Folger Shakespeare Library
CELM

Anon

Introduction

The tract published in 1584 as The Copy of a Letter Written by a Master of Arts of Cambridge to his friend in London, which soon became known as Leicester's Commonwealth, is perhaps the most notorious libel circulated in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. A vehement attack on the Earl of Leicester and on the Protestant Government itself, it was evidently printed in France and hundreds of copies were secretly imported into England. Steps were soon taken by the Queen and her Privy Council to have the book banned, with penalties imposed even for owning a copy of it. Substantial numbers of copies were consequently seized by government agents at ports. An obvious consequence of these measures was that the work was widely and surreptitiously circulated to meet demand and that very many manuscript copies were made, presumably when printed copies became scarce. At present, counting a few untraced items and manuscripts of extracts, some ninety-one manuscript copies can be recorded (LeC 1-91), including a particularly interesting copy (LeC 49), only recently identified as produced by Sir John Harington and his family. It also contains, in Harington's hand, the apparently unique text of an English translation of an especially scathing Addition to the work.

Authorship

The authorship of the tract, evidently by one or more anti-Government Catholic polemicists on the continent, has long been disputed. One theory is that it was by a collaboration of English Catholic conspirators in France, including Charles Arundell and Lord Paget. The most common contemporary attribution, however, is that it was written entirely by Robert Persons (1546-1610), the Jesuit polemicist and conspirator, who was certainly at least involved in the printing of the work. From the style and contents of the tract, vis à vis his other known writings, it now seems most likely that Persons was the author after all.

Abbreviations

  • Peck — Leicester's Commonwealth, ed. Dwight C. Peck (Athens, Ohio, 1985).

Prose

Leicester's Commonwealth

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.

LeC 2

Copy, with a title-page.

In: A small quarto volume of state tracts and letters, in a single professional secretary hand, 149 leaves, in contemporary vellum.
Early 17th century
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House (Devereux Papers, Vol. VII ff. 1r-100r)
LeC 3

Copy, with a formal title-page subscribed written in the yeare: 1630: Peytons booke, including (pp. 271-3) the meditation of Job, the rear cover of the volume inscribed Leicesters Common Wealth.

In: A folio volume of state tracts and letters, in a single accomplished mixed hand, i + 352 pages, in contemporary limp vellum with ties.

Possibly in the hand of Edward Paynton or Peyton, whose name, dated 1633, also appears in A Discourse of Court and Courtiers in HMC MS No. 266.

c.1630

Woburn bookplate dated 1873, but probably owned earlier at the time of the fourth Earl of Bedford.

Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 2.

The Duke of Bedford, Woburn Abbey (HMC MS 186 pp. 1-273)
LeC 4

Copy, in several probably non-professional secretary hands, imperfect at the end. Early 17th century.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts and letters, in several largely professional secretary hands, 372 leaves, differing sizes, in modern half-calf.

Scribbling before and in the first item including Thomas Rastewell hys Booke, Johannes Barker (in court hand), Thomas Tamkine (? Thomas Tomkins), and Thomas Cooke.

LeC 5

Copy, in a secretary hand, annotated by Powle The Ld of Leycester his common wealth coppied of yonge Mr willeam bruwally written... [by my red hedded madde manne added possibly in another hand].

In: A folio compendium or entry book of state letters and other documents and memoranda, in various secretary and italic hands, 231 leaves (including numerous blanks), in modern half-calf.

Compiled over a period, and partly written, by Sir Stephen Powle (c.1553-1630), Clerk of the Crown.

Bodleian Library, Tanner Collection (MS Tanner 169 ff. 92r-131r) | Catalogue
LeC 6 1616

Copy, with a full title-page, headed Leicesters Comon wealth and dated at the top 1616, at the end the inscribed name (? the scribe) Rhoda Kinge.

In: A folio composite volume comprising three state letters or tracts, each in a different secretary hand, 87 leaves (plus some blanks), in contemporary vellum.
LeC 7
Copy, in a single secretary hand, i + 155 quarto leaves.
Late 16th-early 17th century

Later owned by John Somers (1651-1716), Baron Somers, Lord Chancellor, and afterwards by his brother-in-law Sir Joseph Jekyll (1662-1738), lawyer and politician (No. 278 in the sale catalogue of his library, 1759). Probably later owned by the Rev. Philip Bliss (1787-1857), antiquary and book collector (possibly No. 144 in the Bliss sale, Sotheby's 21 August 1858, to C.J. Stewart). James Colman's sale catalogue No. 59, 23 November 1867, item 198.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226.

LeC 8

Copy, untitled.

This MS recorded in Peck. p. 226.

In: A quarto volume of three tracts (two on the Succession written the 6t [and 4th] of novebr. 1599) respectively), in three different professional secretary hands, 87 quarto leaves (plus two blanks), in contemporary vellum.
End of 16th century

Inscribed twice (f. 1r) Gualterus Johnes verus possessor huius libri.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Jones 32 ff. 3r-72r) | Catalogue
LeC 9

Copy, with (f. [iiir]) a title-page: Greene=Sleeues OR Leicesters Commonwealth...Ex libris Roberti sancti Gerardi 1630. / Nil temere. / transcribed in Anno Dni 1674. by J H.

In: A folio volume of state letters, tracts and verse, 177 leaves, in calf gilt.

Entirely in the hand of John Hopkinson (1610-80), Yorkshire antiquary, of Lofthouse, near Leeds, and comprising Volume 32 of the Hopkinson MSS.

1674

Signed bookplate of Frances Mary Richardson Currer (1785-1861), book collector, of Eshton Hall, West Yorkshire. Subsequently owned by her step-father Matthew Wilson.

Recorded in HMC, 3rd Report (1872), Appendix, p. 299.

Bradford Archives (32D86/32 ff. [iiir], 1r-100v)
LeC 12
Copy, in three predominantly secretary hands, untitled, 57 folio leaves, imperfect, lacking one leaf, formerly in contemporary vellum, in modern half red morocco.

Volume DXCII of the Blenheim Papers, papers principally of John Churchill (1650-1722), first Duke of Marlborough, army commander and politician, his wife Sarah (née Jenyns) (1660-1744), and the related Spencer and Trevor families.

c.1584-1600s

Inscribed (f. ir) Thomas Edgerly and James Shirley (not the playwright).

LeC 13
Copy, in a neat predominantly secretary hand, on 90 quarto leaves (plus blanks), in contemporary limp vellum with ties.
Late 16th century

Inscribed at the end in the late 17th century notes of debts due to me R. Richardson. Later owned by James P.R. Lyell (1871-1948), book collector, and then by W.A. Foyle (1885-1963), bookseller, of Beeleigh Abbey, Essex. Christie's, 12 July 2000 (W.A. Foyle sale, Part III), lot 311, with facsimiles of two pages in the sale catalogue.

LeC 14 c.1615

Copy, closely written in a small predominantly italic hand, with a title-page Leicestrensem Rempublicane: Anno Dom: 1584...Leycesters Common wealth...1615.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

In: A quarto volume of state and philosophical tracts, in several hands, 75 leaves, in modern quarter crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.
LeC 15
Copy, in the hand of Ralph Starkey, 81 leaves (plus blanks), with a title-page dated 1584, inscribed (f. 84v) Bonté seueté souuenance sont du Seigneur les sentiers; bound with a separate discourse by Edward Payton, 1633 (Harley MS 3364), in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.
c.1620

Among papers of Ralph Starkey (c.1569-1628), antiquary; subsequently acquired by Sir Simonds D'Ewes, Bt (1602-50), diarist and antiquary. A MS of this work is No. 86 in a catalogue of papers in Starkey's study.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225. See Peter Beal, In Praise of Scribes (Oxford, 1998), pp. 254, 273.

LeC 16

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.

In: 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.

LeC 17
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

Inscribed (f. 1r) by Wanley 3 May 1721, the date of accession into the Harley Library.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

LeC 19 Late 16th-early 17th century

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, with a formal title-page in italic script, undated, the last leaf imperfect.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

In: A folio volume comprising two independent MSS, in different hands, 135 leaves, in modern mottled leather gilt.
LeC 20

Copy, in a secretary hand, headed Leicesters Commonwealth. Early 17th century.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts, in several professional hands, 192 leaves, in modern calf gilt.

Inscribed (f. [ir]) by Humfrey Wanley with date of accession into the Harley Library 25 Novembris, A.D. 1723.

LeC 23 Early 17th century

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, with a title-page, incomplete.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226.

In: A quarto composite volume of tracts, in various hands, 87 leaves, in modern half red morocco on cloth boards gilt.
The British Library: Lansdowne MSS (Lansdowne MS 215 ff. 5r-52v) | Catalogue
LeC 24
Copy, in a professional semi-calligraphic hand, with a lengthy title-page which is subscribed Anno Dni 1616, the Epistle to G.M. in italic, the rest in secretary script, concluding (ff. 96v-7r) with the meditation out of Job, 97 folio leaves, in quarter-calf marbled boards.
1616

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

LeC 25

Extracts, headed Some Extracts out of the Earle of Leicesters Common wealth of which the whole booke is att Mr J. Lluyd of Ynisheere.

This MS recorded in Peck. p. 226.

In: A folio volume of ten state tracts, in a single professional hand, 437 leaves, in modern quarter-vellum.
c.1620s-30s

In the collection of Francis Hargrave (1740/1-1821), legal writer. Inscribed by him on f. iv A present to me from my friend Charles Butler Esqr. Fra: Hargrave 15 Jan. 1792. Inscribed on f. 1r in a different hand, Given me by Mr: S. Baker, Bookseller, Whit-. May 26. 74 in XII. f. 1. my way home from Woodfd. Church, with another Fol. Ms. Halfd:.

The British Library: other MSS (Hargrave MS 168 ff. 395r-403r) | Catalogue
LeC 26

Copy in a single hand, with a title-page, Leicesters Common wealthe..., annotated by readers By some thought to haue been written by Sr. Walter Raughley, By some thought to bee written by ffather Parsons the Jesuite, and Rhoda kinge.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts, letters and speeches, in various professional hands, with a table of contents (f. 1r-v), 247 leaves.
c.1630

In the collection of Francis Hargrave (1740/1-1821), legal writer.

The British Library: other MSS (Hargrave MS 311 ff. 2r-61v) | Catalogue
LeC 27

Extracts, headed Obseruations out of Leisters comon=welth:.

This MS recorded in Peck. p. 226.

In: A folio commonplace book of extracts, in a single cursive hand, written with the volume in oblong format, inscribed in another hand (f. 1r) Historical Collections by the Earl of Derby.
c.1646

Inscribed (f. 6v) i645: n.$. ne turba Opera meas L Derby and (f. 114v) Finis Ja: i3: i645: at Castle Rushen in ye Ile of Man. L Derby: i.e. compiled by James Stanley (1607-51), seventh Earl of Derby, royalist army officer.

The British Library: Sloane Collection (Sloane MS 874 ff. 7r-12v)
LeC 28

Copy, with a title-page.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

In: A folio volume of tracts and poems, in a single secretary hand, 73 leaves.
c.1600

Inscribed (f. 1r) Sum liber Johannis Botterilli, Ano Dni 1600. Nouembris 27 don Me 18 Augusti 1602 Myles B.

The British Library: Sloane Collection (Sloane MS 1303 ff. 7r-59v)
LeC 29
Copy, in a single professional secretary hand, entitled Leicesters Respublica, 83 folio leaves, in half mottled calf on marbled boards.
Late 16th century

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

LeC 30
Copy, in a non-professional secretary hand, with a title-page, 82 quarto leaves, in modern half crushed morocco gilt.
Early 17th century

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

LeC 31 c.1630s

Copy, in a roman hand, entitled (f. 108v) Robert Dudley Erle of Leicester his life & gournmt, commonly called his Comon Wealth.1584.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

In: A small quarto volume of state tracts and papers, in one or more cursive secretary hands, 236 leaves, in modern half-morocco.
c.1620s
The British Library: Stowe MSS (Stowe MS 156 ff. 108v-204v) | Catalogue
LeC 32
Copy, the main text in a single professional secretary hand, 73 quarto leaves, in modern crushed morocco.

Formally inscribed (f. 1r) De. Re / Priuata et Publia / RCL / Pecet nouisse malum facisse nefandum / Lectori / Emenda Legendo menda / Vale, with a full title-page in secretary and italic scripts (f. 2r), subscribed (f. 71r) finis. written Anno. 1594.

c.1594

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

LeC 33

Copy, in a secretary hand, untitled.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

In: A small folio volume containing two works, the second (ff. 49v-79r) a tabular summary of a philosophical Encyclopædia, 79 leaves, in modern crushed morocco.
Early 17th century

Inscribed (f. 1r) Edri Umfreville: i.e. Edward Umfreville (1702?-86), collector of legal manuscripts.

The British Library: Stowe MSS (Stowe MS 271 ff. 1r-48v) | Catalogue
LeC 35

Copy, headed The Earle of Leicester his Common Wealth, without the dedication.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

In: A folio volume comprising four works, all in one secretary hand, 93 leaves (plus 115 blanks), in contemporary calf (rebacked).
Early 17th century

Inscription (f. 1r) Samvell Sandys.

LeC 36

Copy, with a title-page, in a secretary hand. End of 16th century.

This MS recorded in Peck. p. 226.

In: A small folio composite volume of state tracts and genealogical papers, in various hands and paper sizes, 146 leaves, in old calf (rebacked).
LeC 39

Copy, with a title-page.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

In: A quarto volume of state tracts and letters, largely written in one secretary hand, entries at the reverse end in a different hand, 281 leaves (including 90 blanks).
Early-mid-17th century

Inscribed at the end T ed: Kenett.

LeC 40

Copy, in a single secretary hand, imperfect at both ends. Late 16th-early 17th century.

This MS recorded in Peck. p. 226.

In: A folio composite volume of legal and state tracts, in various largely professional hands (including the Feathery Scribe), 216 leaves (including some blanks), in modern half-calf.

Bookplate of John Moore (1646-1714), Bishop of Ely.

Described in Peter Beal, In Praise of Scribes: Manuscripts and their Makers in Seventeenth-Century England (Oxford, 1998), p. 218 (No. 8).

LeC 41
Copy.

Copy, in a secretary hand, lacking a title-page, inscribed by the copyist at the end Cutbert Crooke, 133 quarto leaves, in vellum.

Late 16th-early 17th century

Among papers of the Sidney family, Viscounts De L'Isle, of Penshurst Place, Ashford, Kent.

LeC 42
Copy, in a single professional secretary hand, the Epistle dated 1592, 157 folio leaves, in contemporary vellum, the date 1598 on the spine changed to 1639.
Early 17th century

Among papers of the Newdegate family, Viscounts Daventry, of Arbury Hall, Nuneaton.

Warwickshire County Record Office microfilm, M1 351/6, item 33.

LeC 44
Copy, in a single secretary hand, with (f. iir) a formal title-page with the treatise as by Sr Anth. Brown, dated 1584 and subscribed J. K., with (f. iiir) a further title Leic: Comon wealth, v + 76 quarto leaves (an additional note on f. 77r deleted), in contemporary vellum.
Late 16th-early 17th century

Inscribed (f. ir) empt de Mra Blakeston. Among the collections of Christopher Hunter (1675-1757), Durham antiquary and physician.

Durham Cathedral Library (Hunter MS 55)
LeC 45

Copy, closely written in a single small secretary hand, the heading in italic, annotated in a later hand Having compared this Copy with the latter [printed edition of 1640], I find ye M.S to be fuller, 49 leaves. Late 16th-early 17th century.

In: A quarto composite volume of miscellaneous tracts, including (item 1: 20 leaves) a verse miscellany, in several largely secretary hands, 210 unnumbered leaves.

Among the collections of Christopher Hunter (1675-1757), Durham antiquary and physician.

Durham Cathedral Library (Hunter MS 76 item 5)
LeC 46
Copy, in a professional italic hand, headed The Earl of Lesters Commonwealth, 87 leaves (plus some blanks), in contemporary vellum with ties.
Late 16th-early 17th century

In the library of John Cosin (1595-1672), Bishop of Durham.

LeC 47
Copy, in a single predominantly secretary hand, the normal title preceded (f. [iiv]) by a supplied heading Leycesters Commonwealth in another hand, iv + 84 pages, in old speckled leather.
Late 16th century

Recorded in HMC, 6th Report (1877), Appendix, p. 307.

LeC 48

Copy, with a title-page, side-notes added in another hand, and subscribed L. Daneidis.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

In: A quarto miscellany, largely in a professional secretary hand, i + 59 leaves (plus numerous blanks and some loose papers), in contemporary vellum.
Late 16th-early 17th century

Once owned by the Draycott family.

Emmanuel College, Cambridge (MS 80 (I. 3. 28) ff. ir-54v) | Catalogue
LeC 49
Copy, in the hands of Sir John Harington (including, pp. 203-26, an addycion), of his servant Thomas Combe, and of Harington's brother Francis, viii + 226 quarto pages, in contemporary vellum with ties.
c.1585

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226, and the addycion edited from this MS on pp. 229-44. Harington's hand identified by Peter Beal and the MS discussed in Gerard Kilroy, Advertising the Reader: Sir John Harington's Directions in the Margent, English Literary Renaissance, 41/1 (Winter, 2011), 64-110, with facsimiles of pp. 111, 119 and 203 on p. 89-90. 93.

LeC 50
Copy, in a single secretary hand, 143 quarto leaves, in later calf gilt.

With an initial title-page (f. 1r) De Re priuata & Publica R C L ... before (f. 1v) a second title-page with the usual title, subscribed (f. 141v) ffinis, Written Ano 1594, and with (ff. 142r-3r) the Meditation from Job.

1594

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226.

LeC 51
Copy, in a single neat secretary hand, with (f. 1r) the arms of the Earl of Leicester in pen and ink, 109 quarto leaves, imperfect, lacking a title-page, f. 54, and the ending, in contemporary limp vellum, with ties.
Late 16th century

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226.

LeC 52
Copy, in a single secretary hand, with an initial title-page in roman script Robert Dvdley Earle of Leicester, his Life and Gouernment commonly called His Commonwealth before (f. 2r) the usual title dated 1584, 221 quarto leaves, imperfect, a number of leaves defective and lacking the ending, in modern vellum boards gilt, with ties.
Early 17th century

First title-page inscribed J Strutt.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226.

LeC 53
Copy, in a single cursive secretary hand, on 56 tall folio leaves, including (f. 55r) the meditation from Job, inscribed (f. 56v) in a different hand a booke of many Extraordinary thinges concerne ye lord of Lester in ye time of Queene Elisabeth, in old calf gilt (rebacked).
Late 16th-early 17th century

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226.

LeC 54
Copy of a version, in a single professional secretary hand, with some (faded) rubrication, 42 tall folio leaves, lacking a title-page, in modern boards.

Including at the end (ff. 40v-2r) Certaine Notes taken out of some other Authors Concerning my Lord of Leycesters Comon wealth.

Early 17th century

From the library of George Dunn, of Woolley Hall, near Maidenhead. Item 8 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

This MS text recorded in Peck, p. 226.

LeC 55
Copy of a version, in a single small, probably professional, mixed hand, 46 folio leaves, in contemporary limp vellum.

With no title-page or heading, but with a title written on the front cover in a roman hand A conference in which is described the wickedness, baseness, and Treasonous Designs of Robt. Dudley E. of Lecester, some time the cheif Minister to Q. Elizabeth. written at the time of his highest elevation.

Early 17th century

This MS text recorded in Peck, p. 226.

LeC 56

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, untitled.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226.

In: A large volio volume of state papers, tracts and speeches, in several professional largely secretary hands, 484 pages (including numerous blanks), in half calf on marbled boards.
c.1630

Bookplates of Captain Henry B.H. Beaufoy, FRS (1786-1851), and of William T. Smedley (1851-1934), Baconian.

LeC 57

Copy, in a predominantly italic hand, complete with a title-page (possibly in another secretary and italic hand), dedicatory epistle, and meditation from Job.

In: A large folio volume comprising two tracts in different hands, the second (ff. [31r-42r]) Vox Populi, 43 leaves, in contemporary limp vellum.
Early 17th century
Harvard, other MSS (fMS Eng 868 ff. [1r-30r]) | Catalogue
LeC 58
Copy, in a probably professional secretary hand, iii + 73 folio leaves, in contemporary limp vellum, with traces of ties.

With a title-page, Leicestrenseni Rempublicane Anno Dom. 1584, the dedicatory epistle, and the meditation from Job.

Late 16th century

Acquired in 1960 from Hamill & Barker, Chicago.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226.

LeC 60
Copy, in a probably professional secretary hand, i + 84 + ii quarto leaves, in contemporary vellum.
End of 16th-early 17th century

Bookplate of Ham Court, [Oxfordshire].

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226.

LeC 61

Copy.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226.

In: A folio volume of state tracts, in three secretary hands except for an addition on the last leaf in italic, c.125 leaves, in contemporary vellum.
Early 17th century
The Huntington Library, shelfmarks F through M (HM 267 1st Series, ff. 1r-69r)
LeC 63

Copy, in a cursive secretary hand, with a supplied title (f. 275r) The History of ye Earle of Leicester and incorporating further notes at the end, including An Additon agreable to ye history Writtne in uerse.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 826.

In: A folio composite volume of tracts and papers, in various hands, 486 leaves, in red morocco gilt.
Inner Temple Library (Petyt MS 538, Vol. 45 ff. 278r-333v) | Catalogue
LeC 64

Copy, with full title and date 1584, subscribed ffinis./31. August 1633. EA, with the meditation from Job on f. 200r-v, subscribed ffinis. 1 Sept 1633. EA., inscribed in the margin by a reader (f. 88r) This is the same bock with that intitul'd Leicesters Common wealth wrote by Father Robart Parsons.

In: A quarto volume of state and miscellaneous tracts, two by women, in a single predominantly secretary hand, one EA, 274 leaves, in contemporary calf (rebacked), with traces of clasps.
1631-9

Later owned by the Rev. Dr Cox Macro (1683-1767), antiquary (his No. 98), and then by the Gurney family of Norfolk. Sotheby's, 31 March 1936 (Gurney sale), lot 159.

The University of Manchester Library (English MS 875 ff. 88r-199v) | Catalogue
LeC 65
Copy, in a probably professional secretary hand, lacking a title, 83 folio pages, in contemporary vellum.
End of 16th-early 17th century

Among the collectionss of Thomas Tenison (1636-1715), Archbishop of Canterbury.

LeC 66

Copy, imperfect, lacking approximately half the text.

This MS recorded in Peck. p. 226.

In: A folio volume of state tracts and works associated with the Royal Court, in a single formal secretary hand except for an addition by a cursive secretary hand on p. 61 and subsequent scribbling on the first three pages, i + 90 pages, imperfect, all leaves damaged and lacking some text, all now in window mounts.
c.1597

A complete facsimile of the volume, with transcriptions, in Burgoyne, Alnwick MS (1904).

LeC 67
Copy, in a single secretary hand, with a title-page Licesters Comon Wealth, on 24 folio leaves, incomplete, followed (ff. [25r-6r]) by Certaine notes taken out of some other authour concerninge my Lor: of Leicesters Comon wealth, in modern morocco gilt.
Early 17th century

This MS recorded in Peck. p. 226.

LeC 68
Copy, 230 folio pages, imperfect, disbound.

Pages numbered 4-230 in the hand of the Feathery Scribe; sixteen unnumbered preliminary pages supplied in another, apparently non-professional hand on a different stock of paper, presumably to replace text missing from the original copy; with many corrections, alterations and sidenotes in other hands, a series of addresses scribbled in the margin of p. 10 and on an end-leaf suggesting possible use in a professional London scriptorium.

c.1620s-30s

This MS text recorded in Peck, p. 226. Discussed in Peter Beal, In Praise of Scribes: Manuscripts and their Makers in Seventeenth-Century England (Oxford, 1998), pp. 74-7, 254 (No. 84), with facsimile examples on pp. 75-6.

The Pierpont Morgan Library (MA 1475 (LHMS: No. [8], Leicester's Commonwealth)) | Catalogue
LeC 69

Copy, closely written in a cursive mixed hand.

In: A quarto miscellany, containing eleven texts in verse and prose, in several hands, including seven poems by Donne in a single hand, 114 pages (plus blanks), in a vellum wrapper.
Early 17th century

Inscribed on the cover Mich: Heneage: A Paris: i.e. probably either the son (fl.1640) or the grandson (1632-c.1707) of Michael Heneage (1540-1600), antiquary. Formerly Somerset Record Office DD/WHb/3086, among the Button-Walker-Heneage MSS.

Cited in IELM, I.i (1980) as the Heneage MS: DnJ Δ 34.

Private owners in the UK (Heneage MS [item 10])
LeC 70
Copy, entitled The Book called the lord of Leicesters Comon wealthe with the date 1584 on the title-page, 111 folio pages, in modern vellum boards.

In probably two or more hands, a neat predominantly italic hand (pp. 1-7) and at least one cursive mixed hand (pp. 7-111), with a secretary hand adding the meditation on Job on the last page.

Late 16th-early 17th century

Donated 15 May 1938 by Miss Mary de Winton and Miss Katherine Ede Winton, of Priory Hill House, Brecon, having been owned nearly sixty years earlier by Mrs Lewes Gibbs.

LeC 71
Copy, in a single seceretary hand, 53 folio leaves, in contemporary limp vellum (a recycled deed of 1568 between Thomas Wentworth and Robert Darly).

The tract is here untitled, the initial epistle set out separately on f. 1r, and the deed cover inscribed inside in large letters Have mercye on vs Lord amen, as if to conceal, or at least minimize detection of, the true character of the work.

Late 16th century
Sheffield Archives (WWM MS 2)
LeC 72
Copy, in two probably non-professional secretary hands, the title-page bearing the date 1584, 294 quarto leaves, in old reversed calf.
Early 17th century

Inscribed Ex dono Dignissimi viri Joannis Bagford noti in Historiâ Typographica [i.e. by John Bagford (1650/1-1716), bookseller and antiquary], and Ex dono T. Baker [i.e. by Thomas Baker (1656-1740), Cambridge antiquary].

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

St John's College, Cambridge (MS L. 11 (James 366))
LeC 73 Late 16th-early 17th century

Copy, the main text in probably a single secretary hand, the title-page supplied by Thomas Baker.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

In: A quarto miscellany of verse and prose, probably in several hands, ii + 176 leaves, in contemporary calf gilt.

Inscribed inside the front cover Beinge Boughte of Joh grocer. 1617 [vnwritten added in different ink]. Later owned by Samuel Newton (d.1718), antiquary and Mayor of Cambridge, and then by Thomas Baker (1656-1740), Cambridge antiquary.

St John's College, Cambridge (MS S. 46 (James 436) ff. 1r-111v)
LeC 74
Copy, in a probably professional secretary hand, with a modern title-page (otherwise untitled), 142 folio pages (plus blanks), in later calf.
Late 16th-early 17th century

Inscribed (f [ir]) Ed: Rud S.T.B. Trin: Coll: Cant: Soc: 1712.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

Trinity College, Cambridge (MS R. 5. 9 (James 703)) | Catalogue
LeC 75 Late 16th-early 17th century

Copy, in at least two secretary hands.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts and letters, in several hands, 121 leaves, in 17th-century calf.

With a later title-page (f. [iiir]), Leycesters Common-wealth...Together with other Political Papers written or Collected by Mr Beaupre Bell...De Beauprè Hall in Com: Norf: 1726. Inscribed inside the front cover by Thomas Hearne (1678-1735), Oxford antiquary, Sept. 1. 1733. This MS. belongs to Beaupré Bell Junior, Esq. Tho: Hearne.

Trinity College, Cambridge (MS R. 5. 18 (James 713) ff. 1r-47r) | Catalogue
LeC 76
Copy, in at least two probably professional cursive secretary hands, with a formal title-page Leicesters Comon=Wealth / The Coppie of a Letter...[etc.], 65 tall folio leaves, in contemporary vellum.
Early 17th century

Old pressmark E. 1. 25.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226.

LeC 77
Copy, in a single professional secretary hand, untitled, with a supplied title roughly inscribed in another hand Leycesters comonwealth a Better Copy see (*: 3 :/, 53 folio pages, in later calf.
Late 16th-early 17th century

Former call number E. 2. 18.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226.

LeC 78
Copy, in a single secretary hand, with a title-page Leicesters Comon Weale / The Coppie of a letter...Anno Dni. 1593, including the meditation of Job, 60 small quarto leaves, in old blind-stamped calf.

The title-page subscribed John Aynworth, probably the copyist of the MS.

c.1593

Old pressmark E. 5. 27.

This MS recorded in Peck. p. 226.

LeC 79
Copy, mainly in a probably professional secretary hand, a mixed hand on ff. 48r-50v, on the first 69 leaves in a quarto volume comprising two MSS bound together, 109 leaves in all (plus blanks) including (ff. 69v-109v) notes, tracts and a catalogue in later hands, with additions dated 1693/4, in old vellum boards.
Mid-17th century

Scribbling (f. 1r) including the name Ai Bealken. Old pressmark F. 4. 21.

This MS recorded in Peck, p. 226.

LeC 80

Extracts, headed Leicesters Commonwealth.

In: A duodecimo commonplace book of extracts, in one cursive hand, written from both ends, 117 leaves (plus numerous blanks), in contemporary vellum boards gilt.
c.1630

Owned by William Drake, MP (1606-69), of Shardeloes, near Amersham, Buckinghamshire. Later in the library of Charles Kay Ogden (1889-1957), psychologist, linguist, and book collector.

Drake's commonplace books discussed in Stuart Clark, Wisdom Literature of the Seventeenth Century: A Guide to the Contents of the Bacon-Tottel Commonplace Books, Transactions of the Cambridge Bibliographical Society, 6, Part 5 (1976), 291-305; 7, Part 1 (1977), 46-73, and in Kevin Sharpe, Reading Revolutions (New Haven & London, 2000).

University College London (MS Ogden 7/38 f. 3r) | Catalogue
LeC 81

Copy, the decorated title-page dated 1592.

In: A folio volume of legal and state tracts, 246 leaves (including blanks), in contemporary vellum boards, with initial H in a gilt lozenge on the front cover and F on a similar lozenge on the rear cover.

Folios 5r-217r, 225r-31r in a semi-calligraphic secretary hand, formal title-pages and headings with heavily inked borders and decoration, associated with one Henry Feilde; folios 217v-24v in a different secretary hand; folios 232r-5v in a third hand.

c.1630s

Later in the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), book and manuscript collector: Phillipps MS 8989. Among the collections of Sir Edwin Durning-Lawrence, MP (1837-1914), Baconian scholar and book collector.

LeC 81.5

Copy, largely faded.

In: A folio miscellany, entitled A Booke of Memorable Accidents and famous Arraignements with other worthy matters touchinge great personages agitated wthin this Realme of England in the Reignes of Queene Elizabeth and Kinge James, compiled by William Bull, of the Middle Temple, 104 leaves, bound with other material by Henry Bull, Jr, and others, in half-calf.
c.1620s

Puttick & Simpson's, 11 November 1887, lot 1050. Briefly owned by James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps (1820-89), literary scholar and book collector. Bequeathed to his nephew and executor Ernest E. Baker. Acquired in 1960 from Emily Driscoll, manuscript dealer, New York.

University of North Carolina (CSWR A32 pp. 151-219) | Catalogue
LeC 82

Copy.

In: A quarto volume containing at least two tracts.
Early-mid-17th century?

Formerly among the papers of the Isham family, of Lamport Hall, Northamptonshire. (Not among the Isham papers in the Northamptonshire Record Office.)

Recorded in HMC, 3rd Report (1872), Appendix p. 253.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Isham MS] [unspecified page numbers])
LeC 83
Copy, dated on the first page 1620, c.300 small quarto pages, in vellum wrappers.
Early 17th century

Contemporary ownership inscription of Robert Hesketh. Also inscribed by Robert Scaliger, 1630. Phillips, 15 June 1989, lot 48.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Hesketh MS])
LeC 84
Copy, quarto.
Late 16th-17th century

Later among the MSS of Ralph Thoresby (1658-1725), Yorkshire antiquary and topographer.

Recorded in Ducatus Leodiensis, 2nd edition (Leeds, 1816), Appendix, p. 85, No. 121.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Thoresby's Leicester's Commonwealth MS])
LeC 85
Copy.

Copy.

Early 17th century

Inscribed Ex libris Rbti Setgri 1630. Later in the library of the Towneley family, of Towneley Hall, near Burnley, Lancashire. Sotheby's, 18 June 1883 (Towneley sale), lot 54.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Towneley MS (unnumbered)])
LeC 86

Observations and extracts.

In: A duodecimo commonplace book, compiled by James, Earl of Derby [presumably James Stanley (1607-51), seventh Earl of Derby], x or xii + 295 pages.
17th century

Formerly among papers of the Rev. T.W. Webb, of Hardwick Vicarage, Herefordshire.

Recorded in HMC, 7th Report, Part I (1879), Appendix, p. 682.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Webb MS (I)] [unspecified pages])
LeC 87
Copy, in a single secretary hand, densely written on 53 folio pages, imperfect, lacking the beginning and ending, disbound.
Late 16th century

Sold at Sotheby's to Dobell.

This MS recorded in Peck. p. 226.

LeC 88

Copy.

In: A folio volume of state tracts and speeches, 380 leaves, in contemporary calf gilt, now disbound.
Early-mid-17th century

Includes arms and genealogy of Helsby Cherleton & Acton Co. Lestr and of The Lords of Hatton Co. Lestr. Inscribed Thomas Helsby Lincoln's Inn London 1855.

Yale, Osborn, others (Osborn MS fb 23 ff. 49r-137v) | Catalogue
LeC 89

Copy.

In: A folio volume comprising two tracts relating to the Earl of Leicester (the second The Earle of Lecisters Ghoast), probably in a single mixed hand with variations, 292 pages, in contemporary calf gilt.
Early 17th century
Yale, Osborn, others (Osborn MS fb 206 pp. 1-204)
LeC 90
Copy, in a single secretary hand, on 283 quarto leaves, in contemporary vellum.
1620

Inscriptions on a flyleaf include Robt. hesketh oweth this book. Later in the collection of Laurence Heyworth.

Yale, Osborn, others (Osborn MS Hey 6)
LeC 91
Copy, in a single cursive secretary hand, 93 quarto leaves, in contemporary calf.
Late 16th-early 17th century

Later owned by Ralph Thoresby (1658-1725), Yorkshire antiquary and topographer; by George Steevens (1736-1800), literary editor and scholar; given by him 19 March 1780 to Isaac Reed (1742-1807), literary editor and book collector; then in the libraries of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), book and manuscript collector (Phillipps MS 9544); and of Sir Thomas Brooke, Bt, FSA (1830-1908), Yorkshire antiquary and book collector, of Armitage Bridge.

Contents