Folger Shakespeare Library
CELM

Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex

1566–1601

Introduction

Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, courtier, soldier and politician, was one of the most prominant public figures of his time. His personality, ambition, relationship with Queen Elizabeth, military successes and failures, and finally his ill-conceived rebellion, arraignment and execution at the age of thirty-five have been subjects of fascination from his own lifetime to the present.

Besides his reputation, however, Essex's most tangible legacy is the large amount of writing he left behind. This includes verse, a court entertainment, a draft military discourse, and innumerable letters. The canon of his literary output bears, however, the usual uncertainty of his period, in that no collection of his writings was ever made in his lifetime, nor any then published, and therefore identification of them is dependant on not always reliable contemporary or near-contemporary attributions, largely in manuscript copies that achieved some measure of circulation. This situation is further complicated not only by spurious attributions made after his death, but also by the fact that Essex assembled a notable secretariat, comprising distinguished or promising scholars including Francis Bacon, Henry Wotton, Thomas Smith, Edward Reynoldes, Henry Cuffe, and William Temple. While there is no doubt about Essex's own literary competence and eloquence (amply demonstrated in many of his autograph letters), it is also clear that his secretariat played a significant part in at least some of his writings, including the 1595 entertainment for the Queen, for parts of which Bacon's own drafts survive (BcF 308-317.5), and probably at least one of his formal letters of advice to the Earl of Rutland (*EsR 182), which were evidently put into manuscript circulation as demonstrations of his wisdom and abilities.

The Canon

For present purposes, the canon of Essex's verse accepted for the entries below is based on that proposed by Steven May. This includes by far the most popular and most widely circulated of Essex's poems, It was a time when sillie Bees could speake (EsR 50-92), relating to the unsuccessful 1595 tournament, which is ascribed in some copies to Henry Cuffe, but which May consigns to the category of Poems Possibly by Essex.

Entries for prose writings by, or attributed to, Essex include not only the three Letters to Rutland, which have been traditionally attributed to Bacon (EsR 153-184), but also a fourth letter of advice, probably to Rutland, the autograph original of which has only recently come to light (*EsR 185). Also included (*EsR 152) is the remarkable autograph draft of Essex's own account of the Cadiz expedition, written on board ship on his voyage back to England, a report which evolves into what is effectively a discourse on war with Spain. If Essex had had any intention of publishing his account, however, to establish his claim to the lion's share of responsibility for the victory over against the claims of Sir Walter Ralegh, they would have been dashed by the Queen and her Council's ban on the publication of any account of the expedition. In due course various accounts of the expedition were produced by Roger Marbeck and others, whether influenced by Essex's account or otherwise, and were circulated in manuscript.

Letters and Documents

Excluded from the entries below is the vast amount of correspondence and other paperwork produced by, or associated with Essex, in the course of his public life, including his occasional speeches in Parliament and his duties as Earl Marshal of England, documentation now widely dispersed in repositories around the world, not least in the National Archives, Kew, British Library, and archives of the Marquess of Salisbury at Hatfield House.

Of these documents, undoubtedly the most remarkable are the letters he wrote to Queen Elizabeth herself, often passionate, petulant and outspoken as they are, but eloquently expressed throughout virtually in terms of the rituals of courtly love. A series of forty-three of his original letters to the Queen, all written in his distinctive cursive italic hand between 1590 and probably just before his death in 1600/1, are now in the British Library (Add. MS 74286). Descriptions of these letters, with various facsimile examples, may be found in the relevant Elizabeth and Essex sale catalogues of Sotheby's (14 December 1992) and Phillips (11 June 1999), and see the discussion, with facsimile examples, in Grace Ioppolo, Your Majesties Most Humble Faythfullest and Most Affectionate Seruant: The Earl of Essex Constructs Himself and his Queen in the Hulton Letters, in Elizabeth I and the Culture of Writing, ed. Peter Beal and Grace Ioppolo (London, 2007), pp. 43-69. One of the mysteries surrounding these essentially private letters is why some of them were subsequently circulated in manuscript copies, of which many dozens survive from the 1620s and 1630s. Neither the practical circumstances of this dissemination, nor the possible political incentives behind it, have yet been explored.

Abbreviations

  • May, Poems — The Poems of Edward De Vere, Seventeenth Earl of Oxford, and of Robert Devereux, Second Earl of Essex, ed. Steven W. May, Studies in Philology, 77, No. 5 (Early Winter 1980).
  • May, Courtier Poets — Steven W. May, The Elizabethan Courtier Poets: The Poems and Their Contexts (Columbia, MO, and London, 1991).

Verse

(1) Poems Generally Attributed to Essex

'Happy were Hee could finish foorth his Fate'

May, Poems, No. 7, p. 47. May, Courtier Poets, p. 254. EV 8176.

EsR 2

Copy, untitled and subscribed J. Deane.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 124-5.

In: A quarto miscellany of verse and prose, in three or more hands, probably compiled principally by a member of New College, Oxford, 163 pages, in calf-backed marbled boards.
c.1620s-30s

The name George Brown inscribed on p. 14. Inscribed on p. i by Edmond Malone (1741-1812), literary scholar, biographer and book collector Feb 13. 1790. I this day purchased this Manuscript Collection of Poems, at the sale of Mr Brander's books, at the exorbitant price of Ten Guineas. EMalone.

EsR 3

Copy, headed Certaine verses made by the Earl of Essex about a weeke before he entered onto this Accon.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 124-5.

In: A folio volume of state papers and verses relating chiefly to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in a single professional secretary hand up to f. 58r, other hands on ff. 59r-65r, 65 leaves, in contemporary calf.
c.1610

An anonymous reader has dated f. 58r Septembr 10. 93 / ffebr: 30. [1]700/1.

EsR 4

Copy, headed His Decastick, on retir'd Life and subscribed Quoth Robertus Comes Essexiæ.

This MS collated in May, pp. 124-5.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers, in various hands, 180 leaves, in calf.

Compiled by Thomas Tanner (1674-1735)

17th century
EsR 5 Early 17th century

Copy.

This MS collated in May, Poems, pp. 124-5. Edited in May, Courtier Poets.

In: A quarto composite volume of state letters and tracts, in various hands, 130 leaves, in calf.

Among scribbling on a flyleaf of the first item is the name John Allen.

EsR 6

Copy in an italic hand, headed Certaine verses made by the Earle of Essex not longe before his death.

In: A folio volume of state papers, in two or three hands, 70 leaves, in vellum.
c.1620s
Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Jesus College 83 f. 22v)
EsR 7

Copy, transcribed from Harley MS 35, p. 338 (EsR 8).

In: A large quarto composite volume of letters and papers relating to Queen Elizabeth, Francis Bacon and the Earl of Essex, predominantly in the hand of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian, 44 leaves.
Chiefly mid-18th century
EsR 9 Early 17th century

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, here beginning Happie hee could finishe forth his fate, incorporated in a copy of Essex's letter to Queen Elizabeth, of 30 August 1599, before his expedition to Ireland (beginning From a mind delighting in sorrow...).

In: 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.
EsR 10

Copy of the poem, untitled, as incorporated in A letter of Robert Deuorex Earle of Essex, to Queene Eliz: vpon his Commande to goe to Ireland.

In: A folio booklet of state letters, in a single predominantly secretary hand, 24 leaves, the last three leaves imperfect, unbound.
c.1630
EsR 10.5

Copy.

Grosart, I, 97. Collated in May, pp. 124-5.

In: A quarto miscellany of verse and some prose, in at least seven secretary and italic hands, 118 leaves (plus some blanks), currently disbound.

Possibly compiled by one or more persons connected with the Inns of Court.

c.1600-1620s

Later in the library of the Rev. Richard Farmer, FSA (1735-97), Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, literary scholar. Lot 8055 in the sale of his library by Thomas King, 7 May to 16 June 1798. Probably owned afterwards by James Crossley (1800-83), author and book collector. Formerly Chetham's MS 8012.

The volume edited by Alexander B. Grosart as The Dr. Farmer Chetham MS. being a Commonplace Book in the Chetham Library, Manchester, temp. Elizabeth, James I, and Charles I, Chetham Society, vols 89 and 90 (Manchester, 1873).

Chetham's Library, Manchester (Mun. A.4.15 f. 56r (p. 86)) | Catalogue
EsR 11

Copy, in a secretary hand, untitled, subscribed to a copy of a letter by the Earl of Essex to Queen Elizabeth vppon his Comaund to goe for Ireland in 1599.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 124-5.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers and proceedings in Parliament, in various hands, 448 leaves (plus blanks), in red morocco gilt.
Inner Temple Library (Petyt MS 538, Vol. 18 f. 220v) | Catalogue
EsR 12

Copy, headed Verses made by him.

In: A folio booklet of state letters and papers, chiefly relating to the Earl of Essex, closely written in a single hand, on two paires of conjugate leaves, in modern boards.
Early 17th century
EsR 13

Copy, headed Verses made by the Earle of Essex.

This MS collated in May, pp. 124-5.

In: An octavo verse miscellany, including 13 poems by or attributed to Herrick, almost entirely in a single small predominantly italic hand, 250 pages (plus numerous blanks), originally in contemporary calf, but now disbound.

Inscribed four times on a flyleaf Tobias Alston his booke: i.e. probably Tobias Alston (1620-c.1639) of Sayham Hall, near Sudbury, Suffolk. His half-brother Edward (b.1598) was a contemporary of Herrick at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, while his cousin, Edward Alston, later President of the College of Physicians, was a contemporary of Herrick at St John's College, Cambridge, some of the other contents also relating to Cambridge, besides some relating to Suffolk. The date 1639 occurs on p. 241, and pp. 243-50 contains verses written in two later hands (to c.1728) and some prose pieces written from the reverse end.

c.1639 [-c.1728]

Names inscribed on a flyleaf including Henry Glisson (later Fellow of the College of Physicians); Thomas Avral(?); Horace Norton; Henry Rich; and James Tavor (Registrar of Cambridge University). Later owned by one John Whitehead, and by Dr Mary Pickford. Sotheby's, 27 June 1972, lot 309.

Cited in IELM, II.i (1987), as the Alston MS: HeR Δ 7. A complete set of photocopies of the MS is in the British Library, RP 772. Facsimile of pp. 6-7 in Sotheby's sale catalogue (see HeR 176, HeR 405) where the MS is described at some length. See also letters by Peter Beal and Donald W. Foster in TLS (24 January 1986), pp. 87-8.

'I am not as I seeme, I seeme and am the same'

First published, headed Not attainyng to his desire, he complaineth and subscribed E. O., in The Paradyse of Daynty Deuises (London, 1576). May, Poems, No. 5 (pp. 28-9). May, Courtier Poets, pp. 273-4. EV 9569. Also attributed to the Earl of Oxford: see OxE 6.

EsR 15

Copy, in a predominantly italic hand, subscribed finis qd Rob: Essex Comes.

Edited from this MS in May, Poems and Courtier Poets.

In: A quarto miscellany of verse and prose, in possibly several hands, a cursive secretary hand predominating, ii + 77 leaves, imperfect, in contemporary limp vellum, within modern reversed calf.

Owned and possibly compiled by Richard Waferer, of Buckinghamshire (name on ff. 43r and 76v).

c.1597-1628

Also inscribed (f. ii) with names of Marth: Waferer and Walter Jesson.

EsR 15.5

Copy, headed 83. Not attaining to his desire, he complaineth and subscribed E. Oxf.

This MS collated in May, Poems.

In: Transcript of The Paradise of Dainty Devises (London, 1577), iii + 162 quarto leaves (ff. 119-62 blank), mainly on rectos only, in contemporary vellum boards.

Made largely by William Herbert (1718-95), bibliographer and printseller (ff. 116-18 in two other hands).

1777

Among the collections of Francis Douce (1757-1834), antiquary and collector.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Douce e. 16 ff. 99r, 100r) | Catalogue
'Ingenium, studium, nummos, spem, tempus, amicos'

May, No. 9, p. 47.

EsR 16

Copy, headed Per eundem.

Edited from this MS in Grosart, I, 97, and in May.

In: A quarto miscellany of verse and some prose, in at least seven secretary and italic hands, 118 leaves (plus some blanks), currently disbound.

Possibly compiled by one or more persons connected with the Inns of Court.

c.1600-1620s

Later in the library of the Rev. Richard Farmer, FSA (1735-97), Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, literary scholar. Lot 8055 in the sale of his library by Thomas King, 7 May to 16 June 1798. Probably owned afterwards by James Crossley (1800-83), author and book collector. Formerly Chetham's MS 8012.

The volume edited by Alexander B. Grosart as The Dr. Farmer Chetham MS. being a Commonplace Book in the Chetham Library, Manchester, temp. Elizabeth, James I, and Charles I, Chetham Society, vols 89 and 90 (Manchester, 1873).

Chetham's Library, Manchester (Mun. A.4.15 f. 56r (p. 86)) | Catalogue
EsR 17

Copy, untitled.

This MS collated in May, p. 125.

In: A small quarto verse anthology, in a single minute hand (but for p. 206), arranged under genre headings (Epitaphs, Satyricall, Love Sonnets, etc.), probably associated with Oxford University, possibly Christ Church, 382 pages (including numerous blanks), in contemporary calf gilt.

Including 13 poems by Donne and 14 (plus one of uncertain authorship) by Corbett; the scribe is that mainly responsible also for the Thomas Smyth MS (DnJ Δ 48).

c.1630s

Later owned and used extensively as a notebook by Dr William Balam (1651-1726), of Ely, Cambridgeshire, who also annotated Cambridge University Library MS Add. 5778 and Harvard fMS Eng 966.4. Bookplate of N. Micklethwait. Owned in 1931 by the Rev. F.W. Glass, of Taverham Hall, near Norwich (seat in the 17th century of the Sotherton family and later of the Branthwayt and Micklethwait families).

Cited in IELM, I.i (1980) and II.i (1987), as the Welbeck MS: DnJ Δ 57 and CoR Δ 11. Discussed in H. Harvey Wood, A Seventeenth-Century Manuscript of Poems by Donne and Others, Essays & Studies, 16 (1931), 179-90. For Taverham Hall, see Thomas B. Norgate, A History of Taverham from Early Times to 1969 (Aylsham, 1969).

'Muses no more but mazes be your names'

May, Poems, No. 1, pp. 43-4. May, Courtier Poets, pp. 250-1EV 14991.

EsR 18

Copy, in a secretary hand, untitled.

This MS collated in May, p. 123.

In: A folio volume originally used c.1528 as a manorial rental (up to f. 23) and subsequently, c.1580s, as a commonplace book of miscellaneous entries by Thomas Brampton, of Norfolk and Suffolk, i + 61 leaves, in marbled boards.
c.1528-90

Once owned by Thomas Martin (1697-1771), of Palgrave, antiquary and collector. Among the collections of Richard Gough, FSA (1735-1809), antiquary and topographer.

EsR 19

Copy, headed Robert Earle of Essex against Sr Walter Rawleigh, here beginning Muses no more but Marzes be your names.

This MS text collated in May, p. 123.

In: A folio volume of tracts and papers largely relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in several hands, ff. 8r-33r in a single professional secretary hand, 54 leaves (plus blanks), in half red morocco.
c.1600s-1638
EsR 20

Copy, subscribed finis. Comes Essex.

This MS collated in May, p. 123.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, in an accomplished mixed hand throughout, with headings or incipts in engrossed lettering, 194 leaves, in 19th-century half-morocco.
c.1596-1601

This MS volume discussed in Katherine K. Gottschalk, Discoveries concerning British Library MS Harley 6910, MP, 77 (1979-80), 121-31.

EsR 21

Copy, untitled.

Edited from this MS in May, Courtier Poets.

In: An octavo miscellany of verse and prose, closely written in possibly several minute predominantly secretary hands, 291 leaves (ff. 212-16 bound out of order after f. 24), in modern calf.
c.1640s

Inscribed (f. 1r) Joseph Hall (not the bishop). Later owned by John Payne Collier (1789-1883), literary scholar, editor and forger, who has entered in pseudo-17th-century secretary script copies of various ballads on ff. 39r-41r, 107v-79r, 181r-v, 227r-8v, 243r-6r, as well as adding foliation (1-284) before the more recent foliation (1-291, used below). Quaritch's sale catalogue of English Literature (August-November 1884), item 22350, Collier's transcript of the MS made c.1860 being item 22352. Formerly Folger MS 2071.7.

Discussed, with facsimile examples, in Giles E. Dawson, John Payne Collier's Great Forgery, SB, 24 (1971), 1-26.

The Passion of a Discontented Minde ('From silent night, true Register of mones')

May, Poems, No. 11, pp. 48-59. EV 7196.

See BrN 51-53.5.

The Right Honourable Robert, earle of Essex: Earle Marshall of England ('Change thy minde since she doth change')

First published, with a musical setting, in Robert Dowland, A Musicall Banquet (London, 1610). May, Poems, No. 4, pp. 45-6. May, Courtier Poets, pp. 252-3. EV 4594.

EsR 22

Copy, untitled.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 123-4.

In: A quarto miscellany chiefly of verse, largely in a single secretary hand, compiled by a Cambridge student, vii + 130 leaves, in later calf.
c.1586-91

This volume is edited in Cummings, who suggests that the compiler is Sir John Finett (1571-1641), of Fordwich, Kent: hence it is often cited as The John Finett miscellany. The hands do not appear to be his, however, and this attribution is questionable.

EsR 23

Copy, with (f. 113r) a musical setting.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, in a single hand, 114 leaves, bound with a printed exemplum of Thomas Watson's <GREEK> or Passionate Centurie of Love (London, [1581?]).

Compiled by John Lilliat (c.1550-c.1599).

c.1590s

This MS volume printed in full, with facsimile examples, in Liber Lilliati: Elizabethan Verse and Song (Bodleian MS Rawlinson Poetry 148), ed. Edward Doughtie (Newark, DE, 1985).

EsR 24

Copy, in a musical setting, in an italic hand, untitled.

This MS collated in May, pp. 123-4.

3 lines. but deade to thee

In: A folio volume of music and verse, in several secretary and italic hands, 46 leaves (plus numerous blanks), in 19th-century half brown calf on marbled boards.
Early 17th century

Inscriptions including (f. 1v) Richard Shinton his booke Witnis Thomas ffowke; (f. 40r, in a court hand) Thomas Shinton of Woluerhamt; (f. 42v) Richard Shinton this Booke did owe. And John Congreue the Same doth know / 1633, Richard Congreve, Jane Hart is my name; and (f. 44v) Martha Congreve, and Elizabeth Congreve Writ this. Purchased from Thomas Rodd, bookseller, 13 April 1844.

EsR 26

Copy, untitled.

This MS collated in May, pp. 123-4.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, 180 pages, in three secretary hands, in contemporary limp vellum.

Probably compiled by a member of an Inn of Court.

c.1630

Bookplate of William Horatio Crawford, of Lakelands, Cork, book collector. Formerly Rosenbach 186.

'Say, what is love?'

May, Poems, No. 6, p. 46. May, Courtier Poets, p. 253.

EsR 27

Copy, under a general heading Songes & Dittyes to ye Lute & Viol de gambo, with a sidenote E: Essex Downe.

Edited from this MS in May, Courtier Poets.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, made up from a larger book, 184 leaves, stubs of some excised leaves, in green boards.

Compiled by John Ramsay (b.1578), of Peterhouse, Cambridge, and the Middle Temple.

c.1596-1633

Name (inscribed several times) of Thomas Russell. Given in 1724 by Robert Cook of Bokenham to Francis Blomefield (1705-52), Norfolk topographer, and with Blomefield's bookplate, 1736. Among the collections of Francis Douce (1757-1834), antiquary and collector.

'Seated betweene the olde world and the new'

See BcF 317.

'To pleade my faith where faith hath noe reward'

May, Poems, No. 5, p. 46. May, Courtier Poets, p. 253.

EsR 28

Copy, chiefly of the incipit only, (v) f. 9r including the complete text, all in a musical setting by W. Wigthorp, untitled.

Edited from MS (v) in May, Courtier Poets.

In: A set of six oblong quarto part-books of principally vocal music, largely in a single italic hand, each volume in modern half-morocco.
Early 17th century
The British Library, Music Books and Manuscripts (Add. MS 17786-91 (i, ii, iii, iv, vi), ff. 12v-13r; (v) f. 9r) | Catalogue
EsR 29

Copy, in a musical setting, untitled.

This MS collated in May, p. 123.

In: An oblong quarto songbook, the lyrics largely in a single italic hand, with (ff. 4v-5r) a table of contents, 84 leaves, in 19th-century red morocco gilt.

Inscribed (f. 3v), evidently by the compiler, Giles Earle his booke 1615 (with other notes dated 1610) and (f. 1v) Egidius Earle hunc librum possidet qui compactus fuit mense Septembris. 1626., f. 81r subscribed Anno Dni: 1623 / Mense Augusti: Finis.

c.1615-26

Acquired from Joseph Lilly, bookseller, 17 May 1862.

A complete facsimile of this volume in English Song 1600-1675, ed. Elise Bickford Jorgens, Vol. 1 (New York & London, 1986).

Verses made by the Earle of Essex in his Trouble ('The waies on earth have paths and turnings knowne')

May, Poems, p. 47. May, Courtier Poets, p. 254. EV 24641.

EsR 30

Copy, untitled and subscribed My Lord of Essex verses.

This MS collated in May, p. 125.

In: A folio volume of state papers and verses relating chiefly to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in a single professional secretary hand up to f. 58r, other hands on ff. 59r-65r, 65 leaves, in contemporary calf.
c.1610

An anonymous reader has dated f. 58r Septembr 10. 93 / ffebr: 30. [1]700/1.

EsR 31

Copy, headed Verses by Robert Earl of Essex in his trouble and subscribed R.E.E.

In: Transcript of The Paradise of Dainty Devises (London, 1577), iii + 162 quarto leaves (ff. 119-62 blank), mainly on rectos only, in contemporary vellum boards.

Made largely by William Herbert (1718-95), bibliographer and printseller (ff. 116-18 in two other hands).

1777

Among the collections of Francis Douce (1757-1834), antiquary and collector.

EsR 32

Copy, in Birch's hand, transcribed from EsR 0000.

In: A large quarto composite volume of letters and papers relating to Queen Elizabeth, Francis Bacon and the Earl of Essex, predominantly in the hand of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian, 44 leaves.
Chiefly mid-18th century
EsR 33

Copy, headed Verses made by the Earle of Essex in his Trouble, subscribed R: E: E:.

Edited from this MS in May, Poems and Courtier Poets.

In: A quarto volume of papers relating to Robert, Earl of Essex, in two secretary hands, 30 leaves.
Early 17th century
The British Library: Royal MSS (Royal MS 17 B. L. f. 2r)
EsR 34

Copy, subscribed R: E: E:.

In: A quarto letterbook, in several neat hands, 191 leaves (plus numerous blanks), in red morocco gilt.
c.1745
EsR 35

Copy, ascribed to My Lo: of Essex.

In: A folio volume of state letters and poems, 65 pages.
c.1625-30s

Once belonging to the Sotheby family of London and Ecton Hall, Northamptonshire.

University of Kansas (MS 4A:1 p. 7)

(2) Poems Possibly by Essex

'Courte's skorne, state's disgracinge'

As The Answer to the Lie in The Works of Sir Walter Ralegh, Kt., 8 vols (Oxford, 1829), VIII, 735. May, Poems, No. I, p. 60. May, Courtier Poets, pp. 264-5. EV 5008.

EsR 36

Copy, untitled, here beginning Courtes skorning, states disgracinge. Early 17th century.

This MS collated in May, p. 127.

In: A quarto composite volume of miscellaneous state tracts, speeches, and verse, in various largely professional hands, iv + 413 leaves (including a thirty-page index and some blanks), in half-calf (rebacked).

Transcribed from the Yelverton papers chiefly belonging to Sir Christopher Yelverton (1535?-1612), Sir Henry Yelverton (1566-1629), and their family.

Owned in 1679 by Narcissus Luttrell (1657-1732), annalist and book collector.

EsR 39

Copy, headed Another answeare thought to be made by R Essex.

Edited fom this MS in Rudick, p. 41, and in online Early Stuart Libels. Collated in May, Poems, p. 127.

In: A small octavo miscellany of verse and prose, written from both ends, i + 155 leaves (including numerous blanks), in contemporary vellum.

Compiled by an Oxford University man.

Early 17th century
EsR 40

Copy, untitled.

In: A collection of unbound verse manuscripts, in various hands and paper sizes (chiefly folio), 142 leaves.

Partly compiled by Sir Richard Browne and his father Christopher Browne (1577-1646), of Saye's Court, Deptford.

Volume LXVII of the Evelyn Papers, of John Evelyn (1620-1706), diarist and writer, of Wootton House, Surrey, and his family, also incorporating papers of his father-in-law, Sir Richard Browne, Bt (1605-83), diplomat, and his family. Formerly preserved at Christ Church, Oxford. Acquired March 1995.

EsR 41 c.1595

Copy, untitled, on a tipped-in folio leaf (with folds).

Edited from this MS in The Poems of Sir Walter Ralegh, ed. Michael Rudick (Tempe, Arizona, 1999), p. 33. Collated in May, pp. 127-8.

In: A folio verse miscellany, 206 pages (plus blanks), rebound in 1832 (by Charles Lewis) with an independent miscellany (Huntington, HM 198, Part II).

Including 52 poems by Donne (many on pp. 64-109, 167-74 initialled L.C. [? Lord Chancellor], as are some poems by others), 11 poems by Carew, ten poems by Corbett, and 11 poems by or attributed to Herrick, in a single neat hand throughout; the poems dating up to 1637.

c.1637

Later scribbling and inscriptions including the names Edw Denny [presumably Edward Denny (1569-1637), Baron Denny of Waltham and first Earl of Norwich], Charles Cocks, Edward Randolphe and (on p. 162) Thomas Cassy. Later owned by Joseph Haslewood (1769-1833), bibliographer and antiquary (sold in the Haslewood sale, London, 1833, lot 1329, to Thorpe); by Edward King (1795-1837), Viscount Kingsborough, antiquary (his sale in Dublin, 1 November 1841, item 624); and by Henry Huth (1815-78), book collector (his library catalogue, 1880, IV, pp. 1159-64), and sold at Sotheby's, 17 July 1917 (Huth sale), lot 5873.

Cited in IELM, I.i (1980) and II.i (1987), as the Haslewood-Kingsborough MS (I): DnJ Δ 25, CwT Δ 28, CoR Δ 10, and HeR Δ 5. A complete microfilm is at the University of Birmingham, Shakespeare Institute (Mic S 15). Discussed in C.M. Armitage, Donne's Poems in Huntington Manuscript 198: New Light on The Funerall, SP, 63 (1966), 697-707. A facsimile of part of p. 63 in Marcy L. North, Amateur Compilers, Scribal Labour, and the Contents of Early Modern Poetic Miscellanies, EMS, 16 (2011), 82-111 (p. 101).

EsR 42

Copy, headed in the margin Resp.

Edited from this MS in Samuel L. Tannenbaum, PMLA, 45 (1930), 814. and in May, Courtier Poets. Collated in May, Poems.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, 180 pages, in three secretary hands, in contemporary limp vellum.

Probably compiled by a member of an Inn of Court.

c.1630

Bookplate of William Horatio Crawford, of Lakelands, Cork, book collector. Formerly Rosenbach 186.

'Go Eccho of the minde, a careles troth protest'

May, Poems, No. II, pp. 60-1.

EsR 45

Copy, untitled.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 127-8.

In: A quarto miscellany of verse and some prose, in at least seven secretary and italic hands, 118 leaves (plus some blanks), currently disbound.

Possibly compiled by one or more persons connected with the Inns of Court.

c.1600-1620s

Later in the library of the Rev. Richard Farmer, FSA (1735-97), Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, literary scholar. Lot 8055 in the sale of his library by Thomas King, 7 May to 16 June 1798. Probably owned afterwards by James Crossley (1800-83), author and book collector. Formerly Chetham's MS 8012.

The volume edited by Alexander B. Grosart as The Dr. Farmer Chetham MS. being a Commonplace Book in the Chetham Library, Manchester, temp. Elizabeth, James I, and Charles I, Chetham Society, vols 89 and 90 (Manchester, 1873).

Chetham's Library, Manchester (Mun. A.4.15 ff. 67r-8r (pp. 107-9)) | Catalogue
EsR 46

Copy.

This MS collated in May, pp. 127-8.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, arranged (Part I) as an anthology, under genre headings, the reverse end (Part II) largely occupied by a later series of Latin verses, epistles, and other exercises, 168 leaves, in old calf (rebacked).

Part I probably in several hands, the predominant italic hand that also responsible for the Welbeck MS: DnJ Δ 57), and including 21 poems by Donne.

c.1630 [-1677]

Part I inscribed (f. 1r) John Smyth his Book 1640, Charles Smyth 1674, Hugh Smyth 1676; (f. 23v) J Smyth 1677 / 1676. Part II inscribed several times Thomas Smith, on f. 19r also Die: Maij 12o Ano 1659, with a reference on f. 58v to Balliol College, Oxford, 1659/60. Later inscribed (f. [ir]) by James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps (1820-89), who records buying this very curious and interesting MS. of Messrs Boone. Afterwards in the library at Warwick Castle. Formerly Folger MS 1. 28.

Cited in IELM, I.i, as the Thomas Smyth MS: DnJ Δ 48.

EsR 47

Copy.

Edited from this MS in May, Courtier Poets.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, 180 pages, in three secretary hands, in contemporary limp vellum.

Probably compiled by a member of an Inn of Court.

c.1630

Bookplate of William Horatio Crawford, of Lakelands, Cork, book collector. Formerly Rosenbach 186.

EsR 48

Copy, headed A Reply to the flying Satyr.

In: A small quarto verse anthology, in a single minute hand (but for p. 206), arranged under genre headings (Epitaphs, Satyricall, Love Sonnets, etc.), probably associated with Oxford University, possibly Christ Church, 382 pages (including numerous blanks), in contemporary calf gilt.

Including 13 poems by Donne and 14 (plus one of uncertain authorship) by Corbett; the scribe is that mainly responsible also for the Thomas Smyth MS (DnJ Δ 48).

c.1630s

Later owned and used extensively as a notebook by Dr William Balam (1651-1726), of Ely, Cambridgeshire, who also annotated Cambridge University Library MS Add. 5778 and Harvard fMS Eng 966.4. Bookplate of N. Micklethwait. Owned in 1931 by the Rev. F.W. Glass, of Taverham Hall, near Norwich (seat in the 17th century of the Sotherton family and later of the Branthwayt and Micklethwait families).

Cited in IELM, I.i (1980) and II.i (1987), as the Welbeck MS: DnJ Δ 57 and CoR Δ 11. Discussed in H. Harvey Wood, A Seventeenth-Century Manuscript of Poems by Donne and Others, Essays & Studies, 16 (1931), 179-90. For Taverham Hall, see Thomas B. Norgate, A History of Taverham from Early Times to 1969 (Aylsham, 1969).

EsR 49

Copy, headed An Answere to the same [i.e. RaW 177] and here beginning Goe Eccho of the wynde.

In: An octavo volume of works by, or attributed to, Ralegh, in several largely secretary hands, 282 pages, in contemporary velum.
c.1620s

Owned in 1732 by the Rev. John Jones (1700-70), of Abbots Ripton and Alconbury, near Cambridge.

This MS discussed in Lefranc (1968), pp. 584-5.

Dr Williams's Library (MS Jones B. 60 pp. 261-3)
'Happy were Man, if Sin had never been'

See BrN 51-53.8.

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')

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.

EsR 50

Copy of a fifteen-line version, untitled, later headed Song On bees. Early 17th century.

In: A quarto composite volume of miscellaneous state tracts, speeches, and verse, in various largely professional hands, iv + 413 leaves (including a thirty-page index and some blanks), in half-calf (rebacked).

Transcribed from the Yelverton papers chiefly belonging to Sir Christopher Yelverton (1535?-1612), Sir Henry Yelverton (1566-1629), and their family.

Owned in 1679 by Narcissus Luttrell (1657-1732), annalist and book collector.

EsR 51

Copy of a fourteen-stanza version, headed The buzzeinge Bees complaynt and here beginning There was a tyme when seylley bees could speake.

This MS collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A quarto MS of letters and tracts by or relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in several probably professional secretary and italic hands, v + 72 leaves (ff. 43v-61v blank), bound with other MSS in contemporary calf.
Early 17th century
EsR 52

Copy of a fifteen-stanza version, untitled, subscribed Finis Essex:.

This MS collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A small quarto colume of state papers and verse, in a closely written hand, i + 170 pages, badly affected by ink seepage.
c.1620s-37
EsR 53 c.1600

Copy of a fourteen-stanza version, headed Verses made by The Erle of Essex, in a secretary hand, in a pair of conjugate folio leaves (ff. 20r-1v) of Elizabethan verse.

This MS collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A guardbook of miscellaneous separate papers, chiefly folio, 21 leaves.

Given by J. Fowler 19 March 1918 on behalf of the owner Edward Weston Cracroft, J.P. (1849-1933), of Hackthorn Hall, Lincoln.

EsR 55

Copy, imperfect, lacking the first four stanzas, here beginning But from those leaues no dram of sweet I drayne, subscribed quod Mr Iohn Lilly.

Printed from this in Doughtie, No. [103], pp. 96-8; discussed pp. 178-80. Recorded in May, p. 111.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, in a single hand, 114 leaves, bound with a printed exemplum of Thomas Watson's <GREEK> or Passionate Centurie of Love (London, [1581?]).

Compiled by John Lilliat (c.1550-c.1599).

c.1590s

This MS volume printed in full, with facsimile examples, in Liber Lilliati: Elizabethan Verse and Song (Bodleian MS Rawlinson Poetry 148), ed. Edward Doughtie (Newark, DE, 1985).

EsR 56

Copy.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, in a single hand, 114 leaves, bound with a printed exemplum of Thomas Watson's <GREEK> or Passionate Centurie of Love (London, [1581?]).

Compiled by John Lilliat (c.1550-c.1599).

c.1590s

This MS volume printed in full, with facsimile examples, in Liber Lilliati: Elizabethan Verse and Song (Bodleian MS Rawlinson Poetry 148), ed. Edward Doughtie (Newark, DE, 1985).

EsR 58

Copy of a fourteen-stanza version, headed Verses made by the Earle of Essex.

This MS collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A folio volume of state papers and verses relating chiefly to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in a single professional secretary hand up to f. 58r, other hands on ff. 59r-65r, 65 leaves, in contemporary calf.
c.1610

An anonymous reader has dated f. 58r Septembr 10. 93 / ffebr: 30. [1]700/1.

EsR 59

Copy of a 15-stanxa version, headed Henry Cuff made these following verses, his Lord, and Mastr the Earl of Essex being then in some Disgrace, also headed in a different hand The Apologue of ye Bee.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers, in various hands, 180 leaves, in calf.

Compiled by Thomas Tanner (1674-1735)

17th century
EsR 60

Copy of the fourteen-stanza version, in an accomplished secretary hand, untitled but endorsed The ballade of a Bee, on three pages of two conjugate folio leaves. Early 17th-century.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A folio composite volume of verse and academic plays, in English and Latin, in various hands, 493 leaves, now in two volumes, foliated 1-250 and 251-493 respectively.

Partly compiled by Archbishop Sancroft.

EsR 61

Copy of a fourteen-stanza version, closely written in a minute hand, headed E. Essex with sidenote R: D: E. E. and subscribed p R. D: E:.

This MS collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, made up from a larger book, 184 leaves, stubs of some excised leaves, in green boards.

Compiled by John Ramsay (b.1578), of Peterhouse, Cambridge, and the Middle Temple.

c.1596-1633

Name (inscribed several times) of Thomas Russell. Given in 1724 by Robert Cook of Bokenham to Francis Blomefield (1705-52), Norfolk topographer, and with Blomefield's bookplate, 1736. Among the collections of Francis Douce (1757-1834), antiquary and collector.

EsR 62

Copy of the fifteen-stanza version, headed Th'erle of Essex his Buzze, made in his decayed estate by mr Henry Cuffe his Secretary, with two lines deleted in the fifth stanza.

In: A folio volume of state tracts and letters, in several probably professional secretary hands, 225 pages, in marbled boards.
c.1630

Formerly among the F. Bacon Frank MSS at Campsall Hall, Yorkshire. Sotheby's, 11 August 1942, lot 70. Afterwards owned by Annie Winifred Bryher (née Ellerman, d.1983) and by the Ralegh scholar Agnes Latham (1905-96), of Pickering, North Yorkshire.

Recorded, as B. 3, in HMC, 6th Report (1877), Appendix, p. 459.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Eng d. 2912 pp. 9-11) | Catalogue
EsR 63

Copy.

In: MS of a genealogical history of the Neville family of Raby, to c.1647, i + 52 pages, in a composite volume of various tracts bound together.
Mid-17th century
Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Wood F. 24 f. 154r) | Catalogue
EsR 64

Copy of a fourteen-stanza version, untitled, here beginning There was a time when silly bees could speake.

This MS collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A large square-shaped folio letterbook, in several secretary hands, 248 leaves, in embossed calf.

Comprising copies of letters principally received by Sir Christopher Hatton (c.1540-91), Vice-Chamberlain of the Household and Lord Chancellor.

c.1640

Later in the possession of William Upcott (1779-1845), antiquary and autograph collector. Upcott sale (22 June 1846), lot 83.

EsR 65

Copy of a fifteen-stanza version, headed These Verses were pend by Robert late Earle of Essex in his first discontentmt in ye moneths of July and August.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A folio volume of tracts and papers largely relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in several hands, ff. 8r-33r in a single professional secretary hand, 54 leaves (plus blanks), in half red morocco.
c.1600s-1638
EsR 66

Copy of a fourteen-stanza version, in a secretary hand, headed verses made by ye earle of Essex 1598 in his absence from ye Courte. Early 17th century.

This MS collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A tall folio composite volume of state and miscellaneous papers, in verse and prose, in several hands, 87 leaves, in 19th-century mottled leather.

Possibly assembled by a barrister of the Middle Temple.

EsR 67

Copy of a fifteen-stanza version, headed A Poem made on Robt Deuorex Earle of Essex by mr. Henry Cuff his Chaplaine.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A duodecimo verse miscellany, in several small non-professional hands, 88 leaves, imperfect at the beginning.
c.1630s-40s
The British Library: Egerton MSS (Egerton MS 923 ff. 5v-7v) | Catalogue
EsR 68 c.1600

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.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: 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.

EsR 69

Copy, untitled.

This MS collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, in an accomplished mixed hand throughout, with headings or incipts in engrossed lettering, 194 leaves, in 19th-century half-morocco.
c.1596-1601

This MS volume discussed in Katherine K. Gottschalk, Discoveries concerning British Library MS Harley 6910, MP, 77 (1979-80), 121-31.

EsR 70 c.1600-28

Copy of the fifteen-stanza version, in the hand of Ralph Starkey (c.1568-1628), antiquary, headed A Poem made on the Earle of Essex being in disgrace with Queene Eliz:. by mr henry Cuffe his Secretary.

Edited from this MS in May, Courtier Poets.

In: A large folio guardbook of chiefly verse MSS, in Latin, English and Greek, in various hands, at least some relating to Cambridge University, 408 leaves, in modern half-morocco.
EsR 71

Copy of the first three stanzas, in a musicial setting, untitled.

This MS text recorded in May, p. 111.

In: A folio songbook, in probably two secretary and italic hands, 25 leaves, in a recycled contemporary vellum indenture within modern half red morocco.
c.1614-30

Inscribed (f. 1v) John Shurlane His Booke, and (f. 24v rev.) This Book Do[ ] / Hugh ffloyd / Domn: 11, with dates 28 Nov. 1630 and 1633. Purchased from Thomas Rodd, bookseller, 13 April 1844.

A complete facsimile of this volume in English Song 1600-1675, ed. Elise Bickford Jorgens, Vol. 1 (New York & London, 1986).

EsR 72

Copy of the 15-stanza version, headed The Earle of Essex his Buzze wch he made vpon some discontentment he receiued, a litle before his iourney in to Ireland, Ano Dni 1598, here beginning There was a tyme when Bees Could speake, subscribed Robert Deuoreux.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 128-32.

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. 71r-2v)
EsR 73

Copy of a fifteen-stanza version, in one secretary and one italic hand, untitled.

This MS collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A folio composite verse and heraldic miscellany, in several hands, ii + 302 leaves, in contemporary blind-stamped calf.

Including much Welsh verse and coats of arms, some by or relating to Sir John Salusbury. Compiled, at least in part, by William Cynwal of Penmachno for Catherine of Berain, wife of Sir Richard Clough.

c.1591-1609
Christ Church, Oxford (MS 184 ff. 43v-4v)
EsR 74

Copy, untitled, subscribed Henrie Cuffe.

In: A folio volume of state letters, speeches and verse, in a single neat italic hand.
c.1620s

Among the papers of the Fuller family of Brightling Park. Possibly once owned by Ambrose Trayton of Lewes, Esquire of the Body to James I and Charles I.

East Sussex Record Office (RAF/F/13/1 [unnumbered page]) | Catalogue
EsR 75
Copy of a fifteen-stanza version, in a secretary hand, headed Carm Com Essex. 1598, 40 Elizabeth, inscribed in red ink By the Right Honble: Robert Devereux Earle of Essex an Elegiac Apologie, on both sides of a single folio leaf.
c.1600s

Formerly Folger MS 7038.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 128-32.

EsR 76

Copy of the fourteen-stanza version, untitled.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: An octavo miscellany of verse and prose, closely written in possibly several minute predominantly secretary hands, 291 leaves (ff. 212-16 bound out of order after f. 24), in modern calf.
c.1640s

Inscribed (f. 1r) Joseph Hall (not the bishop). Later owned by John Payne Collier (1789-1883), literary scholar, editor and forger, who has entered in pseudo-17th-century secretary script copies of various ballads on ff. 39r-41r, 107v-79r, 181r-v, 227r-8v, 243r-6r, as well as adding foliation (1-284) before the more recent foliation (1-291, used below). Quaritch's sale catalogue of English Literature (August-November 1884), item 22350, Collier's transcript of the MS made c.1860 being item 22352. Formerly Folger MS 2071.7.

Discussed, with facsimile examples, in Giles E. Dawson, John Payne Collier's Great Forgery, SB, 24 (1971), 1-26.

EsR 77

Copy of an adapted thirteen-stanza version, untitled, here beginning There was a time when sylly Bees coulde speake.

This MS text recorded (as very corrupt) in May, p. 111.

In: A quarto miscellany of both bawdy and religious verse and some prose, in several hands, 94 leaves (including a number of blanks), in modern quarter-calf marbled boards.
Mid-late 17th century

Inscribed Charles Shuttleworth His Booke Anno 1691. Peter Murray Hill, London, sale catalogue No. 82 (1962), item 33.

EsR 78 Early 17th century

Copy of a fifteen-stanza version, with some alterations and a line deleted, headed in another hand Earle of Essex his Complaint.

This MS recorded in May, Poems, p. 111, n. 64.

In: A large folio composite volume of state papers, letters and speeches, in English and Latin prose and verse, in various hands, 58 items, i + 449 leaves.

Given by William Moore.

EsR 79

Copy of a thirteen-stanza version, untitled, on two tipped-in long narrow ledger-size conjugate folio leaves.

This MS collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A large coucher-size volume of accounts, state letters, speeches, legal documents and other papers, in several professional secretary hands, 402 pages, in a contemporary vellum wallet binding with remains of ties and a strap.
Early 17th century

Inscribed (p. i) Per me Johannem Fry and Per me Gul: Fry.

Harvard, other MSS (fMS 757 pp. [175-7])
EsR 80 c.1600

Copy of a fourteen-stanza version, in a professional secretary hand, headed Intituled the discontented Courtier, on three pages of a pair of conjugate folio leaves.

This MS collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers and proceedings in Parliament, in various hands, 448 leaves (plus blanks), in red morocco gilt.
Inner Temple Library (Petyt MS 538, Vol. 18 ff. 383r-4r) | Catalogue
EsR 81

Copy of the fifteen-stanza version, in a small secretary hand, untitled.

In: A tall folio composite volume of state tracts, in various professional secretary hands, 339 leaves, in old brown calf (rebacked).
c.1623-41
EsR 82

Copy of the fifteen-stanza version, headed A Poem made on Robt Deuorex, Earle of Essex by mr Henry Cuff, his Chaplaine.

In: An oblong octavo composite volume, comprising two independent verse miscellanies, Part I, in Latin and English, largely in a neat secretary hand, paginated 1-22, Part II, in English and Welsh, in several hands, one neat secretary hand predominating, paginated 1-266, the two parts bound together in modern quarter red morocco.
c.1630s

Inscriptions including (Part I, pp. 1, 3 and 42) Edward Lewis his Book 1753, John Parker, P H Warburton, and John Aden, and (Part II, p. 33) Thomas Lloyd Esq. Wigfair MS 43, among papers mainly of the Lloyd family of Hafodunos, Denbighshire, and Wigfair, near St Asaph, Flintshire, purchased in 1926-7 from Colonel H.C. Lloyd Howard, of Wigfair.

National Library of Wales (NLW MS 12443 A Part II, pp. 1-7) | Catalogue
EsR 83

Copy of a fourteen-stanza version, in a secretary hand, headed By the L. of Essex.

In: A quarto composite memorandum book of English, Welsh and latin verse and prose, in several hands, 100 leaves, in a contemporary limp vellum wrapper within modern half red morocco.

Compiled over a period, at least in part, by various members of the Lloyd family of Llwydiarth.

Early 17th century-1672

Inscriptions including (f. 3r) Mounta: Lloyd 1671 and (f. 49r) David Wms. his Book beeing Mrs Anne Lloyds Guift, and with other references to David Lloyd, Elizabeth Lluyd, Robert Lluyd, Jane Lloyd, and Hugh Lloyd. Probably Quaritch's sale Catalogue of English Literature (August-November 1884), item 22351. Formerly Sotheby MS B. 2.

National Library of Wales (Wynne (Bodewryd) MS 6 ff. 60r-1r)
EsR 84
Copy of a fourteen-stanza version, in double columns, headed The Poor Labouring Bee, subscribed Essex, on two quarto pages.
c.1598-1600s

Later owned by James Douglas; by the Rev. John Brand (1744-1806), antiquary and topographer; and by Richard Heber (1774-1833), book collector. Sotheby's, 1836, (Heber sale Part VIII), lot 208, to Thomas Thorpe. Afterwards in the Britwell Court Library, at Burnham, Buckinghamshire, founded by William Henry Miller, MP (1789-1848) and maintained by Samuel Christie Miller, MP (1810-89). Britwell sale, 1927, lot 1499.

A complete facsimile in Tobacco: A Catalogue of the Books, Manuscripts and Engravings acquired since 1942 in the Arents Tobacco Collection..., Vol. I [Supplement] (New York, 1961), No. 115, pp. 118-20. This MS recorded in May, p. 111, n. 64.

EsR 85
Copy of a fourteen-stanza version, headed The poor labouring Bee, on the rectos of fourteen octavo leaves.
c.1598-1600s

Owned in 1882 by William A. Bragge, and later by J. Eliot Hodgkin, FSA (1829-1912), of Richmond, Surrey, engineer and book collector. Sotheby's, 12 May 1914 (Hodgkin sale), lot 1499]. Subsequently owned by Francis B. White.

Complete facsimile in Tobacco: A Catalogue of the Books, Manuscripts and Engravings acquired since 1942 in the Arents Tobacco Collection..., Vol. I [Supplement] (New York, 1961), No. 115, pp. 118-20. This MS recorded in May, p. 111, n. 64.

EsR 86

Copy of a fifteen-stanza version, in double columns, headed The Earle of Essex his Bee and here beginning There was a tyme when silly bees could speak.

In: A folio miscellany of verse and prose on state matters, entitled Ephemeris Chirographoru quorudam Memorabiliam Succincta, 703 pages, in modern calf gilt.

A formal compilation written throughout in a calligraphic hand, in black and red inks with elaborate black and coloured decorations and patterned layouts, associated with one Henry Feilde, with his inscription (p. 1) No 4. Henry Feilde 1642.

c.1642

Bookplates of Joseph Haslewood (1769-1833), bibliographer and antiquary, and of the Rev. Charles Winn (1795-1874), of Nostell Priory, Yorkshire. Christie's, 2 July 1975, lot 229, to H.P. Kraus. Sotheby's, New York, 17 December 1992, lot 95.

Facsimile example in Sotheby's sale catalogue.

EsR 87

Copy of the first three stanzas only, untitled, here beginning Ther was a tyme yn sille Bees did speak.

In: An octavo verse miscellany, in various hands, including seventeen poems by Carew, a title-page inscribed A book of Verses / Seria mixta Jocis, c.260 pages, in calf blind-stamped V/I F 1667.

References to Westminster Drollerie (which was not published until 1671) added on pp. 1 and 242.

c.1667-8

Inscribed on the title-page Frendraught Legi: i.e. by James Crichton (d.1674/5), second Viscount Frendraught. Bookplate of Thomas Fraser Duff (1830-77), of Woodcote, Oxfordshire. Bloomsbury Book Auctions, 9 April 1987, lot 272 (with a facsimile of p. 131 in the sale catalogue), sold to Quaritch.

Estate of Robert S Pirie, New York ([Frendraught MS] pp. 255-6)
EsR 88

Copy of the fifteen-stanza version, headed honi soit qui mal y pense, subscribed R Diuereux. Essex.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, 180 pages, in three secretary hands, in contemporary limp vellum.

Probably compiled by a member of an Inn of Court.

c.1630

Bookplate of William Horatio Crawford, of Lakelands, Cork, book collector. Formerly Rosenbach 186.

EsR 89

Copy of the fourteen-stanza version, untitled.

This MS text collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: An octavo verse miscellany, in several hands, 89 leaves, in old calf gilt.

Partly compiled (pp. 75-99) by one Robert Berkeley, who has inscribed the first page Rob Berkeley his booke Ano. 1640.

c.1640s

Formerly owned by Henry Huth (1815-78). Formerly Rosenbach 195.

EsR 90

Copy of a fourteen-stanza version, untitled, subscribed finis Essex.

This MS collated in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A quarto volume of verse and prose by or relating to Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, iv + 39 leaves, in limp vellum.

Chiefly in a single professional secretary hand, some verse written on the front and rear endpapers in a different hand.

Early 17th century

Bookplate of James W. Ellsworth.

EsR 91
Copy of a nine-stanza version, in a cursive secretary hand, inscribed in another hand Sr Walter Rawley, untitled, here beginning There was a tyme when sillie bees could speake, on both sides of a single folio leaf.
Early 17th century
EsR 92

Copy of a fifteen-stanza version, headed The Earle of Essex his Bee, here beginning There was a Time when silly bees coulde speake.

Edited from this MS in Wood article, pp. 188-90. Collated from that article in May, pp. 128-32.

In: A small quarto verse anthology, in a single minute hand (but for p. 206), arranged under genre headings (Epitaphs, Satyricall, Love Sonnets, etc.), probably associated with Oxford University, possibly Christ Church, 382 pages (including numerous blanks), in contemporary calf gilt.

Including 13 poems by Donne and 14 (plus one of uncertain authorship) by Corbett; the scribe is that mainly responsible also for the Thomas Smyth MS (DnJ Δ 48).

c.1630s

Later owned and used extensively as a notebook by Dr William Balam (1651-1726), of Ely, Cambridgeshire, who also annotated Cambridge University Library MS Add. 5778 and Harvard fMS Eng 966.4. Bookplate of N. Micklethwait. Owned in 1931 by the Rev. F.W. Glass, of Taverham Hall, near Norwich (seat in the 17th century of the Sotherton family and later of the Branthwayt and Micklethwait families).

Cited in IELM, I.i (1980) and II.i (1987), as the Welbeck MS: DnJ Δ 57 and CoR Δ 11. Discussed in H. Harvey Wood, A Seventeenth-Century Manuscript of Poems by Donne and Others, Essays & Studies, 16 (1931), 179-90. For Taverham Hall, see Thomas B. Norgate, A History of Taverham from Early Times to 1969 (Aylsham, 1969).

(3) Poems Eroneously Attributed to Essex

'Can she excuse my wrongs with vertues cloake'

First published in John Dowland, The First Booke of Songes or Ayres (London, 1597). Discussed and attribution to Essex rejected in May, Poems, pp. 114-15. EV 4476.

EsR 93

Copy, in a musical setting.

In: A set of four oblong quarto music part books (Cantus, Quintus, Altus, Tenor and Bassus), including verses, ranging from 24 to 30 leaves each, in half-red calf marbled boards.

Compiled chiefly by Thomas Hamond (d.1662), of Cressners, in the parish of Hawkdons, Suffolk.

c.1630s

Also inscribed Marie Hammond.

EsR 94

Copy, under a general heading Songes & Dittyes to ye Lute & Viol de gambo, with a sidenote Mr Jno Dowland.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, made up from a larger book, 184 leaves, stubs of some excised leaves, in green boards.

Compiled by John Ramsay (b.1578), of Peterhouse, Cambridge, and the Middle Temple.

c.1596-1633

Name (inscribed several times) of Thomas Russell. Given in 1724 by Robert Cook of Bokenham to Francis Blomefield (1705-52), Norfolk topographer, and with Blomefield's bookplate, 1736. Among the collections of Francis Douce (1757-1834), antiquary and collector.

EsR 95

Copy.

In: A notebook of verse and prose, in several hands, written from both ends over a period, 73 leaves, in contemporary limp vellum.

Compiled and written principally by Dudley North, third Baron North (1581-1666).

Early 17th century

Sotheby's, 29 October 1975, lot 149.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS North adds. e. 1 f. 1v)
EsR 97

Copy of the incipit only, in a musical setting by John Dowland.

In: The lute book of John Dowland, partly in his hand, 34 leaves.
c.1600

A facsimile edition of this volume published as The Folger Dowland Manuscript, intro. Ian Harwood (Lute Society, 2003).

'Welcome sweet Death the kindest freind I have'

Discussed and attribution to Essex rejected in May, Poems, p. 115.

EsR 98

Copy, headed Essex laste Voyage to the hauen of Happiness.

In: A quarto MS of letters and tracts by or relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in several probably professional secretary and italic hands, v + 72 leaves (ff. 43v-61v blank), bound with other MSS in contemporary calf.
Early 17th century

Prose

Apology

First published, addressed to Anthony Bacon, as An Apologie of the Earle of Essex, against those which jealously and maliciously tax him to be the hinderer of the peace and quiet (London, [1600]), but immediately suppressed. Reprinted in 1603.

EsR 99

Copy, the full title-page dated Anno: 1598.

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. 274-335)
EsR 100

Copy, in two secretary hands, with various deletions and alterations.

In: A quarto MS of letters and tracts by or relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in several probably professional secretary and italic hands, v + 72 leaves (ff. 43v-61v blank), bound with other MSS in contemporary calf.
Early 17th century
Bodleian Library, Ashmole Collection (MS Ashmole 767 (I) ff. 10r-43r) | Catalogue
EsR 104 Early 17th century

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers, in various hands, 180 leaves, in calf.

Compiled by Thomas Tanner (1674-1735)

17th century
EsR 105

A fragment of a copy, on three folio leaves, the rest missing. Early 17th century.

In: A folio composite volume of letters and state papers, in various hands and paper sizes, 237 leaves, in 17th-century calf (rebacked).
EsR 106

Copy.

In: A folio volume of state letters and tracts, in professional hands, 64 leaves (plus blanks).
c.1620s

A flyleaf inscribed with the text of a settlement between Thomas Bancke of London and John Semens of Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Bodleian Library, Tanner Collection (MS Tanner 237 ff. 31v-54v) | Catalogue
EsR 107 c.1600

Copy, closely written in Dr Clay's hand.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts, in English and Latin, in various hands, 155 leaves, in limp vellum.

Inscribed (several times), by the principal compiler, ex dono D. Clay: i.e. Dr Robert Clay (1576?-1628), vicar of Halifax.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS e. Mus. 55 ff. 73r-81r) | Catalogue
EsR 108

Copy.

In: A folio volume of state papers, in two or three hands, 70 leaves, in vellum.
c.1620s
Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Jesus College 83 ff. 5r-18r)
EsR 109 c.1630

Copy.

In: A large folio composite volume of state tracts, in English and Latin, in various professional hands, i + 488 leaves, in modern calf.

Among the collections of Browne Willis (1682-1760), antiquary, of Whaddon Hall, near Winslow, Buckinghamshire.

This volume discussed, with a facsimile of f. 92r (Plate IV after p. 272) in H.R. Woudhuysen, Sir Philip Sidney and the Circulation of Manuscripts 1558-1640 (Oxford, 1996), pp. 176-8.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Willis 58 ff. 386r-423r) | Catalogue
EsR 110 Early 17th century

Copy, in a secretary hand, untitled.

In: A large quarto composite volume of letters and papers relating to Queen Elizabeth, Francis Bacon and the Earl of Essex, predominantly in the hand of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian, 44 leaves.
Chiefly mid-18th century
EsR 111 Early 17th century

Copy, in a predominantly italic hand.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts and verses, in two or more hands, 18 leaves, in 19th-century half-calf on marbled boards.

Collected by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

EsR 112

Copy.

In: A folio volume of tracts and papers largely relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in several hands, ff. 8r-33r in a single professional secretary hand, 54 leaves (plus blanks), in half red morocco.
c.1600s-1638
EsR 113

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

In: A folio letterbook of Sir Henry Unton (c.1558-96), diplomat and soldier, as Ambassador to France from 25 June 1591 to 12 June 1592, in several professional secretary hands, iii + 174 leaves, in modern half red morocco.
c.1600

Inscribed (f. iiir) OL: Luke. 1679. Xber 8: i.e. by Oliver Luke (1626-1708), son of the parliamentary army officer Sir Samuel Luke (1603-70), of Cople, Bedfordshire. Later owned by Benjamin Heywood Bright (1787-1843), book collector. Sotheby's, 1844 (Bright sale), lot 263. Sir Thomas Phillipps, Phillipps MS 11774. Sotheby's, 24-28 April 1911 (Phillipps sale), lot 1043.

EsR 114

Copy, in three secretary hands. Early 17th century.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts, in various hands, 263 leaves (plus blanks), in contemporary limp vellum, with ties.

In various hands, including the Feathery Scribe.

Yelverton MS 69, among papers of Sir Henry Yelverton (1566-1629), Justice of the Common Pleas, and his family.

Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 43.

EsR 115 c.1600s

Copy, in a professional italic hand, with corrections in another hand, in a sewn quarto booklet of 25 leaves, the first leaf imperfect.

In: A quarto composite volume of state tracts, speeches and sermons, in various hands, 141 leaves, unbound.

Volume CCCLIX (Series II) of the Dropmore Papers: papers of William Wyndham Grenville, Baron Grenville (1759-1834), Prime Minister, of Dropmore House, Taplow, Buckinghamshire, and associated families.

EsR 116
Copy, in a professional secretary hand, entitled The Earle of Essex his Apologie and dated 1601, on 14 folio leaves.
Early 17th century

Volume CLXX of the Trumbull Papers, of the Trumbull family, including chiefly William Trumbull (1576/80?-1635), diplomat and government official. Later belonging to the Marquess of Downshire, of Easthampstead Park. Formerly Berkshire Record Office Trumbull Add 16/11.

EsR 117

Copy, headed The Earle of Essexe Appollegy for his proceedinges at Cales, in the hand of Ralph Starkey (c.1569-1628), merchant and antiquary; imperfect. c.1610s-20s.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers and tracts relating to Admiralty matters principally during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, 458 leaves, badly damaged by the fire of 1732, in modern crushed morocco gilt.

In various largely professional hands, including (ff. 56r-7v, 336r-8r) that of Ralph Starkey (c.1569-1628), merchant and antiquary.

The British Library: Cotton MSS (Cotton MS Otho E. IX ff. 336r-8r) | Catalogue
EsR 120

Copy.

In: A quarto volume of state tracts, 30 leaves, in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.
c.Early 1600s
The British Library: Sloane Collection (Sloane MS 1132 ff. 15r-25v)
EsR 121

Copy.

In: A small folio volume of state tracts and letters, in a professional secretary hand, sixteen leaves, in modern crushed morocco.
Early 17th century
The British Library: Stowe MSS (Stowe MS 275 ff. 2r-12r) | Catalogue
EsR 122

Copy.

In: An octavo miscellany of tracts, in a single predominantly secretary hand, 52 leaves, in contemporary calf gilt.
Early 17th century

Among the collections of John Patrick (1632-95), religious controversialist.

EsR 123 Early 17th century

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

In: A folio composite volume of state letters and tracts, in various professional hands, 240 leaves (plus blanks), now in four volumes, in modern quarter-calf.
EsR 125 c.1600s

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, the first page numbered at the top 16.

In: A tall folio composite volume of state tracts and a Latin play and verses, in various hands, 510 largely unnumbered pages, in reversed calf.

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

Durham Cathedral Library (Hunter MS 26 item 4, pp. 1-22)
EsR 126 Early 17th century

Copy, in three or more secretary hands.

In: A folio composite volume of tracts and papers, in various hands, 250 leaves, in modern leather.
Emmanuel College, Cambridge (MS 181 (III. 1. 13) V, ff. 1r-13v) | Catalogue
EsR 128

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

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.

EsR 130

Copy, 1597 in margin.

In: A thick folio volume of state letters and tracts, a number relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in several largely secretary hands, 271 leaves, in contemporary calf (rebacked).
Early 1600s

Inscribed (front pastedown) Die veneris. Julij: 1o 1601. per me Richardu Greenen and Thomas Scott; (f. 3r) G. Scott; (f. 271v) Thomas Scott, Thomas Payne, Willm Scott. Bookplate Ex Libris Chambrun-Longworth. Formerly Folger MS 6185.1.

This volume discussed in James G. McManaway, Elizabeth, Essex, and James, in Elizabethan and Jacobean Studies Presented to Frank Percy Wilson (Oxford, 1959), pp. 219-30 (p. 221 et seq.).

EsR 131

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

In: A thick folio volume of state letters and tracts, a number relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in several largely secretary hands, 271 leaves, in contemporary calf (rebacked).
Early 1600s

Inscribed (front pastedown) Die veneris. Julij: 1o 1601. per me Richardu Greenen and Thomas Scott; (f. 3r) G. Scott; (f. 271v) Thomas Scott, Thomas Payne, Willm Scott. Bookplate Ex Libris Chambrun-Longworth. Formerly Folger MS 6185.1.

This volume discussed in James G. McManaway, Elizabeth, Essex, and James, in Elizabethan and Jacobean Studies Presented to Frank Percy Wilson (Oxford, 1959), pp. 219-30 (p. 221 et seq.).

EsR 132 Early 1600s

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, on seven folio leaves, the first page foliated 99, the work dated 1598.

In: A folio composite volume of state letters, tracts, parliamentary speeches, etc., in various professional hands, c.160 leaves, in contemporary calf.

A flyleaf inscribed This belongs to Mrs Carewe of Crowcombe, Co. Somerset / T Philli: i.e.formerly among the Carew MSS at Crowcombe Court, Somerset, and borrowed at some time by Sir Thomas Phillips, Bt (1792-1872), manuscript and book collector.

Recorded in HMC, 4th Report (1874), Appendix, p. 373.

Harvard, other MSS (MS Eng 1266.2 ff. [153r-9r]) | Catalogue
EsR 134

Copy.

This MS also classified as EL 1205d.

In: A large folio volume of prose tracts, verse, and devotional material, in a single secretary hand but for a series of engrossed indentures in a formal professional hand on ff. 3r-17v, written from both ends (ff. 1r-84v and ff. 1ar-51av respectively), 134 leaves in all.
c.1603

Inscribed names Gilbert Rye and William Norris and a reference (on f. 6av) to Doctor Gylbart.

The entries were at one time given separate library EL numbers ranging (intermittently) from EL 1183c to EL 6172 at one end and from EL 1183a to EL 6206 from the reverse end.

EsR 135

Copy.

In: An oblong quarto volume of transcripts of state letters up to 1627, closely written in two professional secretary hands, 39 leaves, in a late 16th-century vellum deed wrapper (now within modern green morocco gilt).
c.1627-30s

Phillipps MS 10665.

EsR 137 c.1600

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers and proceedings in Parliament, in various hands, 448 leaves (plus blanks), in red morocco gilt.
Inner Temple Library (Petyt MS 538, Vol. 18 ff. 385r-98v) | Catalogue
EsR 138 c.1600s

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, on 22 quarto leaves.

In: A folio composite volume of state letters and tracts, in various hands, 488 leaves (plus blanks), in red morocco gilt.
Inner Temple Library (Petyt MS 538, Vol. 46 ff. 108r-29r) | Catalogue
EsR 139 c.1600s

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts and papers, relating to Elizabethan voyages, in various hands, 475 leaves, in modern calf.

The first item inscribed (f. 1r) This boke ys myn / Iohn fford. Among papers of the Carew family.

Lambeth Palace Library (MS 250 ff. 185r-91r) | Catalogue
EsR 140 Early 17th century

Copy, in a cursive secretary hand, headed Apology of ye old Earl of Essex, on 21 quarto leaves.

In: A quarto composite volume of miscellaneous verse and prose, in various hands, 24 items, unfoliated, in old calf (rebacked).

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

EsR 141 c.1600s

Copy, closely written in a cursive secretary hand, on both sides of seven folio leaves, somewhat faded, once folded as a letter or packet.

In: A tall folio composite volume of state tracts and papers, in various hands and paper sizes, 127 items, unfoliated, in old black morocco gilt.

Volume V of the collections of Edmund Gibson (1669-1748), Bishop of London.

EsR 142 c.1600

Copy, in two professional secretary hands, on twelve folio leaves, frayed and slightly imperfect.

One in a group of papers here relating to Essex and his rebellion bought at Sotheby's, 20 February 1978, lot 137.

In: A tall folio guardbook of miscellaneous letters and papers, in various hands and paper sizes, 208 leaves.
Lambeth Palace Library (MS 2872 ff. 59r-70v) | Catalogue
EsR 143.5

Copy.

In: A folio miscellany of verse and prose on state matters, entitled Ephemeris Chirographoru quorudam Memorabiliam Succincta, 703 pages, in modern calf gilt.

A formal compilation written throughout in a calligraphic hand, in black and red inks with elaborate black and coloured decorations and patterned layouts, associated with one Henry Feilde, with his inscription (p. 1) No 4. Henry Feilde 1642.

c.1642

Bookplates of Joseph Haslewood (1769-1833), bibliographer and antiquary, and of the Rev. Charles Winn (1795-1874), of Nostell Priory, Yorkshire. Christie's, 2 July 1975, lot 229, to H.P. Kraus. Sotheby's, New York, 17 December 1992, lot 95.

Facsimile example in Sotheby's sale catalogue.

EsR 144

Copy, headed To Mr Anthonie Bacon An Appollogie of the Earle of Essex againste those wch falselie & malitiously take him to be the onlie hindraunce of the peace & quiett of his countrye, on leaves numbered 1-23.

In: A quarto volume of verse and prose by or relating to Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, iv + 39 leaves, in limp vellum.

Chiefly in a single professional secretary hand, some verse written on the front and rear endpapers in a different hand.

Early 17th century

Bookplate of James W. Ellsworth.

EsR 145 c.1600s

Copy, in an accomplished professional secretary hand.

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. 107r-16v) | Catalogue
EsR 146 c.1620s

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts, in several professional secretary hand, with a table of contents, i + 221 pages (including some blanks), in old vellum boards.
Early-mid-17th century

Old pressmark E. 1. 36.

EsR 147
Copy, in one professional secretary hand, 64 octavo pages, in (now tipped-in at the end) a recycled vellum indenture, within later boards.
Early 17th century

The original wrapper is an indenture of Sir Edward Osborne, leasing land in Harthill, Yorkshire, to Humfry Bark, 14 November 1586. The volume was once owned by Sir Julius Caesar (1558-1636), Master of the Rolls. His sale December 1757. Bookplate of Horace Walpole (1717-97), fourth Earl of Orford, author, politician, and patron. Bought at his sale in 1842. In the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), book and manuscript collector: Phillipps MS 11788. Among the collections of Sir Edwin Durning-Lawrence, MP (1837-1914), Baconian scholar and book collector.

EsR 148 c.1600s

Copy, in two professional secretary hands.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts, in several professional hands, 118 leaves, in vellum boards.

Inscribed (f. [ir]) Given me by T.H.L. from The Library of his gt Grand.father. the Revd. J[ohn]. Parkhurst, M.A. [1728-97] The Hebrew Lexicographer.In the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), book and manuscript collector: Phillipps MS 16896. Bookplate of Frederick Leigh Colvile (1818-86). Among the collections of Sir Edwin Durning-Lawrence, MP (1837-1914), Baconian scholar and book collector.

EsR 149 Early 17th century

Copy, in a predominantly secretary hand, dated 1599, inscribed imprinted at 1633.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts, in several professional secretary hands, with (ff. 4r-6r) a table of contents, 222 leaves, in old half-calf.

Stamped (f. 1r) with name of Sir Richard Betenson, Bt (? the first Baronet, d.1679, of Hatton Garden, Holborn). Thomas Thorpe, Catalogue of books, ancient and modern...[and] manuscripts, Part 2 (1823), item 5903. In the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), book and manuscript collector: Phillipps MS 2519. Sotheby's, 21 March 1895 (Phillipps sale), lot 301. Among the collections of Sir Edwin Durning-Lawrence, MP (1837-1914), Baconian scholar and book collector.

EsR 150

Copy, the work dated 1598.

In: A folio volume of texts relating to Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, in two or more professional hands, 150 leaves, in modern boards.
Yale, Osborn, others (Osborn MS fb 38 ff. [7r-19v]) | Catalogue
EsR 151
Copy.
17th century

Owned before 1697 by Thomas Brotherton, of Hey, Lancashire.

Recorded in Edward Bernard, Catalogi librorum manuscriptorum Angliæ et Hiberniæ, [ed. Humphrey Wanley] (Oxford, 1697).

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Brotherton Essex MS])
Discourse on War with Spain

Written as a letter to an unnamed gentleman, probably to Sir Robert Cecil, and possibly intended ultimately for the Queen, giving an account and justification of the Cadiz expedition and proposing various measures for dealing with Spain.

Unpublished in full. An altered version of the first few pages was published from a MS in the British Library, Cotton MS Julius F. VI, ff. 280r-1r, in Thomas Lediard, The Naval History of England in all its branches (2 vols, London, 1735), pp. 337-9.

*EsR 152
Autograph
Autograph draft, with copious revisions, written on board his ship the Due Repulse on Essex's return from the Cadiz expedition, with some deletions and additions in another hand, 32 folio leaves, imperfect, [c.early August 1596].
1596

From the Hulton papers relating to Essex. Sotheby's sale catalogue Elizabeth and Essex. The Hulton Papers (14 December 1992), lot 4, with facsimiles of two pages. Phillips's sale catalogue The Earl of Essex to Elizabeth I (11 June 1999), lot 250, with facsimiles of two pages.

First Letter of Advice to the Earl of Rutland

The letter, dated from Greenwich, 4 January [1596], beginning My Lord, I hold it for a principle in the course of intelligence of state....

First published, as The Late E. of E. his aduice to the E. of R. in his trauels, in Profitable Instructions; Describing what speciall Obseruations are to be taken by Trauellers in all Nations, States and Countries (London, 1633), pp. 27-73. Francis Bacon, Resuscitatio (London, 1657), pp. 106-10. Spedding, IX, 6-15. W.B. Devereux, Lives and Letters of the Devereux, Earls of Essex (1853), I, No. xciii.

Essex's three letters to Rutland discussed by Paul E.J. Hammer in The Earl of Essex, Fulke Greville, and the Employment of Scholars, SP, 91/2 (Spring, 1994), 167-80, and in Letters of Travel Advice from the Earl of Essex to the Earl of Rutland: Some Comments, PQ, 74/3 (Summer 1995), 317-22. It is likely that the first letter was written substantially by Francis Bacon.

EsR 153

Copy, untitled but subscribed The Earle of Essex to the Earle of Rutland. Early 17th century.

In: A quarto composite volume of miscellaneous state tracts, speeches, and verse, in various largely professional hands, iv + 413 leaves (including a thirty-page index and some blanks), in half-calf (rebacked).

Transcribed from the Yelverton papers chiefly belonging to Sir Christopher Yelverton (1535?-1612), Sir Henry Yelverton (1566-1629), and their family.

Owned in 1679 by Narcissus Luttrell (1657-1732), annalist and book collector.

All Souls College, Oxford (MS 155 ff. 37r-43r) | Catalogue
EsR 154

Copy, headed The Erle of Essex letter to the Erle of Rutland.

In: A tall folio commonplace book of miscellaneous extracts, in a single hand, 139 leaves, in contemporary vellum.

Entirely in the rugged italic hand of Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician.

c.1620s-30s

Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1. Recorded (as the Bedford MS) in Peter Beal, More Donne Manuscripts, John Donne Journal, 6/2 (1987), 213-18 (p. 213).

The Duke of Bedford, Woburn Abbey (HMC MS No. 26 f. 49r-v)
EsR 155 c.1640

Copy, headed A letter sent by the Earle of Essex to the Earle of Rutland before his travaile beyond the seas in Anno 1595.

In: A folio volume of political tracts and letters, in a single secretary hand, 57 leaves, in contemporary vellum.

The lower vellum cover inscribed Book of noates collected out of Mr Traffords Sermons & others.

Early 17th century
EsR 156

Copy, headed The Earle of Essex letter to the Earle of Rutland before his Travell very learnedly pennd, in a mixed hand, undated. Early 17th century.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts and letters, in various hands, 297 leaves, in calf (rebacked).
Early-mid-17th century
Bodleian Library, Tanner Collection (MS Tanner 103 ff. 235r-8r) | Catalogue
EsR 157

Copy, headed The Earle of Essex to the Earle of Rutland, and dated 4 January 1594.

In: A folio volume of state letters and tracts, in professional hands, 64 leaves (plus blanks).
c.1620s

A flyleaf inscribed with the text of a settlement between Thomas Bancke of London and John Semens of Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Bodleian Library, Tanner Collection (MS Tanner 237 ff. 55r-61v) | Catalogue
EsR 158

Copy, headed in another hand A letter I suppose from the Ld Chancellor Bacon to a young Lord intending to travell.

In: A folio commonplace book of miscellaneous historical material, in Latin and English, iii + 145 leaves (including blanks), in vellum.

Originally used as a commonplace book by T. Metcalf in 1598 (up to f. 63v), and then by James Ussher (1581-1656), Archbishop of Armagh.

First half of 17th century
Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Add. C. 299 ff. 67br-70r) | Catalogue
EsR 159

Copy, in a secretary hand, headed The Earle of Essex advice to the Earle of Rutland in his Travailes, the letter dated this 4th of Ju..

In: A folio volume of state papers, in two or three hands, 70 leaves, in vellum.
c.1620s
Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Jesus College 83 ff. 1r-4r)
EsR 160

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed The late Earle of Essex his Advice to the Earle of Rutland in his Trauailes, dated from Greenwich the 4th of Jan: 1596, with the postscript. c.1630.

In: A folio composite volume of political speeches and tracts, in various professional hands, 108 leaves, in old vellum.

Inscribed (f. 1r) Sum Umfreville 1740: i.e. by Edward Umfreville (1702?-86), collector of legal manuscripts. Bookplate of Horace Walpole (1717-97), fourth Earl of Orford, author, politician and patron. Strawberry Hill sale, 30 April 1842, lot 86.

EsR 161

Copy, in a predominantly secretary hand, headed A letter of my Lo; of Essex Written to the Earle of Rutland going to travell, dated Ano 1597, on seven pages of four folio leaves. Early 17th century.

In: A double-folio composite volume of miscellaneous letters and papers, in various hands and paper sizes, 174 leaves, in modern half red morocco.

Assembled from various sources.

EsR 162

Copy, in a professional flourished secretary hand, imperfect.

In: A folio letterbook of Sir Henry Unton (c.1558-96), diplomat and soldier, as Ambassador to France from 25 June 1591 to 12 June 1592, in several professional secretary hands, iii + 174 leaves, in modern half red morocco.
c.1600

Inscribed (f. iiir) OL: Luke. 1679. Xber 8: i.e. by Oliver Luke (1626-1708), son of the parliamentary army officer Sir Samuel Luke (1603-70), of Cople, Bedfordshire. Later owned by Benjamin Heywood Bright (1787-1843), book collector. Sotheby's, 1844 (Bright sale), lot 263. Sir Thomas Phillipps, Phillipps MS 11774. Sotheby's, 24-28 April 1911 (Phillipps sale), lot 1043.

EsR 163 Early 17th century

Copy, in a cursive secretary hand, headed To the Right H: ye Erle of Rutland By Henry Savall, on four quarto leaves, imperfect, lacking the last section.

In: A quarto composite volume of twelve folio and quarto leaves, in three hands, in 19th-century half red morocco gilt.
Early-mid-17th centry

Acquired from M.C. Hamilton 11 November 1873.

The British Library: Egerton MSS (Egerton MS 2262 ff. 1r-4v) | Catalogue
EsR 164

Copy, in two coloured inks, headed Robart Earle of Essex to the late Earle of Rutland, the letter here dated from Greenwich 4 January 1594, under a general heading (on f. 191r) Three lres concerninge Travaile & Travailors.

In: An octavo volume of transcripts of state tracts and letters, iii + 227 leaves (including blanks) in all, in calf.

Mainly in three hands, with later additions in c.1683-99.

Inscribed names including Anthony, Thomas and John Marshall, Jonas Ramsden, Jenkinson, Thomas Maleverer, and Lawson. Owned c.1670s-90s by the family of Sir Thomas Seyliard, third Baronet (d.1701), of Delawarre, Kent. Later note: Bought this Manuscript at Montague's Book warehouse near Queen Street Lincoln's Inn Fields Tuesday Feb: 12 1739. Later armorial bookplate apparently of the Appleyard family of either Yorkshire or Norfolk. Phillips, 20 March 1998, lot 467, to Quaritch.

The British Library: Egerton MSS (Egerton MS 3876 ff. 194r-201r)
EsR 166

Copy, in a predominantly italic hand, headed The Earle of Essex his aduise to the Earle of Rutland in his Journey. Early 17th century.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts, speeches and miscellaneous papers, in several hands, vi + 361 leaves, in modern half morocco gilt.
EsR 168

Copy, headed A letter written by the late Earle of Essex to the late Earle of Rutland, wherein he giues him directions how to make the best vse of his travailes, the second of Three Letters conserning one subiect...All giueing directions to their said frinds how to make the best of their Travailles.

In: A folio miscellany of tracts, letters, plays and verse, for the most part in a single secretary hand, partly on inserted sheaves of long narrow ledger-size leaves, written from both ends, 248 leaves, in contempoary vellum with metal clasps.

Compiled by a University of Cambridge man.

Early 17th century

Inscribed at the end Josephus Diggins me possedit: i.e. by Joseph Diggins, of Clare Hall, Cambridge (matric. 1607, d.1658). Christie's, 5 December 1973, lot 84, to Hofmann & Freeman.

EsR 169

Copy, lacking the first paragraph, here beginning Your lordship's purpose is to travel....

In: A folio volume of state tracts and letters, c.480 pages.
c.1625-30s

Inscribed on the rear cover Robert Wingfield his Booke witnes Barbary Wingfield. Among the Tabley House MSS and once owned by Sir Peter Leycester (1614-78), antiquary.

Recorded in HMC, 1st Report (1870), Appendix, pp. 47-8.

Cheshire Record Office (DLT/B8 pp. 182-5) | Catalogue
EsR 170

Copy, untitled., subscribed Jan: 4: H: S:.

In: A duodecimo miscellany of verse and prose, much relating to the Fane and Mildmay families, in a single predominantly italic hand, 130 leaves, in contemporary calf, remains of silk ties.

Compiled by Sir Francis Fane (c.1612-80), of Fulbeck Hall, Northamptonshire, with his signed dedications to his son Henry (ff. 2r-v, 130r) dated respectively 1 January 1655 and 20th. of Augt: 1663.

c.1655-63
EsR 171

Copy, headed The Earle of Essex to the Earle of Rutland. Jan: 4: 1594.

In: A thick folio volume of state letters and tracts, a number relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in several largely secretary hands, 271 leaves, in contemporary calf (rebacked).
Early 1600s

Inscribed (front pastedown) Die veneris. Julij: 1o 1601. per me Richardu Greenen and Thomas Scott; (f. 3r) G. Scott; (f. 271v) Thomas Scott, Thomas Payne, Willm Scott. Bookplate Ex Libris Chambrun-Longworth. Formerly Folger MS 6185.1.

This volume discussed in James G. McManaway, Elizabeth, Essex, and James, in Elizabethan and Jacobean Studies Presented to Frank Percy Wilson (Oxford, 1959), pp. 219-30 (p. 221 et seq.).

EsR 172

Copy, with postscript.

In: A large folio volume of state letters and of speeches in the Star Chamber, in a single secretary hand, 45 leaves (plus blanks), in contemporary vellum, damaged by corrosive seepage of ink.
Early 17th century
The Huntington Library, shelfmarks A through E (EL 2805 No. 16 (ff. 27r-30v))
EsR 173

Copy, headed The Erle of Essex his aduice to ye E: of R: in his Travels, dated from Greenwich, 4 January 1596.

In: An octavo volume of essays on travel, largely in one professional secretary hand, a Table and some notes in other hands, with a formal title-page Itineraria Collectanea or Instructions for A Traveler Directing him how to make the best use of his Travels Together with the Politique survay of A Kingdome, 107 pages (plus blanks), in old vellum boards.
c.1630

This MS recorded in BC, 15 (Summer 1966), p. 156.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (Juel-Jensen E 6 [item 5] pp. 87-107)
EsR 174

Copy, in a secretary hand, untitled, subscribed R. E., and with a postscript.

In: A quarto composite memorandum book of English, Welsh and latin verse and prose, in several hands, 100 leaves, in a contemporary limp vellum wrapper within modern half red morocco.

Compiled over a period, at least in part, by various members of the Lloyd family of Llwydiarth.

Early 17th century-1672

Inscriptions including (f. 3r) Mounta: Lloyd 1671 and (f. 49r) David Wms. his Book beeing Mrs Anne Lloyds Guift, and with other references to David Lloyd, Elizabeth Lluyd, Robert Lluyd, Jane Lloyd, and Hugh Lloyd. Probably Quaritch's sale Catalogue of English Literature (August-November 1884), item 22351. Formerly Sotheby MS B. 2.

National Library of Wales (Wynne (Bodewryd) MS 6 ff. 77r-82r, 83v-4r)
EsR 175 Early 17th century

Copy, headed The Erle of Essex advise to the Erle of rutlande in his travell.

In: An account book of the Cartwright estates in Nottinghamshire, 161 leaves, in contemporary leather.
c.1560-1715
Nottinghamshire Archives (M403 ff. 34v-6v)
EsR 176

Copy, untitled, the letter dated 4 January [no year] and subscribed H: S:.

In: A small octavo prose miscellany, compiled by Sir Francis Fane (c.1612-80), ii + 242 pages (plus 182 blank pages).

Inscribed by Fane to his son, as a book of travels to comfort him, dated from Aston, 1 January 1655. One later entry dated 1659.

c.1650s

Sold by Maggs, 29 May 1930.

EsR 177 c.1595-1600s

Copy, in a secretary hand, headed A lre written by the Earle of Essex to the Earle of Rutland touching the direction of his travell Januarie 1594.

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. 69r-72r) | Catalogue
EsR 178

Extracts, headed Notes taken out of a letter of the Earle of Essex to the Earle of Rutland being to travill.

In: A quarto commonplace book of extracts from state and legal writings, in a single cursive hand, written from both ends, 118 leaves, in contemporary calf gilt.

Compiled entirely by William Drake, MP (1606-69), of Shardeloes, near Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

c.Mid-1630s

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 7/11 f. 30r) | Catalogue
EsR 179
Copy, in a small secretary hand, headed The Earle of Essex to ye Earle of Rutlande before his travell..., on all four pages of an unbound pair of conjugate folio leaves.
Early 17th century
EsR 180

Copy, in a secretary hand.

In: A folio autograph letterbook of Sir Thomas Hoby (1539-66), courtier and translater, as Ambassador to France, with later additions in a secretary hand and annotations by his second son, Sir Thomas Posthumus Hoby, 90 pages, in paper covers.
c.1566-1600s

Christie's, 3 December 1986, lot 279, with a facsimile example in the sale catalogue, p. 37.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Hoby MS] [unspecified page numbers])
Second Letter of Advice to the Earl of Rutland

The letter lacking a date, beginning My good Lord, The last I sent to your Lordship was so long.... Spedding, IX, 16-18. This letter, probably by neither Essex nor Bacon, is related to one normally attributed to Fulke Greville and perhaps originally composed by Sir Thomas Bodley: see GrF 16-23.

EsR 181 c.1596

Copy of a variant version, in a predominantly italic hand, on three pages of a pair of conjugate folio leaves, the second leaf with possible signature partly torn away, the verso bearing a spot of red wax.

Edited from this MS in The Works of Francis Bacon, ed. James Spedding et al. (London, (1857-74), IX, 16-18.

In: A tall folio composite volume of letters and papers of Francis Bacon, in various hands and paper sizes, with a fourteen-leaf table of contents, 282 items, unfoliated, in old black morocco gilt.

Volume VIII of the collections of Edmund Gibson (1669-1748), Bishop of London.

Third Letter of Advice to the Earl of Rutland

The letter dated from St Albans 16 October [1596] and beginning My Lord, Since you have required of me some advice now at the very instant of your going.... Spedding IX, 19-20.

*EsR 182
Autograph
The original letter sent by Essex to Rutland.

In the secretary hand of an amanuensis, with an eleven-line autograph addition signed by Essex (beginning This was written yester=night att St Albons...), on two pages of a pair of conjugate folio leaves, addressed on the fourth page.

16 October [1596]

From the papers of the Hulton family, probably deriving from the third Earl of Essex's papers via his executors' lawyer, William Jessop, whose daughter married William Hulton in 1694. Sotheby's, Elizabeth and Essex: The Hulton Papers, 14 December 1992, lot 7, with a facsimile of the second page in the sale catalogue. Photocopies are in the British Library, RP 6340 (iv). Formerly MS Add 1039.

EsR 183

Copy, in a predominantly secretary hand, headed Another of the E of Essex lres written to the same Earle vppon his departure, on two pages of two folio leaves, endorsed on f. 99v Letters ffrom my lo: of Essex to the E: of Rutlans going to travell:. Early 17th century.

In: A double-folio composite volume of miscellaneous letters and papers, in various hands and paper sizes, 174 leaves, in modern half red morocco.

Assembled from various sources.

EsR 184

Copy, headed A Letter of aduice touching trauell written to the Earl of Essex by a frend, subscribed Essex.

In: A folio composite volume of letters and state papers, in various professional largely secretary hands, ff. 80r-160v an imperfect single unit, 346 leaves, in modern half red morocco gilt.
c.1630s

Inscribed (f. 3r) Sum Ed: Umfrevile Janrio 1727: i.e. Edward Umfreville (1702?-(1702?-86), collector of legal manuscripts.

The British Library: Lansdowne MSS (Lansdowne MS 238 ff. 158r-9r) | Catalogue
Fourth Letter of Advice to the Earl of Rutland

The letter probably addressed to the Earl of Rutland, dated 26 May [1596?], and beginning Noble l. I am surprised by yr man thatt now letts me know he is going to yw.... First published in the school magazine The Rossallian, 15 December 1903.

*EsR 185
Autograph
Autograph letter signed, two conjugate folio leaves, dated 26 May [1596?].
[1596]

Formerly among the Hulton papers relating to the Earl of Essex. Donated by the owner of Hulton Park, Lancashire, to Rossall School, Fleetwood, in 1903. Sotheby's, 16 December 2004, lot 28, with a facsimile of the first page in the sale catalogue.

Meditation

A prose meditation beginning Since that tyme the sonne hath gone about the world and inspired liefe... and ending ...wch is noe guift, except ye ptie wch psenteth the guift be given wth it. Unpublished?

EsR 186

Copy, in Birch's hand, transcribed from EsR 0000.

In: A large quarto composite volume of letters and papers relating to Queen Elizabeth, Francis Bacon and the Earl of Essex, predominantly in the hand of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian, 44 leaves.
Chiefly mid-18th century
EsR 187

Copy, headed Meditacon, and indexed (in the table of contents on f. 1v in another hand) as The Earle of Essex Meditacon.

In: A quarto volume of papers relating to Robert, Earl of Essex, in two secretary hands, 30 leaves.
Early 17th century
The British Library: Royal MSS (Royal MS 17 B. L. ff. 28r-30r)
Opinion upon the Articles propounded by the Earl of Essex upon the Alarum given by the Spaniards in 1596

See RaW 699-700.

Dramatic Works

The Earle of Essex his deuice one the Queens day before he was to run at Tilte: the 17th Nobr. 34 Eliz.

The Accession Day entertainment 1595, at least partly written by Francis Bacon.

See BcF 308-315.

Miscellaneous

Essex's Arraignment, 19 February 1600/1
EsR 189

Copy.

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. 147v-9r)
EsR 190

Copy.

In: A folio composite volume of state letters, speeches and other papers, in various hands and paper sizes, x + 315 leaves (plus blanks), in contemporary calf.

Collected and partly written by Elias Ashmole (1617-92).

EsR 191 c.1600s

Copy, in a secretary hand.

In: A folio composite volume of copies of state letters and papers, in several professional hands, i + 23 leaves, in 19th-century half-calf.

The majority of the MS items here once owned by Sir Edward Dering, first Baronet (1598-1644), antiquary and religious controversialist. Portions of this volume once in the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), manuscript and book collector: Phillipps MSS 22355 snd 34574. Sotheby's, 6 June 1898 (Phillipps sale), lot 847. Bequeathed in 1816 by Captain C. S. Harris.

Bodleian Library, Eng. hist. MSS (MS Eng. hist. c. 121 ff. 12r-17v) | Catalogue
EsR 193

Copy.

In: A folio volume of state papers and verses relating chiefly to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in a single professional secretary hand up to f. 58r, other hands on ff. 59r-65r, 65 leaves, in contemporary calf.
c.1610

An anonymous reader has dated f. 58r Septembr 10. 93 / ffebr: 30. [1]700/1.

EsR 194

Copy.

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.

EsR 195

Copy.

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.

EsR 197

Copy.

In: A double-folio-size composite volume of historical tracts and papers, many relating to state arraignments, in a single professional secretary hand up to p. 527, xxiv + 552 pages (plus blank pp. 553-684), in red morocco elaborately gilt.
c.1610 [with addition to c.1630]

Presented to the Bodleian in 1620 by Sir Peter Manwood (1571-1625), judge and antiquary.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Bodl. 966 pp. 289-309) | Catalogue
EsR 198

Copy.

In: A folio composite volume of papers on antiquarian and state matters, in various hands, 207 leaves, in half-calf.
Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Carte 107 ff. 195r-105v) | Catalogue
EsR 199

Copy.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts, in English and Latin, in various hands, 155 leaves, in limp vellum.

Inscribed (several times), by the principal compiler, ex dono D. Clay: i.e. Dr Robert Clay (1576?-1628), vicar of Halifax.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS e. Mus. 55 ff. 17r-25r) | Catalogue
EsR 200

Copy.

In: A folio volume of state tracts and letters, in several probably professional secretary hands, 225 pages, in marbled boards.
c.1630

Formerly among the F. Bacon Frank MSS at Campsall Hall, Yorkshire. Sotheby's, 11 August 1942, lot 70. Afterwards owned by Annie Winifred Bryher (née Ellerman, d.1983) and by the Ralegh scholar Agnes Latham (1905-96), of Pickering, North Yorkshire.

Recorded, as B. 3, in HMC, 6th Report (1877), Appendix, p. 459.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Eng d. 2912 pp. 73-7) | Catalogue
EsR 201

Copy.

In: A folio volume of state papers, in two or three hands, 70 leaves, in vellum.
c.1620s
Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Jesus College 83 f. 23 et seq.)
EsR 202

Copy.

In: A folio volume of miscellaneous and historical tracts and papers, chiefly written by Robert Nalson, 607 leaves.

Owned by another Robert Nalson in 1686 and later by Edward Taylor.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Top. Cheshire. c. 6 ff. 540, 551)
EsR 203

Copy.

In: A large folio composite volume of state tracts, in English and Latin, in various professional hands, i + 488 leaves, in modern calf.

Among the collections of Browne Willis (1682-1760), antiquary, of Whaddon Hall, near Winslow, Buckinghamshire.

This volume discussed, with a facsimile of f. 92r (Plate IV after p. 272) in H.R. Woudhuysen, Sir Philip Sidney and the Circulation of Manuscripts 1558-1640 (Oxford, 1996), pp. 176-8.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Willis 58 ff. 175r-84r) | Catalogue
EsR 204

Copy.

In: A folio volume of state documents, speeches and verse, 284 leaves (plus blanks), in modern calf gilt.

Entirely in the hand of John Hopkinson (1610-80), Yorkshire antiquary, of Lofthouse, near Leeds, and comprising Volume 27 of the Hopkinson MSS. Chiefly transcribed from papers belonging to John Savile, Baron of Pontefract, and Edward Taylor, of Furnivall's Inn, Holborn.

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. 298.

Bradford Archives (32D86/27 ff. 14r-33v)
EsR 205 Early 17th century

Copy, in a secretary hand.

In: A tall folio composite volume of state and miscellaneous papers, in verse and prose, in several hands, 87 leaves, in 19th-century mottled leather.

Possibly assembled by a barrister of the Middle Temple.

EsR 208

Copy of an account of the speeches on 8 February 1600/1, in a rounded hand, inscribed in a later hand Another Account from another contemporary MS. in the same collection.

In: A quarto volume of accounts relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in three hands, 36 leaves, in modern half-calf.
Mid-17th century

Sotheby's, 21 November 1863, in lot 248.

EsR 209

Copy, in a secretary hand.

In: A folio volume of miscellaneous papers, many relating to Kent, the greater part in a single secretary hand, 228 leaves, in contemporary stamped calf.

Compiled for, and chiefly relating to, Francis Fane (1582-1628), first Earl of Westmorland.

Early 17th century

Christie's, 18 July 1897.

This volume recorded in HMC, 10th Report, Appendix IV (1885), pp. 4-19.

EsR 210 c.1601

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, on eight quarto leaves.

In: A double-folio composite volume of historical and theological tracts and papers, in various hands and paper sizes, 214 leaves, mounted on guards, in half green morocco.

Volume III of the papers of Sir Thomas Tresham (1543-1605), of Rushton Hall, Northamptonshire, recusant.

c.1600

Presented by T.B. Clarke-Thornhill.

EsR 211 Early 17th century

Copy, in a professional cursive secretary hand.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts, in various hands, 263 leaves (plus blanks), in contemporary limp vellum, with ties.

In various hands, including the Feathery Scribe.

Yelverton MS 69, among papers of Sir Henry Yelverton (1566-1629), Justice of the Common Pleas, and his family.

Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 43.

EsR 212
Copy, in a professional secretary hand, on 17 leaves of an unbound quarto booklet in paper wrappers, ff. 18r-20r occupied by Certaine other obseruacons taken out of some other coppies and here incerted.
Early 17th century

Volume CLXVIII of the Trumbull Papers, of the Trumbull family, including chiefly William Trumbull (1576/80?-1635), diplomat and government official. Later belonging to the Marquess of Downshire, of Easthampstead Park. Formerly in Berkshire Record Office, part of Add 21.

EsR 218

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

In: A folio composite volume of state letters and papers, in various hands, 196 leaves, in modern half-morocco gilt.

Comprising papers of William Cecil (1520/21-98), first Baron Burghley, secretary of state.

Bookplate (as Shelburne) of William Petty (1737-1805), second Earl of Shelburne and first Marquess of Lansdowne, Prime Minister.

The British Library: Lansdowne MSS (Lansdowne MS 94 ff. 127r-34v) | Catalogue
EsR 219

Copy of a summary.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers, in various hands, 272 leaves, in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.

Among collections of John Strype (1643-1737), ecclesiastical historian and biographer, incorporating papers of William Cecil (1520/21-98), first Baron Burghley, secretary of state.

The British Library: Lansdowne MSS (Lansdowne MS 115 f. 47r-v) | Catalogue
EsR 220

Copy.

In: A folio composite volume of papers relating to the rebellion of Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, in professional secretary hands, sixteen leaves, in modern half crushed morocco gilt.
The British Library: Sloane Collection (Sloane MS 756 ff. 4r-14r)
EsR 221

Copy.

In: A folio volume of state tracts, in four probably professional secretary hands, 101 leaves, in modern quarter-morocco gilt.
Early 17th century
The British Library: Sloane Collection (Sloane MS 1427 ff. 87r-99r)
EsR 222

Copy, imperfect.

In: A quarto composite volume of state papers and tracts, in various hands, 212 leaves, in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.
The British Library: Sloane Collection (Sloane MS 1779 ff. 189v-206v)
EsR 223

Copy.

In: A quarto volume of state papers, nearly all in a single secretary hand, 74 leaves, in modern half crushed morocco gilt.
Early-mid-17th century
The British Library: Sloane Collection (Sloane MS 1856 ff. 13v-30v)
EsR 224

Copy.

In: A small folio volume of state tracts, in a professional cursive secretary hand, 73 leaves, in old mottled leather.
Early-mid-17th century

Bookplate of Algernon Capell (1654-1710), second Earl of Essex, Privy Councillor, dated 1701.

The British Library: Stowe MSS (Stowe MS 399 ff. 1r-36v) | Catalogue
EsR 226

Copy.

In: A folio composite volume of tracts and miscellaneous papers, in several hands, 160 leaves (including numerous blanks), in 19th-century half-calf.

Compiled in large part by William Jackson, one of the Custome Masters of Great Yarmouth.

EsR 227

Copy, imperfect.

In: A folio MS relating to the Essex Rebellion, in a professional secretary hand, 21 pages, in modern quarter-morocco.
Early 17th century

Among papers of the Knatchbull family, Barons Brabourne, of Mersham-le-Hatch, Kent.

EsR 228

Copy.

In: A folio volume of state tracts and letters, c.480 pages.
c.1625-30s

Inscribed on the rear cover Robert Wingfield his Booke witnes Barbary Wingfield. Among the Tabley House MSS and once owned by Sir Peter Leycester (1614-78), antiquary.

Recorded in HMC, 1st Report (1870), Appendix, pp. 47-8.

Cheshire Record Office (DLT/B8 p. 17 et seq.) | Catalogue
EsR 229

Copy.

In: A quarto miscellany of verse and some prose, in at least seven secretary and italic hands, 118 leaves (plus some blanks), currently disbound.

Possibly compiled by one or more persons connected with the Inns of Court.

c.1600-1620s

Later in the library of the Rev. Richard Farmer, FSA (1735-97), Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, literary scholar. Lot 8055 in the sale of his library by Thomas King, 7 May to 16 June 1798. Probably owned afterwards by James Crossley (1800-83), author and book collector. Formerly Chetham's MS 8012.

The volume edited by Alexander B. Grosart as The Dr. Farmer Chetham MS. being a Commonplace Book in the Chetham Library, Manchester, temp. Elizabeth, James I, and Charles I, Chetham Society, vols 89 and 90 (Manchester, 1873).

Chetham's Library, Manchester (Mun. A.4.15 ff. 1r-15r (pp. 1-29)) | Catalogue
EsR 230 c.1600s

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

In: A tall folio composite volume of state tracts and a Latin play and verses, in various hands, 510 largely unnumbered pages, in reversed calf.

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

Durham Cathedral Library (Hunter MS 26 item 4, pp. 22-41)
EsR 231 c.1600s

Copy of an abridged version, in a professional secretary hand.

In: A tall folio composite volume of state tracts and a Latin play and verses, in various hands, 510 largely unnumbered pages, in reversed calf.

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

Durham Cathedral Library (Hunter MS 26 item 4, pp. 47-55)
EsR 232 c.1600s

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

In: A tall folio composite volume of state tracts and a Latin play and verses, in various hands, 510 largely unnumbered pages, in reversed calf.

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

Durham Cathedral Library (Hunter MS 26 item 4, pp. 69-98)
EsR 233

Copy of the 8 February arraignment, headed The manner of the proceedings of Robert Earle of Essex, and Henry Earle of Southampton, with their Arreignement...Written by Francis ap. Rice, and by him aproued of.

In: A quarto volume of writings relating to the Earl of Essex and his rebellion, in two professional secretary hands, 162 leaves (including many blanks), in modern half morocco marbled boards.
Early 17th century
EsR 235

Copy.

In: A folio miscellany of verse and prose, in probably several neat secretary and italic hands, 194 pages.

Compiled, probably at least in part, by George Turner Scoolmaster, as his name is inscribed at the end, a couplet on p. 179 reading Hic liber me pertinet and beare yt well in minde / Per me Georgium Turner so curteous and kinde. Possible contributors are members of the Bancrofte family, whom he might perhaps have tutored.

c.1624-1645

Various inscribed names (sometimes more than once): Anne Bancrofte, and Mary Bancrofte. Also, under 1624, a list of names with perhaps birthdates: Mary Bancrofte Ap. 28. 1611, Rich Bancrofte May 2. 1608, Elis Bancrofte Apr 27. 1614, and John Bancrofte Ap 30 1616. A legal document in the volume, dated 4 November 1645, relates to Willesden, Kilburn and Hampstead.

Formerly Folger MS 1027.2, this MS has been missing since 1991. It can be seen only on microfilm (Film Fo 4376.8).

EsR 236

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

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.

EsR 237

Copy.

In: A folio volume of state tracts, in several secretary hands, with a title-page A manuscript containing seuerall Discourses the heades thereof are in the next Page following...1641, 350 pages, in half calf marbled boards.
c.1642

Bookplate of the Honourable Frederic North. Phillipps MS 7511. Sotheby's, 26 June 1967, lot 596 (incorrectly described as a commonplace book of Sir Thomas Crewe, Speaker of the House of Commons (d.1634)). Formerly Folger MS Add. 538.

A microfilm is in the British Library (RP 154).

EsR 238 Early 17th century

Copy.

In: A quarto composite volume of state and ecclesiastical tracts, speeches and letters, in several professional hands, 653 pages (including blanks), in contemporary vellum boards.

Inscribed names of John Paman (p. 57), Rob Hare (p. 81), Rob Toynton (p. 294), and Henry Myrielle (p. 656). Donated by William Moore by 1681.

Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge (MS 389/609 ff. 531r-53r)
EsR 239
Copy, in a professional secretary hand, i + thirteen folio leaves, disbound.
Early 17th century

Formerly MS 5119.

Harvard Law School Library (HLS Small Manuscript Collection / Trial of the Earle of Essex and Southampton ca. 1601 (Hollis 004792654))
EsR 240

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

In: A large quarto MS of arraignments, iv + 42 leaves, in modern reversed calf.

Inscribed Lionel Tolmach -- 1600 of Bently.

This MS described in Spedding, I, 322-3.

EsR 241 c.1630s

Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers, in various hands, with (ff. 1r-2v) a table of contents, ii + 266 leaves, in red morocco gilt.
Inner Temple Library (Petyt MS 538, Vol. 51 ff. 1r-17r) | Catalogue
EsR 243 Early 17th century

Copy of the arraignment on 28 February 1600/1, in a mixed hand, endorsed in italic Essex and Southamptouns arreigment.

In: A folio composite volume of ecclesiastical and state papers from 1586 to 1709, in several hands, 228 leaves, rebound in two volumes in modern cloth.

Among the working papers and collections of Robert Wodrow (1679-1734), ecclesiastical historian.

National Library of Scotland, other MSS (MS Wod Fol. XXVIII ff. 7r-8v)
EsR 244

Copy.

In: A folio miscellany of verse and prose on state matters, entitled Ephemeris Chirographoru quorudam Memorabiliam Succincta, 703 pages, in modern calf gilt.

A formal compilation written throughout in a calligraphic hand, in black and red inks with elaborate black and coloured decorations and patterned layouts, associated with one Henry Feilde, with his inscription (p. 1) No 4. Henry Feilde 1642.

c.1642

Bookplates of Joseph Haslewood (1769-1833), bibliographer and antiquary, and of the Rev. Charles Winn (1795-1874), of Nostell Priory, Yorkshire. Christie's, 2 July 1975, lot 229, to H.P. Kraus. Sotheby's, New York, 17 December 1992, lot 95.

Facsimile example in Sotheby's sale catalogue.

EsR 245

Copy.

In: A folio miscellany of verse and prose, in English and Latin, in a single neat hand but for additions in other hands on pp. 183-226, 226 pages (including numerous blanks), in modern cloth.

Compiled by Sir George Ent (1604-89), physician, a founding member of the Royal Society, to whom is addressed an inscription, sending the last item in the volume, on p. 226.

c.1674-80
Royal Society, London (MS 83 pp. 25-47)
EsR 246 Early 17th century

Copy.

Recorded in HMC 12th Report, Part IV, Rutland I (1888), pp. 370-3.

In: A composite volume of state letters and papers.
The Duke of Rutland, Belvoir Castle (Letters & Papers, Vol. XIV [unspecified page numbers])
EsR 247

Copy.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers, in various hands, 270 leaves (including some blanks), in quarter-calf marbled boards.
Trinity College, Cambridge (MS R. 5. 12 (James 707) ff. 142r-9r) | Catalogue
EsR 248

Copy.

In: A folio volume of texts relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in one professional secretary hand, 22 leaves, in later boards.
Early 17th century

In the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), book and manuscript collector: Phillipps MS 26199. Among the collections of Sir Edwin Durning-Lawrence, MP (1837-1914), Baconian scholar and book collector.

EsR 249

Copy, in a secretary hand, dated 29th of February Ano Dni 1600, subscribed with a note about the time of the arraignment in a rounded hand.

In: A quarto volume of state trials, largely in a single semi-calligraphic secretary hand associated with Henry Feilde, with decorated and patterned headings, probably another secretary hand on ff. 59r-76r, with (f. 2r) a list of contents in a flourished italic hand, 81 leaves (including numerous blanks), in contemporary limp vellum.

Among the collections of Sir Edwin Durning-Lawrence, MP (1837-1914), Baconian scholar and book collector.

EsR 250

Copy.

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.

EsR 251

Copy.

In: A folio booklet of texts relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in two secretary hands, eleven leaves, in a paper wrapper.
Early 17th century
University of Nottingham (Cl LP 2/1 ff. [1r-10r]) | Catalogue
EsR 252

Copy, with a formal title-page in italic script.

In: Accounts of the Earl of Essex's arraignment and execution, in a formal secretary hand, on 51 folio pages.
Early 17th century

A microfilm of this MS is in the British Library, RP 1683.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Essex MS (I)] pp. [1-45])
EsR 253 Early 17th century

Copy, in two hands, twenty folio pages, disbound.

In: Accounts of the Earl of Essex's arraignment and execution, in two MSS, in three hands, together with a quarto document signed by William Parr, Earl of Essex, 14 August 1544.

Later owned by W.A. Foyle (1885-1963), bookseller, of Beeleigh Abbey, Essex. Christie's, 12-13 July 2000 (W.A. Foyle sale, Part III), lot 313.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Essex MS (II)] item 1)
EsR 253.5
Copy, in the professional secretary hand of the Feathery Scribe, 25 folio leaves, in paper wrappers.
c.1620s-30s

Later in the collection of Donald Frizell Hyde (1909-66) and Mary Hyde (1912-2003), Viscountess Eccles. Christie's, New York, 14 April 2004 (Lady Eccles sale), lot 34.

A facsimile opening in the sale catalogue.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Essex MS (III)])
Essex's speech at his execution

Generally incorporated in accounts of Essex's execution and sometimes also of his behaviour the night before.

EsR 254

Copy.

In: A quarto MS of letters and tracts by or relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in several probably professional secretary and italic hands, v + 72 leaves (ff. 43v-61v blank), bound with other MSS in contemporary calf.
Early 17th century
Bodleian Library, Ashmole Collection (MS Ashmole 767 (I) ff. 66v-8r) | Catalogue
EsR 255

Copy, untitled.

In: A folio composite volume of state letters, speeches and other papers, in various hands and paper sizes, x + 315 leaves (plus blanks), in contemporary calf.

Collected and partly written by Elias Ashmole (1617-92).

Bodleian Library, Ashmole Collection (MS Ashmole 830 ff. 49r-50r) | Catalogue
EsR 256

Copy, in a secretary hand.

In: A folio composite volume of copies of state letters and papers, in several professional hands, i + 23 leaves, in 19th-century half-calf.

The majority of the MS items here once owned by Sir Edward Dering, first Baronet (1598-1644), antiquary and religious controversialist. Portions of this volume once in the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), manuscript and book collector: Phillipps MSS 22355 snd 34574. Sotheby's, 6 June 1898 (Phillipps sale), lot 847. Bequeathed in 1816 by Captain C. S. Harris.

Bodleian Library, Eng. hist. MSS (MS Eng. hist. c. 121 f. 18r-v) | Catalogue
EsR 257 c.1600s

Copy, in a secretary hand, headed The mannr of the Executio of my L: of Essex.

In: A folio composite volume of copies of state letters and papers, in several professional hands, i + 23 leaves, in 19th-century half-calf.

The majority of the MS items here once owned by Sir Edward Dering, first Baronet (1598-1644), antiquary and religious controversialist. Portions of this volume once in the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), manuscript and book collector: Phillipps MSS 22355 snd 34574. Sotheby's, 6 June 1898 (Phillipps sale), lot 847. Bequeathed in 1816 by Captain C. S. Harris.

Bodleian Library, Eng. hist. MSS (MS Eng. hist. c. 121 f. 19r-v) | Catalogue
EsR 258 c.1600s

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed The manner of the execution of the sentence of death vppon the Late famous Robert Earlle of Essex wthin her Maties Touer of Londonn and the affecte of his speeches wch he vttered immediately before his death, on the first two pages of a pair of conjugate folio leaves.

In: A folio composite volume of copies of state letters and papers, in several professional hands, i + 23 leaves, in 19th-century half-calf.

The majority of the MS items here once owned by Sir Edward Dering, first Baronet (1598-1644), antiquary and religious controversialist. Portions of this volume once in the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), manuscript and book collector: Phillipps MSS 22355 snd 34574. Sotheby's, 6 June 1898 (Phillipps sale), lot 847. Bequeathed in 1816 by Captain C. S. Harris.

Bodleian Library, Eng. hist. MSS (MS Eng. hist. c. 121 f. 21r-v) | Catalogue
EsR 259

Copy, headed The manner of the Earle of Essex his death in the Tower of London and his prayer.

In: A folio volume of state papers and verses relating chiefly to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in a single professional secretary hand up to f. 58r, other hands on ff. 59r-65r, 65 leaves, in contemporary calf.
c.1610

An anonymous reader has dated f. 58r Septembr 10. 93 / ffebr: 30. [1]700/1.

EsR 260

Copy, headed The Earle of Essex suffered upon Ashwednesday the .25. of ffebruarie 1600 within ye Tower of London betweene .7. and 8 of the Clocke in the Morninge / The manner of his death and the whole summe of such words as he did speake to the Guard ouernight before he died and his speeches from his chamber to the scaffold to the houre of his death.... 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.

EsR 261

Copy, headed The beheadinge of the Earl of Essex. 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.

EsR 263

Copy, with sidenotes (? in Archbishop Sancroft's hand), imperfect, lacking the ending.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers, in various hands, 180 leaves, in calf.

Compiled by Thomas Tanner (1674-1735)

17th century
EsR 264

Copy, headed The Earl of Essex his behavior speache and prayer at the tyme of his deathe.

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.

EsR 265

Copy of an account of the execution.

In: A double-folio-size composite volume of historical tracts and papers, many relating to state arraignments, in a single professional secretary hand up to p. 527, xxiv + 552 pages (plus blank pp. 553-684), in red morocco elaborately gilt.
c.1610 [with addition to c.1630]

Presented to the Bodleian in 1620 by Sir Peter Manwood (1571-1625), judge and antiquary.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Bodl. 966 pp. 311-13) | Catalogue
EsR 266

Copy.

In: A double-folio-size composite volume of historical tracts and papers, many relating to state arraignments, in a single professional secretary hand up to p. 527, xxiv + 552 pages (plus blank pp. 553-684), in red morocco elaborately gilt.
c.1610 [with addition to c.1630]

Presented to the Bodleian in 1620 by Sir Peter Manwood (1571-1625), judge and antiquary.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Bodl. 966 pp. 453-4) | Catalogue
EsR 267 Early 17th century

Copy of an account of Essex's execution and prayer at his death, in a professional hand.

In: A folio composite volume of papers on antiquarian and state matters, in various hands, 207 leaves, in half-calf.
Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Carte 107 ff. 105v-6v) | Catalogue
EsR 268

Copy, headed The maner of his death.

In: A folio volume of state tracts and letters, in several probably professional secretary hands, 225 pages, in marbled boards.
c.1630

Formerly among the F. Bacon Frank MSS at Campsall Hall, Yorkshire. Sotheby's, 11 August 1942, lot 70. Afterwards owned by Annie Winifred Bryher (née Ellerman, d.1983) and by the Ralegh scholar Agnes Latham (1905-96), of Pickering, North Yorkshire.

Recorded, as B. 3, in HMC, 6th Report (1877), Appendix, p. 459.

Bodleian Library, other MSS (MS Eng d. 2912 pp. 77-80) | Catalogue
EsR 269

Copy, headed The Execution of Robert Earle of Essex in the Tower the 25th of ffebruary 1600.

In: A folio volume of state documents, speeches and verse, 284 leaves (plus blanks), in modern calf gilt.

Entirely in the hand of John Hopkinson (1610-80), Yorkshire antiquary, of Lofthouse, near Leeds, and comprising Volume 27 of the Hopkinson MSS. Chiefly transcribed from papers belonging to John Savile, Baron of Pontefract, and Edward Taylor, of Furnivall's Inn, Holborn.

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. 298.

Bradford Archives (32D86/27 ff. 34r-5v)
EsR 270

Copy, headed my Lord of Essex his confession before his death the 25th of February vpon the scaffold Anno 43o Regine Elizabeth, including His prayer before his execution.

In: A folio miscellany of verse and some prose, 282 pages, in calf gilt.

Entirely in the hand of John Hopkinson (1610-80), Yorkshire antiquary, of Lofthouse, near Leeds, and comprising Volume 34 of the Hopkinson MSS.

Mid-late 17th century

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 (32D86/34 pp. 3-4) | Catalogue
EsR 271

Copy, in a secretary hand.

In: A tall folio composite volume of state and miscellaneous papers, in verse and prose, in several hands, 87 leaves, in 19th-century mottled leather.

Possibly assembled by a barrister of the Middle Temple.

EsR 272 Early 17th century

Copy, untitled, in a secretary hand.

In: A tall folio composite volume of state and miscellaneous papers, in verse and prose, in several hands, 87 leaves, in 19th-century mottled leather.

Possibly assembled by a barrister of the Middle Temple.

EsR 273

Copy, in a rounded hand, inscribed in a later hand From a Contemporary Manuscript in the Collection of Mr Wilson.

In: A quarto volume of accounts relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in three hands, 36 leaves, in modern half-calf.
Mid-17th century

Sotheby's, 21 November 1863, in lot 248.

EsR 274 c.1602

Copy, in a secretary hand, headed The manner & end of the Earle of Essex in the tower of london the 25th of ffe: 1600, on the first two pages of a pair of conjugate folio leaves, once folded as a letter.

In: A large folio composite volume og miscellaneous papers, in various hands and paper sizes, 205 leaves, mounted on guards, in red morocco gilt.

Papers of the Hatton and Finch families, including notably Christopher Hatton (1632-1706), first Viscount Hatton, Governor of Guernsey, and his son-in-law Daniel Finch (1647-1730), second Earl of Nottingham, Secretary of State.

EsR 275 c.1601

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed A noate of what was done & of the speaches of the Earle of Essex at his deathe.

In: A double-folio composite volume of historical and theological tracts and papers, in various hands and paper sizes, 214 leaves, mounted on guards, in half green morocco.

Volume III of the papers of Sir Thomas Tresham (1543-1605), of Rushton Hall, Northamptonshire, recusant.

c.1600

Presented by T.B. Clarke-Thornhill.

EsR 276 Early 17th century

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, untitled.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers, in various hands, 248 leaves, in modern crushed morocco gilt.
The British Library: Cotton MSS (Cotton MS Titus C. VII f. 68r-v) | Catalogue
EsR 277

Copy of an account, headed The execution of Robt Devereux late Earle of Essex the 25th of feb: 1600 wthin ye tower of London.

In: A large folio miscellaneous compilation of verse and prose, chiefly in a single neat hand, written from both ends, 189 leaves, in contemporary vellum (rebound).

Associated with the Freville family and probably assembled by Gilbert Frevile, of Bishop Middleham, Co. Durham, whose name appears on the cover with the date 1591. A pen-and-ink ornamental drawing at the end inscribed Finis quoth G. W.

c.1620s
The British Library: Egerton MSS (Egerton MS 2877 ff. 171r-170v rev.) | Catalogue
EsR 278

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.

In: 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
EsR 281

Copy, headed The true Copie in substance of Robert Devereux lat Earle of Essex his behevior speache and preyer at the tyme of his execution wthin the Tower of london 1600.

In: A quarto volume of tracts relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in a professional cursive secretary hand, 72 leaves, in old calf gilt within modern quarter-morocco.
c.1600s
EsR 282 Early 17th century

Copy, in a secretary hand, headed A description of thexecucon of the Earle of Essex at the tower the 25 of ffebruary 1600.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers, in various professional hands, 380 leaves, in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.
EsR 283 c.1601

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, on a folio leaf.

In: A folio composite volume of state letters and papers, in various hands, 196 leaves, in modern half-morocco gilt.

Comprising papers of William Cecil (1520/21-98), first Baron Burghley, secretary of state.

Bookplate (as Shelburne) of William Petty (1737-1805), second Earl of Shelburne and first Marquess of Lansdowne, Prime Minister.

The British Library: Lansdowne MSS (Lansdowne MS 94 f. 135r-v) | Catalogue
EsR 284

Copy, headed The manr of the Earle of Essexe his deathe [etc.], on a single folio leaf.

In: A folio composite volume of papers relating to the rebellion of Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, in professional secretary hands, sixteen leaves, in modern half crushed morocco gilt.
The British Library: Sloane Collection (Sloane MS 756 f. 15r-v)
EsR 285

Copy.

In: A folio volume of state tracts, in four probably professional secretary hands, 101 leaves, in modern quarter-morocco gilt.
Early 17th century
The British Library: Sloane Collection (Sloane MS 1427 f. 100r-v)
EsR 286 Early 17th century

Copy, in a secretary hand, headed The Man[ner of] the death of the Earle of Essex...to his best Remembrance that hard it, imperfect.

In: A quarto composite volume of state papers and tracts, in various hands, 212 leaves, in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.
The British Library: Sloane Collection (Sloane MS 1779 ff. 207r-8r)
EsR 287

Copy, headed The speeches of Robert Earle of Essex the night before his execution out of his Chamber windowe to the guard, and from his chamber going to the place of Execution, including an account of the execution itself.

In: A small folio volume of state tracts, in a professional cursive secretary hand, 73 leaves, in old mottled leather.
Early-mid-17th century

Bookplate of Algernon Capell (1654-1710), second Earl of Essex, Privy Councillor, dated 1701.

The British Library: Stowe MSS (Stowe MS 399 ff. 37r-40r) | Catalogue
EsR 288 Early 17th century

Copy, in a secretary hand.

In: A folio composite volume of state letters and tracts, in various professional hands, 240 leaves (plus blanks), now in four volumes, in modern quarter-calf.
EsR 289

Copy by Baker.

In: A folio volume of transcripts of historical and antiquarian papers, in Latin and English, made by Thomas Baker (1656-1740), Cambridge antiquary, 476 pages, in old reversed calf.

MS Baker 33.

EsR 290

Copy, headed The Last Speech of Robert Devereux Earle of Essex Within The Tower of London the 25th day of ffebruary 1600, including The Earl of Essex his Prayer.

In: A folio composite volume of tracts and miscellaneous papers, in several hands, 160 leaves (including numerous blanks), in 19th-century half-calf.

Compiled in large part by William Jackson, one of the Custome Masters of Great Yarmouth.

EsR 291

Copy, headed The description of ye executione of ye E: of Essex wthin ye tower the 25 of February / 1600/.

In: A folio MS relating to the Essex Rebellion, in a professional secretary hand, 21 pages, in modern quarter-morocco.
Early 17th century

Among papers of the Knatchbull family, Barons Brabourne, of Mersham-le-Hatch, Kent.

EsR 292

Copy.

In: A folio volume of state tracts and letters, c.480 pages.
c.1625-30s

Inscribed on the rear cover Robert Wingfield his Booke witnes Barbary Wingfield. Among the Tabley House MSS and once owned by Sir Peter Leycester (1614-78), antiquary.

Recorded in HMC, 1st Report (1870), Appendix, pp. 47-8.

Cheshire Record Office (DLT/B8 pp. 19-20) | Catalogue
EsR 293

Copy, headed The Execution of the Earle of Essex.

In: A quarto composite volume of historical memorials of English affairs up to 1625, 193 leaves, in half-vellum on marbled boards.

Compiled chiefly by William Fulman (1632-88), Oxford antiquary.

Mid-late 17th century
EsR 294 c.1600s

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed Concerning the Earle of Essex execution and arrainement.

In: A tall folio composite volume of state tracts and a Latin play and verses, in various hands, 510 largely unnumbered pages, in reversed calf.

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

Durham Cathedral Library (Hunter MS 26 item 4, pp. [43-5])
EsR 295 c.1600s

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed The Manner and death of the Earll of Essex one A wensdaie the 25th of febriari 1600 in the Towr of London: as follow &c.

In: A tall folio composite volume of state tracts and a Latin play and verses, in various hands, 510 largely unnumbered pages, in reversed calf.

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

Durham Cathedral Library (Hunter MS 26 item 4, pp. 99-101)
EsR 296

Copy of an account of Essex's execution, including his speech and prayer.

In: Twelve unbound folio leaves, comprising two sets of texts (ff. 1r-8v a copy of a charter relating to Somerset), in a single cursive secretary hand, in paper wrappers.
Early 17th century

Inscribed (f. 12v) Elizabeth James.

EsR 297

Copy of another account.

In: Twelve unbound folio leaves, comprising two sets of texts (ff. 1r-8v a copy of a charter relating to Somerset), in a single cursive secretary hand, in paper wrappers.
Early 17th century

Inscribed (f. 12v) Elizabeth James.

EsR 298

Copy, headed The manner of Robert Ea: of Ess: his / The manner of Robert Earle of Essex his execution.

Facsimile of ff. 86v-7r in Elizabeth I Then and Now, ed. Georgianna Ziegler (Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC, 2003), p. 70.

In: A quarto volume of writings relating to the Earl of Essex and his rebellion, in two professional secretary hands, 162 leaves (including many blanks), in modern half morocco marbled boards.
Early 17th century
EsR 299

Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed The manner & ende of Robte Earle of Essex in the Tower of London, inscribed in the margin 25 febuarij 1600.

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.

EsR 300 Early 17th century

Copy, headed The true copy in substance of the late Earle of Essex, his behauiour, speach and prayer, at the time of his execution.

In: A quarto composite volume of state and ecclesiastical tracts, speeches and letters, in several professional hands, 653 pages (including blanks), in contemporary vellum boards.

Inscribed names of John Paman (p. 57), Rob Hare (p. 81), Rob Toynton (p. 294), and Henry Myrielle (p. 656). Donated by William Moore by 1681.

Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge (MS 389/609 pp. 553r-6r)
EsR 301

Copy, headed Speeches vsed by the Earle of Essex at his deathe.

In: A large coucher-size volume of accounts, state letters, speeches, legal documents and other papers, in several professional secretary hands, 402 pages, in a contemporary vellum wallet binding with remains of ties and a strap.
Early 17th century

Inscribed (p. i) Per me Johannem Fry and Per me Gul: Fry.

Harvard, other MSS (fMS 757 pp. 174, 179)
EsR 302

Copy, headed Thexecucon of Robert Earle of Essex,the xxvth of ffebruary beinge Ashwenday .1600. wthin ye Towr.

In: A large quarto MS of arraignments, iv + 42 leaves, in modern reversed calf.

Inscribed Lionel Tolmach -- 1600 of Bently.

This MS described in Spedding, I, 322-3.

EsR 303 Early-mid 17th century

Copy, headed The manner of the Earle of Essex his death, the whole sume of all words as hee spake to the Guard overnight before hee dyed, and his speeches from his Chamber to the Scaffoulde, and alsoe vpon the Scaffould at the howre of his death.

In: A volume of state papers relating to criminal trials, in three secretary hands, 392 pages.
Inner Temple Library (Petyt MS 536, Vol. 8 pp 129-34r) | Catalogue
EsR 304 c.1601

Copy, in a cursive secretary hand, headed The speech and Execution of the Earle of Essex, on both sides of a single folio leaf.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers, in various hands, with (ff. 1r-2v) a table of contents, ii + 266 leaves, in red morocco gilt.
Inner Temple Library (Petyt MS 538, Vol. 51 f. 162r-v) | Catalogue
EsR 305

Copy of a verse account of Essex's speech and execution, in double columns, headed Vppon the death of Robert Deuereux late Erle of Essex attaynted of treason (beginning Swete Englands pride is gone), subscribed Finis. 29 die Decembr: 1606, among other verses relating to him including (f. 60r-v) A Lamentable mone of a Souldier for the losse of his derely beloued Lorde (beginning Gallants all come mourne with me) which is subscribed Finis tertio die Octobris 1601.

In: A folio volume of legal and historical tracts and verse, largely in one formal hand employing variant secretary, roman and court scripts, with a few later additions by others, 78 leaves, in 19th-century calf.

Compiled by one Robert Hassall, who signs and dates many of the texts as wrytten...per me.

c.1583-1608

Inscribed on a flyleaf J H Lecke / Carden Park / Chester / Found at Carden 1886 and rebound 1886.

EsR 306

Copy.

In: A small quarto volume of texts relating to Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, in a professional secretary hand, 78 leaves, in contemporary calf gilt.
Early 17th century
EsR 307 Early 17th century

Copy, in a secretary hand, headed The Manner of the death of Robert Earle of Essex, who was beheaded wthin the Tower of London vppon Ashewednesday, 1600, on a pair of conjugate folio leaves.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts and letters, in various hands, 763 pages, in contemporary calf elaborately stamped.
EsR 308

Copy, headed The Speeches of the Earle of Essex and his Behaviovr vs:ed the night befor and at the Tyme of his Execvcion. Ao. 1600.

In: A folio miscellany of verse and prose on state matters, entitled Ephemeris Chirographoru quorudam Memorabiliam Succincta, 703 pages, in modern calf gilt.

A formal compilation written throughout in a calligraphic hand, in black and red inks with elaborate black and coloured decorations and patterned layouts, associated with one Henry Feilde, with his inscription (p. 1) No 4. Henry Feilde 1642.

c.1642

Bookplates of Joseph Haslewood (1769-1833), bibliographer and antiquary, and of the Rev. Charles Winn (1795-1874), of Nostell Priory, Yorkshire. Christie's, 2 July 1975, lot 229, to H.P. Kraus. Sotheby's, New York, 17 December 1992, lot 95.

Facsimile example in Sotheby's sale catalogue.

EsR 309

Copy, among other papers relating to the Essex rebellion.

In: A folio composite volume of state tracts, letters and speeches, in various hands, 614 pages (including blanks), in contemporary vellum.
The Queen's College, Oxford (MS 121 pp. 253-6)
EsR 310 c.1620s

Copy, in a secretary hand.

In: A folio composite volume of state papers, in various hands, 270 leaves (including some blanks), in quarter-calf marbled boards.
Trinity College, Cambridge (MS R. 5. 12 (James 707) ff. 155v-6v) | Catalogue
EsR 311

Copy, headed The manner of the Demeaner of the Earle of Essex att the time of his Deathe.

In: A folio volume of texts relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in one professional secretary hand, 22 leaves, in later boards.
Early 17th century

In the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), book and manuscript collector: Phillipps MS 26199. Among the collections of Sir Edwin Durning-Lawrence, MP (1837-1914), Baconian scholar and book collector.

EsR 312

Copy, in a secretary hand, headed in a rounded hand The Speeches of the Earle of Essex and his behauiour vsed the night before, and at the tyme of his execucon. Ano 1600.

In: A quarto volume of state trials, largely in a single semi-calligraphic secretary hand associated with Henry Feilde, with decorated and patterned headings, probably another secretary hand on ff. 59r-76r, with (f. 2r) a list of contents in a flourished italic hand, 81 leaves (including numerous blanks), in contemporary limp vellum.

Among the collections of Sir Edwin Durning-Lawrence, MP (1837-1914), Baconian scholar and book collector.

EsR 313

Copy.

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.

EsR 314

Copy, headed The manner and end of the Earle of Essex in the Tower of London the xxvth of ffebruarie 1600.

In: A folio booklet of texts relating to Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, in two secretary hands, eleven leaves, in a paper wrapper.
Early 17th century
University of Nottingham (Cl LP 2/1 f. [11r-v]) | Catalogue
EsR 315

Copy.

In: A folio miscellany of poems and state papers, in secretary hands, written from both ends, 50 leaves, in contemporary vellum.
c.1620s

Among papers of the Troyte-Bullock family, formerly of Zeals House, Mere, and probably deriving from the papers of the Chafyn family of Bulford and Chisenbury or the Reymes family of Waddon, near Dorchester.

EsR 316

Copy, headed Thexecution of Robert Erle of Essex the xxvth of ffebruary beinge Ashwenday 1600. wthin ye Towr.

In: Accounts of the Earl of Essex's arraignment and execution, in a formal secretary hand, on 51 folio pages.
Early 17th century

A microfilm of this MS is in the British Library, RP 1683.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Essex MS (I)] pp. [47-51])
EsR 317

Copy, in a single hand, eleven octavo pages, disbound.

In: Accounts of the Earl of Essex's arraignment and execution, in two MSS, in three hands, together with a quarto document signed by William Parr, Earl of Essex, 14 August 1544.

Later owned by W.A. Foyle (1885-1963), bookseller, of Beeleigh Abbey, Essex. Christie's, 12-13 July 2000 (W.A. Foyle sale, Part III), lot 313.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Essex MS (II)] item 2)

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