed] 24 Martii 1641.

L. Archbp Cant.
Exped.

W. Cant.

[This petition is in the handwriting of the Archbishop.]

My Lords,

I did yesterday satisfie the Justice of the Kingdome by the passing of the Bill of Attaindour against the Earle of Strafford: but Mercie being as inherent & inseperable to a King as Justice, I desyre, at this tyme, in some measure, to show that lykewais, by suffering that vnfortunate Man to fullfill the naturall curse of his lyfe in a close Imprisonment; yet so, that if euer he make the least offer to escape, or offer, directlie or indirectlie to medle in anie sorte of publike business, espetiallie with mee, by eather messadge, or letter, it shall coste him his lyfe, without further Processe: This, if it may bee done, without a discontentment to my People, would be an vnspeacaple contentment to mee: To wch end, as in the first place, I, by this letter, doe earnestlie desyre your approbation &-eonsent (& to endeare it the more, haue chosen him to cary it, that of all your Howse, is most deare to me) so I desyre that by a conference, ye would endeauor to giue the Howse of Comons contentment lykewais: asseuring you, that the excersing of Mercy is no more pleasing to me, then to see bothe my

content

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66

BELVOIR CASTLE.

30th June 1869.

By permission of His Grace the Duke of Rutland I examined the MSS. in the muniment room at the Castle. There are here, and also in one of the private rooms of His Grace, many ancient letters from the reign of Queen Elizabeth downwards. From a box (labelled as containing old letters ") in this room, those I was informed were removed which now form the series in volumes in the private room, doubtless of great interest, but as the librarian, in answer to my inquiries respecting them, said he was not at liberty to show them without a direct order from the Duke, and as His Grace's letter to the Secretary of the Commission was apparently confined to the MSS. under the care of Mr. Green, his agent, I did not think it right to renew my request. Another visit to Belvoir for the purpose of examining the letters would be most desirable if the Duke would accord his permission.

There are in the muniment room many family letters of the 17th and 18th centuries.

The deeds in this room are upwards of 4,000 in number, and by far the greater number are of the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries. I examined many hundreds of deeds, so as to be able to give an approximate statement of the numbers in those centuries. Several hundred court rolls and rolls of bailiffs' accounts (of the latter a large mass of about 200 are labelled as

being of the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, but I think that few, if any, will be found of the 14th). Rentals and accounts in books, rolls of pedigrees, and inventories, volumes of MS. on parchment, and miscellanies, including many household books of early date.

Francis Peck, a well-known antiquary of the last century, had the loan of and made copies of and extracts from a great number of the deeds, rolls, and books in this room, and his collections were largely used by Mr. Nichols in his History of Leicestershire. It appears from Nichols' Anecdotes that Peck's collections for Leicestershire were after his death sold to Sir Thomas Cave.

The greater number of the early deeds and rolls are in 60 old drawers, numbered from 1 to 60, in the centre of the room; and the remainder are in several of the numerous drawers ranged round the room and a few above. The deeds and rolls in the first 43 of the old drawers were in 1823 sorted, and labels on those drawers give in alphabetical order the names of the places to which the contents relate. For the use of the Commissioners and with a view to assist inquirers into local history, I have in an appendix to this report given a list of the places copied from the labels. The deeds are too early to affect title.

The contents of the room being so extensive and varied, it may be convenient to class them and to indicate those particular items which are within the scope of the Commission. The numbers in brackets refer to the old drawers with the same numbers.

Register of the lands and tithes of Belvoir Priory, large folio on parchment, of the end of the 14th or beginning of the 15th century. The register is complete in 100 folios; then follow additions, a Papal Bull, rentals of the 15th century, and other additions, the latest of 18th Henry 8.

Cartulary of Belvoir Priory; a fragment, p. 78 to p. 91; a folio on parchment, written apparently towards the end of the 14th century.

Register of Croxton Abbey; a parchment 12mo. of 151 leaves, including a fly-leaf, in writing of the end of the 13th century down to fol. 89, and thenceforth of the 14th century. It contains details of the possessions and privileges of the abbey as far as fol. 89. The remainder of the volume is occupied with Alchemical Notes, "Generales procurationes ad causas et negotia," with forms of Letters of Excuse on several occasions, Forms of Visitations, and an Account of a Visitation in 1325, omitting the names of persons and places (13). The Register ending on fol. 86 is of great interest; the descent of each manor from the Conquest is generally briefly stated, and it throws light on the measures of land and state of husbandry in early times. Some of the entries show, from the words used, that the compiler copied much earlier documents framed when the properties were in lay hands. It should be noticed that a large portion of it has been printed by Mr. Nichols, in the History of Leicestershire.

A roll of the 13th century (No. 13), being a register for Croxton Abbey. From this I think it probable that much of the 12mo. register was taken (13).

A 4to. volume of parchment, containing rentals at various periods of Croxton Abbey. The first is of 11 Henry 8 on 23 folios; the next, 15 Henry 8 of five pages. After fol. 34 some leaves are wanting or misplaced. Folio 46 (?) begins "Annotatio reddituum nos"trorum in villa de Croxton," ending on fol. 60. The writing of this is of the 13th century. Then follows "De terris et nostris et libertatibus per loca' on 12 folios. The next leaf is numbered 24, and the foliation goes on to 28; the next are 33 to 37; the next are 38 to 40. These are in writing of the 14th century. On 43 bis and remaining leaves are entries of occurrences, temp. Henry 4, Henry 5, and Henry 6 (13).

(Quare whether this is what Nichols calls the 4to. Domesday, in his Hist. of Leicestershire ?).

Part of a cartulary on eight leaves of parchment, small folio, of the 15th century. Contains copies of grants of property in Tyddeswell and elsewhere, chiefly to the Foljambes (37).

Household Books.-In drawer 55, and at the top of the boxes under the first and second arches on the right, are many old paper volumes of household accounts of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. There is one Household Book for various places, 21 Henry 7. Household Books of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Earls of Rutland (Henry 8 to Charles 2). There are nine of the 1st Earl, commencing in 1525 (one in very bad condition); two for the 2nd Earl, and several for each of the other Earls. One or two more are in the drawers.

Letters.-There are in the room a bundle of 18 letters from the Privy Council in 1549, and a great many family leters of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Bills and Accounts.-Personal account book of Sir John Manners of Haddon, 1563.

Bills selected as curiosities (for servants' and labourers' wages), 1631–1700 (46).

Lord Roos's London Bills, 1660-1663.

The Haddon caterers' weekly accounts, 1676.
Buttery books, 1673.

And many other private and personal accounts from the 16th century downwards.

Inventories.-List of furniture in Rievaulx Abbey, temp. Henry 8, folio, on paper, much faded and very tender. (This has been copied by Mr. Raine.)

A very long roll containing inventory of effects at Belvoir on the death of Francis, Earl of Rutland, 1632. Inventory of goods of Lord Roos at Belvoir, 1662. Inventory of the Earl of Rutland at Croxton Lodge,

1642.

Inventory of the effects of Lady Manners at St. Dunstan's-in-the-West, 1651.

Inventory of goods at Haddon, 1637.
Inventory of furniture at Haddon, 1623.
Inventory of effects at Croxton, 1663.
Inventory of plate, 1671 and 1674.

Inventory of furniture at Belvoir, 1671 and 1722. Inventory of furniture, linen, &c., 1693, 4, 5, and 6. Inventory of the effects of Lord Sands at the Vine, 1540 (30 folios).

Miscellanea.--Plea Roll of 18 skins. Placita apud Westm. coram Jo. de Metingham et sociis suis Justiciariis domini Regis de Banco de termino Pasch. anno regni regis Edwardi filii regis Henrici vicesimo secundo.-Malore.

Roll of one skin. Pleas of Assize at Cardiff before Averii Trussell, Sheriff of Glamorganshire, 1 Henry 5. A very large roll (perhaps 50 feet long), about one foot wide, called "A pedigree from Adam," ending with the year A.D. 688. It contains a great mass of universal history, written in English about the beginning of the 15th century.

A folio (paper) of the 17th century, containing some copies of letters and the case of the Barony of Roos. Some papers indorsed "Soldiers sent into Ireland, "March 25, 1590."

Disposition generale de Mons' le Marechal de Coutades pour l'attaque de l'armée alliée a Minden 1 Aout 1759, avec la relation de la battaille; qu'on suppose d'etre celle de M. le duc de Broglie (fol., paper, 7 leaves and 2 plans).

Agreement by two persons to serve, with 10 archers, Mons. Maheu de Gourney in the war in Spain, Portugal, and elsewhere; 4 Richard 2 (10).

Charter of King Richard 1, confirming to William, son of William de Berkeley, the grant which Robert, Earl of Gloster, made to William, son of the said William, of lands at Eddres. Tested at Kahagnes, 28 January, 10th year of his reign (seal gone).

Grant by Amicia de Redvers, Countess of Devon, Lady of the Isle [of Wight] to the Abbey of Brummere (with seal). (51.)

Deed of Geoffrey de Insula regarding a former gift to Quarr Abbey (with seal). (51.)

In the library are a few MS. volumes. Three of them may here be noticed.

(1.) A large folio MS. on parchment, of the 15th century, containing a translation [by Lydgate] into English verse of Bocaccio's Fall of Princes. Begins

He that whilom did his diligence

The boke of Bochas in French to translate
Owt of Latyn, he called was Lawrence.

First book begins

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When Joh. Bochas considered had and soght The woful fal of mighti conquerors. The volume ends with Words of the translator." "With letters and lines go little book trembling," &c. (2.) A folio MS. on parchment of the 13th century. The table of contents gives nine items, of which the last three are:-Valerius Ruffinus de uxore non ducenda.--Tractatus de tribus sororibus contendentibus que illarum esset formosior.-De Hereticis inventis apud Tholosam. Unfortunately half of the eighth and the whole of the ninth tract have been torn out.

(3.) A splendid Psalter of the 12th century, on vellum. Small folio. Adorned with illuminations in gold and colours. In the lower margins are coloured drawings beautifully executed, representing figures in various acts and attitudes and sports, monsters and grotesques. It is a magnificent work of English art

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1. Ailerton and Little Glen.

ALFRED J. HORWOOD.

2. Aldewick, Ashley, Appleby (co. Warwick), Alfreton, Aversham Kelham, Ashford, Aston (Cold), Auburn, Allerton, Adestock, Ashover, and Alton.

3. Bagworth, Barkeston Plungar.

4. Bakewell [and other Derbyshire places]. 5. Barson (co. Warwick), Barlebrough, Barton, Badlington, Buckingham, Beety, Bawderby, Berwick-on-Tweed, Beverley.

6. Belvoir, Wigton Hospital.

7. Bigsby and Barnard Castle. 8. Barton.

9. Bennington and Bisbrooke.

10. Blaby, Bourn, Bothamsall, Bradmeer, Badeley, Bowden, Brancepeth, Burney, Brislington and Bradby, Birchover, Bridlome, Byland, Bridelestone, Beamsley and Clapham Bridge, Boylston, Burgh (Lord), settlement of his lands, Buxton, Bella Land Abbey.

11. Branston and Bubwell. 12. Botterford and Normanton. 13. Croxton (co. Leicester). 14. Curbar, Claxton, Chatsworth, Culver, Culton (co. Bucks), Crosby Grange, Collington (North), Chelmerden, Canney (?), Chilwell, Cothon, Culverton, Clifton, and Church Cotherston, Clipston Park, Carlton (South), Cherwick, Chardell, Coltam, Coone, Clifton Campbell.

15. Derby, Darley and Denton, Dewham, Donington Castle, Derehope Park, Draycot, Dishley and Dethick.

16. Eastwell, Eaton, Eagle Eaton (Cold), Elendon, Everton, Edinghall, Eastbourne, Elton and Winster (co. Derby), Eastcayles, Enfield, and Edel Easthorpe.

17. Foston, Froggatt, Fretton (co. York), Flodsham, Fulbeck, Fleet (co. Lincoln), Faldingworth. 18. Granby, Gonerby, Grautham Soke (Ct. Roll), Glossop and Chapel le Frith, Gayton, Garrendon, Grafton, Gillingham, Gringley (co. Notts), Glanford Briggs, Gratton (co. Derby).

19. Haddon, Harthill, Hellcar, Holme, Hazelbache, Hope, Hucklow (Little), Holmesfield (all in Derbyshire).

20. Halloughton, Halden, Hassop, and Hartington. 21. Helmesley, Hamlake, Housham, and Homildon. 22. Hose, Holwell, Hurby, and Horningwold. 23. Ilkestone, Ingmanthorpe, Isham, and Ilfacome (?). 24. Kelleby, Knaptoft, Knipton, and Knighton. 25. Kniveton, Kilvington (North), Kibleton, Kighley, Kirkby (Misputon), Kirkencroton, Kilvington, Kirk Langley, Kingston, Killum, Keddington, and Kingston.

26. Lubberthorpe, Leicester, Linton, Litton, Lingesdon, Lindon, Lissingle, and Lutchurch.

27. Middleton, Manthorpe, Melton Mowbray, Melton Fors, Meeburn, Mayford, Mansfield, Mulcalf Marston, Millingtoune (?), Milltoun, Minting Park, Mathersey Thorpe, and Radburn Makeley.

28. Muston.

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Tansley, Tonge and Norton, Thornton on the
Hill, Thurgarton, and Thorpe on the Hill.

38. Uppington, Uttoxeter, Uppington, Underwood.
39. Waltham.
40. Whitwell.

41. Woolsthorpe.

42. Wrawley, Wansey, Wetherby, Wharlop and Castle Donington, Withamfield, Walthamstow, Womble. ton, Weybridge, Warter, Warsopp, Whirtinton, Wintetoun, Woolscott, Wiverton, Waterful forth, Whistanton, and Wigwell.

43. Youlgrave and Yarley.

KIMBOLTON CASTLE.

July 3, 1869.

With the permission of His Grace the Duke of Manchester I examined the MSS. in his Muniment Room and Library at Kimbolton Castle.

The early charters are not many. There is a charter of King Henry 2 (tested at Walteham) granting certain lands to the Church of St. Mary of Brellington and the canons there as freely as Henry 1 granted it, and confirming grants by other persons of other properties. The parcels occupy 19 lines of the charter, and the properties and names of the grantors are given. A part of the seal in red wax remains.-There are three grants by Geoffrey de Mandeville to the Convent of Watton in the 12th century.-There is a deed of Gilbert, son and heir of Gilbert de Gaunt (dated 1278), by which he agrees to indemnify the co-executors with him of the will of his late father, they having declined to intermeddle, and left the management of affairs to him. The seal of green wax, two inches broad; arms, barry of eight, a bend.

Grant in French by Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford, Essex and Northampton, 45 Edward 3; with seal of arms.

Confirmation by the Earl of Salisbury to the Prior and Convent of Twynham of messuages and land, 20th August, 48 Edward 3; with a large seal in red wax (slightly imperfect), which for beauty of execution cannot be surpassed.

A conveyance dated in 1608 of 214 acres of land to Erasmus Dryden, of Cannons Ashby (the father of the poet), and signed by him.

There are five privy seal warrants by Henry 8; one for Anthony St. Leger, one for Anthony Denny one for Thomas Lord Audley of Walden, Chancellor, directing payment to him of 500l., and a receipt at the foot signed by him. A contemporary document annexed explains the motives of the grant. Two for William Gonson, "squire of our body;" in one the money is said to be to pay mariner's wages, soldiers' coats, &c., and the rate of pay and price of each coat is given. The King's autograph is on each. (This William Gonson was afterwards Vice-Admiral and Commissioner of the Admiralty for Norfolk and Suffolk for certain purposes.)

The arguments upon the abdication of King James 2, 1688, folio, paper, 265 pages. (17th century.)

A collection of proceedings in the House of Commons about impeaching the Earl of Clarendon, late Lord Chancellor, with the debate and speeches, &c., 1667. Folio, paper. Begins, Mr. Edward Seymour charged him viva voce. This occupies 239 pages.

Conference, 19th and 20th April 1671, on the subject of the Bill for the impositions on merchandize. Conference as to trials of peers and peeresses for treason or misprision of treason. (17th century.) Francis Walsingham's letters and negotiations. Folio, paper, 234 leaves. End of the 16th century.

Înside this is a MS. table of rather recent date, showing "how it differs from the printed book," * and stating that from 348 of the print is not in the MS. Inventory of papers at Whitehall, small folio, four quires unbound, 92 leaves in all ;

folio 2, "Old things," Edward 3 downwards, three pages.

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This seems an interesting and important document. (? Whether the same pro tanto as Add. MS. Mus. Brit. 11595.)

The foundation of the University of Cambridge, with the names and arms of all such noble persons as have been Earls of Cambridge and Chancellors of the University for 100 years last past; names of founders and benefactors of the colleges, schools, and library; of the masters and number of fellows of every particular college; magistrates, governors, and officers; and students in 1662. Collected by S. G. Sanderson :

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On folio 26 are the arms of Edward, Earl of Manchester, the Chancellor. All the arms are beautifully drawn and coloured. Folio, paper, 33 folios.

La premiere apologie faicte par Mons' de Villeroy, premier Secretaire d'estat de France-addressée à Mons' de Rambouillet son inthyme amy. Folio, paper, about 80 leaves. (This, I think, has been printed under a different title. See Brunet.)

Begins, "Le plus grand contentement . . ." Ends, "Faict a Villeroy le huietième jour d'avril mil cinq cens quatre vingts neuf, signe De Neufville."

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It is an interesting narrative of Huguenot times. Three 12mo. note books of debates in the House of Commons, 1620-1 and 1625. One has only a few pages written in pencil. Another contains a good deal in short hand.

Compotus of Robert Glasyer, canon, collector of rents within the precinct of St. Bartholomew's Close, from Michaelmas 26 Henry 8, for one year. (A paper roll, 7 feet long.)

The celebrated Rows Roll. (This was printed a few years ago.) The drawings in outline, and lightly coloured, are very delicate and good.

Signed,

Bishop Davenant's opinion about taking the oath against the change of Church Government. John Sarum. (He died 1641.) Five pages in folio. Two deeds of sale in market overt of articles of jewellery: 1 James 1. Each is under seal.

Letter dated Fowy, March 1633, from Charles Fitz Geffery, giving an account of the thunderstorm.

A large folio paper. Household Expenses at Gorambury for 1637, 8, and 9.

A Warrant with Sign Manual of George 2, dated in 1745, authorizing the Earl of Manchester to make musters in arms against the Pretender.

A Letter dated 21st November 1745, giving an account of the movements of the Rebel Army.

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"Domus Regis Angliæ.-The true copie of an old "book made in the reign of Edward 3.” Begins, “First our Sovereign's household is now discharged of the "Privy Seal . . . .” Ends, No yeoman presume to "receive."

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(This tract is not among the ordinances of the Royal Household printed by the Society of Antiquaries in the last century.)

Certain discourses written by Sir Francis Vere, Knight. The Calis Journey; folio, paper. 17th century. (This I suppose is part of what was printed under the title of Commentaries, &c.")

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Notes of a Journey on the Continent, 1699-1702. Fol.

Folio, 1614. The Treatie at the Haghe concerning trade in the East Indies and the Whale Fisheries in Nova Scotia.

A long poem, 4to., paper, about first quarter of the 17th century, begins

"Whilom divided from the main land stood "A forest in the circle of a flood "Which was the Caledonian wood yclept." A bundle of papers labelled "Huntingdonshire Militia and Lord Lieutenancy" (1715-16 and 1745).

List of the House of Commons, 1614 (cotemp. MS.). A Cambridge Madrigal regarding an Oxford Ballad. In English and Latin; beginning of the 17th century. There is an extensive collection of Letters illustrating the 17th and 18th centuries.

A letter of Charles 1 to the Earl of Manchester, desiring him to join the Standard at York, 1st April in the 14th year of his reign.

Copies of letters from Frankfort and other places, 1634.

An extraordinary original letter from John Marston to Lord Kimbolton, offering to disclose a plot; very pressing. (17th century.)

A great number of letters and copies of letters connected with the Earl of Manchester's embassy to Venice in 1697, and his embassy to Paris a little later: the King's instructions on his going to Venice. The like

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There are 14 folios which contain a great part of the Earl's correspondence. A 15th contains miscellaneous letters and papers, 1707-1737.

The Notarial Act of hiring a palace at Venice for the Earl, with a long Schedule of the furniture, pictures, &c., in the palace. (An interesting document in Italian.)

The Earl's credentials to the Emperor, the Duke of Tuscany, and the Doge of Venice.

Letter to the Doge on the recall of the Earl, and speeches and replies at Venice.

Letters from Venice and Vienna to the Earl of Sunderland.

King William's appointment of the Earl to be Ambassador Extraordinary to Paris, and instructions thereon.

A great number of letters and copies of letters, some to Mr. Blaithwayte, and some to Secretary Vernon, 1700-1701.

Other letters (unsigned copies) from the Earl in Paris, 1699–1700, addressed to the Earl of Jersey. Correspondence of the Right Hon. Lord Grantham, Secretary of State, with Alleyne Fitzherbert, Minister Plenipotentiary at Paris, 1782-1783 (427 pages).

Letters of A. Fltzherbert to Lord Grantham during the same period (216 pages).

Letters of Charles James Fox to the Duke of Manchester at Paris, 1783 (339 pages).

Letters of the Duke to Fox during the same period. Negotiations of Mr. Grenville at Paris, 1782.

Copies of letters to several persons abroad (evidently spies) in France and elsewhere, asking for information. They are to address their letters to a feigned name (given), and the name is often changed, 170 to 1703.

Copies of letters from Paris in 1701 from some person employed by the English Government to give information of the movements of the French and other foreign troops, specially on Naval Affairs. Very interesting.

Correspondence of C. J. Fox with the Duke of Manchester in 1783, and of the Duke with British Ministers at Foreign Courts, and vice versa.

Letters to and from French Ministers. The Duke's credentials to Paris, 1783.

A bundle indorsed "Letters and Documents on "Political Matters, 1780-1790."

Horace Walpole's letters to George Montague, in number 266, bound in one volume. (These were printed 4to., London, 1819.)

The 15 folio volumes before mentioned contain most interesting and important State Papers and Letters. There are letters of William 3, Sophia, Electress of Hanover, George her son (afterwards King George 1), the great Marlborough, Prior, Addison, and other men of mark. One volume contains a list of Plate lent to the Earl out of the Royal Jewel House, when he went to Venice; 8,116 oz. = €3,0541. 12s. 10d. Another contains Précis of Negotiations at Venice, 1560 to 1670 (about 10 folics). Venice, 1609, Sir Henry Wotton, Ambassador. The volumes contain letters to the Duke from many of the Courts of Europe. They need and are well worthy of an Index.

From the above slight notes of MSS. likely to be useful, it is evident that the Kimbolton Library possesses important materials for history.

The Walpole letters have been printed; Earl Russell has printed many of Fox's letters; the Duke of Manchester has used many of the letters of the last two centuries in his work intituled "Court and Society from Elizabeth to Anne;" and many in the 15 folio volumes will doubtless be found in Cole's Memoirs of Affairs of State, fol. Lond. 1723. But much remains to be utilized.

The Duke's agent at Kimbolton was most assiduous in providing for my convenience and comfort in examining the MSS. He very kindly caused all the old deeds to be brought from the Muniment Room into the Library, where I examined them and the other MSS. at ease. He was good enough to point out several books of rarity in the Library.

The Muniment Room I fear is incurably damp. The deeds, ancient and modern, were very damp, and will certainly suffer damage if allowed to remain there. Worms are in the wood of the little black boxes. The Commissioners will, I trust, draw to the Duke's notice these dangers.

ALFRED J. HORWOOD.

BLICKLING HALL, NORFOLK.

July 12th, 1869.

By permission of the Marquess of Lothian, I examined the MSS. at Blickling Hall. There are, as the Librarian, the Rev. James Bulwer, informed me, many MSS. of the Classics, Mediæval Missals, and Books of Hours (which he had not then time to show to me), but not many MSS. of the nature desired by the Commissioners. The first and second mentioned below would, however, make any library remarkable.

A folio Psalter on vellum, written in Lombardic characters, with Anglo-Saxon glosses over many of the words. It is not later than the 9th century, but is infortunately not complete.

An 8vo. sized volume of Anglo-Saxon Homilies of the 10th century, on parchment.

A folio volume (paper) containing a miscellaneous collection in writing of the end of the 16th or beginning of the 17th century. It contains amongst other things

"The order of the Coronation of our late Kynge of famous memorye, Kynge Henrye the eyghte, who was crowned the 23rd of June 1509." (3 leaves.)

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The interment of King Henry the fyveth. Begins, "This noble prince deceased ye last day of August, A.D. 1422." Ends, "With such armes beaten in them as shall be thought necessary." (These are not taken from Fabian, Grafton, Hall, or Hollinshed.)

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A translation out of French of a Treatise intituled the Arbor of Battailes, by Mr. Roger Fremys, dedicated to Charles the 5th King of France by Honorius Bonhor, Prior of Salom and Doctor in Degrees.

Copy of the Writ, 5th March, 5 Edw. (I. ?), to the Sheriff of Gloucester, directing a return of the Hundreds in his bailiwick and the names of the Lords thereof, and a copy of the Sheriff's Return. (61⁄2 leaves.) The Return begins by a statement that in Gloucestershire there is no city. (Not printed in the 66 Rotuli Hundredorum.")

The Cycilian Commonwealth and the answer to it. (Folio, paper, 17th century.) The above is the title. Then follows-

(1.) An advertisement written to a Secretarie of my Lord Treasurer of England by an English intelligencer as he passed through Germanie into Italy concerning another book newly written in Latin, and published in divers languages and countries against her Majesties late proclamation for search and apprehension of seminarie priests and their receivers. (2.) Also of a letter written by the Lord Treasurer in defence of his gentry and nobility, intercepted, published, and answered by the Papists, Anno Domini 1592.*

Letter to the Lord High Treasurer, beginning, "Loving Sir,-If my former letters written to you "from Middleborough, Collen, Hidleborough, and "Franckford, &c. &c. . . ." (3 leaves.)

The extract and abbreviation of the book of John Philopatris against her Majesty's proclamation. (28 pages.) [John Philopat is the pseudonym for Father Persons, the well-known controversialist of this period, whose book here referred to was printed in 8vo. in 1592.]

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In another handwriting follows another treatise, headed, "To the indifferent reader. The present estate "that the realm of England is come unto. (Then follows about 20 lines in verse.) When Queen Mary "that lately possessed the Crown, &c.,' ends, "I "make the reader to suspect the discredant English Gospell of heresie and the Gospellers as libellers of "malicious lies." (This is seemingly written against the proclamation of Nov. 1591.)

66

A folio volume, paper, 17th century, containing Arguments and Judgments in Hampden's Ship-Money Case. The table of contents gives

Ship Money; argued by Sir E. Littleton for the King. Mr. Holborne, of Lincoln's Inn, reply. Sir John Banks, Attorney General for the King. Baron Weston, Judge Jones, Lord Chief Justice Bramston, for the King. Baron Denham and Baron Davenport's opinions for Mr. Hampden. Sir John Finch, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, for the King. Prefixed are cotemporary copies of the King's writ for ship money, and of the Judge's opinions on the legality

thereof. 1636.

Folio, paper, 17th century. Another volume on the ship-money case, containing St. John's argument for Hampden and the arguments of Littleton, Holborn, and Banks, as in the preceding volume.

*These seem to be by William Cecil, Lord Burghley. See Cooper's Athena Cantabrigiensis, vol. 2. col. 256. No. 2. Printed at London, 8vo. 1592.

Institution, power, and jurisdiction of Parliament, &c. from a MS. found among the papers of the late Judge Hales, the original in his own hand writing. Folio, paper; end of 17th century. (This has been printed.)

A History of the World, in French, from Adam to Pompey. Large folio, double columns; writing of the 14th century (early), begins, "Avant diex ot fait le "ciel et la terre et les eawes douces et salees."

A folio volume, paper, end of the 17th century, pp. 279:

1st. Histoire de la persecution des Ministres Hongrois. The preface is dated 1689, and signed Abraham van Port.

2nd. Apologie pour les Ministres evangeliques accusés d'être complecis de la rebellion de Hongrie, presentée par Messrs. les Etats Generaux des Provinces unies à l'empereur des Romains Leopold 1er, par Mons. Hamel Bruininx leur resident à Vienne en l'an 1675, and a supplement by the

same.

Two large folio volumes, paper, 18th century. The first is full, the second only half full. The contents are copies of letters to Mr. Grenville, Lord Halifax, and the Earl of Sandwich from John, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire, while he was Ambassador to the Court of St. Petersburgh. The first letter is dated 24th September 1762, and the last is dated 12th January 1765.

These letters are of great interest, giving insight to the Court of Catherine the 2nd, and its political and social intrigues, as well as its relations with this country. There is an account of the murder in prison of the Prince Ivan in 1764, when his delivery was attempted by Lieutenant Mirowitz. The writer says that Mirowitz was a descendant of the Hetman Mazeppa, who assisted Charles 12 in his invasion of Russia (the same Mazeppa who has been immortalized by Byron).

There is a copy of the Ambassador's speech to the Empress on his departure for England; and of her reply; the latter in French.

The letters from the English Secretaries at St. James' to the Ambassador are not at Blickling Hall. Copies of them are doubtless at the Foreign Office.

As the MSS, at Blickling Hall which required my examination were not very numerous, the above notice is brief. But the Report would be long if it entered into the courtesies which the owner extended to me on the occasion of my visit.

ALFRED J. HORWOOD.

THE HATTON COLLECTION.

Thirteen chests of papers belonging to the Hatton Collection have been examined. They were all in a state of chaotic confusion. Documents of inestimable value were mixed up with papers comparatively worthless. AngloSaxon and early Anglo-Norman instruments were lying side by side with charters of the 16th and 17th centuries. Large masses of political papers and domestic letters were found scattered about in indescribable disorder. The whole of the collection has been sorted under subjects, and the following inventory of them prepared at the Public Record Office.

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