Robert Sidney, Earl of Leicester

1563–1626

Introduction

Autograph Manuscripts

As a writer, Robert Sidney, Viscount Lisle and Earl of Leicester, Governor of Flushing, brother of Sir Philip Sidney, is known for a series of poems written probably for his wife Barbara. The remarkable autograph manuscript of these poems (British Library, Add. MS 58435) did not effectively come to light until the 1970s and was published in full in 1981 and 1984.

Sidney also compiled at least four large systematically arranged commonplace books, on political and other subjects (SiR 61-64), written perhaps largely during the years of his virtual isolation in Flushing.

Letters

Otherwise, as with so many public figures, his principal outlay of manuscripts was the numerous letters he wrote in his rugged cursive italic — a characteristic script for which, in one of his several letters of advice to Robert, his brother Philip had upbraided him years earlier (… I would by the way your worship would learne a better hand, yow write worse than I, and I write evell enough …, 18 October 1580). Considerable numbers of letters by Robert Sidney are in repositories including the Sidney family archive of the Viscount De L'Isle at the Centre for Kentish Studies, Maidstone; the library of the Marquess of Salisbury, Hatfield House; the British Library; the National Archives, Kew; Lambeth Palace; Sheffield Archives; the Huntington; Yale; and the General Archives, Brussels. Facsimile examples of his letter-writing include those in Croft's edition of The Poems (1984), p. 75; in W. Schrickx, Letters in Belgian Archives of Two English Poets, Robert Sidney and Henry Wotton, Revue des Langues Vivantes, 20 (1974), 483-8 (p. 489); in Sotheby's sale catalogue The Trumbull Papers (14 December 1989), lot 34; and in Germaine Warkentin and Noel Kinnamon, Robert Sidney and the Italic Hand, Sidney Journal, 25 (2007), 83-93 (pp. 91 and 93, with a probably scribal letter illustrated on p. 92).

Books from Sidney's Library

Many books from Sidney's library, kept chiefly at Penshurst, have been widely scattered in subsequent sales, though a 219-leaf folio catalogue at Penshurst, made by the Sidney family secretary Gilbert Spencer, bears witness to the library there at least in the time of Robert Sidney's son, the second Earl of Leicester. For discussions of this library, with references to various of Robert Sidney's books that have come to light hitherto, see especially Germaine Warkentin, The World and the Book at Penshurst: The Second Earl of Leicester (1595-1677) and his Library, The Library, 6th Ser. 20 (1998), 325-46; her Robert Sidney and His Books, Sidney Journal, 25 (2007), 31-42; and Joel Davis, Robert Sidney's Marginal Comments on Tacitus and the English Campaigns in the Low Countries, Sidney Journal, 24 (2006), 1-19.

Miscellaneous

In addition, examples of continental manuscript libri amicorum have been discovered bearing signed inscriptions by both Philip and Robert Sidney: see SiR 65-66.

Verse

A crown of sonnets, but unfinished ('Thogh the most parfet stile kannot attaine')

A sequence of sonnets numbered 11, 2 Sonnet. 12, 3 Sonnet 13, 4 Son: 14, and 5 Son:, subscribed The rest of the 13 sonnets doth want. Croft, pp. 174-81.

*SiR 1

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 ff. 13v-15r)

Elegy 16 ('Fayrest of Venus greate posteritee')

Croft, pp. 280-5.

*SiR 2

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 40r-1r)

In another place ('So when w^thout all noyse of mee')

Croft, pp. 270-1.

*SiR 3

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 37v)

Pastoral 2: Shepherd, Nymph ('Shepherd, iffaith now say how wel')

Croft, pp. 140-7.

*SiR 4

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 ff. 5r-6v)

Pastoral 7 ('Lysa sweet Nymph did sit')

Croft, pp. 198-201.

*SiR 5

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 ff. 19v-20r)

Pastoral 8 ('Shepheard, why doest thow so looke still on mee')

Croft, pp. 206-9.

*SiR 6

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 ff. 21v-2r)

Pastoral 9 ('Day w^ch so bright didst shyne, how darck art thow?')

Croft, pp. 228-31.

*SiR 7

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 27r-v)

Pastoral 14 ('What a change is this I see')

Croft, pp. 272-5.

*SiR 8

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 38r-v)

Song 1 ('O eyes, o lights deuine')

Croft, pp. 130-3.

*SiR 9

Autograph

Autograph, with a revision.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 ff. 2v-3r)

Song 3 ('Loue not who haue not lou'd')

Croft, pp. 148-55.

*SiR 10

Autograph

Autograph, with a revised line.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 ff. 7r-8v)

Song 4 ('My sowle in purest fyre')

Croft, pp. 166-71.

*SiR 11

Autograph

Autograph, with a revision.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 ff. 11v-12v)

Song 5 ('If those deuotions now noe more')

Croft, pp. 182-3.

*SiR 12

Autograph

Autograph, with a revision.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 15v)

Song 6 Lady. Pilgrim. ('Yonder comes a sad pilgrim')

Croft, pp. 184-95.

*SiR 13

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 ff. 16r-18v)

Song 10 ('Yow whoe fauor doe enioy')

Croft, pp. 232-5.

*SiR 14

Autograph

Autograph, with a revision.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 28r-v)

Song 11 ('Thowghts vnto mee so deer')

Croft, pp. 242-7.

*SiR 15

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 30v-1v)

Song 12 To a french Tune Ou estes vous allez mes belles amourettes ('Since now those fayre eyes doe shyne in theyr cleer light')

Croft, pp. 248-51.

*SiR 16

Autograph

Autograph, written sideways up the length of the page, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 32r-v)

Song 13 ('Vpon a wretch, that wastes away')

Croft, pp. 262-5.

*SiR 17

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 ff. 35v-6r)

Song 15 ('Heauen if any heauen there is')

Croft, pp. 276-9.

*SiR 18

Autograph

Autograph, with a line deleted.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 39r-v)

Song 17 ('The Sun is set, and masked night')

Croft, pp. 284-5.

*SiR 19

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 41r)

Song 18 ('How oft sayd I, delaies are death')

Croft, pp. 286-7.

*SiR 20

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 41v)

Song 19 ('Sun bee hencefourth from shyning parted')

Croft, pp. 288-9.

*SiR 21

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 42r)

Song 20 ('Senses by vniust force banisht')

Croft, pp. 290-3.

*SiR 22

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 ff. 42v-3r)

Song 21 ('So did the morning crymson ryse')

Croft, pp. 294-5.

*SiR 23

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 43v)

Song 22 ('But alas why do yow nowrish')

Croft, pp. 296-9.

*SiR 24

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 44r-v)

Song 23 ('Greefs sent from her whome in my sowle I bless')

Croft, pp. 300-3.

*SiR 25

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 45r-v)

Song 24 ('Absence I fled to thee')

Croft, pp. 304-7.

*SiR 26

Autograph

Autograph, with two revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 46r-v)

Sonnet 1 ('Yow purest stars, whose neuer dijng fyres')

Croft, pp. 128-9.

*SiR 27

Autograph

Autograph, with a revision.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 2r)

Sonnet 2 ('The pains w^ch I vncessantly susteine')

Croft, pp. 134-5.

*SiR 28

Autograph

Autograph, with a revision.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 3v)

Sonnet 3 ('Beauties born of the heauens, my sowles delight')

Croft, pp. 136-7.

*SiR 29

Autograph

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 4r)

Sonnet 4 ('These purest flames, kindled by beauties rare')

Croft, pp. 138-9.

*SiR 30

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 4v)

Sonnet 5 ('Of trauailes past oft when I thincking ame')

Croft, pp. 156-7.

*SiR 31

Autograph

Autograph, with a revision.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 9r)

Sonnet 6 ('When rest locks vp the treasures of delight')

Croft, pp. 158-9.

*SiR 32

Autograph

Autograph, with a revision.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 9v)

Sonnet 7 ('The hardy Captein vnusde to retyre')

Croft, pp. 160-1.

*SiR 33

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 10r)

Sonnet 8 ('If that her worth I kowld as wel forget')

Croft, pp. 162-3.

*SiR 34

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 10v)

Sonnet 9 ('Oft had I past the ioies and greefs in loue')

Croft, pp. 164-5.

*SiR 35

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 11r)

Sonnet 10 ('Shee whoe I serue to wryte did not despyse')

Croft, pp. 172-3.

*SiR 36

Autograph

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 13r)

Sonnets 11-14

See A crown of sonnets (SiR 1), but unfinished.

Sonnet 15 ('Yow that haue power to kil, haue wil to saue')

Croft, pp. 196-7.

*SiR 37

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 19r)

Sonnet 16 ('Most fayre when first w^th pleasd but cursed eyes')

Croft, pp. 202-3.

*SiR 38

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 20v)

Sonnet 17 ('The endless Alchymist, wth blinded will')

Croft, pp. 204-5.

*SiR 39

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 21r)

Sonnet 18 ('Most faier: The feeld is yowrs: now stay y^or hands')

Croft, pp. 210-11.

*SiR 40

Autograph

Autograph, with a revision.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 22v)

Sonnet 19 ('When other creatures all each in theyr kinde')

Croft, pp. 212-13.

*SiR 41

Autograph

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 23r)

Sonnet 20 ('Shine on fayre stars: giue comfort to these eyes')

Croft, pp. 214-15.

*SiR 42

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 23v)

Sonnet 21 ('Alas why say yow I ame ritch? when I')

Croft, pp. 216-17.

*SiR 43

Autograph

Autograph, with a revision.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 24r)

Sonnet 22 ('On vnknown shore, w^th wether hard destrest')

Croft, pp. 218-19.

*SiR 44

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 24v)

Sonnet 23 ('Absence what floods of plaints gainst thee would ryse')

Croft, pp. 220-1.

*SiR 45

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 25r)

Sonnet 24 ('Canst thow turn from the haue of thy rest')

Croft, pp. 222-3.

*SiR 46

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 25v)

Sonnet 25 ('Yow that take pleasure in yowr cruelty')

Croft, pp. 224-5.

*SiR 47

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 26r)

Sonnet 26 ('Ah deerest lims my lifes best ioy and stay')

Croft, pp. 226-7.

*SiR 48

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Facsimile of this page in Croft, p. [117].

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 26v)

Sonnet 27 ('Falshood: how long did I yowr stings endure')

Croft, pp. 236-7.

*SiR 49

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 29r)

Sonnet 28 ('Ayre w^ch about these wanton leaues dost play')

Croft, pp. 238-9.

*SiR 50

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 29v)

Sonnet 29 ('Yowr hate to mee, must needs bee violent')

Croft, pp. 240-1.

*SiR 51

Autograph

Autograph, with a revision.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 30r)

Sonnet 30 ('Absence I cannot say thou hyd'st my light')

Croft, pp. 252-3.

*SiR 52

Autograph

Autograph, with revisions.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 33r)

Sonnet 31 ('Forsaken woods, trees w^th sharpe storms opprest')

Croft, pp. 254-5.

*SiR 53

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 33v)

Sonnet 32 ('All yow fayre minds whome chois or destiny')

Croft, pp. 256-7.

*SiR 54

Autograph

Autograph, with a revision.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 34r)

Sonnet 33 ('Fayrest of fayre, on whome the heaues bestow')

Croft, pp. 258-9.

*SiR 55

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 34v)

Sonnet 34 ('W^th how wyde iawes would I my poison drinck')

Croft, pp. 260-1.

*SiR 56

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 35r)

Sonnet 35 ('Time cruel time how fast pass yow away')

Croft, pp. 266-7.

*SiR 57

Autograph

Autograph, with a revision.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 36v)

Translated out of Seneca ('Yow vnto whome hee that rules sea and land')

Croft, pp. 270-1.

*SiR 58

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 37v)

Translated out of Spanish ('Shee whome I loued, and loue shall still')

Croft, pp. 268-9.

*SiR 59

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 37r)

Vpon a Snufkin ('Goe happy furres the hands preserue')

Croft, pp. 268-9.

*SiR 60

Autograph

Autograph.

Autograph volume of poems by Robert Sidney, with his revisions, 46 quarto leaves, in 19th-century black morocco gilt.

Written for Sidney' wife, Barbara (née Gamage), but inscribed by him (f. 1r) For the Countess of Pembroke (his sister).

Bookplate of Warwick Castle. Tipped-in letter about the MS by W. Blott to H.J. Cooke, 24 January 1848. Item 794 in an unidentified sale catalogue.

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 55000 through 59999 (Add. MS 58435 f. 37r)

Miscellaneous

Commonplace book

*SiR 61

Autograph

Autograph commonplace book, on political and historical subjects, under headings, with some additions, including an index, possibly in the hand of the second Earl of Leicester, 754 folio pages (including numerous blanks), in contemporary vellum.

c.1613-15

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

Discussed in Robert Shephard, The Political Commonplace Books of Sir Robert Sidney, Sidney Journal, 21 (2003), 1-30, and in Fred Schurink, Manuscript Commonplace Books, Literature, and Reading in Early Modern England, HLQ, 73/3 (2010, 453-69 (pp. 457-60).

Centre for Kentish Studies, Maidstone (U1475 Z1/1)

*SiR 62

Autograph

Autograph commonplace book, on principally genealogical and historical matters, with a few additions possibly in the hand of the second Earl of Leicester, 486 pages (including blanks), partly in ruled columns, in contemporary vellum, with green silk ties.

Early 17th century

Recorded in Robert Shephard, The Political Commonplace Books of Sir Robert Sidney, Sidney Journal, 21 (2003), 1-30 (p. 2 n).

Centre for Kentish Studies, Maidstone (I1475 Z1/2)

*SiR 63

Autograph

Autograph commonplace book, on coinage and history, 348 quarto pages (including blanks, plus further blanks at the end), in contemporary vellum.

Late 16th-early 17th century

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

Recorded in Robert Shephard, The Political Commonplace Books of Sir Robert Sidney, Sidney Journal, 21 (2003), 1-30 (p. 2 n).

Centre for Kentish Studies, Maidstone (U1475 Z1/3)

*SiR 64

Autograph

Autograph commonplace book by Robert Sidney, on political subjects, under some headings, with additions, including an index, possibly in the hand of the second Earl of Leicester, 954 folio pages (including numerous blanks), in contemporary vellum.

c.1600

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

Discussed in Robert Shephard, The Political Commonplace Books of Sir Robert Sidney, Sidney Journal, 21 (2003), 1-30.

Centre for Kentish Studies, Maidstone (U1475 Z1/10)

Liber amicorum

*SiR 65 1581

Autograph

Robert Sidney's autograph inscription while in Vienna, 11 August 1581.

This MS recorded in George Gömöri, Inscriptions by Philip and Robert Sidney in Alba Amicorum, N&Q, 50 (September 2004), 240-2.

The liber amicorum of Nicolaus Engelhardt.

Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris (MS 18597 f. 70r)

SiR 66

Autograph inscription in Latin by Robert Sidney in the liber amicorum of Gregorius Horváth Stansith, dated 29 March 1580.

1580

Probably destroyed in World War II. A copy of the MS made by Jenö Abel is in Magyar Tudományos Akadémia Kézirattára, Budapest, Hungary, MS 335/12, entry 3.

This MS recorded in George Gömöri, Inscriptions by Philip and Robert Sidney in Alba Amicorum, N&Q, 50 (September 2004), 240-2.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Liber amicorum])

Robert Sidney, Earl of Leicester

Introduction

Autograph Manuscripts

Letters

Books from Sidney's Library

Miscellaneous

Verse

Miscellaneous

Contents