Two large donations of MSS. were received during this year; the one from
the Dean and Chapter of Windsor (in imitation of their brethren of
Exeter), of 159 volumes, chiefly theological; and the other of a large
collection of scientific treatises, chiefly astronomical and medical,
about 120 in number, from Thomas Twine, M.D., of Lewes.
The agreement that was entered into by the Stationers' Company in 1610
having probably been found in some degree inoperative from the absence
of any penalty upon non-fulfilment, the Company at the commencement of
this year passed the following ordinance, which made it obligatory on
every one of their members to forward their books to the Library. It is
here printed (for the first time) from the original, preserved in the
University Archives, marked A. 27[57].
'_Vicesimo octavo Januarii 1611 nono regni regis Jacobi, at
Stacõners Hall, in Ave Mary Lane in London. Present, the Masters,
Wardens, and Assistants of the Company of Stacõners._
'Forasmuch as this Companye out of their zeale to the advancement of
learninge, and at the request of the right worshipfull Sir Thomas
Bodley, Knight, founder of the presente publique library of the
University of Oxford, beinge readye to manifeste their willinge
desires to a worck of so great pietye and benifitt to the generall
state of the Realme, did by their Indenture under their common seale
dated the twelveth daye of December in the eight yeare of his
Maj.^ts raigne of England, Fraunce and Ireland, and the foure and
fortith yere of his raigne of Scotland, for them and their
successors, graunte and confirme vnto the Chauncellor, Maisters, and
Schollers of the Universitie of Oxford, and to their successors for
ever, That of all bookes after that from tyme to tyme to be printed
in the said Company of Stacõners, beinge newe books and coppies
never printed before, or thoughe formerly printed yet newly
augmented or enlarged, there should be freelie given one perfect
Booke of every such booke (in quyers) of the first ympression
thereof, towardes the furnishinge and increase of the said Library;
Nowe therefore, to the intent the said graunte maie take due effect
in the orderlie performance and execucõn thereof, and that so good
and godlie a worck and purpose maie not bee disappointed or defeated
by any meanes, It is ordayned by this Company, that all and every
printer and printers that from tyme to tyme hereafter shall either
for hym- or themselves, or for any other, printe or cause to be
printed any newe booke or coppie never printed before, or although
formerly printed yet newly augmented or enlarged, shall within ten
daies next after the finishinge of the first ympression thereof and
the puttinge of the same to sale, bringe and deliver to the yonger
warden of the said Company of Stacõners for the tyme beinge one
perfect booke thereof to be delivered over by the same Warden to the
recited use to the handes of such person or persons as shalbe
appoincted by the said Chauncellour, Maisters and Schollers for the
tyme beinge to receive the same; And it is alsoe ordayned that every
printer that at any tyme or tymes hereafter shall make default in
performance hereof, shall for every such default forfeite and paie
to the use of this Company treble the value of every booke that he
shall leave undelivered contrarie to this ordenance; Out of the
which forfeiture, upon the levyinge and payment thereof, there
shalbe provided for the use of the said Librarye that booke for the
not delivery whereof the said forfeiture shalbe had and paid. And to
the intent all printers and others of this Company whome it shall
concerne maie take notice of this ordenance, and that any of them
shall not pretend ignorance thereof, It is ordeyned that once in
every yere at some generall assemblie and meetinge of the said
Company upon some of their usuall quarter daies, or some other tyme
in the yere at their discretion, this presente ordinance shalbe
publiquely read in their Hall, as other their ordenances are
accustomed to be read there
'John Haryson
'John Norton, Mr.
'Richard Field } Wardens
'Humphrey Lownes }
'Edward White
'Humfry Hooper
'Simon Waterson
'William Leake
'Robert Barker
'Thomas Mane
'Thomas Dawson
'John Standishe
'Thomas Adames
'John Haryson[58]
'Ri. Collins, Clerk of the Companie.
'Havinge lately byn entreated, as well by the said Sir Thomas
Bodley, Knight, as by the Maister, Wardens, and Assistants of the
foresaid Company of Stacõners, to take some spetiall notice of this
their publique acte and graunte, and (in regard of our beinge of his
Maiestyes highe Comission in ecclesiasticall causes) to testifie
under our handes with what allowance and good likinge we have
thought it meete to be received, Wee doe not onlie as of merrit
comend it to posteritie for a singuler token of the fervent zeale of
that Company to the furtherance of good learninge and for an
exemplarie guift and graunt to the Schollers and Studients of the
Universitye of Oxford, But withall we doe promise by subscribinge
unto it, that if at any tyme hereafter occasion shall require that
we should help to maynteyne the due and perpetuall execucõn of the
same, Wee will be readie to performe it, as farre as either of our
selves thoroughe our present authoritie or by any whatsoeuer our
further endeavours it maie be fitlye procured.
'G. Cant.
'Jo. London
'Jo. Benet
'Tho. Ridley
'Tho. Edwardes
'G. Newmane
'John Spenser
'Richard Moket
'R. Cov. & Lich.
'Jhon Boys
'Char. Fotherbye
'Martin Fotherby
'John Layfeilds
'Jo. Roffens
'George Montaigne (_sic_)
'Rob^t. Abbott
'Henr. Hickman
'John Dix
'Willm. FFerrand.'
[57] For the use of this document the author is indebted to the Keeper
of the Archives, Rev. J. Griffiths, M.A.
[58] Probably the son of the John Haryson who signs above.