An early undated grant from William de Warren, son of Reginald de Warren, to Philip, his servant (servienti). 89, A 2.

An undated grant by Philip de Burgho of land in Rowe to God and St. Mary of Carhowe, and the monks there serving God, for the good of his soul and the souls of William, the son of Reginald de Warren, and of his ancestors and successors. (97, A 2.)

A roll of seven skins of vellum, about 2 feet long and 3 inches wide (temp. Ed. I.), containing transcripts of the Statutes, Magna Carta, Carta de forestâ, Merton, Marlborough, Gloucester, Westminster 2.

By early undated deeds, Richardus Anglicus grants to the convent of Dereham lands in Wereham, and to the church of St. Mary of Dereham, and to the Abbey. (G 2, 71, 81, 82.)

1 John, June 10, Westminster. The King grants to the church of St. Mary of Dereham, a market every Wednesday, and a fair on the feast day of St. Matthew the Apostle, and three days afterwards. (G 2, 53.)

26 Ed. I. Terrier of the priory of Lewes. It is on a vellum roll about 10 feet long, and contains the names of tenants, descriptions of properties, and rents and services.

1321. Probate of the Will of Ralph de Ketliston, Burgess of Lynn; containing gifts to the churches of St. Margaret, St. Nicolas, and St. James.

6 Edw. III. John Stoge of Wygenhale, grants to Ralph de Ketlestone a moiety of a keel called La Blithe de Ŵygenhal.

11 Edw. III. Inspeximus and confirmation of charters by Kings Stephen and Henry III.; gives protection to the canons of the royal foundation at Ipswich, and their churches and property. (Part of the great seal in white wax remains.)

1337, March 16. St. Andrews. Guy Ferrers says,We, by our proctor, Thomas de Rostone, have bought at Dunbar of Thomas de Ketelstone and John Howton, servants of Roger Butele, merchants of Lynne, all the victuals carried in a ship at Lynne, called "The Petre,” Edmund Ferrers of Wygenhale, the master,

received at St. Andrews to the use of Sir John de Beaumont and us and our lords the kings of England and Scotland. Acquittance to the sellers.

12 Edw. III., May 15. Richard, Earl of Arundel, and William de Montacute, Earl of Salisbury, chieftain of the hosts of the King in the parts of Scotland, testify that the ship Petre of Lynn, Edmund le Ferrers, the master, and Thomas de Kettleston, merchant, were arrested at Dunbar, suspected of having sold victuals to the King's enemies: they are innocent and discharged.

13 Edw. III. Inventory of the goods and chattels of John de Fincham, at Fincham, Burton, and Thorpe.

39 Edw. III. A folio volume, paper, 16th century, containing a rental of Marham, made by the homagers with the assistance of the evidences of Marham. 50 leaves.)

(About

14th century. Almoner's roll, of Ely. A vellum roll, containing a list of free tenants, other free tenants, and tenants who held of the almoner in villenage. The total amount of land was 39 acres.

14 Richard II. Court roll of Marham. The first court of Lady Eleanor Weyland, abbess of the priory. 2 Hen. VII. Copy Inquisition post mortem Sir W. Bardolf.

1430. A vellum roll, 18 inches long (temp. Hen. VIII.), containing an account of the dinner in Westminster Hall, on the coronation of Henry VI.

25 Hen. VI. A deed, whereby Eleanor Fyncham binds herself apprentice to William Rotheley, goldsmith, and Ann, his wife, silk-throwster her brother is her surety and seals the deed.

1448, June 12, Herford. The chamberlain, warden, &c. of the Hospital of the Poor of the Trinity and St. Thomas the Martyr, after reciting grants by popes, admit Walter Devereux and Ann, his wife, to the benefits given to the order and the benefit of masses, &c. in the hospital.

1448, July 30, Norwich. and Isabel, his wife, and benefits.

They admit Thomas Spencer Richard their son, to similar

2 Hen. VII., Feb. 15. William, Viscount Beaumont and Lord of Bardolf and Fotheringham, grants to Richard Pratt the office of bailiff of the manor of Stow Bardolf. (Red seal, an elephant with castle on its back.)

1 Hen. VIII. Inquisition post mortem of Viscount Beaumont (about three feet long).

36 Hen. VIII. Letters Patent to Robert Miller of Wereham, yeoman, and Ellen his wife, of the manor of Wereham, late of the abbat of Ramsey, with the advow

son of the rectory of Downham and the market and tolls of Downham.

1520, the last of April. Richard, prior of the regular church and monastery of the Blessed Virgin of Walsingham, admits Henry Gasqwyn, gentleman, and Frances his wife, to be members of the fraternity, and gives them the benefit of all masses, prayers, fastings, vigils, abstinences, alms, and all other good offices; and grants that when they shall die they shall be put in the martyrology and have an annual commemoration. Temp. Elizabeth. A paper book of swan marks, chiefly for Norfolk: 106 names and the marks of the

swans.

Temp. Elizabeth. Extent of the manors of Serjeant Gawdy.

1664. Copy of summons for baronets, knights, and esquires to appear at the Black Swan in Downham, to shew their arms. Signed by Edward Bysshe, Clarencieux.

The Register of the nunnery of Marham is a folio volume of vellum, 74 leaves. Fo. 62 is part of a court roll used as a cover for the last quire. It was known to Tanner and Blomfield. The first eight leaves are occupied with memoranda of the nunnery.

Fo. 1. A.D. 1252. Incorporation into the Cistercian order.

Fo. 2. Dedication by Richard, Bishop of Chichester, 6 Kal. Feb. 1249, followed by copies of early grants, the last dated in 1401; and a mortuary from 1401 to 1453; the names are 16 in number, and the gifts were chiefly of mantles.

Fo. 9-12. Entries under names of divers places, in writing c. 1400.

Fo. 13. Fet a remembrer des chartres et de munimens de abbey de Marham.

beginning with (fo. 18) one by Willam Earl Warren to A table of the grants, followed by copies of them, Hugh de Aubeny, Earl of Arundel, in frank-marriage with Isabel his daughter. The places are Marham, Thorpe, Kuselton, Westacre, Stouke (Stoke), Kenteford, Nesham, Tofford, Dudelyngton, Sutdfield (Sutfield or Suffield).

Fo. 61. A.D. 1318. Agreement between the prior of Shuldham and the abbess of Marham.

One of the fly leaves of the volume is part of a commentary on the Odes of Horace, in writing of the 14th century.

Folio, vellum, 231 leaves, nearly all in writing of the 15th century. This is a register of Ramsey Abbey. It begins with court rolls of the abbat of Ramsey (temp. John) for Broughton and other places; then follow copies of charters, royal writs for attorneys, copies of court rolls, tempp. Henry III., Edw. I., Edw. II., and Edw. III.; copy of composition between the abbey of Ramsey and the Bishop of Ely, A.D. 1256.

Fo. 54. Pleas of the Forest at Huntingdon, 14 Edw. I., before Roger le Strange, Peter le Leuche, and John fiz Nigel, justices. A great deal about the divisions of marshes and boundaries. Extracts from the "Deer"leather Book." Inquisitions. An English petition to the King by the people of Somersham against the abbat of Ramsey.

Fo. 73. Register of John the abbat; 14th year.

Fo. 85. Copy of the King's (H. VI.) letter to the Abbat, asking a loan of 100 marks for securing Guyenne. The folios 73 to 87 are smaller in size and in an earlier handwriting.

Fo. 90. Another letter from Reading, asking for loan of 1001.

Fo. 97. List of the kings of England from Edgar, A.D. 959, to Edw. IV., with the lengths of their reigns. Fo. 98. List of the abbats of Ramsey from Herbert to John Warboys, who died 4th May, 4 Hen. VII., A.D. 1489; the names of three others are added, the third being John Warboys the 24. (Nearly one half of this leaf is gone, having been torn away diagonally from top to the bottom.)

Notices of manumissions of bondsmen.

Fo. 139. Copy of an English oath of allegiance to King Henry VI. and his Queen, and to his son Edward, after his death.

Fo. 155. A.D. 1492. Copy of a letter from Roger, prior of Ely, to the abbat and convent of Ramsey, on the occasion of his being deputed to visit the monastery of black monks,

Fo. 179. In 1482, W. Hille, a scholar, was presented to the rectory of Ellesworth on the free resignation of Master W. Spencer; and John Horwood, the younger, was surety for payment of the pension.

1321. Ralph de Ketleston (mentioned above).

11 Edw. III. Will (sealed) of Adam de Fincham, proved in 1338.*

1338. A deed of gift out and of personal estate. Proved as a will in 1339.

1400. Will of Simeon Fyncham.

13 Henry IV. Will of John Fyncham. 1415. Will of John Fyncham.*

31 Hen. VI. Will (and counterpart) of Simeon Fincham of Fincham, gentleman. (In English.)*

And others which may be read in the volume mentioned in the note below.

Letters.

A large folio, of about 100 leaves, containing copies of King's letters and Council letters about lieutenancy matters, and internal military matters of the county of Norfolk. 1626--1637.

1644, March 17. A permit, by Spanish authority, to pass through the Low Countries on business.

1646, Dec. 24, Derby House. Council letter (signed by Northumberland, Warwick, Manchester, and six others) to Sir Ralph Hare.-Both Houses of Parliament had appointed him with some others to be hostages to the Kingdom of Scotland for performance of certain articles agreed upon between the Committees of the Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England and the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland: they tell him to be present in York on or before the 15th of January then next, ready to perform the same. By the articles, he is not to be hostage above seven days. 1706. Letter from Lord Godolphin.

1711. Letter from Lord Peterborough (at Frankfort) to

1713. Bolingbroke to Lord Lexington.

1712. Lists of officers and papers relating to the army.

A bundle of letters, numbered (upwards of 100), being correspondence between Bolingbroke (at Whitehall), and the Duke of Shrewsbury and M. de Torcy (in France).

The first nine are from Bolingbroke, the first dated 27th Jan., 1712/3, and the last dated 4th July 1713. Nos. 10 to 37 are from the Duke of Shrewsbury to Bolingbroke; the first is dated Paris, 23rd Jan. 1713.

Nos. 38-87 are from M. de Torcy to Mr. St. John and to Lord Bolingbroke; the first is dated 18th Jan. 1711, and the last 28th Feb. 1714. No. 115 is to the Duke of Shrewsbury from Bolingbroke.

Four folio volumes, containing copies of letters. Vol. 1. 13th Oct. 1710, to 22nd Aug. 1711. Copies of letters by a Secretary of State, chiefly dated from Whitehall to all manner of public persons, English and foreign.

· Vol. 2, 27th April 1711 to 1st Jan. 1711/12. Copies of letters by Henry St. John to Lord Ambassador Raby. Copy of letter by M. de Torcy. Copy of instructions by Queen Anne to the Earl of Strafford, ambassador to the States General, dated 1st Oct., 10 Anne; and other instructions. Instructions to the Bishop of Bristol, keeper of the privy seal, one of the plenipotentiaries for the treaty for a general peace, 23rd Dec. 1711. Copies of letters by Henry St. John to the Earl of Strafford.

Vol. 3. Copies of letters, beginning 24th Aug. 1711, from Henry St. John to the Earl of Orrery, the Queen, the Ministers of State, and numerous other persons. The last is dated 12th Dec. 1713.

Vol. 4. Correspondence between Prior and Lord Bolingbroke. Prior's letters are from Paris, 1712 to 7th Aug. 1714.

4th Sept. 24th Aug.

Bolingbroke's letters (about 40 leaves), are from 27th Aug. 1712 to 31st May 1713.

Then follow copies of letters from Bolingbroke to M. de Torcy (about 25 leaves): the first is dated 2nd Oct. 1711, the last 19th Aug. 1714.

Bolingbroke addresses Prior as "Dear Mat," and his letters are in a familiar strain.

From these letters and volumes were printed the Bolingbroke Correspondence, 4 vols. 8vo., Lond., 1798.

Sir Thomas Hare was absent from home when I

* Printed in "Historical Notices and Records of the village and "parish of Fincham, in the County of Norfolk;" by the Rev. William Blyth, M.A, 8vo. King's Lynn, 1863,

visited Stow, but the Rev. Mr. Blencowe, the rector of Stow, who has made a laborious catalogue of the greater part of the contents of the muniment room, very kindly invited me to stay at his house and gave me his valuable assistance; obligations which it gives me great pleasure to acknowledge. ALFRED J. HORWOOD.

THE MANUSCRIPTS OF SIR CHARLES ISHAM, BART., OF LAMPORT HALL, CO. NORTHAMPTON.

The principal manuscripts are a large folio, containing Year Books of the reign of Edw. III., giving reports of law cases in the Court of Common Pleas, at Westminster; and reports of law cases before the Justices in Eyre, in the Counties of Northampton, Nottingham, and Derby, in the same reign-many valuable volumes of heraldic and genealogical matter, including Visitations of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire (temp. Elizabeth) by Hervey; Leicestershire (temp. James I.), by Sampson Lennard and A. Vincent; Northamptonshire (temp. Elizabeth), by Lee; Buckinghamshire (temp. Charles I.); Northamptonshire (temp. Charles II.); and original letters and collections by Gregory King, Rouge Dragon (temp. Charles II.) :- -a copy of a Register of the Abbey of Tewkesbury:-a fifteenth century Spanish roll, giving a short account of the discoveries of Columbus-letters to Dudley Carleton from Venice (temp. James I.)-letters by Sir W. Dugdale, and letters by Brian Duppa, Bishop of Winchester (temp. Charles II.).

A large thick folio, vellum, 14th century, containing Reports, in the Law French of the time, of Cases at Westminster, and before the Justices in Eyre, as follow:

7 Edw. III. Easter Term.-Begins (imperfectly) with the case "William de Weston porta son Quare Impedit." The reports in this term are followed by the cases in Trinity and Michaelmas Terms in the same year.

8 Edw. III.-Reports for the four Terms.

9, 10, and 11 Edw. III.—Reports for the four terms in each of these years.

12 Edw. III.-Reports for Hilary Term and part of Easter Term.

20 and 21 Edw. III.-Reports for the four terms in each of these years.

Iter Northampton, die Lune proxima post festum Omnium Sanctorum anno regni regis Edw. III. post conquestum tercio. Begins En primes ensembles totz les Justices e les genz des countez. (31 fos.)

Iter Notyngham, coram Willelmo de Herle et sociis suis, anno regni regis Edw. III. secundo. Begins Le primer jour del Eyre. (11 fos.)

Iter Derbye, coram Willelmo de Herle et sociis suis anno regni regis Edw. Begins Peres de Querndon

se pleynt qe Willem atte Broke (a case of replevin). (11 fos.)

5 Edw. III. Trinity Term (imperfect).—Begins Un bref de garde fut porte vers un Johan Scot. (4 fos.)

6 and 7 Edw. III.-Reports for the four Terms in each

of these

years.

Folio, paper, 17th century.-Extracts from Quo Warranto proceedings at Northampton before Geoffrey le Scrop. 3 Edw. III. (330 fos.) A small Index is at the end.

Folio, paper.-Placita Assisarum coram Johanne de Colpeper, &c., in Com. Hereford, Essex, Kanc, Sussex et Surrey. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 Hen. IV. (96 fos.)

Folio, paper.-Placita de Banco coram J. de Metingham, 25, 26, 27 and 28 Edw. I.-These are extracts from Plea Rolls.

Folio, paper.-Extracts from Fines, 2 and 3 Hen. III. 1632.-One large page of paper, containing account of prosecution and witnesses, abbreviated from Examinations, taken 6th February, by Sir John Isham and others in proceedings against Joan Cradock.

HERALDRY AND GENEALOGY. Large folio.-Arms in alphabetical order. 25 coats in a page.

Folio, paper-Copy of Visitation of Berkshire made in 1566 by William Harvey, Clarencieux; transcribed and augmented by William Smith, alias Rouge Dragon, 1600.. (95 pp.)

Folio, paper, temp. James I.-A Baronage with Arms, from the time of Edgar Atheling. Arms, blazon, and

creations.

Folio, paper, with the name of Peter le Neve, 1691.-The volume contains descents and arms, many for Bedfordshire and some for London. It is seemingly a Visitation.

Thick folio, by Brooke, alias York Herald, 1598.-Arms and pedigrees.

Thin folio (68 pp.).-Visitation for Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, per Wm. Hervey, Clarencieux, 1566; and for other counties. With Index.

Folio.-Visitation of Leicestershire by Sampson Lennard, Bluemantle, and Augustine Vincent, Rouge Rose, 1619 Copied from a book wrote by J. Middleton, 1677, by John Halford. (336 leaves and Index.) This volume has only pedigrees; no arms.

Folio. Northamptonshire Visitation, 1574, &c.-The first is by Richard Lee, Portcullis, Marshal to Clarencieux. And another Visitation, temp. James I.-The volume has Indices.

Folio, 17th century.-Arms and descents of Irish Peers. Folio.-Buckinghamshire Visitation, 1634, preceded by Epitaphs and Arms copied from various Churches.-Inside is written" Abram White, ejus liber, 1678.”

Folio.-Original pedigrees, and some letters by Charles Morgan, dated "near Carleon," to Gregory King, Rouge Dragon, at Herald's Office. This is a very thick volume of pedigrees, letters, and memoranda; evidently the papers of Gregory King. The pedigree of Thynne begins with John Thynne, who married Sir Thomas Gresham's daughter.

Folio.-Visitation of Northamptonshire, 1681 and 1682. With Index.

Folio.-Bedfordshire pedigrees, c. 1600.
Folio.-Staffordshire pedigrees. (108 pp.)
Three other volumes of pedigrees.

A 4to. volume, paper, 17th century.-Abuses committed by Painters, and others, to the prejudice of the Officers of Arms-by William Smith, Rouge Dragon.-Dedicated to Lord Burghley. (19 fos.) The text begins First touching preferment.-On a flyleaf is the inscription "Liber Petri le Neve alias Norroy, A.D. 1794.

A 4to. volume, 34 leaves.-Registrum de Theokesburie secundum originale examinatum. Begins Uxor vero Haywardi Meawe nomine Algivu.

Cap. 2. His igitur ordinatis.

Cap. 3. Willelmus Comes Glovernie dedit magnam

cartam Theokesburie.

Ends with the death of Isabella Despenser. It contains some curious pen-and-ink drawings of persons and arms. (Fol. 30 is absent.)

Fol. 34 ends with the words " 'Suffragia ceterarumque contemplativa."

Folio. Extracts and Collections for the History of Northamptonshire. Part is seemingly by Norden.

Six or seven original early Bulls by the Pope to the Priors of Northampton-within-the-Walls, and of the Monastery of Barding of the order of St. Benedict, and in favour of the Abbot and Convent of Osolinston.

Folio, paper, 1574, 1578, &c.-Paynes for Langport and Sculdwell.

Orders and Pains at St. Gregory's Court at Towcester. 41 Eliz.

A 4to. volume, paper, 17th century. This is a short Chronicle of events connected with the city of Worcester. At the beginning is a pen-and-ink drawing of Thomas Vaulx, of the city of Worcester, Armes painter and student in heraldry, A.D. 1677 (who was the composer of the volume).

It contains "A list of high-bailiffs and low-bailiffs of "Worcester from 9 Hen. VI; of Mayors since the 19 "James I.; and other remarkable things worthy your "observation, collected by Thomas Vaulx:-dedicated to "the Mayor, Aldermen, &c., of Worcester."-Arms of Worcester; situation of Worcester; by whom the Cathedral was built; names of parish Churches; the battle of Tewkesbury; Queen Elizabeth's visit in 1575; the Spanish Armada; the Gowrie Conspiracy; the Powder Plot;* fall of a house in Blackfriars; Dr. Lambe's murder; Touchet, Earl of Castlehaven; the Earl of Strafford; the surrender of Worcester; Charles the Second's visit to Worcester; siege of Worcester by Cromwell; Boscobel; Mistress Jane Lane; the Restoration; the great plague and fire. (46 pp.) The years are in the margin.

Folio, paper, 16th century.-Copy of the Prohemium and Statutes of Thomas Rotheram for the College of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all Saints of Lincoln in the University of Oxford, 1479. In ten chapters: the second is De tribus officiariis; the tenth is De ecclesiis Collegio nostro appropriatis.

Copy Book (A.D. 1589) of R. Edmondson, containing moral sentences.

A Copy Book, vellum, temp. Eliz., with the Initials P. C.

In the margin is part of the ballad-

"I pray you remember the 5th of November,

It was a develish plot;

I see no reason," &c,

A book of Copies, containing 13 several kinds of handes written by James Davies, for his kinde friend and loving Scholar, Mr. John Hampden, anno 1610. Written on vellum, about 3 inches by 10.

Inventory of the Goods and Chattels of Leonard Barker, Mercer of London, 1551.

Inventory of the goods of Gregory Isham (16th century).

A large 4to. volume, vellum, 1564.- Conference of weightes, bolyon, and values of the silver money of England, written on the occasion of the Commission by Her Majesty to the Lord Treasurer, &c., for enquiry into matters of Exchequer.-Begins with Division of weights. (30 leaves of which four are additions.)

4to. 1628.-The danger wherein the kingdom now standeth, and the remedye. Begins As soon as the House of Austria. (This is by Sir R. Cotton :-it was printed in 4to. in 1628.)

4to. Leycester's Commonwealth. (An attack upon Dudley, Earl of Leicester: printed more than once.)

Parallel between Devereux, late Earl of Essex, and George Villiers, late Duke of Buckingham. Begins Amongst those histories. (This is by Sir Henry Wotton, and has been printed.)

Folio, temp. Charles I.-Thomas Keymer's Observations to His Majesty, touching trade and commerce.

Propositions of the King of Great Britain, touching the marriage of the Prince and the Infanta :-the Pope's replies, &c.

Relazione della Corte d' Inghilterra del eccellentissimo Pietro Mocenigo, Ambasciador ordinario. (Temp. Charles II.) Begins La corona Britannica tessuta con li travagli. (This was written in 1671, and is printed among the Relazioni d'Inghilterra in the series edited by Sigg. Barozzi and Berchet; 8vo, Venice, 1863.)

A roll of vellum, in three parts, several feet long and about seven inches broad, written in the early part of the 16th century. It contains an account in Spanish of the discoveries of Christopher Columbus, a Genoese, in 1492.— The second section begins En la isla española ay mucho oro. The roll ends with a section about Astrologers.

A duodecimo volume, paper, c. 1600, contains extracts from the poems of Richard Barnfeld and other poets. (11 leaves.)

Among the contents are The Shepherd's Confession (in prose).

The well-known verses beginning

"My prime of youth is but a frost of care," are here given as anonymous.-It is followed by a reply (also in 18 leaves) beginning

A poem to the Rt. Honble. Sir John Spenser, &c., begins

"Led by the swifte reporte of winged fame."

A few other poems.-At the end of the volume is written the name of Rd. Barnfeld.

Folio, paper, 17th century.-Translation into French of King James's Basilicon Doron, by Servin. (Servin was apparently educated at St. Andrew's.) The volume is bound in white vellum, stamped all over with gilt fleurde-lis.

A circular letter about Free-Warren (similar to the printed one noticed in Lord Wrottesley's Collection), temp. Car. I.

Numerous Copies of Poems, chiefly of the last century. Among them is a ballad (upwards of 100 lines) against the Duke of Buckingham, beginning

"Hast thou returned again with all thy faults?" Copy of proceedings in the Earl of Essex's trial. Petitions and King's speeches, &c., tempp. James I. and Charles I.

LETTERS, &C.

1623 and 1624.-Letters from Daniel Nye (at Venice) to Dudley Carleton (at the Hague), of the dates of Dec. 22 and 29, and Jan. 16, 1623, and May 3 and 24, and Jan. 24, 1624.

1623 and 1624.-Letters from Pietro Contarini and Geo. Francesco Trivisani.

1623.- Four letters from Antonio Antonini (at Venice). 1623 and 1624.-Letters from Michael Branthwaite (at Venice) about a dozen.

1623. Twenty letters from Anthony Hales (at Turin), Foreign news,

1640, May 8.-Receipt for 101., and 107. from Justinian Isham, as gifts towards the new buildings at Christ's College, Cambridge.

A bundle (Commonwealth times) of notes of payments by, and receipts and protections to Sir J. Isham.

Account of what Sir Jno. Isham paid to the Parliament. The total was 1,2027.

1642, March 30.-" Charles R." Royal sign manual to an application to Sir John Isham for a loan of 500l. to the King.

1644, July 5.-"Dear Sir,-It is our duty to sympa"thize." Mentions his recent great victory where he commanded the left wing. Tells the person addressed that God had taken away his eldest son by a cannon shot. "Your brother, Oliver Cromwell." (Copied from the original in the possession of Mr. Langton, of Welbeck Street.)

1658, Sept. 4.-Henry Lawrence, President to announces the death of Oliver:-that he had declared Richard his Successor :-Orders the proclamation of Richard.

1657, Oct. 22. London.-William Dugdale to Sir Justinian Isham.-News that a troop of horse is sent to Yorkshire for the Duke of Buckingham, in order to his confinement in the Isle of Gersey, but Lord Fairfax has, upon his honour, denied his being there. From that, taking his word, they did not search his house. Hears for certain that Lord Fairfax is coming up to mediate for his new son-in-law; some think he will prevail, some not. Rumours of defeat of the English abroad by the Prince of Condé and the Duke of York.

Another letter by Dugdale of a similar kind.

1660, &c.-A bundle of letters by Brian Duppa, Bishop of Salisbury, and afterwards of Winchester, to Sir Justinian Isham. They contain political news.

In one he tells that his house had been searched, and some MSS. had been taken, viz., A treatise on the passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea, and a Reply to Lord Bruce's question, Whether souls joined to bodies at the resurrection know each other.

In another (Dec. 5) he says, that yesterday he had news of the death of Selden, and that he did not know how he had disposed of jewells and treasures lately left to him; would inquire after his books.

In one, dated July 8, he mentions the death of Dr. Harvey. Of Mayern, who died about the age.of 80, he says that his diet was more than liberal; that Listers was not abstemious, but was in bounds, and died aged about 87; that Harvey would fast two days together.

1660, Aug. 27.-He says that last week the King made him a Bishop of Winchester.-Mentions the Primate's (Usher) Chronology; the author said if ever he did anything satisfactory, that was it.

The above notes mention the principal manuscripts at Lamport Hall; but a few other letters and papers were left unexamined, by reason of another appointment for the Commission.

I beg to acknowledge the kind reception given to me by Sir Charles Isham.

ALFRED J. HORWOOD.

VOLUME BELONGING TO SIR RAINALD KNIGHTLEY, Bart. Some years ago this volume, preserved in the library at Fawsley Park, was seen by the late Mr. John Bruce, who reported upon it in the following terms:

"The present volume contains three journals of Parliamentary proceedings in the reign of Charles I. with several illustrative papers. The latter are important but well known, and most if not all of them in print.

The journals are,

I. A complete one of what passed in the House of Commons during the whole of the first Parliament, from its meeting on 18th June 1625 to its dissolution at Oxford on the following 12th August.

II. A Journal of the opening of the Short Parliament
on 20th April 1640.

III. The like of the Long Parliament 3rd to 5th
November 1640.

The first of these is entire and valuable. The second and third are mere fragments, and of little importance.

With respect to the first, it contains notes taken de die in diem by a Member of the House. From the handwriting, which is that of a transcriber, from various mistakes, and from blanks in it, I deem it to be a copy.

That the original notes were taken by a member seems clear from the language throughout, and especially from such entries as the following:

p. 18.

66

Query what was done the 29th June, when I was out of the House about framing the petition.' p. 29. Query what was done in my absence, being in a Sub-Committee with the Lords for amendment of the Petition according to the particulars agreed.

"Somewhat late in the afternoon I found the House not risen," &c.

The petition here alluded to was that of religion, and from that circumstance, and from the fulness of the Entries relating to the case of Montague, afterwards Bishop of Chichester, I conclude that the writer was a person known in the House to be interested in the religious questions of the day and probably on the puritan side. I have not observed anything which indicates his name, but I daresay it might be inferred from careful consideration of the whole MS.

The MS. is new to me. There are probably other copies of it in existence, but I do not remember to have seen one, nor have I seen elsewhere a good deal of the information which it contains. The printed Journal of this Parliament is meagre and incomplete, and there is a blank in it from the 22nd June to the 4th July. That blank is in great part supplied in the present MS. In other parts of this MS. it also gives particulars which lead to a knowledge of the feeling and temper of the House, and states facts which are not I believe to be found elsewhere.

I have not had time to compare the MS. with others in the British Museum and elsewhere, but I could probably do so a few months hence. In the meantime I return the MS. with a recommendation that it should be carefully preserved, and that the question of its real character and authorship should be further investigated. It may turn out to be of considerable value.

Of the MSS. mentioned in the Catalogue, written on the fly-leaf of the present Volume, several are well known, others are so briefly described that they cannot be identified with certainty. Nos. 6 and 7 are probably printed in D’Ewes and Townsend. No. 19 seems to be another Journal of the Parliament of 1st. Car. I. Possibly the original from which the MSS. in the present volume was copied. Nos.17, 20 and 21, all relate to the important Parliament of 1628; No. 22, may be important, but it is impossible to form any opinion without inspection.”

The following is the catalogue referred to above:"A catalogue of manuscripts in my possession.

1. Speciall rights and priviledges belonging to ye Barronage of England, beinge a booke in folio bound up in leather.

2. His Majesties answer to ye Apologeticke petition of ye House of Commons, being a booke in folio, bound up in leather. [Perhaps the answer to the apology presented to James I. in 1604.]

3. A breife survey of ye means by which ye Ks. of England have raised money of ye subject. A booke in folio bound up in vellum.

4. The suddaine and evill digested opinions of some touchinge an agreement offered betwene Engl. and Spaine. In folio bound up in vellum.

5. A book in folio begininge with an epistle of Henry Howard to ye Queens most excellent Majesty, bound up

in vellum,

6. A journal of Parliament 35 of Q. Eliz., in folio, bound up in vellum.

7. A journal of Parliam., 43 of Q. Eliz., in folio, bound up in leather, gilt.

8. Observations politicall and civill, in folio, stitched up in paper.

9. Extracts of Records wherein may bee collected w wayes ye Ks. of England may raise moneys, in folio, stitched paper.

10. That the Ks. of England have usually consulted with ye peeres in ye greet Councell and Commons in Parliament of mariage, peace, and warr, in folio, stitched paper.

11. Ye Argument of Nicolas Fuller in Parliament, in folio, stitched paper. [? Argument on impositions, June 16, 1610.]

12. Whether ye K. may impose upon wares transported and imported, in folio, stitched paper.

13. A booke in quarto, bound up in vellum, conteininge severall titles, wherof the first is Accusations.

14. Against impositions. An Argument, 8 Jac., in Parliament, in folio, stitched up in parchement.

15. The Collections of St John Eliott's speech in parliament, 3 Juni 1628.

16. Ye humble petition of ye Commons offerd to ye consideration of ye Lords.

17. A book in folio, bound up in vellum, concerninge passages in Parliament, 3 Caroli, begininge with ye King's speech, March 17, 1627.

18. Justice Crook, his argument of Mr. Hampden's case, in folio, stitched in paper.

19. A Journall, primo Caroli, in folio, bound up in leather.

20 ac 21. Two journalls of 1628, beeinge both ye same, in folio, stitched paper.

22. A booke bound up in leather, conteininge many passages from parliaments from ye yeare 1623 untill

1628.

My own examination of the MS. journal of the Parliament of 1625, which it is now proposed to print for the Camden Society, is such as to confirm Mr. Bruce's view of its importance in every respect. No doubt the publication of large extracts of Eliot's Negotium Posterorum, by Mr. Forster, as I imagine, since Mr Bruce's remarks were written, has anticipated some of the information contained in this MS.; but even now there is matter enough in it which will add on some most important points to our stock of knowledge, besides giving us the advantage of a second report of speeches hitherto known.

SAMUEL R. GARDINER.

THE MANUSCRIPTS OF SIR JOHN LAWSON, BART., of
BROUGH HALL, CO. YORK.

The principal manuscripts are a beautiful volume containing the life of St. Cuthbert; a very early York Manual; a Brut Chronicle of very late transcription; and original letters by the Young Pretender and the Earl of Perth in 1745. There are also some papers showing how vexatiously penal laws once pressed upon Catholics.

Life of St. Cuthbert: a small 4to, vellum, written about A.D. 1200; forty fine paintings (by British artists) heightened with gold, each occupying a page.

Begins (2 b.) Liber Sancti Cuthberti. Domino ac beatissimo patri Eadfrido episcopo.

4a. Incipit Epistola Bede presbiteri venerabilis ad Johannem presbiterum.

Quo anno sanctus Cuthbertus ordinatus est, et quantum amabatur et venerabatur ab antiquis.§

Begins - Anno dominice incarationis sexcentesimo lxxxv. ordinatus est beatus pater Cuthbertus. (5 leaves.) Ends-per predictum archiepiscopum Hagustaldensem ecclesiam ingreditur.

(It would be well to collate this volume, to see exactly from what sources the contents have been gathered.)

York Manual. MS., the oldest known. (This I did not see, as it had been lent by Sir J. Lawson to one of his friends.)

A Latin Psalter. 12mo, vellum, 15th century. The Psalter is followed by the Litany and other prayers, and closes with a prayer in time of pestilence. Before the Calendar are these verses,

"In Marche after pe firste

Loke the prime where pat it be

The pridde Sunday evermo

Is estrñ day bou so hit go.

3if pe prime on the Sunday be,

Telle hym first for oon of the pree."

Nota, quod in mense Marcio post primam C. literam requires primam post communionem, et tercia dominica semper erit pascha. Et si prima illa contigerit die dominica numerabis illam dominicam pro una de tribus. There is a Paschal table from 1430 to 1616.

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On a fly-leaf is written, "Dominus Robertus Blakeney hujus libri est pocessor." Robert Blakeney was the last Prior of Tynemouth. The MS. seems to have been written at Wymundham Abbey, co. Norfolk.

Hora (in French), vellum. On the binding are the arms of France, with a label of three points; and the initials A. M. in a circle. The text is adorned with borders and full-page pictures.

Semaine Sainte. A printed volume of the last century, but noticeable as having been used by the unfortunate Louis XVI. It was presented by the Abbess of Scorton to the Lawsons.

The Brut Chronicle. Folio, paper, 17th century. (183 pp.) It seems to be of the ordinary type, beginning, Sometime in the noble land of Surrey. Ends with the 243d chapter, of the Siege of Rouen (nearly 4 pp. of small writing); the last words are, "helpe themselves "in the best manner that they might."

1591, June 1.-Recognizance, with a condition avoiding it, if the person bound attended the church services. Folio, paper, 17th century. Declaration of all the Antient Memorials, Rites, and Customs belonging or being in the Monastical Church of Durham before the Suppression. (This has been printed.)

1

Begins-First in the front or highest part of the church. (122 pp.) Ends with dates. Copied in 1656. Life of Dorothy Lawson, paper, 17th century. This lady was the second daughter of Sir Henry Constable, and married Roger Lawson, 39 Eliz. From this MS. her biography was printed at Newcastle in 1855.

1686.-Printed service for touching for the King's Evil, as used by King Henry VII. The rubrics are in English, the text in Latin. (A paper on this subject is in the vol. for 1871 of the Archæological Institute; and the subject is treated of in Dr. Pettigrew's book on Medical Superstitions.)

1746.-Copy of the last words written by the Earl of Derwentwater in the Tower of London.

1696, April 8.-Durham.-License, under the hands and seals of Robert Ellison, Jo. Gordon, mayor, Geo. Morland, and Jo. Sedgwick, for Thomas Maire, of the city of Durham, gentleman, being a popish recusant convict, with his servant John Jopling also a papist, who by lawes and statutes are restrained from travelling above five miles from their place of abode. Maire had informed them, four of His Majesty's justices of the peace, that he had occasion to travel into the county of Oxford to court a young lady in order to a marriage, and had taken an oath that this was the true cause. They give license for him and his servant to go to Oxford, and to be absent for three months, and then he is to return to Durham.

At the foot, "In the absence of the Lord Lieutenant, "I, one of the Deputy Lieutenants, do allow the license. -Ralph Carr, 8 April 1696. Sworn before me, Jo. Sedgwick."

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The gentleman was rapid in his travelling and successful in his courtship, for with the above license is the following:

1696, June 11.-Council Chamber at Whitehall.License under the hands of J. [Earl of] Bridgewater and the Earls of Stamford, Scarborough, and Romney, and countersigned by Cha. Montagu; for Thomas Mair, Esq. and his wife with four servants to go from Tesmore in Oxfordshire to his house in the county of Durham, February last. (The seal of the Council is affixed.) notwithstanding the late proclamation of the 25th of

Mr. Mair was a respectable person, for he kept his carriage; but he could not safely use it, or cultivate his arable land without the following license :—

1705, May 31.-Council letter (sealed), signed by the Earls of Pembroke, Bradford, and Scarborough, and Lord Coningsby and J. Holt, and countersigned by James Vernon; permitting Thomas Maire at Lartington, co. York, to keep six horses for his coach and husbandry purposes, and three breeding mares with their colts, and three saddle horses; and that they were not to be seized as horses of papists or reputed papists 'till further order.