Harley MS 2125
A folio composite volume of historical papers, in various professional hands, 195 leaves, in modern half morocco gilt. Among the collections of Randle Holme, probably the third of that name (1627-1700), herald, who inscribes f. 4r ‘Randle Holme Junior’.
Harley MS 2127
A folio composite volume of verse, entitled ‘Songs & Sonnetts’, in various hands, 84 leaves, in half morocco gilt. Among the collections of Randle Holme, probably the third of that name (1627-1700), herald.
f. 6r
• StW 1277: William Strode, Jack on both Sides (‘I holde as fayth What Englandes Church Allowes’)
Copy, untitled, on an oblong octavo leaf. Mid-late 17th century.
First published, as ‘The Church Papist’, in Wits Recreations (London, 1640). Reprinted as ‘The Jesuit's Double-faced Creed’ by Henry Care in The Popish Courant (16 May 1679): see August A. Imholtz, Jr, ‘The Jesuits' Double-Faced Creed: A Seventeenth-Century Cross-Reading’, N&Q, 222 (December 1977), 553-4. Dobell, p. 111. Listed, without text, in Forey, p. 339.
f. 20r
• LoR 36: Richard Lovelace, To Althea, From Prison. Song (‘When Love with unconfined wings’)
Copy, in a secretary hand, untitled, on a single folio leaf. c.1640s.
Printed from this MS in Wilkinson, I, 54; collated in Clayton.
First published in Lucasta (London, 1649). Wilkinson (1925), II, 70-1. (1930), pp. 78-9. Thomas Clayton, ‘Some Versions, Texts, and Readings of “To Althea, from Prison”’, PBSA, 68 (1974), 225-35. A musical setting by John Wilson published in Select Ayres and Dialogues (London, 1659).
f. 29r
• DaJ 96: Sir John Davies, On the Marriage of Lady Mary Baker to Richard Fletcher, Bishop of London (‘The pride of Prelacy, which now longe since’)
Copy of poems 5 and 4, in a secretary hand, untitled and here beginning ‘Yff any ask why Tarquin ment to Marry’, on one side of a single folio leaf. Early 17th century.
This MS recorded in Krueger.
First published in Samuel A. Tannenbaum, ‘Unfamiliar Versions of Some Elizabethan Poems’, PMLA, 45.ii (1930), 809-21 (pp. 818-19). Krueger, pp. 177-9.
f. 43r-v
• CoR 37: Richard Corbett, A Certaine Poeme As it was presented in Latine by Divines and Others, before his Maiestye in Cambridge (‘It is not yet a fortnight, since’)
Copy, in a secretary hand, untitled, on both sides of a single folio leaf. c.1620s.
First published in Poëtica Stromata ([no place], 1648). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, pp. 12-18.
Some texts accompanied by an ‘Answer’ (‘A ballad late was made’).
f. 58r-v
• EsR 68: Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, A Poem made on the Earle of Essex (being in disgrace with Queene Eliz): by mr henry Cuffe his Secretary (‘It was a time when sillie Bees could speake’)
Copy of the fourteen-stanza version, in a secretary hand, untitled, on the first two pages of a pair of conjugate folio leaves, endorsed (f. 59v) ‘The Bees Songe’. c.1600.
This MS text collated in May, pp. 128-32.
First published, in a musical setting by John Dowland, in his The Third and Last Booke of Songs or Aires (London, 1603). May, Poems, No. IV, pp. 62-4. May, Courtier Poets, pp. 266-9. EV 12846.
Harley MS 2160
A folio volume of texts relating to the second Earl of Essex, closely written in a professional secretary hand, 17 leaves (plus blanks), in 19th-century half-calf marbled boards. Early 17th century.
ff. 1r-10v
• EsR 213: Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, Essex's Arraignment, 19 February 1600/1
Copy.
ff. 10v-12r
• EsR 278: Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, Essex's speech at his execution
Copy, headed ‘Speeches of my Lo. of Essex the night before his execution out of his Chamber Wyndow to the yard and from his chamber to the place of execution and their as ffolloweth / 1600’.
Generally incorporated in accounts of Essex's execution and sometimes also of his behaviour the night before.
Harley MS 2185
A folio volume of parliamentary speeches, in a single cursive secretary hand but for a tipped-in two-leaf list of contents in another secretary hand, 48 leaves, in modern quarter crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.
Humphrey Wanley's date of acquisition in the Harley library, ‘4 May 1721’, inscribed on f. 1*.
f. 40r-v
• ElQ 169: Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Elizabeth's Speech Dissolving Parliament, January 2, 1567
Copy of Version I, in a secretary hand, headed ‘The coppie of a letter (taken from ites originall, wch was written in the Queenes owne hand, and by her selfe drawne) to the Comons in Parliament about their peticon concrning mariage and liberties’. Late 16th-early 17th century.
This MS cited in Hartley and (misprinted Harley 2125) in Selected Works.
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).
ff. 41r
• ElQ 138: Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Elizabeth's Answer to the Lords' Petition that she Marry, April 10, 1563, delivered by Lord Keeper Nicholas Bacon
Copy, in a secretary hand, headed ‘A speech deliuered by her Maty: unto the Lo. Keeper Sr Nicholas Bacon in presence of the vpper hous of Parlmt:’. Late 16th-early 17th century.
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. 107-8.
Beginning ‘Since there can be no duer debt than princes' words...’. Hartley, I, 114-15 (2 texts). Collected Works, Speech 6, pp. 79-80. Selected Works, Speech 4, pp. 42-4.
Harley MS 2194
A folio volume of state tracts and speeches, in two or more professional mixed hands, 91 leaves, in old calf gilt. c.1620s.
ff. 49r-60v
• EsR 214: Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, Essex's Arraignment, 19 February 1600/1
Copy.
ff. 60v-2r
• EsR 279: Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, Essex's speech at his execution
Copy of an account of the speech and execution, untitled, run on directly after the arraignment (EsR 214).
Generally incorporated in accounts of Essex's execution and sometimes also of his behaviour the night before.
ff. 69r-74v
• BcF 346: Francis Bacon, Speech(es)
Copy of Bacon's speech relating to the Earl of Somerset.
Harley MS 2202
Composite volume of MSS.
ff. 11-12
• *CmW 154: William Camden, Collectanea
Autograph copy of quotations from Greek and Roman authors, &c chiefly relating to Great Britain, apparently intended for inclusion in Britannia.
Harley MS 2208
A folio composite volume of state and antiquarian tracts, in various professional hands, 240 leaves, in old calf.
Several items inscribed by Wanley with the same date of accession into the Harley Library ‘13 August, 1724’.
ff. 235r-40r
• CtR 352: Sir Robert Cotton, A Relation of the Proceedings against Ambassadors who have miscarried themselves, etc. ...[27 April 1624]
Copy, in a professional secretary hand, as ‘Written by Sir Robert Cotton the 27th of Aprill Anno 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.
Harley MS 2217
A folio composite volume of parliamentary papers and speeches, 1627-28, in various professional hands, 113 leaves, in modern panelled calf.
The date of acquisition for the Harley Library inscribed by Wanley (f. 1*r) ‘13 August, 1724’.
ff. 29r-30v
• RuB 96: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, ?22 May 1628
Copy, in a professional predominantly italic hand, headed ‘Sr Benjamin Rudyerd his speeche’, on two conjugate folio leaves. c.1630.
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.
f. 31r
• HlJ 21: Joseph Hall, Episcopal Admonition, Sent in a Letter to the House of Commons, April 28, 1628
Copy, in a professional hand, untitled, subscribed ‘Jos. Exeter’. c.1630.
See HlJ 17-30.
Harley MS 2232
A folio volume of state papers, tracts and parliamentary speeches, in a single professional secretary hand, 73 leaves, in modern speckled calf. c.1624-8.
ff. 38r-68v
• BcF 170: Francis Bacon, Considerations touching a War with Spain
Copy, unascribed.
Edited from this MS in Spedding.
A tract dedicated to Prince Charles, beginning ‘Your Highness hath an imperial name. It was a Charles that brought the empire first into France...’. First published in Certaine Miscellany Works, ed. William Rawley (London, 1629). Spedding, XIV, 469-505.
f. 73r
• BcF 704: Francis Bacon, An Essay of a King
Copy.
Essay, beginning ‘A king is a mortal god on earth...’. Spedding, VI, 595-7 (discussed pp. 592-4).
Harley MS 2245
A folio volume, comprising two manuscripts of tracts bound together, in two different professional secretary hands, 60 leaves, in half calf on marbled boards.
Inscribed (f. [i*r]) by Humfrey Wanley with date of accession into the Harley Library ‘24 die Martij. A.D. 1723/4’.
ff. 1r-8r
• CtR 397: Sir Robert Cotton, A Short View of the Long Life and Reign of Henry the Third, King of England
Copy, headed ‘A shorte veiwe of Henry 3 his life’, dated at the end ‘29 April: 1614’, unascribed. c.1620s.
Treatise, written c.1614 and ‘Presented to King James’, beginning ‘Wearied with the lingering calamities of Civil Arms...’. First published in London, 1627. Cottoni posthuma (1651), at the end (i + pp. 1-27).
ff. 9r-60v
• LeC 16: Anon, Leicester's Commonwealth
Copy, closely written in a cursive secretary hand, dated in the heading 1584. Late 16th-early 17th century.
This MS recorded in Peck, p. 245.
First published as The Copie of a Leter, Wryten by a Master of Arte of Cambrige, to his Friend in London, Concerning some talke past of late betwen two worshipful and graue men, about the present state, and some procedinges of the Erle of Leycester and his friendes in England ([? Rouen], 1584). Soon banned. Reprinted as Leycesters common-wealth (London, 1641). Edited, as Leicester's Commonwealth, by D.C. Peck (Athens, OH, & London, 1985). Although various attributions have been suggested by Peck and others, the most likely author remains Robert Persons (1546-1610), Jesuit conspirator.
Harley MS 2252
A miscellany, in several hands, compiled by John Colyns (d.c.1542), mercer, of the parish of St Mary Woolchurch, London. c.1522-39.
Discussed, with eight pages of facsimiles, in Carol M. Meale, ‘The Compiler at Work: John Colyns and BL MS Harley 2252’, in Manuscripts and Readers in Fifteenth-Century England: The Literary Implications of Manuscript Study, ed. Derek Pearsall (Cambridge and Woodbridge, 1983), pp. 82-103, and, with ten pages of facsimiles, in Carol Meale, ‘London, British Library, Harley MS 2252: John Colyns' “Boke”: Structure and Content’, EMS, 15 (2009), 65-122.
ff. 133*v-140r
• SkJ 10: John Skelton, Speke, Parrot (‘My name is Parrot, a byrd of paradyse’)
Copy of lines 1-59, 230-513.
Edited partly from this MS in Dyce. Facsimiles of f. 133*v in Meale (1983), p. 90, and of f. 134r in Meale (2009), p. 75.
Canon, C41, p. 12. Lines 3-237 first published in Certaine bokes copyled by mayster Skelto (London, [c.1545]). A text of 513 lines first published in Dyce (1843), II, 1-25. Scattergood, pp. 230-46.
ff. 147r-53r
• SkJ 1: John Skelton, Colyn Cloute (‘What can it auayle’)
Copy of a 1107-line version, plus a Latin epilogue (see SkJ 3).
This MS collated in Dyce.
Canon, C12, p. 5. First published London, [c.1530]. Dyce, I, 311-60. Scattergood, pp. 246-78.
f. 153v
• SkJ 3: John Skelton, ‘Colinus Cloutus, quanquam mea carmina multis’
Copy of a Latin epilogue to Colyn Cloute (see SkJ 1).
Edited from this MS in Dyce.
Canon, C11, p. 5. First published in Dyce (1843), I, 360.
Harley MS 2283
A folio volume, comprising almost entirely a parliamentary journal for 27 October to 19 December 1601, chiefly in two or more professional secretary hands, with a mixed hand on f. 131v and later tipped-in leaves as ff. 132-3, 134 leaves (plus numerous blanks), in mottled leather gilt. Early 17th century [to c.1633].
Inscribed (f. 1r) ‘Thomas ward’, ‘George Withers his booke Anno Dni 1633’, and ‘Robert Daye’, and (f. 134v) ‘Hugh Parsons / i633’.
ff. 73r-5r
• ElQ 267: Queen Elizabeth I, Elizabeth's Golden Speech, November 30, 1601
Copy of Version I, introduced (f. 72v) ‘In the afternoone the Comons attended the Queene att Whitehall about three of the clocke, to the nomber of seavenscrore’.
This MS partly collated in Hartley.
First published (Version III), as Her maiesties most princelie answere, deliuered by her selfe at White-hall, on the last day of November 1601 (London, 1601: STC 7578).
Version I. Beginning ‘Mr. Speaker, we have heard your declaration and perceive your care of our estate...’. Hartley, III, 412-14. Hartley, III, 495-6. Collected Works, Speech 23, pp. 337-40 (Version 1). Selected Works, Speech 11, pp. 84-92.
Version II. Beginning ‘Mr. Speaker, we perceive your coming is to present thanks unto me...’. Hartley, III, 294-7 (third version). Collected Works, Speech 23, pp. 340-2 (Version 2).
Version III. Beginning ‘Mr. Speaker, we perceive by you, whom we did constitute the mouth of our Lower House, how with even consent...’. Hartley, III, 292-3 (second version). Collected Works, Speech 23, pp. 342-4 (Version 3). STC 7578.
Version IV. Beginning ‘Mr Speaker, I well understand by that you have delivered, that you with these gentlemen of the Lower House come to give us thankes for benefitts receyved...’. Hartley, III, 289-91 (first version).
ff. 132r-3v
• RuB 151: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, ?7 November 1640
Copy, in a mixed hand, headed ‘A speach deliuered in parliment by Sr Beniamin Ruddard’, on two tipped-in folio leaves. c.1633.
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 Sr. Benjamin Rudyer in the high Court of Parliament (London, 1641), pp. 1-10. Manning, pp. 159-65.
Harley MS 2290
Copy, in a probably professional cursive secretary hand, with two other secretary hands at the very end (f. 49r-v), 49 folio leaves, lacking a title-page, in modern half crushed morocco gilt. Late 16th-early 17th century.
LeC 17: Anon, Leicester's Commonwealth
Inscribed (f. 1r) by Wanley ‘3 May 1721’, the date of accession into the Harley Library.
This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.
First published as The Copie of a Leter, Wryten by a Master of Arte of Cambrige, to his Friend in London, Concerning some talke past of late betwen two worshipful and graue men, about the present state, and some procedinges of the Erle of Leycester and his friendes in England ([? Rouen], 1584). Soon banned. Reprinted as Leycesters common-wealth (London, 1641). Edited, as Leicester's Commonwealth, by D.C. Peck (Athens, OH, & London, 1985). Although various attributions have been suggested by Peck and others, the most likely author remains Robert Persons (1546-1610), Jesuit conspirator.
Harley MS 2296
A folio composite volume of miscellaneous verse, drama and other papers, in English, French and Latin, in various professional hands, 168 leaves, in modern brown leather gilt.
f. 135r
• RaW 159: Sir Walter Ralegh, The Lie (‘Goe soule the bodies guest’)
Copy of a fifteen-stanza version, in double columns, in a professional secretary hand, untitled. c.1600s.
This MS recorded in Latham, pp. 131, 134-5.
First published in Francis Davison, A Poetical Rapsodie (London 1611). Latham, pp. 45-7. Rudick, Nos 20A, 20B and 20C (three versions), with answers, pp. 30-45.
This poem is attributed to Richard Latworth (or Latewar) in Lefranc (1968), pp. 85-94, but see Stephen J. Greenblatt, Sir Walter Ralegh (New Haven & London, 1973), pp. 171-6. See also Karl Josef Höltgen, ‘Richard Latewar Elizabethan Poet and Divine’, Anglia, 89 (1971), 417-38 (p. 430). Latewar's ‘answer’ to this poem is printed in Höltgen, pp. 435-8. Some texts are accompanied by other answers.
f. 137v
• GrR 0.5: Robert Greene, Song (‘Sweet are the thoughts that savour of content’)
Copy, in a secretary hand, headed ‘The songe of mesia’. c.1600s.
First published in Greenes Farewell to Folly (London, 1591).
Harley MS 2305
A folio volume comprising chiefly a parliamentary journal, 1627-8, in a single professional secretary hand but for a tipped-in calendar (f. [305 bis]), 401 leaves, in mottled leather gilt. c.1630.
ff. 1r-8r
• CtR 162: Sir Robert Cotton, The Danger wherein this Kingdome now Standeth, and the Remedy
Copy, as ‘by Sr Robert Cotton Knight, Ano: Dni: 1627’.
Tract beginning ‘As soon as the house of Austria had incorporated it self into the house of Spaine...’. First published London, 1628. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. 308-20.
ff. 46v-8v
• RuB 15: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, c.20-22 March 1627/8
Copy, headed ‘Sr Beniamine Riddiards speech at the same tyme’.
Speech. Yale 1628, II, 58-60, two parallel versions: (1) beginning ‘This is the crisis of parliaments...’; (2) beginning ‘It is the goodness of God and the favour of the King...’; II, 68, third version, beginning ‘If we be thankful, all is well. By this we shall know whether parliaments will live or die...’; II, 73, fourth, brief reported version, beginning ‘We are not now upon the bene esse of our kingdom but the esse...’.
ff. 161v-3r
• RuB 42: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, c.2-9 April 1628
Copy, headed ‘Sr Beniamyn Rudyard his Speech vpon the receipt of his Matis: Answere to the Petition against Recusants 9th: of Aprill: 1628’.
Speech beginning ‘The best thanks we can return his Matie for his gracious and religious answer...’.
ff. 207v-8v
• HlJ 22: Joseph Hall, Episcopal Admonition, Sent in a Letter to the House of Commons, April 28, 1628
Copy, headed A Letter sent by the Bishop of Exeter to the House of Comons the same day, subscribed ‘Exeter’.
See HlJ 17-30.
ff. 236r-8v
• RuB 97: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, ?22 May 1628
Copy, headed ‘Sr Beniamine Ruddyers speech concerning Ministers the 22th of 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 2393
A quarto volume comprising two independent bmanuscripts bound together, 117 leaves, in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt. c.1620s.
Both MSS inscribed by Humfrey Wanley (ff. 1r, 45r) with the date ‘13 August 1724’ for accession into the Harley Library.
ff. 1r-44v
• HuF 8: Sir Francis Hubert, Edward II (‘It is thy sad disaster which I sing’)
Copy of a possibly early version, here in 352-stanzas, headed ‘Edward the Second’ and beginning ‘Whie should a wasted spirit spent in woe’, in probably four secretary hands, imperfect, lacking the last stanzas.
This MS collated in Mellor.
First published, in an unauthorised edition as The Deplorable Life and Death of Edward the Second. Together with the Downefall of the two Unfortunate Favorits, Gavestone and Spencer. Storied in an Excellent Pöem, London, 1628. First authorised edition, as The Historie of Edward the Second, Surnamed Carnarvan, one of our English Kings. Together with the Fatall down-fall of his two vnfortunate Favorites Gaveston and Spencer, London, 1629. An edition of a 576-stanza version in three cantos, entitled The Life of Edward II, was printed in London 1721 from an unidentified MS.
Mellor, pp. 4-169 (664-stanza version, headed ‘The Life and Death of Edward the Second’, including ‘The Authors Preface’ beginning ‘Rebellious thoughts why doe you tumult so’?).
ff. 45r-117v.
• HuF 9: Sir Francis Hubert, Edward II (‘It is thy sad disaster which I sing’)
Copy of the 581-stanza version, in a single professional secretary hand, untitled and here beginning ‘I singe thy sad disaster (fatall King’, subscribed ‘Finis by Infortunio’.
This MS collated in Mellor.
First published, in an unauthorised edition as The Deplorable Life and Death of Edward the Second. Together with the Downefall of the two Unfortunate Favorits, Gavestone and Spencer. Storied in an Excellent Pöem, London, 1628. First authorised edition, as The Historie of Edward the Second, Surnamed Carnarvan, one of our English Kings. Together with the Fatall down-fall of his two vnfortunate Favorites Gaveston and Spencer, London, 1629. An edition of a 576-stanza version in three cantos, entitled The Life of Edward II, was printed in London 1721 from an unidentified MS.
Mellor, pp. 4-169 (664-stanza version, headed ‘The Life and Death of Edward the Second’, including ‘The Authors Preface’ beginning ‘Rebellious thoughts why doe you tumult so’?).
Harley MS 2408
A quarto volume of state tracts, 131 leaves.
ff. 8v-32r
• BaJ 1.2: John Bale, Acta Romanorum pontificum
Extracts from Bale's dedication to Bucer, Bullinger, Calvin, and Melanchthon of his Acta Romanorum pontificum (1558). Late 16th century.
First published in 1558.
See also BaJ 23.