1480 COLOGNE. Conrad Winters de Homborch.
JACOBUS DE VORAGINE. Legenda Aurea.
Quarto.
B.M. p. 248 (IB. 4043).
1481 NUREMBERG. Anton Koberger
NICOLAUS DE LYRA. Postillae super
Biblia cum additionibus Pauli
Burgensis. Folio.
Hain *10369. B.M. p. 419 (IC 898).
[1482, after July end] WESTMINTSER. Wm. Caxton.
HIGDEN, Ranulphus. Polychronicon.
Folio.
Blades 46. De Ricci no. 19, copy 38.
Imperfect at beginning and end.
[1483] [ST. ALBANS. Schoolmaster printer.]
ANDREAE, Antonius. Scriptum super
logica. Quarto.
Imperfect copies at Jesus College,
Cambridge, and Wadham College,
Oxford.
[About 1483-85.] LONDON. Wilhelmus de Machlinia.
ALBERTUS MAGNUS. Liber aggregationis
seu De virtutibus herbarum. Quarto.
Proctor 9770.
[1485?] LOUVAIN. Johannes de Westphalia.
[ROLEWINCK, Werner]. De Regimine
Rusticorum. Quarto.
Campbell *1480. Proctor 9274.
1487 VENICE. Georgius de Arrivabenis.
Biblia Latina. Quarto.
Hain *3099. Proctor 4912.
1490 STRASSBURG. [Printer of Jordanus de
Quedlinburg].
Modus legendi abbreuiaturas in
utroque iure, etc. Folio. Hain
11485. B.M. p. 140 (IB. 2030).
1491 MAINZ. Jacobus Meydenbach.
Hortus Sanitatis. Folio.
Hain *8944. B.M. p. 44 (IB. 343).
Imperfect, wanting seven leaves at
the end.
1492 PARIS. Antoine Caillaut.
GUILLERMUS PARISIENSIS. Super septem
sacramentis. Quarto.
?Hain 8313. Not described.
1493 NUREMBERG. Anton Koberger.
SCHEDEL, Hartmann. Liber Cronicarum.
Folio.
Hain *14508. B.M. p. 437 (1C. 7451).
1494 NUREMBERG. Anton Koberger.
DURANTI, Guilelmus. Rationale
diuinorum officiorum. Quarto.
Hain *6497. B.M. p. 439 (IB. 7478).
1494 NUREMBERG. Anton Koberger.
HEROLT, Joannes. Sermones de tempore
et de sanctis. Folio.
Hain *8504. B.M. p. 440 (IB. 7485).
1494 STRASSBURG. [Martin Flach].
MARCHESINUS, Joannes. Mammotrectus
super Bibliam. Quarto.
Hain *10573. B.M. p. 153 (IA. 2184).
1495 PARIS. Jean Petit.
Postilles des dimenches et des festes
de lanee. Quarto.
Not described.
[1495?] VENICE. Bernardus Benalius.
TERTULLIANUS. Apologeticus aduersus
Gentes. Folio. Hain 15443. Proctor
4899.
[About 1495] [FRANCE?]
BURLEY, Walter. De vita et moribus
philosophorum. Quarto.
Copinger 1387. Copy in University
Library, Cambridge.
1496 NUREMBERG. Anton Koberger.
GREGORY IX. Decretales cum
summariis. Folio.
Hain *8034. B.M. p. 442 (IB. 7519).
1496 VENICE. Baptista de Tortis.
GREGORY IX. Decretales cum
summariis. Folio.
Hain *8035. Proctor 4656.
1497 BOLOGNA. Benedictus Hectoris Faelli.
PICO DELLA MIRANDOLA (Giov. Fran.).
De morte Christi, etc. Quarto.
Hain *13002. Proctor 6634.
1497 LONDON. Richard Pynson.
Expositio Hymnorum secundum usum
Sarum.
Expositio Sequentiarum secundum usum
Sarum. Quarto.
Other copies known are at the
Bodleian Library and St. John's
College, Oxford.
1497 NUREMBERG. Anton Koberger.
Biblia Latina cum postillis Nicolai
de Lyra et additionibus Pauli
Burgensis. Folio.
A complete copy has four parts. This
contains only the first and about
half of the second. Wrongly lettered
1481.
Hain *3171. B.M. p. 443 (IB. 7535).
1497 VENICE. Simon Bevilaqua.
LACTANTIUS. De diuinis
institutionibus, etc. Folio.
Hain *9818. Proctor 5401.
1497 VENICE. Bonetus Locatellus for
Octavianus Scotus.
GUAINERIUS, Antonius. Practica.
Folio.
Hain *8099. Proctor 5076.
1498 etc. BASEL. Johann Froben & Johann Petri.
Biblia Latina cum glosa ordinaria et
expositione Nicolai de Lyra. Folio.
Hain *3172. B.M. p. 791 (IB. 37895).
Imperfect, wanting parts 3, 5 and 6.
1499 VENICE. Simon de Luere for Andreas
Torresanus.
BARTHOLOMAEUS MONTAGNANA. Consilia
medica. Folio.
Proctor 5622.
1499 STRASSBURG. Johannes Gruninger.
SIBYLLA, Bartholomaeus. Speculum
peregrinarum quaestionum. Quarto.
Hain *14720. B.M. p. 113 (IA. 1486).
1500 VENICE. Johann Emerich for L. A.
Giunta.
JOANNES FRANCISCUS BRIXIANUS.
Quattuor viuendi regulae. Quarto.
Hain *13827. Proctor 5504.
In addition to the foregoing early printed books the Library includes
examples from the English presses of Wynkyn de Worde, Julian Notary,
Peter Treveris, Thomas Berthelet, Richard Grafton, John Day, Richard
Tottell, Christopher Barker, Robert Barker, John Norton (celebrated for
his magnificent edition of St. Chrysostom's Works in 8 vols., printed at
Eton, 1610-1612--a copy of which is in the Library--which T. B. Reed
described as "one of the most splendid examples of Greek printing in this
country"), Thomas Roycroft, etc. Continental typography is also
represented by specimens from many presses, including those of Jean du
Pre, Jodocus Badius Ascensius (Josse Bade of Asch), the Estiennes, the
Elzevirs, Christopher Plantin, John Koberger, H. Petrus, Peter Perna,
etc.
Coming to early Norwich printed books there are unfortunately no examples
of the rare works from the first Norwich press set up about 1566 by
Anthony de Solemne or Solempne, whose first extant printed work is dated
1570, and whose last is dated 1579. The Library, however, possesses an
example from the press established by Francis Burges, who in 1701 styled
himself "the first printer in Norwich." It is a copy of Erasmus Warren's
"A Rule for Shewing Mercy," printed by F. Burges, and "sold by the widow
Oliver, Bookseller in Norwich, 1706." When Burges died in 1706 his
business was carried on by his widow, and the 1706 catalogue of the City
Library (see page 47) "Printed by Eliz. Burges, near the Red-Well," is a
specimen from her establishment. The press of Freeman Collins is
represented by Dean Prideaux's "The Original and Right of Tithes,"
printed in 1710. The second catalogue of the City Library, printed in
1732, (see page 48) was printed by "William Chase, in the Cockey Lane,"
who founded the _Norwich Mercury_.
A perusal of the 1883 catalogue will shew that the Library had indeed "no
inconsiderable Collection of Divinity Book[s], for that time especially,"
as was said by Brett in his Catalogue of 1706, and repeated by Mackerell.
There are sixteen printed Bibles and five New Testaments in the Library,
including the second and fourth of the great Polyglots, the Plantin
edition (1572) and Brian Walton's (1655-57), and the following English
versions: Matthew's Bible (1549), The Great Bible (1553), and the first
edition of the Geneva version (1560). It is curious that there should be
no copy of any edition of the Bishops' Bible.
Most of the principal Fathers are represented by some of their writings.
Of the ante-Nicene Fathers there are writings by Justin Martyr, Irenaeus,
Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen and Cyprian, and of the
post-Nicene Fathers there are writings by Eusebius of Caesarea, Hilary of
Poitiers, Athanasius, Basil, Cyril of Jerusalem, Ambrose, Epiphanius,
Chrysostom, Augustine, Cyril of Alexandria, Gregory the Great, and John
of Damascus.
The literature of the theological controversies which raged in the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and the writings of the principal
theologians of those centuries are fairly well represented in the
Library.
Belonging to the period of the Revival of Learning are Hugh Latimer's
"Frutefull Sermons" (1575) Cranmer's "Defence of the True and Catholike
doctrine of the sacrament of the body and bloud of our Savior Christ"
(London: R. Wolfe, 1550), Thomas Becon's Works (London: various dates),
and others. The theological literature of the Elizabethan period is
represented by such works as the "Ecclesiastical Polity" (London, 1622)
by Richard Hooker--that great champion of Anglicanism--and some of the
published writings of the famous controversy between Bishop Jewel and the
Roman Catholic Thomas Harding.
The works of Dutch scholars of the first half of the seventeenth century,
when Dutch scholarship was the ripest in Europe, are represented by five
works of G. J. Vossius (a German by birth), including his valuable
"Historia Pelagiana" (Leyden, 1618), three works of Daniel Heinsius, and
five works of Hugo Grotius, the great Dutch jurist and theologian. The
latter include an edition of "De Jure Belli ac Pads" (Amsterdam, 1667),
which was translated into the principal European languages, and "De
veritate religionis Christiana" (Paris, 1640), a popular treatise which
became for a time the classical manual of apologetics in Protestant
colleges.
The "Annales Ecclesiastici" of the Italian Cardinal, Caesar Baronius--of
which the Library has an edition in twelve volumes, (Cologne, 1609)--a
work characterized by great learning and research, greatly stimulated
Protestant study no less than it provoked criticism. Its most important
critic was Isaac Casaubon, who issued a fragment of the massive criticism
which he contemplated, "Exercitationes in Baronium." The Library has a
copy of the edition printed in Frankfort, 1615.
The Jacobean period was "The Golden Age of the English Pulpit," the
period when sermons were extremely popular, and discharged, with the
playhouse, some of the functions of the modern newspaper. At this time
Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, who was eminent in the
capacities of prelate, preacher, and writer, was generally regarded as
the very "stella praedicantium." Of his published sermons the Library
now possesses "XCVI Sermons," 3rd ed. (London, 1635), and "Nineteen
Sermons concerning Prayer" (Cambridge, 1641). The most erudite of
theologians in this erudite time was James Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh,
described by Selden as "learned to a miracle." Of his works the Library
contains eight, including his "Annales Veteris et Novi Testamenti"
(London, 1650), which is regarded as his most important production, and
his "Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates" (London, 1687).
Joseph Hall, Bishop and satirist, who took an active part in the Arminian
and Calvinistic controversy in the English Church, is of particular
interest to Norwich, of which he became Bishop in 1641. In the Library
are his "Works" (London, 1647), "Resolutions and Decisions of Cases of
Divers Practicall Cases of Conscience" (London, 1649) and "Remaining
Works" (London, 1660). Just before he came to Norwich he wrote "An
Humble Remonstrance to the High Court of Parliament" (1640), in which he
skilfully vindicated liturgies and episcopacy. This provoked an answer
by "Smectymnuus," the pseudonym of five puritan divines, the initials of
whose names made up the word. This "Answer" (2nd ed., London, 1654), a
subsequent "Vindication" in reply to the Bishop's "Defence" (London,
1641), and Milton's "Apology for Smectymnuus" (London, 1642) are all in
the Library.
An important theologian in the Caroline period was Jeremy Taylor, whose
works are only represented by "The Great Exemplar of Sanctity" (London,
1667), "Ductor Dubitantium" (London, 1696), which is still the chief
English treatise on casuistry, and "A Collection of Polemical and Moral
Discourses" (London, 1657). The Library contains two editions of the
works (1683 and 1716) of Isaac Barrow, whom Charles II. described as "the
best scholar in England." Other eminent writers of this period
represented in the Library are Thomas Fuller, Richard Baxter, William
Chillingworth, Henry Hammond, who has been called "the Father of English
Biblical Criticism," Robert Sanderson, Bishop of Lincoln, John Gauden,
Bishop of Worcester, and Bishop Pearson, a Norfolk man, whose famous
"Exposition of the Creed" (the Library has a copy of the 3rd edition,
1669), is a masterpiece of the doctrinal exposition of the time.
The theological writers of the Augustan age are also fairly represented
in the Library. For example, there are three works by Gilbert Burnet,
Bishop of Salisbury, including a copy of his "Exposition of the
Thirty-Nine Articles" (London, 1700), which was for more than a century
as famous as Pearson's "Exposition of the Creed," and his "History of the
Reformation," 2 vols. (London, 1681-83); the works (6 volumes, London,
1710) of Edward Stillingfleet, called because of his personal beauty and
piety "the beauty of holiness"; the works (6th edition, London, 1710) and
"Sermons" of John Tillotson, who rose to be Archbishop of Canterbury as
much through the pulpit as through politics; the "Opera Omnia" of George
Bull (London, 1703), and others.
Works of history, antiquities and travel form the class which is next in
importance and extent to the theological works. In proportion to the
size and character of the Library, the selection in this class is
moderately good. Most of the chief or popular English historians from
Matthew Paris to Strype and Dugdale are represented by some of their
works. There are, for example, Fabyan's Chronicle (London, 1559), Hall's
"Union of the . . . famelies of Lancastre and Yorke" (London, 1550),
Grafton's Chronicle (1569), Holinshed's Chronicles, first and second
editions (1577 and 1587), Stow's "Annales" (1615), Speed's "Theatre of
the Empire of Great Britaine" (1611), Camden's "Remains concerning
Britain" (1657), "History of Queen Elizabeth" (in "A Complete History of
England," London, 1706), "Annals of King James I.", and "Britannia",
(1695), Sir Thomas Smith's "Commonwealth of England" (1633), Foxe's
"Ecclesiasticall Historie" (1597), Sir Walter Raleigh's "History of the
World" (1676), {35} Rushworth's "Historical Collections" (1659), Bacon's
"Life of Henry VII." (in "A Complete History of England," London, 1706),
Herbert's "King Henry VIII." (in "A Complete History of England," London,
1706), Heylyn's "Cosmographie" (1669), Clarendon's "History of the
Rebellion" (odd vols. of the 1706 edition), Bulstrode Whitelocke's
"Memorials of the English affairs" (1682), Burnet's "History of the
Reformation" (1681-83), Strype's "Annals of the Reformation" (1709),
Dugdale's "Monasticon Anglicanum" (odd vols.), and his "Antiquities of
Warwickshire" (1730), and Anthony a Wood's "Athenae Oxonienses"
(1691-92).
Other historical and geographical works are Munster's "Cosmographiae
Universalis" (Basel, 1559), the first detailed, scientific and popular
description of the world; Foresti's "Supplementum Supplementi
Chronicarum" (Venice, 1506), a universal history written by an Italian
monk and historian; Lonicerus' "Chronicorum Turcicorum in quibus Turcorum
origo" etc. (Frankfort, 1578); and Braun and Hogenberg's "Civitates Orbis
Terrarum" (Cologne, 1577-88), containing the earliest general collection
of topographical views of the chief cities of the world, including one of
Norwich.
The Rev. Joseph Brett in 1706 pointed out that the Library possessed
"very few Humanity Books, few or none of Law, Physick, Mathematicks, or
indeed of any science but Divinity," and it never became strong in these
subjects. It is weak in the ancient classics, but the following are some
of the authors represented: Aristotle, Cicero, Cornelius Nepos, Diogenes
Laertius, Euclid, Eutropius, Juvenal, Livy, Lucan, Plato, Pliny,
Plutarch, Seneca, Suetonius, and Tacitus. In English belles-lettres the
chief works are Chaucer's Works (London, 1721), Abraham Cowley's Works
(1668), Michael Drayton's "Poly-Olbion" (1613), Gower's "Confessio
Amantis" (London, 1554), and George Herbert's "The Temple and other
Sacred Poems" (1633).
The outstanding scientific works are Sir Isaac Newton's "Opticks" (1704),
Burnet's "Theory of the Earth" (1691), The Grete Herball (London: Peter
Treveris, 1526), Walter Charleton's "Physiologia
Epicuro-Gassendo-Charltoniana" (London, 1654) and his "OEconomia
Animalis" (London, 1659), J. B. Duhamel's "Elementa astronomica"
(Cambridge, 1665), Galileo's "Systeme of the World," transl. by T.
Salusbury (London, 1661), Gassendi's "Institutio astronomica" (London,
1653), Johannes de Sacro Bosco's "Opus sphericum" (Cologne, 1508),
Munster's "Rudimenta mathematica" (Basel, 1551), "Hortus Sanitatis"
(Mainz, 1491), vol. 3 of John Ray's "Historia Plantarum" (London, 1704),
and Thomas Willis' "Cerebri anatome" (London, 1664).
The bias of local patriotism is declared by Mr. Havelock Ellis in his
"Study of British Genius" to be "an unfailing sign of intellectual
ill-breeding," notwithstanding which no apology is herein made for
drawing special attention to the fact that the Library includes some of
the writings of more than a score of authors--most of whom achieved some
eminence--who are connected with Norfolk or Norwich, either by birth or
residence. Taking the names in alphabetical order, the first of the
Norfolk men whose writings are represented is Thomas Becon or Beacon, who
took orders in 1538, and preached in Norfolk and Suffolk. The edition of
his "Works," is that printed by John Day [? 1560-64], containing a tract
on "The Common-places of Holy Scripture," dedicated "To my deare
countrymen and faythfull Ministers of Iesu Christ watching and attending
upon the Lordes flocke in the Parishes of Norfolke and Suffolke," dated
1562. Francis Blomefield's "History of the Ancient City and Burgh of
Thetford," printed at the author's residence at Fersfield in 1739,
contains a book-plate, apparently printed by the author, stating that the
book was presented to the City Library. Samuel Clarke, who was born at
Norwich in 1675, became chaplain to Bishop Moore of Norwich, and
afterwards rector of Drayton, is represented by his "Scripture-Doctrine
of the Trinity," 1712, and his Boyle lectures of 1704 and 1705, viz.,
"Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God," 1705, and "Discourse
concerning the unchangeable obligations of Natural Religion," 1706. Of
the works of the great Sir Edward Coke, judge and law writer, who came of
an old Norfolk family, there are the "First Part of the Institutes of the
Lawes of England," 1629, and "Les Reports de Edward Coke . . . donnes . . .
per les judges, et sages de la ley," 11 vols. The "Scholastic History
of the Canon of the Holy Scripture" (London, 1684) is the only volume of
the works of John Cosin, Bishop of Durham, who was born at Norwich in
1594. In the preparation of this, his most elaborate and important work,
he injured his eyesight. Thornhagh Gurdon, a receiver-general for
Norfolk, who is included in Mr. Walter Rye's "Norfolk Families," and who
resided mostly at Norwich, presented a copy of the first edition of his
"History of the High Court of Parliament" (London, 1731). The only work
of Hamon Le Strange, a Norfolk historian and theologian, is "The Alliance
of Divine Offices" (London, 1690), in the preface of which he speaks of
having undergone an eight years' sequestration, apparently between
1643-1651. John Pearson, Bishop of Chester, whose "Exposition of the
Creed" has already been referred to, was born at Great Snoring on 28th
Feb., 1612/3.
Again taking the names in alphabetical order, the first author who is
connected with the county by residence is Edward Boys, who became rector
of Mautby in 1639, where he died in 1667. Of his publications the
Library contains "Sixteen Sermons preached upon several occasions"
(London, 1672). William Bridge, whose "Works" (London, 1649) are in the
Library, was born at Cambridge, became rector of St. Peter Hungate,
Norwich, in 1636, and afterwards settled at Yarmouth. John Collinges, a
Presbyterian, who came to Norwich in 1646, published controversial and
devotional tracts and sermons. He is only represented by "A Short
Discourse against Transubstantiation" (London, 1675), and "On the
Intercourse of Divine Love" (1676), but the Local Collection of the
Public Library contains many of his writings. "The Notion of Schism"
(London, 1676) is the work of another parson who came to Norfolk, Robert
Connould, rector of Bergh Apton. John Graile, rector of Blickling, whom
Blomefield referred to as "This learned and pious pastor," presented to
the Library his "Youth's Grand Concern" (London, 1711) and "Sacra
Privata" (London, 1699). Reference has already been made to the works of
Bishop Hall (see p. 33). There are two volumes, "The Open Door for Man's
approach to God" (London, 1650) and "A Consideration of Infant Baptism"
(London, 1653), by John Horne, who was beneficed at All Hallows, King's
Lynn. John Jeffery, who was elected to the living of St. Peter Mancroft,
Norwich, in 1678, and became Archdeacon of Norwich in 1694, is
represented by "Select Discourses" (London, 1710), "Complete Collection
of Sermons and Tracts," 2 vols. (London, 1753), and "Forms of Prayer"
(1706). Dr. Peter de Laune, a minister of the French Church in Norwich
during the early years of the seventeenth century, presented to the
Library a copy of his translation of the English Prayer Book into French,
entitled "La Liturgie Angloise; ou, le livre des prieres publiques"
(London: John Bill, 1616). His name is not printed in the book, but the
copy in the Library bears on the title-page the following inscription
which was probably written by him: "Liber bibliothecae publicae
Nordouicensis ex dono doctoris Petri Launaei quo authore Anglicanae haec
ecclesiae liturgia facta est Gallicana." {38} This book is the first
French edition of the English Prayer Book entered in the Catalogue of the
British Museum. Francis Mason's "Vindiciae Ecclesiae Anglicanae," is the
work of an Archdeacon of Norfolk, who is remembered for his vigorous
defence of the authority of the church, which earned for him the title of
"Vindex Ecclesiae Anglicanae." Another preacher with the memorable title
"Apostle of Norwich," procured by a great reputation, was John More,
minister of St. Andrew's Church, Norwich, whose posthumous work "Table
from the Beginning of the World to this Day" (Cambridge, 1593) is in the
Library. "An Explanation of the Epistle of St. Jude" (London, 1633) is a
series of sermons preached in the parish church of North Walsham by
Samuel Otes, rector of South Repps, Norfolk, who was chaplain to the Lord
Chief Justice Hobart. Reference has already been made to the works of
Humphrey Prideaux, Dean of Norwich. Anthony Sparrow, Bishop of Norwich,
who was born in Suffolk, published "Rationale upon the Book of Common
Prayer" (London, 1661), which was often reprinted and is still of some
value, and a companion volume "Collection of Articles, Canons," etc.
(London, 1684). Last but not least to be mentioned is the "Increpatio
Barjesu" (London, 1660) of Matthew Wren, who was successively Bishop of
Hereford, Norwich and Ely. It is a volume of polemical interpretations
of Scripture, in reply to the Racovian catechism--a copy of which was in
the Library--written during the author's imprisonment in the Tower, and
edited by his son Matthew.
Many of the books have autographs of their former owners, and some have
inscriptions and annotations. Edward Lhuyd's "Archaeologica Britannica"
contains some notes made by George Borrow, who also wrote an English
translation of some Arabic in Thomas Erpenius' "Grammatica Arabica." The
second folio of the "Golden Legend" (1503) bears the signature of Thomas
Kirkpatrick, and the first fly-leaf has the following inscription: "This
book was given to the Publick Library of the City of Norwich, A.D. 1728,
by Mr. Thomas Kirkpatrick, merchant there, and was bound at the expence
of Isaac Preston, Esq., 1742, that it might the better be preserv'd being
an Authentick & antient Evidence of the extravagant Foppery and
Superstition of the Church of Rome, & of the necessity of the
Reformation. Vide the Commandments page ye 20th in the life of Moses."
An interesting request from Archbishop Wake for the loan of a Prayer
Book, which was not returned, is recorded in the Minute Book under date
February 2nd, 1718/9: "This day a Book wch has for some years been lodged
in ye Library of ye City entituled--The Book of Common-prayer &
Administration of ye Sacraments & other Rights & Ceremonies of the Church
of England, printed at London by Robert Barker, 1632--Wherein are several
Marginal Notes in Writing done by ye order of King Charles ye first was
delivered to Mr Brand of this city Clerke to be by Him transmitted to the
Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He having requested the said Book might be sent
to Him." A memorandum against this entry reads: "The order of the Court
dated Jan. 28, 1718, and enter'd in this book was alter'd May ye ninth
1719, and ye Common prayer book there nam'd deliver'd by Mr. Mott yn
Mayor to Dr. John Clark to be by Him sent to ye A: Bp: of Canterbury."
The Dean of Christ Church, Oxford (the Very Rev. Thomas B. Strong, D.D.),
after receiving a copy of the foregoing quotation, examined the Prayer
Books in the Wake Collection at Christ Church, and found one which
answers to the description. He has kindly consented to the publication
of the following quotation from his correspondence thereon: "I took the
book to the Bodleian Library yesterday; and Dr. Craster (the
Sub-Librarian), who is an expert in these matters, has verified the facts
for me. The book is a quarto book, 'printed by Robert Barker, Printer to
the King's Most Excellent Majesty and by the assignees of John Bull,
1632.' There are no marks of any kind in the book except the mark K11 (I
suppose a shelf-mark {40}) on the inside of the cover. It is bound in
limp vellum. A blank sheet of paper has been cut out in front of the
title-page. On the page opposite the beginning of the Morning Prayer,
and under the Ornaments Rubric, there is the signature of Charles I.
Under the signature is the following note, in a clear and formal hand,
which Dr. Craster has proved to be the handwriting of Archbishop Laud's
secretary:--
'I gave the Arcbbp. of Canterburye comand to make the Alterations
expressed in this Booke, and to fitt a Liturgy for the Church of
Scotland. And whersoever they shall differ from another Booke signed
by Us at Hampt. Court September 28, 1634, Our pleasure is to have
these followed rather than the former, unless the Archbp. of St.
Andrews, and his Brethren who are upon the place, shall see apparent
reason to the contrary. At Whitehall Apr. 19, 1636.'
The same hand has made various alterations in the book; and has written
the collect for Easter Even, which appeared first in the Scottish
Prayer-Book of 1637, in its place. The remaining notes and alterations
are in the hand of Archbishop Laud. The 1637 edition of the Scottish
Prayer-Book follows exactly, as far as I have been able to verify them,
all the notes in the book. One note is perhaps worth mentioning. In the
Quicunque, the verse, 'He therefore that will be saved must thus think of
the Trinity,' is altered as follows: 'He therefore that would be saved,
let him thus think'; and this alteration appears in the 1637 book."
A fair number of the books are still in their original bindings or have
been so rebound that their original covers have been preserved. Of these
most are ornamented in "blind," i.e., impressed with tools or panel
stamps without being gilt or coloured, but a few have centre-pieces in
gold. A few examples may be noted. In the early Tudor period panel
stamps with heraldic or pictorial designs were frequently used by English
and foreign binders practising their craft in England. A number of
English binders adorned their books with a pair of large heraldic panel
stamps, the different binders making slight variations in the designs. A
fairly good example of a binding stamped with two such panels is that of
a copy of "Anticella cum quamplurimis tractatibus superadditis," (Venice,
1507) in the Library, which has had its original covers repaired and laid
down again. The lower cover shows the arms of Henry VIII. (France and
England) supported by two angels; the upper cover has a large Tudor rose
surrounded by two ribbons, supported by two angels, and bearing the
distich:
Hec rosa virtutis de celo missa sereno
Eternum Florens regia sceptra feret
which has been rendered:
Virtue's a rose, which born of heaven's clear ray
Shall ever flourish and bear kingly sway.
In the upper left-hand corner of the panel is the cross of St. George on
an escutcheon, and in the right-hand corner the arms of the city of
London, indicating that the binder was a citizen. Underneath the rose is
the mark of the London binder, G.G., who was one of the noteworthy
binders to use these panel stamps at the beginning of the sixteenth
century.
Several of the bindings are adorned with rectangular panels formed by
fillets and bands, the enclosed space being divided, after the German
system, into lozenge-shaped compartments. Two such examples are the
following. The first is the binding of "Cathena aurea super Psalmos ex
dictis sanctorum" (Paris: Jehan Petit, 1520). The rectangular frame is
formed by vertical and horizontal three-line fillets, and adorned with a
roll-stamp representing a hound, a falcon, and a bee, amid sprays of
foliage and flowers. Above the hound is the binder's mark composed of
the letters I.R, i.e., John Reynes, a notable London binder of the
earlier part of the 16th century. The enclosed panel is divided by
three-line fillets, forming four lozenge-shaped and eight triangular
compartments stamped with a foliated ornament. The second example is the
binding of an edition in Latin of Plato's Works, printed by Jodocus
Badius Ascensius in 1518. The rectangular frame is formed by parallel
vertical and horizontal fillets intersecting each other at right-angles,
and adorned with a roll-stamp representing a portcullis, a pomegranate, a
griffin, a Tudor rose, a hound, and a crown. The enclosed panel is
divided by diagonal three-line fillets forming four lozenge-shaped and
eight triangular compartments, stamped with foliated ornaments. The
Library now contains about 2,000 volumes.