Osborn MS b 4
A quarto verse miscellany, 54 leaves, imperfect (chewed by rodents), lacking covers. Compiled by Herbert Aston (1613-88/9), poet, son of Walter Aston, Baron Aston of Forfar (1584-1639), of Tixall, Staffordshire, diplomat. c.1634.
Inscribed on f. iv‘Her: Aston [monogram] the 29 of July an: D: 1634’.
f. 2v
• RaW 186: Sir Walter Ralegh, Like to a Hermite poore (‘Like to a Hermite poore in place obscure’)
Copy, headed ‘Cant: 3’; imperfect.
First published in Brittons Bowre of Delights (London, 1591). Latham, pp. 11-12. Rudick, Nos 57A and 57B (two versions, pp. 135-6).
ff. 4v-5r
• GrJ 9: John Grange, ‘A Lover once I did espy’
Copy, headed ‘Cant: 8’, here beginning ‘A restless lover I did espy’, imperfect.
First published, in a musical setting, in Playford, Select Musicall Ayres and Dialogues (1652), I, 12. Poems (1660), pp. 86-7, beginning ‘A Restless Lover I espy'd’, superscribed ‘P.’. Listed in Krueger's Appendix I: ‘Spurious Poems in the 1660 Edition’, and in Krueger's Appendix II list of poems by John Grange.
f. 10r-v
• B&F 99: Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, The Mad Lover, IV, i, 45-68. Song (‘Charon, oh, Charon, Thou wafter of the souls to bliss or bane!’)
Copy of the song, untitled, imperfect.
Dyce, VI, 180-1. Bullen, III, 184. Bowers, V, 67-8.
ff. 17v-18r
• GrJ 76.8: John Grange, ‘Since every man I come among’
Copy, headed ‘Cant: 21’ and here beginning ‘Since all men that I come among’.
First published in Poems (1660), pp. 53-4. Listed in Krueger's Appendix I: ‘Spurious Poems in the 1660 Edition’ as by John Grange.
f. 23r-v
• StW 963: William Strode, A Song of Capps (‘The witt hath long beholding bin’)
Copy, headed ‘Cant: 26’.
First published in Wits Interpreter (London, 1655). Dobell, pp. 104-7. Forey, pp. 47-51.
f. 24r
• CmT 117: Thomas Campion, ‘Thou art not faire, for all thy red and white’
Copy, headed ‘Cant: 27’.
First published in A Booke of Ayres (London, 1601), No. xii. Davis, pp. 34-5.
f. 39r-v
• WoH 130: Sir Henry Wotton, On his Mistress, the Queen of Bohemia (‘You meaner beauties of the night’)
Copy, headed ‘Song 49’ and here beginning ‘Your meaner bewties of the night’.
First published (in a musical setting) in Michael East, Sixt Set of Bookes (London, 1624). Reliquiae Wottonianae (London, 1651), p. 518. Hannah (1845), pp. 12-15. Some texts of this poem discussed in J.B. Leishman, ‘“You Meaner Beauties of the Night” A Study in Transmission and Transmogrification’, The Library, 4th Ser. 26 (1945-6), 99-121. Some musical versions edited in English Songs 1625-1660, ed. Ian Spink, Musica Britannica XXXIII (London, 1971), Nos. 66, 122.
ff. 53v-4r
• GrJ 37.8: John Grange, ‘Blind beauty! If it be a loss’
Copy, untitled.
First published in Poems (1660), pp. 67-9, headed ‘Sonnet. P.’. Listed in Krueger's Appendix I: ‘Spurious Poems in the 1660 Edition’ as probably by John Grange.
f. 54v rev.
• DrM 33: Michael Drayton, The Cryer (‘Good Folke, for Gold or Hyre’)
Copy, headed ‘Cant: i = Hard by a christall spring’.
First published, among Odes with Other Lyrick Poesies, in Poems (London, 1619). Hebel, II, 371.
Osborn MS b 8
A quarto volume of transcripts of state letters, in a single predominantly secretary hand, 93 pages, imperfect, in 17th-century calf. c.1630.
Bookplate of George Folliott.
pp. 21-31
• SiP 180.97: Sir Philip Sidney, A Letter of Advice to Robert Sidney
Copy, headed ‘A Letter written by Sr. Phillip Sydney to his brother Robert Sydney (now Lord Lisle) shewing which Course was fitt for him to hould in Traueiles’.
A letter beginning ‘My most deere Brother. You have thought unkindness in me, I have not written oftner unto you...’. First published in Profitable Instructions. Describing what speciall Obseruations are to be taken by Trauellers in all Nations, States and Countries (London, 1633), pp. 74-103. Feuillerat (as Correspondence No. XXXVIII), III, 124-7.
[unspecified pages]
• BcF 651: Francis Bacon, Letter(s)
Copy of letter(s) by Bacon.
Osborn MS b 9
Copy, in a single small hand, incomplete, stopping at stanza 503, on 42 octavo leaves, in 17th-century calf (rebacked). Stanzas 1-503, headed ‘The life and death of Edward ye 2’, incomplete c.1620s.
HuF 18: Sir Francis Hubert, Edward II (‘It is thy sad disaster which I sing’)
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’?).
Osborn MS b 10
Copy, in a professional secretary hand, on 70 quarto leaves, disbound. c.1614.
MrT 107: Sir Thomas More, William Roper's Life of Sir Thomas More
Subscribed ‘Ex3 et concordat cum originalle 28o. Junij: 1614 per me Ric: Towneley’. Purchased by Yale from the descendants of Sir Mathew Hale (1609-76), Lord Chief Justice of England.
First published in London, 1626. Edited, as The Lyfe of Sir Thomas Moore, knighte, written by William Roper Esquire, by Elsie Vaughan Hitchcock (EETS, London, 1935).
Osborn MS b 12
MS of two works, in two different hands, the second written from the reverse end, 84 octavo leaves, in 17th-century calf. c.1620s.
Once owned by Sir Norton Knatchbull, first Baronet (1602-85). Scribbling on a flyleaf includes the name ‘M Baldacke’.
ff. [1r-73v]
• HuF 19: Sir Francis Hubert, Edward II (‘It is thy sad disaster which I sing’)
Copy of a 581-stanza version, in a predominantly italic hand, untitled.
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. [1r-11r rev.]
• CtR 429: Sir Robert Cotton, A Short View of the Long Life and Reign of Henry the Third, King of England
Copy, headed ‘A short view of ye raigne of Henry ye third. written by Sir Robert Cotton Knight Barronet 1614 and by him presented to his Matie the same yeare’.
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).
Osborn MS b 13
Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed ‘Three weekes Observation of the states countries especially Holland’, on 62 quarto pages, unbound. c.1630s.
FeO 99: Owen Felltham, A Brief Character of the Low-Countries
Sold by Dobell in 1952.
This MS discussed in Van Strien.
First published as Three Monethes observation of the low Countries especially Holland by a traveller whose name I know not more then by the two letters of J:S: at the bottome of the letter. Egipt this 22th of Jannuary (London, 1648). Expanded text printed as A brief Character of the Low-Countries under the States. Being three weeks observation of the Vices and Vertues of the Inhabitants... (for Henry Seile: London, 1652).
Osborn MS b 22
An octavo volume of tracts by Sir Robert Cotton, 256 leaves (plus blanks, a later table of contents, and a tipped-in genealogy), in 17th-century calf. In a single predominantly secretary hand. c.1640.
From the library of the Harvey family, of Ickwell Bury, Bedfordshire, and Funningley Park, Yorkshire.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd report (1871), Appendix, pp. 90-1.
ff. 5r-12r
• CtR 100: 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, the work described on a title-page as ‘Collected by Robert Cotton Esq Att the Commandment of her Maiestie Anno Domini 1590’.
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. 13r-19v
• CtR 214: Sir Robert Cotton, A Discovre of Lawfvllnes of Combats to be performed in the presence of the King, or the Constable and Marshall of England. Written...1609
Copy.
Tract beginning ‘Where difference could not be determined...’. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [59]-[71]. Hearne (1771), II, 172-80.
ff. 20r-7v
• CtR 49: Sir Robert Cotton, An Answer to Certain Arguments raised from Supposed Antiquity, and urged by some Members of the lower House of Parliament, to prove that Ecclesiasticall Lawes ought to be Enacted by Temporall Men
Copy.
Tract beginning ‘What, besides self-regard, or siding faction, hath been...’. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [203]-217.
ff. 28r-56v
• CtR 315: 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.
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. 59r-83v
• CtR 521: 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, the work dated ‘August: 11. Anno Domini 1613’.
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. 84r-159r
• CtR 33: Sir Robert Cotton, An Answer made by Command of Prince Henry, to Certain Propositions of Warre and Peace
Copy.
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. 160r-80r
• CtR 430: Sir Robert Cotton, A Short View of the Long Life and Reign of Henry the Third, King of England
Copy, the work dated 1614.
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. 181r-6v
• CtR 132: Sir Robert Cotton, A Briefe Discovrse concerning the Power of the Peeres and Commons of Parliament in point of Judicature
Copy.
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 Sr Rob: Cotton to Sr Edward Mountague Ano 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.
See also the Introduction.
ff. 187r-204v
• CtR 486: Sir Robert Cotton, That the Kings of England have been pleased usually to consult with their Peeres in the great Councell, and Commons in Parliament, of Marriage, Peace, and Warre. Written...Anno 1611
Copy, the work dated 1621.
Tract beginning ‘To search so high as the Norman Conquest...’. First published, as The Forme of Governement of the Kingdome of England collected out of the Fundamental Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome, London, 1642. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [11]-39.
ff. 205r-10v
• CtR 375: Sir Robert Cotton, A Relation of the Proceedings against Ambassadors who have miscarried themselves, etc. ...[27 April 1624]
Copy, the work dated 27 April 1624.
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. 211r-19v
• CtR 382: Sir Robert Cotton, A Remonstrance of the Treaties of Amitie and Marriage before time, and of late, of the House of Austria and Spaine, with the Kinges of England, to advance themselves to the Monarchy of Europe
Copy.
Tract beginning ‘Most excellent Majesty, Wee your Lords Spirituall and Temporal, and the Commons of your Realm assembled...’. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [91]-107.
ff. 220r-4v
• CtR 443: Sir Robert Cotton, A Speech Delivered in the Lower House of Parliament Assembled at Oxford: In the first year of the Reign of King Charles [6 August 1625]
Copy, the work dated 1625.
Speech beginning ‘Mr. Speaker, Although the constant Wisdome of this House of Commons...’. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [271]-281.
ff. 225r-33v
• CtR 496: 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.
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. 234r-48v
• CtR 462: 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, the work dated 2 September 1626.
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. 249r-56v
• CtR 199: Sir Robert Cotton, The Danger wherein this Kingdome now Standeth, and the Remedy
Copy.
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.
Osborn MS b 27
A memorandum book, in secretary hands, 41 quarto leaves (including blanks), in contemporary limp vellum. 1600-2.
Formerly among the Clifford family papers at Skipton Castle, Yorkshire.
The volume as a whole
• CdA 9: Lady Anne Clifford, Memorandum Book and Accounts
‘A book of Accomptes of my la[dy] An Cliffordes’, comprising accounts and memoranda relating to the education of Lady Anne Clifford, signed by her on f. [8v].
ff. [2r], [40v rev.]
• DaS 29: Samuel Daniel, ‘To wish and will it is my part’
Two quatrains possibly composed by Daniel, one beginning ‘To wish and will it is my part’ (the first line appearing also on f. [2r]), the other (based on Seneca) beginning ‘Remember as thou art a man’, both inscribed at the end of the volume before various other jottings.
The quatrain (‘To wish and will’) printed from this MS in Whitaker (where it is mistakenly described as being in Daniel's autograph).
A quatrain first published in T.D. Whitaker, The History and Antiquities of the Deanery of Craven (London, 1805), p. 279. The following quatrain unpublished.
Osborn MS b 31
Copy, in a professional secretary hand, with some underlinings and marginal emendations in another hand, on 45 quarto leaves, in contemporary vellum. Headed ‘The sume of diverse directions of governmte which Ch: 4th lefte vnto his sonne Philip ye ii K. of Spaine’, and without a Dedication. End of 16th-early 17th century.
HoH 50: 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
The MS is accompanied by a 19th-century transcript of it.
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.’
Osborn MS b 32
A quarto miscellany of state, military, and household material, 346 pages, in contemporary vellum. Compiled by John Holles (1595-1666), second Earl of Clare. c.1629-32.
Later owned by the fourth Duke of Newcastle, whose arms are stamped in gilt on the front cover.
pp. 60-2
• RaW 728.29: Sir Walter Ralegh, Ralegh's Arraignment(s)
Copy of ‘The chiefe points of ye indictment of Sr Water Rawly’ at his arraignement in 1603.
Accounts of the arraignments of Ralegh at Winchester Castle, 17 November 1603, and before the Privy Council on 22 October 1618. The arraignment of 1603 published in London, 1648. For documentary evidence about this arraignment, see Rosalind Davies, ‘“The Great Day of Mart”: Returning to Texts at the Trial of Sir Walter Ralegh in 1603’, Renaissance Forum, 4/1 (1999), 1-12.
pp. 145-53
• RaW 809: Sir Walter Ralegh, Speech on the Scaffold (29 October 1618)
Copy.
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.
Osborn MS b 36
Copy, in a professional secretary hand, with a title-page, on 59 quarto leaves, in marbled wrappers. c.1630s.
NaR 37: Sir Robert Naunton, Fragmenta Regalia
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).
Osborn MS b 46
Copy, on vi + 96 large quarto pages, in a vellum deed. Partly in a professional hand, partly (the Preface and p. 1) in the hand of Narcissus Luttrell (1657-1732), annalist and book collector, and inscribed by him on the title-page ‘By Sr William Temple. Baro. abt. Anno. 1680’. Late 17th century.
HaG 18: George Savile, First Marquess of Halifax, The Character of a Trimmer
Sotheby's, 4 May 1936 (Luttrell sale), lot 175. Maggs's sale catalogue No. 717 (1942), item 1546.
This MS recorded in C.N. Greenough and J.M. French, A Bibliography of the Theophrastan Character in England (Cambridge, Mass., 1947), p. 149. Collated in Brown, I, 345-96.
First published, ascribed to ‘the Honourable Sir W[illiam] C[oventry]’, in London, 1688. Foxcroft, II, 273-342. Brown, I, 178-243.