CELM: The British Library: Harley Collection, numbers 1000 through 1999

Harley MS 1019

A quarto MS of an anonymous English translation of Donne's work, in a secretary hand, with a title-page ‘Ignatus his Closet Or his late Installinge in the highe Courte of Parlament, summoned by generall consent of the chiefe gouerninge furyes of the deepest hoel...’, 64 leaves, in modern quarter morocco on cloth boards gilt. Early 17th century.

DnJ 4064: John Donne, Conclave Ignati

This MS recorded in Bald, Life, p. 228.

First published in Latin as Conclave Ignati [no place, 1611]. Published in English as Ignatius his Conclave (London, 1611). Hayward, pp. 335-409. Edited by T.S. Healy, S.J. (Oxford, 1969).

Harley MS 1026

A quarto miscellany and memorandum book, in three or more cursive mixed hands, 113 leaves, in modern binding. Compiled, perhaps largely, by ‘Justinian Paget Es[q.] a Lawyer’, whose name is so inscribed on a flyleaf (f. 1*r), a number of the contents relating to the Paget family and also with references (ff. 34v-5v) to ‘my sister Ann Maydwell’. c.1633-1645.

The contents suggest an Inns of Court and possible Christ Church, Oxford, connection.

f. 39r-v

• StW 121: William Strode, An Epitaph on Sir John Walter, Lord cheife Baron (‘Farewell Example, Living Rule farewell’)

Copy, headed ‘On S^r: John Walther the Lord cheife Baron his death’, subscribed ‘W: St.’

First published in Dobell (1907), pp. 73-5. Forey, pp. 130-2.

f. 40r

• CoR 574: Richard Corbett, To his sonne Vincent Corbett (‘What I shall leave thee none can tell’)

Copy, headed ‘To his Sonne Vincent Corbett on his birth-day, Nou .10. 1630. being then 3 yeeres of age’, subscribed ‘B: Oxon:’.

First published in Certain Elegant Poems (London, 1647). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, p. 88.

f. 40v

• CoR 177: Richard Corbett, An Elegie written upon the death of Dr. Ravis Bishop of London (‘When I past Paules, and travell'd in that walke’)

Copy of the last four lines, headed ‘D^r: Corbett, in his last 4 vses on D^r: Rauis B^p: of London, speaking of his want of a monument, sayth’ and here beginning ‘Nor neede the Chauncellour boast, whose Pyramis’.

First published in Certain Elegant Poems (London, 1647). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, pp. 3-4.

f. 40v

• KiH 287: Henry King, An Epitaph on his most honour'd Freind Richard Earle of Dorset (‘Let no profane ignoble foot tread neere’)

Copy of lines 7-16 headed ‘A decade of verse in praise of the L^d of Dorsett, among those on his death, by Ric: Corbett’, here beginning ‘He lou'd men for his honour, not his ends’, and subscribed ‘Ric: Corbett’.

First published, in an abridged version, in Certain Elegant Poems by Dr. Corbet (London, 1647). Poems (1657). Crum, pp. 67-8.

f. 40v

• StW 1023: William Strode, A Sonnet (‘My Love and I for kisses played’)

Copy, subscribed ‘W: Stroud’.

Edited from this MS in Edward F. Rimbault, ‘Queries concerning Poets and Poetry’, N&Q, 1st Ser. 1 (9 March 1850), 302; recorded in Forey, p. 334.

First published in A Banquet of Jests (London, 1633). Dobell, p. 47. Forey, p. 211. The poem also discussed in C.F. Main, ‘Notes on some Poems attributed to William Strode’, PQ, 34 (1955), 444-8 (p. 446-7).

f. 41r

• StW 940: William Strode, Song A Parallel betwixt bowling and preferment (‘Preferment, like a Game at bowles’)

Copy, subscribed ‘W: S:’.

First published in Dobell (1907), pp. 103-4. Forey, pp. 94-5.

Harley MS 1041

MS.

f. 76v

• CmW 180: William Camden, Document(s)

Copy of a grant of arms by Camden, as Clarenceux King of Arms, to Thomas Taylor of Battersea, Surrey, 16 December 1600.

Harley MS 1065

A folio composite volume of antiquarian tracts and papers, in several professional hands, 148 Leaves, in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.

Later owned, and inscribed (f. 1*r) by John Anstis (1669-1744).

ff. 2r-7r

• CtR 255: Sir Robert Cotton, A Discourse Off the Offyce of the Lord Steward of England, Written by S^r Robte Cotton, knight, and Baronnett

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, as ‘written by S^r Robert Cotton, Knight & Baronett’. c.1620s.

Tract beginning ‘For the Clearinge whereof wee will intreate off the name...’. Hearne (1771), II, 1-12.

ff. 8r-11r

• CtR 329: Sir Robert Cotton, Of the steward of the King's household by S^r. Robt Cotton K^t. & Bar^t.

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, subscribed ‘Ro: Cotton:’. c.1620s.

A tract beginning ‘Which office because it was neuer hereditary...’. Unpublished?

ff. 11v-14r

• CmW 38: William Camden, The Antiquity, Authority, and Succession of the High Steward of England

Copy. in a professional secretary hand, headed ‘A Discourse of the office of the off [sec] Lord Steward of England collected by M^r William Camden’, and subscribed ‘Wil: Camden’. c.1620s.

A tract beginning ‘Whom we call in English steward, in Latine is called seneschallus...’. First published in Hearne (1771), II, 38-40.

ff. 14v-16v

• CtR 240: Sir Robert Cotton, A Discourse Of the Offyce of the Lord Highe Connstable of England, written by S^r: Robte Cotton, knight, and Baronett

Copy, in the hand of a professional secretary hand, subscribed ‘Ro: Cotton’. c.1620s.

Tract beginning ‘Yff wee curiouslye will looke the Roote of this question...’. Hearne (1771), II, 65-7.

ff. 17r-22r

• CtR 57: Sir Robert Cotton, The Antiquitye and Offyce of Earle Marshall of England, Written by S^r Robte Cotton, knight, and Baronett

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, as ‘written by S^r Robert Cotton, Knight and Baronett’, and subscribed ‘Ro: Cotton’. c.1620s.

Tract beginning ‘The plentye of this discourse, the last question of Highe Connstables, whereto...’. Hearne (1771), II, 97-103.

ff. 22v-4v

• CtR 222: Sir Robert Cotton, A Discourse Of the Antiquitye, and Offyce of the Earle Marshall of England, written by S^r Robte Cotton, knight, Att the request of the Lord Henrye Howard, Earle of Northampton [25 November 1602]

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, as ‘written by Sir Robert Cotton Knight’ and subscribed ‘Ro: Cotton’. c.1620s.

A dedicatory epistle beginning ‘Sir, Yo^r small tyme, I must Ballance, w^th as sclend^r Aunswere...’ followed by a tract beginning ‘Because the Jurisdiction att the Comon Lawe was vncertayne...’.

ff. 34r-41r

• CmW 28: William Camden, The Antiquity and Office of the Earl Marshall of England

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, unascribed.

A tract beginning ‘Such is the vncertainety of etimologyes...’ and sometimes entitled in manuscripts ‘The Etymology, Antiquity and Office of the Earl Marshall of England’. First published, as ‘Commentarius de etymologia, antiquitate, & officio Comitis Marescalli Angliae’, in Camdeni epistolae (London, 1691), Appendix, pp. 87-93. Hearne (1771), II, 90-7.

Harley MS 1069

A folio volume of genealogical and heraldic collections, predominantly in one hand, 114 leaves (plus blanks), in moderm half-morocco. Early 17th century.

f. 8v

• CmW 181: William Camden, Document(s)

Copy of a confirmation of arms to ‘Harborne’ by Camden as Clarenceux King of Arms and by William Segar, Norroy King of Arms, 1615.

Harley MS 1107

A folio volume of heraldic papers, in several hands, 92 leaves, in panelled mottled calf (rebacked). Compiled by, or for, William Penson (d.1637), claimant Chester Herald and Lancaster Herald. c.1620s.

f. 10v

• DaJ 141: Sir John Davies, An Epitaph (‘Here lieth Kitt Craker, the kinge of good fellowes’)

Copy, in a professional mixed hand, headed ‘Another’ [i.e. Epitaph], here beginning ‘Here lyeth John Croker maker of Belhouse’.

This MS recorded in Osborn.

A version, ascribed to John Hoskyns, first published in William Camden, Remaines (London, 1605). Krueger, p. 303. Edited in The Life, Letters, and Writings of John Hoskyns 1566-1638, ed. Louise Brown Osborn (New Haven & London, 1937), p. 170.

f. 10v

• DaJ 227: Sir John Davies, An other Epitaph: of one who died with the Maple Buttons (‘Heere lieth Dick Dobson iwrapped in molde’)

Copy, in a professional mixed hand, headed ‘An other on the Cooke of Christchurch Oxon’ and here beginning ‘Here lyes Dic Dobson delued in Moulde’.

First published in William Camden, Remaines (London, 1637), p. 412. Krueger, p. 304.

f. 11r

• HoJ 199: John Hoskyns, Of the B. of London (‘I was the first that made Christendom see’)

Copy, in a professional mixed hand, headed ‘An other in Fletcheru’.

Osborn, No. XIX (p. 189).

f. 92v

• RaW 212: Sir Walter Ralegh, On the Cardes, and Dice (‘Beefore the sixt day of the next new year’)

Copy, in a predominantly italic hand, untitled.

This MS recorded in Latham, p. 139.

First published as ‘A Prognostication upon Cards and Dice’ in Poems of Lord Pembroke and Sir Benjamin Ruddier (London, 1660). Latham, p. 48. Rudick, Nos 50A and 50B, pp. 123-4 (two versions, as ‘Sir Walter Rawleighs prophecy of cards, and Dice at Christmas’ and ‘On the Cardes and dice’ respectively).

Harley MS 1201

Copy, in a secretary hand (varying in style), with an index in another hand, unascribed, 39 quarto leaves, in old calf gilt (rebacked). Early 17th century.

BcF 754: Francis Bacon, The Use of the Law

A discourse beginning ‘The use of the Law consisteth principally in these two things...’. Spedding, VII, 459-504 (and discussed pp. 302, 453-7). Probably by Sir Robert Forster (1589-1663), judge.

Harley MS 1218

A folio composite volume of political tracts, in several hands, 326 leaves, in contemporary calf gilt. Early 18th century.

ff. 2r-8r

• ClE 61: Edward Hyde, First Earl of Clarendon, Articles of High Treason and other hainous misdemeanours ag^st Edward, Earle of Clarendon, Lord Chancellor, exhibited by Earl of Bristol, 10 July 1663

Copy, followed (ff. 8v-18v) by related parliamentary debates.

ff. 19r-31r

• ClE 109: Edward Hyde, First Earl of Clarendon, Impeachment Proceedings against Clarendon in 1667

Copy.

Articles of Treason exhibited in Parliament against Clarendon, 14 November 1667 published in London, 1667. The Proceedings in the House of Commons touching the Impeachment of Clarendon 1667 published in London, 1700.

Harley MS 1219

A folio composite volume of state papers and parliamentary speeches, in various professional hands, 442 leaves, in mottled leather gilt.

ff. 263r-5v

• RuB 30: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, c.22 March 1627/8

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed ‘S^r Beniamyn Riddiards speech 22^o Marcij 1627’. c.1630s.

Speech beginning ‘Of the mischiefs that have lately fallen upon us by the late distractions here is every man sensible...’.

Harley MS 1220

A folio composite volume of state tracts and papers, in various professional hands, 248 leaves, in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.

ff. 53r-62v

• WoH 301.5: Sir Henry Wotton, The State of Christendom

A brief synopsis, in a cursive mixed hand, headed ‘The Author of the State of Christendome supposed to be Sir Hen Wotton in the sixteenth and following pages...’. Mid-17th century.

A lengthy treatise, beginning ‘After that I had lived many years in voluntary exile and banishment...’. First published in London, 1657. Wotton's authorship is not certain.

ff. 134r-268v

• HrJ 330: Sir John Harington, A Supplie or Addicion to the Catalogue of Bishops, to y^e Yeare 1608

Copy, in two hands: ff. 169r-248v in an early 17th century secretary hand; ff. 134r-68v in a later professional secretary hand, c.1620s, probably replacing a lost portion of the earlier copy; with a title-page (f. 134r), the inscription ‘by S^r John Harrington written for the service of Prince Henry and Printed in smal octavo 16<blank>’ added in a later hand.

This MS discussed and some previously unpublished portions of the text printed from it in Miller.

First published, as A Briefe View of the State of the Church of England, edited by John Chetwind (London, 1653). Edited by R.H. Miller (Potomac, 1979).

Harley MS 1221

A folio composite volume of state and miscellaneous tracts and papers, in various hands, in modern red morocco gilt.

f. 70r

• DaJ 186: Sir John Davies, On the Deputy of Ireland his child (‘As carefull mothers doe to sleeping lay’)

Copy, headed ‘In Juvenem abortiua morte peremptu’ and here beginning ‘As carefull nurses in theire beds doe lay’.

First published in William Camden, Remaines (London, 1637), p. 411. Krueger, p. 303.

f. 70v

• BrW 202: William Browne of Tavistock, On the Countess Dowager of Pembroke (‘Underneath this sable herse’)

Copy, headed ‘Lady Pembrookes Epitath’.

First published in William Camden, Remaines (London, 1623), p. 340. Brydges (1815), p. 5. Goodwin, II, 294. Browne's authorship supported in C.F. Main, ‘Two Items in the Jonson Apocrypha’, N&Q, 199 (June 1954), 243-5.

f. 71r

• HrG 290.5: George Herbert, On the death of Mr. Barker of Hammon, and his wife who dyed both together (‘Here lye two Bodyes happy in their kinds’)

Copy, untitled and unascribed.

This MS recorded in Doelman.

A twelve-line epitaph. First published in Baird W. Whitlock, ‘The Authorship of the Couplet on Sir Albertus Morton and His Wife’, N&Q, 226 (December 1981), 523-4, where (through a misreading of ‘G. H.’ in HrG 290.6 as ‘J. H.’) it is attributed to John Hoskins. Edited and attributed to George Herbert in James Doelman, ‘Herbert's couplet?’, TLS, 19 February 2010, p. 15.

For lines 5-6, beginning ‘The first deceased. He for a little try'd’, a couplet which in various forms circulated independently for many years and has traditionally, though uncertainly, been associated with Sir Henry Wotton, see WoH 175-198.

f. 71v

• HoJ 306: John Hoskyns, ‘He that hath heard a princes Secrecy’

Copy, untitled.

Osborn, p. 302.

f. 74r

• RaW 366: Sir Walter Ralegh, Epitaph on the Earl of Salisbury (‘Here lies Hobinall, our Pastor while ere’)

Copy, untitled and here beginning ‘Heere Hobbinoll lyes our Shepeheard whilere’.

First published in Francis Osborne, Traditionall Memoyres on the raigne of King Iames (London, 1658). Works (1829), VIII, 735-6. Latham, p. 53.

Of doubtful authorship according to Latham, p. 146, and Lefranc (1968), p. 84.

f. 75v

• CoR 404: Richard Corbett, A New-Yeares Gift To my Lorde Duke of Buckingham (‘When I can pay my Parents, or my King’)

Copy, headed ‘The Deane of Christs Church to marques Buckingham’ and subscribed ‘Christs church this present newyeares day 1621’.

This MS recorded (and erroneously described as ‘a holograph’) in J.E.V. Crofts, ‘A Life of Bishop Corbett 1582-1635’, E&S, 10 (1924), 61-96 (p. 81); recorded in Bennett & Trevor-Roper, p. 143.

First published in Poëtica Stromata ([no place], 1648). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, pp. 71-2.

f. 76r

• CoR 266: Richard Corbett, In Quendam Anniversariorum Scriptorem (‘Even soe dead Hector thrice was triumph'd on’)

Copy, headed ‘Ad authorem de anniuersarijs eisdem siue anmadversarijs, siue adversarijs In Henricum principem’.

First published in Certain Elegant Poems (London, 1647). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, pp. 8-9.

The poem is usually followed in MSS by Dr Daniel Price's ‘Answer’ (‘So to dead Hector boyes may doe disgrace’), and see also CoR 227-46.

ff. 76v-7r

• HoJ 282: John Hoskyns, Jacobo Magnæ Britanniæ Regi Maximo, Clementissimo (‘Jam mihi bis centum fluxere in carcere noctes’)

Copy, headed ‘John Hoskins Newyeares gift to the Kings Ma^tie:’.

This MS cited in Osborn.

Osborn, No. XXXII (pp. 203-4).

f. 77r-v

• HoJ 210: John Hoskyns, The same in English (‘An hundred nights twice told are come & gone’)

Copy.

Edited from this MS in Osborn.

Osborn, No. XXXIII (pp. 205-6). Whitlock, pp. 483-4.

ff. 78r-9r

• BmF 36: Francis Beaumont, An Elegy on the Death of the Virtuous Lady, Elizabeth Countess of Rutland (‘I may forget to eat, to drink, to sleep’)

Copy, untitled.

First published in Sir Thomas Overbury, A Wife, 11th impression (London, 1622). Dyce, XI, 507-11.

ff. 79v-80r

• BmF 7: Francis Beaumont, Ad Comitissam Rutlandiae (‘Madam, so may my verses pleasing be’)

Copy, untitled.

First published, as ‘An Elegie by F. B.’, in Certain Elegies, Done by Sundrie Excellent Wits (London, 1618). Dyce XI, 505-7.

f. 80v

• HoJ 220: John Hoskyns, S^r Fra: Bacon. L: Verulam. Vicount S^t Albons (‘Lord Verulam is very lame, the gout of go-out feeling’)

Copy, untitled, here beginning ‘Great verulam is very lame, the goute of go-feeling’, and subscribed ‘ffranciscan Martir’.

Osborn, No. XXXIX (p. 210). Whitlock, pp. 558-9.

f. 91r

• RaW 400: Sir Walter Ralegh, ‘ICUR, good Mounser Carr’

Copy, in a predominantly secretary hand. c.1620s.

Edited from this MS in John Wardroper, Love and Drollery (London, 1969), p. 268, and in Joshua Eckhardt, Manuscript Verse Collectors and the Politics of Anti-Courtly Love Poetry (Oxford, 2009), p. 182.

First published in Love-Poems and Humourous Ones, ed. Frederick J. Furnivall, The Ballad Society (Hertford, 1874; reprinted in New York, 1977), p. 20. Listed but not printed in Latham, p. 174. Rudick, No. 48, p. 121 (as ‘Sir Walter Raleigh to the Lord Carr’).

f. 94r

• BcF 457: Francis Bacon, Bacon's Humble Submissions and Supplications

Copy of Bacon's supplication on 12 March 1620/1, in a secretary hand.

The Humble Submissions and Supplications Bacon sent to the House of Lords, on 19 March 1620/1 (beginning ‘I humbly pray your Lordships all to make a favourable and true construction of my absence...’); 22 April 1621 (beginning ‘It may please your Lordships, I shall humbly crave at your Lordships' hands a benign interpretation...’); and 30 April 1621 (beginning ‘Upon advised consideration of the charge, descending into mine own conscience...’), written at the time of his indictment for corruption. Spedding, XIV, 215-16, 242-5, 252-62.

ff. 94v-6r

• RaW 886: Sir Walter Ralegh, Letter(s)

Copy of two letters by Ralegh, to Sir Robert Carr and to Lady Ralegh. c.1620s.

f. 102r-v

• HrG 318: George Herbert, Lucus, XXV. Roma. Anagr. (‘Roma, tuum nomen quam non pertransijt Oram’)

Copy, in an italic hand. c.1620s.

The text followed by an English version beginning ‘Rome, Thou that cal'st thyselfe a queene a whore’. This MS not recorded in Hutchinson.

An untitled eight-line poem on the visit of Frederick, the Elector Palatine, to the University of Cambridge. First published in James Duport, Ecclesiastes Solomonis (Cambridge, 1662). Hutchinson, p. 416. McCloskey & Murphy, with a translation, pp. 102-3.

ff. 104-5

• BcF 703: Francis Bacon, An Essay of a King

Copy. c.1620s.

Essay, beginning ‘A king is a mortal god on earth...’. Spedding, VI, 595-7 (discussed pp. 592-4).

f. 110r

• WoH 205: Sir Henry Wotton, Upon the Sudden Restraint of the Earl of Somerset then falling from favour (‘Dazzled thus with the height of place’)

Copy, untitled, the English text set out flanked by a different Latin version on each side.

This MS collated in Pebworth, p. 161 seq. The text accompanied by two Latin versions.

First published in Reliquiae Wottonianae (London, 1651), p. 522. Hannah (1845), pp. 25-7. Some texts of this poem discussed in Ted-Larry Pebworth, ‘Sir Henry Wotton's “Dazel'd Thus, with Height of Place” and the Appropriation of Political Poetry in the Earlier Seventeenth Century’, PBSA, 71 (1977), 151-69.

Harley MS 1222

A folio composite volume of tracts and speeches, in various professional hands, 224 leaves, in modern hald crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.

ff. 1r-23r

• DaJ 230: Sir John Davies, Charge to the Jurors of the Grand Inquest at York [in 1619]

Copy.

This MS recorded in Grosart.

Charge beginning ‘You my Masters that are sworn, I am to direct my Speech principally unto you...’. First published (from a MS owned by A. Cooper Ramgard, Barrister) in Grosart, III (1876), 243-81.

Harley MS 1243

A folio composite volume of state papers and parliamentary journals, over 500 leaves.

ff. 129r-43v

• HaG 57: George Savile, First Marquess of Halifax, Some Cautions offered to the Consideration of those who are to choose Members to serve in the ensuing Parliament

Copy, in a professional hand, with a few corrections in other hands, on 15 folio leaves. c.1690s.

This MS collated in Brown, I, 404-6. Recorded in Brown, HLQ (1972), p. 153.

First published, anonymously, in London, 1695. Foxcroft, II, 466-88. Brown, I, 315-41.

Harley MS 1302

A folio volume of tracts, 131 leaves, in leather.

ff. 67r-131v

• MrT 81: Sir Thomas More, Ro. Ba.'s Life of Sir Thomas More

Copy, in a cursive secretary hand, lacking the dedicatory epistles.

This MS collated in Hitchcock & Hallett and briefly described, p. xiv.

A life of More written in 1599, possibly by Robert Basset (1574-1641), of Devon, a zealous Catholic and kinsman of More: see Andrew Breeze, ‘Sir Robert Basset and The Life of Syr Thomas More’, N&Q, 249 (September 2004), 263. The work first published in Christopher Wordsworth, Ecclesiastical History, vol. II (London, 1839). Edited, as The Lyfe of Syr Thomas More Sometymes Lord Chancellor of England, by Elsie Vaughan Hitchcock and P.E. Hallett (EETS, London, 1950).

Harley MS 1305

A folio volume comprising two tracts, in a single cursive secretary hand, 27 leaves, in modern speckled calf. c.1620s.

ff. 24r-7v

• RaW 1107: Sir Walter Ralegh, The Present Stat of Thinges as they now Stand betweene the three great Kingedomes, Fraunce, England, and Spaine

Copy, headed ‘A Discourse upon mariage to bi made between y^e three kingdomes of ffrance, Spain & great Britany’.

A tract beginning ‘These three great kingdoms as they now stand are to be compared to the election of a king of Poland...’. First published in Lefranc (1968), pp. 590-5, and discussed pp. 586-90. The attribution to Ralegh subsequently doubted by Professor Lefranc (private communication). If the tract dates from 1623, as appears in one MS, it could not have been weitten by Ralegh.

Harley MS 1323

A folio composite volume of state tracts, 285 leaves, in modern half crushed morocco gilt. In various professional hands, including that of the ‘Feathery Scribe’.

Briefly described in Peter Beal, In Praise of Scribes: Manuscripts and their Makers in Seventeenth-Century England (Oxford, 1998), pp. 242-4 (No. 57).

ff. 43r-56v

• SiP 195: Sir Philip Sidney, A Letter to Queen Elizabeth touching her Marriage with Monsieur

Copy, in the hand of the ‘Feathery Scribe’, with a title-page ‘The Coppye off a Letter wrytten by S^r: Phillipp Sidnye To Queene Elizabeth, Touchinge hir Marryage w^th Mounsieur: &c’.

Edited from this MS in Duncan-Jones & Van Dorsten. Collated in Feuillerat, III, 325 et seq. Beal, In Praise of Scribes, p. 243 (No. 57.4) and p. 277 (No. 16), with facsimiles of ff. 54v-5r on pp. 140-1.

First published in Scrinia Caeciliana: Mysteries of State & Government (London, 1663) and in Cabala: sive Scrinia Sacra (London, 1663). Feuillerat, III, 51-60. Duncan-Jones & Van Dorsten, pp. 46-57.

This work and its textual transmission discussed, with facsimile examples, in Peter Beal, In Praise of Scribes: Manuscripts and their Makers in Seventeenth-Century England (Oxford, 1998), Chapter 4, pp. 109-46 (with most MSS catalogued as Nos 1-37, with comments on their textual tradition, in Appendix IV, pp. 274-80).

ff. 127-37v

• BcF 200: Francis Bacon, Discourse upon the Commission of Bridewell

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, with (f. 127r) a title-page, as ‘written by S^r ffrauncis Knight’ [sic], ‘Bacon’ incorporated in the heading (f. 128r).

Edited from this MS in 32nd Report of the Charity Commission, Part VI (1840), pp. 576-8; and in Spedding, VII, 505-16.

A tract beginning ‘Inter magnalia regni, amongst the greatest and most haughty things of this kingdom...’. First published in Briefe Collections out of Magna Charta (London, 1643) [Wing B4557]. Spedding, VII, 505-16.

ff. 216r-34v

• CtR 16: Sir Robert Cotton, An Answer made by Command of Prince Henry, to Certain Propositions of Warre and Peace

Copy of the second half of the tract, headed ‘Princes: Extremityes, Beyounde: the ease of their people By Reason of Warres &^c’, and here beginning ‘Haveinge thus farre, w^th as light a hand as I could drawe downe...’, the title-page in the hand of the ‘Feathery Scribe’, all the rest in another professional secretary hand.

Beal, In Praise of Scribes, p. 243 (No. 57.8).

A treatise beginning ‘Frames of Policy, as well as works of Nature, are best preserved from the same grounds...’., written in 1609. First published London, 1655. Also published as Warrs with Forregin Princes Dangerous to oyr Common-Wealth: or, reasons for Forreign Wars Answered (London, 1657); as An Answer to such Motives as were offer'd by certain Military-Men to Prince Henry, inciting him to affect Arms more than Peace... (London, 1665); and as A Discourse of Foreign War (London, 1690).

ff. 249r-50r

• LyJ 23: John Lyly, A petitionary letter to Queen Elizabeth

Copy.

Edited from this MS in Feuillerat and in Bond.

Beginning ‘Most Gratious and dread Soveraigne: I dare not pester yo^r Highnes w^th many wordes...’. Written probably in 1598. Bond, I, 64-5. Feuillerat, pp. 556-7.

f. 250r

• LyJ 45: John Lyly, A second petitionary letter to Queen Elizabeth

Copy.

Edited from this MS in Bond.

Beginning ‘Most gratious and dread Soveraigne: Tyme cannott worke my peticons, nor my peticons the tyme...’. Written probably in 1601. Bond, I, 70-1. Feuillerat, pp. 561-2.

Harley MS 1325

Copy, in a professional hand, on 149 folio leaves. c.1640s.

HbT 24: Thomas Hobbes, The Elements of Law, Natural and Politic

This MS recorded in Tönnies.

First published, dedicated to William Cavendish, Earl of Newcastle, in two parts, as Humane Nature: Or, The fundamental Elements of Policie, (London, [1649]-1650), and as De Corpore Politico: or The Elements of Law, Moral and Politick (London, 1650). Molesworth, English, IV, 1-76, 77-228. Edited by Ferdinand Tönnies (London, 1889). 2nd edition, with an introduction by M.M. Goldsmith, (London, 1969).

Harley MS 1327

A folio volume of state letters, tracts, speeches and a parliamentary journal for 1624-25, in possibly several largely secretary hands, one predominating, 77 leaves (plus blanks), in modern quarter crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt. c.1628[-1640].

Notes (f. 55r-v) on the executions of Ralegh, Cuffe and Essex signed ‘W^r Bilmor’ [i.e. Walter Belmor or Belmore], possibly the principal compiler.

Inscribed (f. [ii^r]) ‘Timothy Langley’.

ff. 34r-6r

• RuB 150: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, ?7 November 1640

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed ‘S^r Beniamin Rudijars Speech’.

Speech (variously dated 4, 7, 9 and 10 November 1640) beginning ‘We are here assembled to do God's business and the King's...’. First published in The Speeches of S^r. Benjamin Rudyer in the high Court of Parliament (London, 1641), pp. 1-10. Manning, pp. 159-65.

ff. 53r-5v

• RaW 887: Sir Walter Ralegh, Letter(s)

Copy of a letter by Ralegh, to lord Arundell.

f. 56r-v

• RaW 759: Sir Walter Ralegh, Speech on the Scaffold (29 October 1618)

Copy, headed ‘S^r Walter Raleigh his Speech in Oc^tober 1618 At his death on the Scaffold in the Old Pallace ar westm^r 29^th of October then executed’.

Transcripts of Ralegh's speech have been printed in his Remains (London, 1657). Works (1829), I, 558-64, 691-6. VIII, 775-80, and elsewhere. Copies range from verbatim transcripts to summaries of the speech, they usually form part of an account of Ralegh's execution, they have various headings, and the texts differ considerably. For a relevant discussion, see Anna Beer, ‘Textual Politics: The Execution of Sir Walter Ralegh’, MP, 94/1 (August 1996), 19-38.

f. 60v

• RaW 710.22: Sir Walter Ralegh, Short Apology for his last Actions at Guiana

Copy.

Ralegh's letter of 1618 to his cousin George, Lord Carew of Clopton (beginning ‘Because I know not whether I shall live...’). First published in Judicious and Select Essays (London, 1650). Edwards, II, 375 et seq. Youings, No. 222, pp. 364-8.

Harley MS 1346

A folio copy of seven ‘books’, in a professional predominanyly italic hand, headed ‘Itinerarium Johis Lelandi inceptum A^o D. M^o. D^o. XXXviij^o. 30^o. Henr: viij’, 261 leaves, in mottled calf bearing the name Robert Harley in gilt on each cover. With an index (ff. 254r-61r), in a neat professional italic hand, headed ‘Index hujus voluminis compositus per me Willielmum Dugdale 15^o Iulij. A^o. 1657’. This MS transcribed from LeJ 54 or from one of the transcripts of William Dugdale (1605-86), antiquary and herald (i.e.LeJ 63 or LeJ 64) and possibly made for Dugdale. c.1657.

LeJ 65: John Leland, The Itinerary of John Leland [Dugdale transcript]

This MS recorded in Smith, I, xxix.

Harley MS 1423

A folio composite volume of heraldic and genealogical papers relating to the Scottish nobility, in various hands, 165 leaves, in modern morocco gilt.

A flyleaf (f. 1*r) inscribed ‘Scotlands Nobility & Gentry / Jo: withie’.

ff. 33r-80r

• CmW 153: William Camden, Collectanea

‘A Coppie of boock of Scoths Petdegries taken ut of M^r Wiliam Camden alias Clarinciux King of Armes now in possession of S^r Robert Cotton K^t Ann^o 1627’, in one or more secretary hands, transcribed from CmW 160. c.1620s.

f. 102r-v

• HlJ 1: Joseph Hall, Cearten veerses written by Doctor Hall upon the kings coming into Scotland (‘Doe not repyine fayre sun to see these eyne’)

Copy of the series of three poems, in a predominantly secretary hand, transcribed from HlJ 2. c.1620s.

Edited from this MS in Davenport.

First published in Arnold Davenport, ‘Three Uncollected Poems by Joseph Hall’, N&Q, 182 (31 January 1942), 58-9. Davenport (1949), p. 150.

Harley MS 1506

A large folio composite volume of heraldic and antiquarian papers, 177 leaves, in modern half morocco gilt.

ff. 35r-50v

• HoH 33: Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, A Copy of the last instructions which the Emperor Charles the Fifth gave to his son Philip before his death translated out of Spanish

Copy in two professional secretary hands, untitled, with the Dedication to the Queen, signed ‘Henry Howarde’, very imperfect, the first two leaves and f. 49 torn vertically in half, also lacking a title and the ending. Late 16th-early 17th century.

An unpublished translation of a suppositious work, supposed (but unlikely) to be Charles V's instructions to his son Philip II, which was circulated in MS in 16th-century Europe and published in Spanish in Sandoval's Life of Charles V (1634). An Italian translation in MS was presented to James VI by Giacomo Castelvetro between 1591 and 1595 and is now in the National Library of Scotland (MS Adv. 23. I. 6): see The Works of William Fowler, ed. H.W. Meckle, James Craigie and John Purves, III, STS 3rd Ser. 23 (Edinburgh, 1940), pp. cxxvii-cxxx, and references cited in The Basilicon Doron of King James VI, ed. James Craigie, II, STS, 3rd Ser. 18 (Edinburgh, 1950), pp. 63-9. A quite different translation was published as The Advice of Charles the Fifth...to his Son Philip the Second (London, 1670).

Howard's translation, dedicated to Queen Elizabeth, was allegedly written when he had been more than twelve years out of the Queen's favour [? in the early 1590s]. The Dedication begins ‘If the faithful Cananite of whom we read in the holy writ...’; the main text begins ‘I have resolved (most dear son) to come now to the point...’, and ends ‘...to proceed in such a course as prayers may second your purposes. Sanctae Trinitati, &c.’

Harley MS 1576

A folio composite volume of state and legal tracts, papers and speeches, in several hands, with (f. 4r) an ‘Index’ of contents, 338 leaves, in 19th-century half-morocco gilt.

f. 2r

• WoH 24: Sir Henry Wotton, The Character of a Happy Life (‘How happy is he born and taught’)

Copy, in a secretary hand, untitled. c.1620s.

First published in Sir Thomas Overbury, A Wife, 5th impression (London, 1614). Reliquiae Wottonianae (London, 1651), pp. 522-3. Hannah (1845), pp. 28-31. Some texts of this poem discussed in C.F. Main, ‘Wotton's “The Character of a Happy Life”’, The Library, 5th Ser. 10 (1955), 270-4, and in Ted-Larry Pebworth, ‘New Light on Sir Henry Wotton's “The Character of a Happy Life”’, The Library, 5th Ser. 33 (1978), 223-6 (plus plates).

f. 2r

• RaW 41: Sir Walter Ralegh, ‘Euen such is tyme which takes in trust’

Copy, in a secretary hand, untitled, subscribed ‘Wal: Raleigh’. c.1620s.

This MS recorded in Latham, p. 153.

First published in Richard Brathwayte, Remains after Death (London, 1618). Latham, p. 72 (as ‘These verses following were made by Sir Walter Rauleigh the night before he dyed and left att the Gate howse’). Rudick, Nos 35A, 35B, and part of 55 (three versions, pp. 80, 133).

This poem is ascribed to Ralegh in most MS copies and is often appended to copies of his speech on the scaffold (see RaW 739-822).

Harley MS 1578

A folio composite volume of state tracts and speeches, in various professional hands, 427 leaves, in modern half morocco gilt.

Inscribed in pencil (f. [i^r]) ‘bought of M^rs. Whitlock’.

ff. 135r-63r

• DaJ 264: Sir John Davies, The Question concerning Impositions

Copy, in a professional small secretary hand, entitled ‘Impositions’, the dedication to the King subscribed ‘John Davis’. c.1620s.

A treatise, with dedicatory epistle to James I, comprising 33 chapters, beginning ‘The Question it self is no more than this, Whether the Impositions which the King of England hath laid and levied upon Merchandize, by vertue of his Prerogative onely...’. First published in London, 1656. Grosart, III, 1-116.

ff. 329r-40v

• BcF 264: Francis Bacon, A Preparation for the Union of Laws

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, as ‘written by Sir ffrancis Bacon’. c.1620s-30s.

A discourse beginning ‘Your Majesty's desire of proceeding towards the union of this whole island...’. First published in Cases of Treason (London, 1641). Spedding, VII, 731-43 (and see p. 775 et seq.).

ff. 340v-3r

• BcF 113: Francis Bacon, Cases of the King's Prerogative

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

First published in Cases of Treason (London, 1641). Spedding, VII, 776-8.

Harley MS 1579

A folio composite volume of state tracts and papers, in various hands, 216 leaves, in modern half calf gilt.

Inscribed in pencil (f. [1*^r]) ‘bought of M^rs Whitlock’.

ff. 128r-30r

• ClE 76: Edward Hyde, First Earl of Clarendon, The Humble Petition and Address of Clarendon in 1667

Copy.

Petition beginning ‘I cannot express the insupportable trouble and grief of mind I sustain...’. Published as To the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled: The Humble Petition and Address of Clarendon, [in London, 1667?] and subsequently reprinted widely, sometimes under the title News from Dunkirk-house: or, Clarendon's Farewell to England Dec 3 1667.

f. 136r-v

• MaA 515: Andrew Marvell, His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, 13 April 1675

Copy, in a probably professional hand, untitled. Late 17th century.

This MS recorded in Kelliher.

A mock speech, beginning ‘I told you last meeting the winter was the fittest time for business...’. First published, and ascribed to Marvell, in Poems on Affairs of State, Vol. III (London, 1704). Cooke, II, Carmina Miscellanea, pp. 36-43. Grosart, II, 431-3. Augustine Birrell, Andrew Marvell (London, 1905), pp. 200-2. Discussed in Legouis, p. 470, and in Kelliher, pp. 111-12.

Harley MS 1583

A folio composite volume of state papers and tracts, in various hands, 391 leaves, in modern half crushed moroccoo on cloth boards gilt.

ff. 3r-6r

• CtR 451: Sir Robert Cotton, A Speech Made by Sir Rob Cotton Knight and Baronet, before the Lords of his Majesties most Honorable Privy Covncel, At the Councel Table being thither called to deliver his Opinion touching the Alteration of Coyne. 2. Sept. [1626]

Copy, in a cursive secretary hand, headed ‘At the Counsell table. 3^o Septemb: 1626’, subscribed ‘Rob: Cotton’. c.1630.

Speech beginning ‘My Lords, Since it hath pleased this Honourable Table to command...’. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [283]-294, with related texts (‘The Answer of the Committees Appointed...2 September 1626’ and ‘Questions to be proposed’, etc.) on pp. 295-307. W.A. Shaw, Writers on English Monetary History, pp. 21-38.

ff. 6r-7v

• CtR 433: Sir Robert Cotton, S^r Robert Cottons Speeche to his ma^tie: on Sonday ye .3. of September at the Councell table aboute the alteracion of the moneys. 1626

Copy, in a cursive secretary hand, headed ‘Certaine Generall rules collected concerninge Money and Bullion out of y^e late Consultatio at Court by S^r: Rob: Cotton in y^e presence of y^e Kinge at Whitehall 3^o Septemb: 1626’, subscribed ‘Rob: Cotton’. c.1630.

Speech, beginning ‘Gold and silver haue a twofoeld estimacon in extrinsicke as they are moneyes...’, relating to Cotton's principal speech on coinage. Cottoni Posthuma (1651), pp. 303-7.

Harley MS 1634

A folio copy in two secretary hands, with corrections in a third hand. Mid-16th century.

MrT 29.8: Sir Thomas More, A Dialogue of Comfort

This MS discussed in Ralph Hanna III, ‘Two New Texts of More's Dialogue of Comfort’, Moreana, 19 (1982), 5-11.

First published in London, 1553. Yale, Vol. 12.

Harley MS 1673

A folio volume of tracts relating to the Chancery, in a single cursive secretary hand, 35 leaves (plus blanks), in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt. c.1620s-30s.

f. 1r

• BcF 242.5: Francis Bacon, Ordinances in Chancery

Copy of the first Ordinance only, headed ‘Ordinances by the Lord Chancello^r...1618’, incomplete, the rest of the page left blank.

ff. 2r-5r

• BcF 344: Francis Bacon, Speech(es)

Copy of Bacon's inaugural speech as Lord Chancellor, 7 May 1617.

Harley MS 1703

A folio volume of religious poems chiefly composed and probably transcribed by the priest William Forrest. c.1581.

ff. 79v-80r

• DuW 152: William Dunbar, Ros Mary: Ane Ballat of Our Lady (‘Ros Mary, most of vertewe virginale’)

Copy of an eight-stanza version.

Edted from this MS in Henry Noble MacCracken, ‘New Stanzas by Dunbar’, MLN, 24 (1909), 110-11. Edited partly from this MS in Mackenzie.

Mackenzie, No. 87, pp. 175-7. Craigie, The Asloan MS, II, 271-2.

ff. 108r-9r

• HyJ 7: John Heywood, A discription of a most noble Ladye (‘Geue place, ye ladyes, all bee gone’)

Copy.

Edited from this MS in Milligan, pp. 250-2.

First published (?) in The Proverbs, Epigrams and Miscellanies of John Heywood, ed. John S. Farmer (London, 1906).

Harley MS 1704

A folio composite volume of three miscellaneous tracts, each in a different hand, 166 leaves.

ff. 77r-143r

• NaR 6: Sir Robert Naunton, Fragmenta Regalia

Copy, in a professional secretary hand. c.1630s.

This MS recorded in Cerovski, p. 87.

Fragmenta Regalia (or, Observations on the late Q. Elizabeth, her Times and Favorites), first published in London, 1641. Edited by John S. Cerovski (Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., etc., 1985).

Harley MS 1716

Copy of the first part, in a professional secretary hand, unascribed, on 50 folio leaves, in modern half crushed morocco gilt. c.1620s.

CtR 137: Sir Robert Cotton, The Courte of Chauncerye

Tract, in two parts, the first beginning ‘There is a Booke called the Myrror of Justices mentioned in Plowden's Commentaries...’, the second beginning ‘There be Two manner of Powers & Process...’.

Harley MS 1721

A folio volume of proceedings in Parliament in 1628-29, in professional secretary hands, 339 leaves, in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt. c.1630s.

‘1725’, the date of accession into the Harley Library, inscribed by Wanley on f. 1r.

ff. 30r-1r

• RuB 31: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, c.22 March 1627/8

Copy, headed ‘Sir Ben Rudiards speech’.

Speech beginning ‘Of the mischiefs that have lately fallen upon us by the late distractions here is every man sensible...’.

ff. 196v-200r

• RuB 61: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, 28 April 1628

Copy, headed ‘S^r Beniamyn Rudiards Speach. 28 April’.

Speech beginning ‘We are here upon a great business...’. Yale 1628, III, 127-9 and 133-4. Variants: III, 138-9, 141, 143, and 161. Variant version in Manning, pp. 126-8.

ff. 212v-13v

• HlJ 20.5: Joseph Hall, Episcopal Admonition, Sent in a Letter to the House of Commons, April 28, 1628

Copy, headed ‘The Bpp of Exeters letter to the Parliament’.

See HlJ 17-30.

ff. 240v-3v

• RuB 95: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, ?22 May 1628

Copy, headed ‘S^ir Beniamyn Rudyards Speach concerning the Mainteynance of Mynisters’ and dated ‘22^o May 1628’.

Speech beginning ‘I did not think to have spoken...’. First published, as Sir Benjamin Rudierd His speech in Behalfe of the Clergie and of Parishes destitute of Instruction through want of Maintenance, Oxford, 1628. Manning, pp. 135-8. Yale 1628, III, 17-19, where it is dated probably 21 April 1628.

Harley MS 1759

A folio volume of state tracts and miscellaneous extracts, largely in one professional secretary hand, 183 leaves, in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt. Inscribed (f. 1r) ‘The 2. day of Janvarie .1617. <erasure> begun to be wrytten - by my man John May. / P W’[?]. c.1618-20s.

ff. 80r-1r

• RaW 678.1: Sir Walter Ralegh, The History of the World

Extract, the ending of the work, docketed ‘chap: 6: S. 12 / S^r Walter Rawligh y^e last leaffe of hys history I meane y^e first parte for wee are not lykly to see any other att least this world He being in Heaven’, here beginning ‘By this w^ch wee haue alreadie sett downe, is seene the beginninge and end of the three first Monarchies of the worlde...’.

First published in London, 1614. Works (1829), Vols. II-VII.

Harley MS 1783

Copy of 22 Rules, in probably two secretary hands, as ‘Written by Sir Francis Bacon’, with the date ‘January 8^th Ann^o Dni 1596’ added in another hand, on 118 quarto leaves, with (ff. 118v-23v) three additional rules in yet another secretary hand, in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt. Early 17th century.

BcF 221: Francis Bacon, Maxims of the Law

First published in The Elements of the Common Lawes of England (London, 1630). Spedding, VII, 307-87.

Bacon claimed to have collected ‘300 of them’, of which only ‘some few’ (25 maxims) were subsequently published. For an attempt to track down the ‘missing’ maxims, see John C. Hogan and Mortimer D. Schwartz, ‘On Bacon's “Rules and Maximes” of the Common Law’, Law Library Journal, 76/1 (Chicago, Winter 1983), 48-77.

Harley MS 1819

A quarto volume in John Bale's hand of various works relating to the Carmelite order, 202 leaves. c.1527-8.

The MS as a whole

• BaJ 15: John Bale, Collectiones Gallicæ

Autograph volume of various works, memoranda and verses, some by Bale, some by other authors, relating to the Carmelite order, untitled; beginning (f. 1) ‘Domino Marco de furno Carmelite…’, and evidently corresponding to the ‘Collectiones Gallicæ…’ recorded in Bale's Scriptorum illustrium (1557), I, 703.

Brief extracts from this MS edited in Monumenta historica Carmelitana. Recorded and discussed in Davies, p. 236 (iv); in McCusker (1942), pp. 97-8; and in Fairfield, p. 159.

Unpublished (complete).

ff. 17r-40r

• *BaJ 20: John Bale, Historia vetustissima, et vita satis admirabilis sanctissime matris Anne

Autograph, the first chapter beginning ‘In consilio ephesino….’.

Unpublished. This work seems to correspond to the ‘Diue Anne vitam...’ which Bale lists among his own works in Anglorum Heliades (BaJ 5), f. 112, although in the present MS he says he copied it from an ancient MS (? by Walter Bornius): see McCusker (1942), p. 98. Also recorded in Davies, p. 236 (v).

Harley MS 1836

A quarto volume of epigrams, in a single secretary hand, 25 leaves, in modern half black morocco. c.1630s.

Inscriptions (f. 1r) including ‘Ex spolijs Richardi wharfe’ and ‘Ex spolijs R: W:’.

Bookplate of John Hollis (1662-1711), Duke of Newcastle upon Tyne, politician.

ff. 2r-10v, 19v-20v

• DaJ 6: Sir John Davies, Epigrammes

Copy of 42 epigrams (Nos. 1-7, 9-11, 13, 15-19, 21-44, 60, 62), plus a second copy of No. 36, headed ‘Epigrama in Musam Like Buckminsters Allmanacks servinge generallie for all England but especiallie for the meridian of this famous Cittie of London’ and here beginning ‘ffly merrie newes vnto y^t merrie Towne’.

This MS collated and Epigramme 60 printed from it in Krueger; described in Krueger, pp. 377-8, 440, and in RES, NS 13 (1962), 118 et seq.

58 Epigrammes first published in ‘Middleborugh’ [i.e. London?], [1595-6?]. Krueger, pp. 127-51. Fourteen additional Epigrammes printed from MSS in Krueger, pp. 153-9.

ff. 15v-16r

• HrJ 66: Sir John Harington, A good answere of a Gentlewoman to a Lawyer (‘A vertuous Dame, that saw a Lawyer rome’)

Copy, headed ‘Of a Lawyers absence: Epi: 1’.

First published in 1618, Book III, No. 39. McClure No. 240, pp. 248-9. Kilroy, Book IV, No. 90, p. 224.

f. 16v

• HrJ 279: Sir John Harington, Of Women learned in the tongues (‘You wisht me to a wife, faire, rich and young’)

Copy, headed ‘In amorosom. Epi. 7:’ and here beginning ‘A wife you wisht me (Sir) rich, faire, and young’.

Edited from this MS in The Complete Poems of Sir John Davies, ed. Alexander B. Grosart (London, 1876), II, 48-9.

First published in 1615. 1618, Book IV, No. 7. McClure No. 261, pp. 255-6. Kilroy, Book I, No. 7, p. 96.

Harley MS 1844

Copy of the complete poem, in a professional hand, with many corrections and annotations and the last four lines in another hand, on 41 quarto leaves. c.1667?.

HbT 5: Thomas Hobbes, Historia Ecclesiastica Carmine Elegiaco Concinnata (‘Quid fers, Prime, novi? Visendae quae fuit urbis’)

First published [in London], 1688. Molesworth, Latin, V, 341-408.

Harley MS 1853

A folio composite volume of legal and state tracts, chiefly by Bacon, in several professional hands, 168 leaves, bound with an independent MS (Harley MS 1858) in mottled leather with gilt lettering and initials ‘M.B.’ on the front cover.

ff. 1r-38r

• BcF 94: Francis Bacon, Arguments of Law. The Arguments on the Jurisdiction of the Council of the Marches

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, with no general heading. c.1630.

Spedding, VII, 567-611.

ff. 39r-89v

• RaW 1047: Sir Walter Ralegh, The Cabinet-Council: containing the Chief Arts of Empire and Mysteries of State

Copy, in a professional cursive secretary hand, headed ‘Observations polliticke and Civill. Off a kingdome written by Sir ffrances Bacon knight and Barronett’. c.1630.

A treatise beginning ‘A Commonwealth is a certain sovereign government of many families...’. First published, attributed to Sir Walter Ralegh in John Milton's preface ‘To the Reader’, as The Cabinet-Council [&c.] (London, 1658). Works (1829), VIII, 35-150.

Widely circulated in MSS as Observations Political and Civil. The various attributions include ‘T.B.’, for whom Thomas Bedingfield (early 1540s?-1613), translator of Machiavelli, is suggested in Ernest A. Strathmann, ‘A Note on the Ralegh Canon’, TLS (13 April 1956), p. 228, and in Lefranc (1968), p. 64.

ff. 90r-167r

• BcF 271: Francis Bacon, Reading on the Statute of Uses

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, with several annotations by a reader, headed ‘Lectura ffrancisci Bacon vnius...’, endorsed (f. 167v) ‘S^r ffrancis Bacons Readinge vpon the Statute of vses’, slightly imperfect. c.1630.

Edited partly from this MS (erroneously cited as ‘No. 1858’) in Spedding, VII, 389-450.

First published as The Learned Reading of Sir Francis Bacon...upon the Statute of Uses (London, 1642). Spedding, VII, 389-450.

Harley MS 1858

A folio composite volume of state tracts, in various professional hands, 161 leaves, bound with an independent MS (Harley MS 1853) in mottled leather with gilt lettering and initials ‘M.B.’ on the front cover.

ff. 1r-57v

• CtR 83: Sir Robert Cotton, A Breife Abstract of the Question of Precedencie between England and Spaine: Occasioned by Sir Henry Nevill the Queen of Englands Ambassador, and the Ambassador of Spaine, at Calais Commissioners appointed by the French King...

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, with a title-page, as ‘Collected By S^r Robert Cotton K^t. and Baronet Att hir Ma^ts Comandm^t’. c.1620s-30s.

Tract, relating to events in 1599/1600, beginning ‘To seek before the decay of the Roman Empire...’. First published in London, 1642. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [73]-‘79’ [i.e. 89].

ff. 58r-69r

• CtR 350: Sir Robert Cotton, A Relation of the Proceedings against Ambassadors who have miscarried themselves, etc. ...[27 April 1624]

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, with a title-page, as ‘Written by S^r. Robert Cotton Knight & Baronett...the 27^th of Aprill 1624’. c.1620s-30s.

Tract, addressed to George, Duke of Buckingham, beginning ‘In humble obedience to your Grace's Command, I am emboldned to present my poor advice...’. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. 1-9.

ff. 70r-95r

• CtR 285: Sir Robert Cotton, The Manner and Meanes how the Kings of England have from time to time Supported and Repaired their Estates. Written...1609.

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed ‘A Treatise how Kinges of England have here from time to time Supported and Repaired their Estates. Written by S^r Robert Cotton knight and Baronett’. c.1620s-30s.

Tract beginning ‘The Kings of England have supported and repaired their Estates...’. First published, as An Abstract out of the Records of the Tower, touching the Kings Revenue: and how they have supported themselves, London, [1642]. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [161]-‘200’[i.e. 202].

ff. 97v-108v

• CtR 490: Sir Robert Cotton, That the Soveraignes Person is Required in the Great Covncells, or Assemblies of the State, aswell at the Consultations as at the Conclusions

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, as by ‘Sir Robert Cotton Knight and Baronett’. c.1620s-30s.

Tract beginning ‘Since at these Assemblies few Diaries, or exact Iournall Books are remaining...’. First published as A Treatise, shewing that the Soveraignes Person is Required in the great Councells or Assemblies of the State, aswell at the Consultations as at the conclusions, London, 1641. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [41]-57.

ff. 109r-49v

• CtR 505: Sir Robert Cotton, Twenty-four Argvments, Whether it be more expedient to suppress Popish Practises against the due Allegeance of His Majesty, by the Strict Execution touching Jesuits and Seminary Preists? Or, to restraine them to Close Prisons, during life, if no Reformation follow?

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed ‘Considerations for the repressing of the increase of Preists, Jesuits and Recusants, w^thout draweinge of Blood Written by S^r. Robte Cotton K^t and Baronett’. c.1620s-30s.

Tract beginning ‘I am not ignorant, that this latter age hath brought forth a swarm of busie heads...’, dated 11 August 1613. First published in two editions, as respectively Seriovs Considerations for Repressing of the Increase of Iesvites and A Treatise against Recusants (both London, 1641). Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [109]-159.

ff. 150r-5v

• CtR 110: Sir Robert Cotton, A Briefe Discovrse concerning the Power of the Peeres and Commons of Parliament in point of Judicature

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, as ‘Written by S^r Robert Cotton knight and Baronett to S^r Edward Mountague Anno dni 1621’, subscribed ‘R: C: B.’ c.1620s-30s.

Tract, the full title sometimes given as A Brief discourse prouinge that the house of Comons hath Equall power with the Peeres in point of Judicature written by S^r Rob: Cotton to S^r Edward Mountague An^o Dni. 1621, beginning ‘Sir, To give you as short an accompt of your desire as I can...’. First published in London, 1640. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [341]-351.

Harley MS 1877

A folio composite volume of state papers, tracts and speeches, in several secretary hands and paper sizes, 89 leaves, in modern half-morocco.

f. 26r

• ElQ 168: Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Elizabeth's Speech Dissolving Parliament, January 2, 1567

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed ‘A letter sent by my Lady Bacon from the Queene to my Lord Keep who carried his submission to her being in displeasure about Succession’. c.1620.

This MS cited in Hartley.

First published in Simonds D'Ewes, The Journalls of All the Parliaments during the Raign of Queen Elizabeth (London, 1682), pp. 113-17.

Version I. Beginning ‘I love so evil counterfeiting and hate so much dissimulation that I may not suffer you depart...’. Hartley, I, 174-5 (‘Separate version’). Collected Works, Speech 10, pp. 105-6 (Version 1). Selected Works, Speech 6, pp. 47-51.

Version II. Beginning ‘My lords and others, the Commons of this Assembly, although the lord keeper hath, according to order, very well answered in my name...’. Hartley, I, 172-3. Collected Works, Speech 10, pp. 107-8 (Version 2).

f. 69r-v

• LyJ 24: John Lyly, A petitionary letter to Queen Elizabeth

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed ‘A peticon of John Lilly to the Queenes Ma^tie’.

This MS collated in Bond.

Beginning ‘Most Gratious and dread Soveraigne: I dare not pester yo^r Highnes w^th many wordes...’. Written probably in 1598. Bond, I, 64-5. Feuillerat, pp. 556-7.

f. 69v

• LyJ 46: John Lyly, A second petitionary letter to Queen Elizabeth

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed ‘John lillies second peticon to the Queene’.

This MS collated in Bond.

Beginning ‘Most gratious and dread Soveraigne: Tyme cannott worke my peticons, nor my peticons the tyme...’. Written probably in 1601. Bond, I, 70-1. Feuillerat, pp. 561-2.

f. 70r-v

• ElQ 205: Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Elizabeth's Speech at the Closing of Parliament, March 29, 1585

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed ‘A speech of Q. Elizabeth made in the Parliament at y^e breakeing vp thereof 29^o. March. 1585. Anno Elizabeth 27^o.’ c.1620s.

This MS cited in Hartley.

Beginning ‘My lords and you of the Lower House: My silence must not injure the owner...’. Hartley, II, 31-3. Collected Works, Speech 16, pp. 181-3.

f. 91r

• BcF 215.11: Francis Bacon, The History of the Reign of King Henry VII

Extracts, in a secretary hand, headed ‘Notes of Hen: y^e .7. raigne sett downe in manuscript by the Lord Chancello^r Bacon’. c.1620s.

First published in London, 1622. Spedding, VI, 23-245. Edited by Michael Kiernan, The Oxford Francis Bacon, Vol. VIII (Oxford, 2012), pp. 3-169.

Harley MS 1888

A folio volume of parliamentary speeches and state papers, in several professional secretary hands, 118 leaves, in modern half-morocco gilt. Early 17th century.

ff. 42v-4r, 66r-v, 83r-5v

• BcF 345: Francis Bacon, Speech(es)

Copy of parliamentary speeches and interjections by Bacon, including one concerning subsidies.

Harley MS 1889

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, with a title-page ‘Observations Politicall and Ciuill’, subscribed ‘W:* B’:, 156 folio leaves, in modern half-morocco gilt. Text on ff. 1*r-105r, followed by a series of ‘Observations confirmed by Examination’ etc. c.1630.

RaW 1048: Sir Walter Ralegh, The Cabinet-Council: containing the Chief Arts of Empire and Mysteries of State

Harley MS 1893

A folio composite volume of state tracts, in several professional hands, 93 leaves, in modern half crushed morocco gilt.

Inscribed (f. 1*r) by Humfrey Wanley ‘Brought in by my Lord Harley, 23 March. 1714/5’.

ff. 1r-4v

• BcF 154: Francis Bacon, A Confession of Faith

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, as ‘by M^r Baco’. c.1600s.

Edited from this MS in Spedding, VII, 217-26, who describes the hand as that of one of Bacon's scribes.

First published in London, 1641. Spedding, VII, 217-26.

ff. 5r-17r

• BcF 67: Francis Bacon, An Advertisement touching the Controversies of the Church of England

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, unascribed. c.1600s.

In the same hand as BcF 154, which Spedding describes as that of one of Bacon's scribes.

A tract beginning ‘It is but ignorance if any man find it strange that the state of religion (especially in the days of peace) should be exercised...’. First published as A Wise and Moderate Discourse concerning Church-Affaires ([London], 1641). Spedding, VIII, 74-95.

ff. 18r-31v

• BcF 127: Francis Bacon, Certain Considerations touching the Better Pacification and Edification of the Church of England

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, unascribed. c.1600s.

In the same hand as BcF 154, which Spedding describes as that of one of Bacon's scribes.

First published in London, 1604. Spedding, X, 103-27. The circumstances of the original publication and the book's suppression by the Bishop of London discussed, with a census of relevant exempla, in Richard Serjeantson and Thomas Woolford, ‘The Scribal Publication of a Printed Book: Francis Bacon's Certaine Considerations Touching...the Church of England (1604)’, The Library, 7th Ser. 10/2 (June 2009), 119-56.

ff. 75r-6r

• BcF 301: Francis Bacon, In Henricum Principem Walliae elogium

Copy, in a professional italic hand, as by ‘ffran: Bacon’. c.1600s.

Edited from this MS in Birch and in Spedding.

First published in Letters, Speeches, &c. of Francis Bacon, ed. Thomas Birch (London, 1763). Spedding, VI, 319-25. His translation pp. 327-9.

ff. 76v-9v

• BcF 79: Francis Bacon, Answers to Questions touching the Office of Constables

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, incomplete. c.1600s.

First published in Cases of Treason (London 1641). Spedding, VII, 745-54.

f. 80r-v

• RaW 890: Sir Walter Ralegh, Letter(s)

Copy of a letter by Ralegh, to his wife.

f. 81r

• RaW 761: Sir Walter Ralegh, Speech on the Scaffold (29 October 1618)

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed ‘S^r Walter Raleigh his speech at his death, who was beheaded in the old Pallace at Westm: the 29 of Octob: 1618’, incomplete. c.1620.

Harley MS 1898

A folio composite volume of maritime and Excise tracts and papers.

ff. 139r-44r

• HaG 49: George Savile, First Marquess of Halifax, A Rough Draught of a New Model at Sea

Copy, in a professional hand (the same as that in HaG 50 and HaG 51) on eleven folio pages. c.1690s.

This MS collated in Brown, I, 309-14.

First published, anonymously, in London, 1694. Foxcroft, II, 454-65. Brown, I, 296-308.

Harley MS 1932

A quarto composite volume of MS and printed tracts relating to Ireland, in four hands, 108 leaves, in modern quarter crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.

ff. 8r-97r

• SpE 49: Edmund Spenser, A View of the Present State of Ireland

Copy, in a single professional hand up to the penultimate leaf, the last page (f. 97r) in another secretary hand, possibly replacing a lost leaf in the MS and dated at the foot ‘10 die Maij. a^o dni 1598’. c.1598.

This MS collated in Variorum.

First published in Sir James Ware, The Historie of Ireland (Dublin, 1633). Variorum, Prose Works (ed. Rudolf Gottfried), pp. 39-231.

Spenser's authorship of this ‘View’ is generally accepted, especially in light of the comparable views about Ireland in The Faerie Queene. A cautionary note about authorship is sounded, however, in Jean R. Brink, ‘Constructing the View of the Present State of Ireland’, Spenser Studies, 11 (1994), 203-28; in her ‘Appropriating the Author of The Faerie Queene: The Attribution of the View of the Present State of Ireland and A Brief Note of Ireland to Edmund Spenser’, in Soundings of Things Done: Essays in Early Modern Literature in Honor of S.K. Heninger, Jr., ed. Peter E. Medine and Joseph Wittreich (Newark, Delaware, 1997), 93-136. See also, inter alia, Andrew Hadfield, ‘Certainties and Uncertainties: By Way of Response to Jean Brink’, Spenser Studies, 12 (1998), 197-202, and Jean R. Brink, ‘Spenser and the Irish Question: Reply to Andrew Hadfield’, Spenser Studies, 13 (1999), 265-6.

f. 97r

• CmW 13.155: William Camden, Britannia

Extract.

First published in London, 1586, with additions in 1607 and successive editions.

ff. 104r-8r

• CmW 13.157: William Camden, Britannia

Extracts, in a mixed hand, headed ‘Of the originall Inhabitants of Ireland Cap: i’, with a side-note ‘Colleccons touching Ireland’, subscribed ‘These are Collected but of learned Cambden’. Mid-17th century.

First published in London, 1586, with additions in 1607 and successive editions.

Harley MS 1953

Copy of 100 Ordinances, in a professional hand, with a formal title-page, ‘Ordinances made by the right honorable ffrancis Lord verulam Lord chancelor of England...1618’, an address to the Recorder of London subscribed ‘T: H:’, and (ff. 18r-21r) an alphabetical ‘Table’ of contents, on 21 quarto leaves, in quarter calf on marbled boards. c.1618-20s.

BcF 243: Francis Bacon, Ordinances in Chancery

Inscribed (f. 1r) ‘J: Rock 1689’.