A folio composite volume of historical papers, in various professional hands, 195 leaves, in modern half morocco gilt.
Among the collections of Randle Holme, probably the third of that name (1627-1700), herald, who inscribes f. 4r Randle Holme Junior
.
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.
Copy, untitled, on an oblong octavo leaf. Mid-late 17th century.
First published, as The Church Papist, in Wits Recreations (London, 1640). Reprinted as The Jesuit's Double-faced Creed by Henry Care in The Popish Courant (16 May 1679): see August A. Imholtz, Jr, The Jesuits' Double-Faced Creed: A Seventeenth-Century Cross-Reading, N&Q, 222 (December 1977), 553-4. Dobell, p. 111. Listed, without text, in Forey, p. 339.
Copy, in a secretary hand, untitled, on a single folio leaf.
Printed from this MS in Wilkinson, I, 54; collated in Clayton.
First published in Lucasta (London, 1649). Wilkinson (1925), II, 70-1. (1930), pp. 78-9. Thomas Clayton, Some Versions, Texts, and Readings of To Althea, from Prison, PBSA, 68 (1974), 225-35. A musical setting by John Wilson published in Select Ayres and Dialogues (London, 1659).
Copy of poems 5 and 4, in a secretary hand, untitled and here beginning Yff any ask why Tarquin ment to Marry
, on one side of a single folio leaf. Early 17th century.
This MS recorded in Krueger.
First published in Samuel A. Tannenbaum, Unfamiliar Versions of Some Elizabethan Poems, PMLA, 45.ii (1930), 809-21 (pp. 818-19). Krueger, pp. 177-9.
Copy, in a secretary hand, untitled, on both sides of a single folio leaf.
First published in Poëtica Stromata ([no place], 1648). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, pp. 12-18.
Some texts accompanied by an Answer (A ballad late was made
).
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.
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.
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.Copy.
Copy, headed Speeches of my Lo. of Essex the night before his execution out of his Chamber Wyndow to the yard and from his chamber to the place of execution and their as ffolloweth / 1600
.
Generally incorporated in accounts of Essex's execution and sometimes also of his behaviour the night before.
A folio volume of parliamentary speeches, in a single cursive secretary hand but for a tipped-in two-leaf list of contents in another secretary hand, 48 leaves, in modern quarter crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.
Humphrey Wanley's date of acquisition in the Harley library, 4 May 1721
, inscribed on f. 1*.
Copy of Version I, in a secretary hand, headed The coppie of a letter (taken from ites originall, wch was written in the Queenes owne hand, and by her selfe drawne) to the Comons in Parliament about their peticon concrning mariage and liberties
. Late 16th-early 17th century.
This MS cited in Hartley and (misprinted Harley 2125) in Selected Works.
First published in Simonds D'Ewes, The Journalls of All the Parliaments during the Raign of Queen Elizabeth (London, 1682), pp. 113-17.
Version I. Beginning I love so evil counterfeiting and hate so much dissimulation that I may not suffer you depart...
. Hartley, I, 174-5 (Separate version
). Collected Works, Speech 10, pp. 105-6 (Version 1). Selected Works, Speech 6, pp. 47-51.
Version II. Beginning My lords and others, the Commons of this Assembly, although the lord keeper hath, according to order, very well answered in my name...
. Hartley, I, 172-3. Collected Works, Speech 10, pp. 107-8 (Version 2).
Copy, in a secretary hand, headed A speech deliuered by her Maty: unto the Lo. Keeper Sr Nicholas Bacon in presence of the vpper hous of Parlmt:
.
This MS cited in Hartley.
First published in Simonds D'Ewes, The Journalls of All the Parliaments during the Raign of Queen Elizabeth (London, 1682), pp. 107-8.
Beginning Since there can be no duer debt than princes' words...
. Hartley, I, 114-15 (2 texts). Collected Works, Speech 6, pp. 79-80. Selected Works, Speech 4, pp. 42-4.
A folio volume of state tracts and speeches, in two or more professional mixed hands, 91 leaves, in old calf gilt.
c.1620s.Copy.
Copy of an account of the speech and execution, untitled, run on directly after the arraignment (
Generally incorporated in accounts of Essex's execution and sometimes also of his behaviour the night before.
Copy of Bacon's speech relating to the Earl of Somerset.
Composite volume of MSS.
Autograph copy of quotations from Greek and Roman authors, &c chiefly relating to Great Britain, apparently intended for inclusion in Britannia.
A folio composite volume of state and antiquarian tracts, in various professional hands, 240 leaves, in old calf.
Several items inscribed by Wanley with the same date of accession into the Harley Library 13 August, 1724
.
Copy, in a professional secretary hand, as Written by Sir Robert Cotton the 27th of Aprill Anno 1624
.
Tract, addressed to George Villiers, first Duke of Buckingham, beginning In humble obedience to your Grace's Command, I am emboldned to present my poor advice...
. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. 1-9.
A folio composite volume of parliamentary papers and speeches, 1627-28, in various professional hands, 113 leaves, in modern panelled calf.
The date of acquisition for the Harley Library inscribed by Wanley (f. 1*r) 13 August, 1724
.
Copy, in a professional predominantly italic hand, headed Sr Benjamin Rudyerd his speeche
, on two conjugate folio leaves.
Speech beginning I did not think to have spoken...
. First published, as Sir Benjamin Rudierd His speech in Behalfe of the Clergie and of Parishes destitute of Instruction through want of Maintenance, Oxford, 1628. Manning, pp. 135-8. Yale 1628, III, 17-19, where it is dated probably 21 April 1628.
Copy, in a professional hand, untitled, subscribed Jos. Exeter
.
Letter, beginning Gentlemen, For God's sake be wise in your well-meant zeal...
. First published in Cabala (London, 1663), p. 113. Wynter, VIII, 272.
A folio volume of state papers, tracts and parliamentary speeches, in a single professional secretary hand, 73 leaves, in modern speckled calf.
c.1624-8.Copy, unascribed.
Edited from this MS in Spedding.
A tract dedicated to Prince Charles, beginning Your Highness hath an imperial name. It was a Charles that brought the empire first into France...
. First published in Certaine Miscellany Works, ed. William Rawley (London, 1629). Spedding, XIV, 469-505.
Copy.
Essay, beginning A king is a mortal god on earth...
. Spedding, VI, 595-7 (discussed pp. 592-4).
A folio volume, comprising two manuscripts of tracts bound together, in two different professional secretary hands, 60 leaves, in half calf on marbled boards.
Inscribed (f. [i*r]) by Humfrey Wanley with date of accession into the Harley Library 24 die Martij. A.D. 1723/4
.
Copy, headed A shorte veiwe of Henry 3 his life
, dated at the end 29 April: 1614
, unascribed.
Treatise, written c.1614 and Presented to King James
, beginning Wearied with the lingering calamities of Civil Arms...
. First published in London, 1627. Cottoni posthuma (1651), at the end (i + pp. 1-27).
Copy, closely written in a cursive secretary hand, dated in the heading 1584. Late 16th-early 17th century.
This MS recorded in Peck, p. 245.
First published as The Copie of a Leter, Wryten by a Master of Arte of Cambrige, to his Friend in London, Concerning some talke past of late betwen two worshipful and graue men, about the present state, and some procedinges of the Erle of Leycester and his friendes in England ([? Rouen], 1584). Soon banned. Reprinted as Leycesters common-wealth (London, 1641). Edited, as Leicester's Commonwealth, by D.C. Peck (Athens, OH, & London, 1985). Although various attributions have been suggested by Peck and others, the most likely author remains Robert Persons (1546-1610), Jesuit conspirator.
A miscellany, in several hands, compiled by John Colyns (d.c.1542), mercer, of the parish of St Mary Woolchurch, London.
c.1522-39.Discussed, with eight pages of facsimiles, in Carol M. Meale, The Compiler at Work: John Colyns and BL MS Harley 2252, in Manuscripts and Readers in Fifteenth-Century England: The Literary Implications of Manuscript Study, ed. Derek Pearsall (Cambridge and Woodbridge, 1983), pp. 82-103, and, with ten pages of facsimiles, in Carol Meale, London, British Library, Harley MS 2252: John Colyns' Boke
: Structure and Content, EMS, 15 (2009), 65-122.
Copy of lines 1-59, 230-513.
Edited partly from this MS in Dyce. Facsimiles of f. 133*v in Meale (1983), p. 90, and of f. 134r in Meale (2009), p. 75.
Canon, C41, p. 12. Lines 3-237 first published in Certaine bokes copyled by mayster Skelto (London, [c.1545]). A text of 513 lines first published in Dyce (1843), II, 1-25. Scattergood, pp. 230-46.
Copy of a 1107-line version, plus a Latin epilogue (see
This MS collated in Dyce.
Canon, C12, p. 5. First published London, [c.1530]. Dyce, I, 311-60. Scattergood, pp. 246-78.
Copy of a Latin epilogue to Colyn Cloute (see
Edited from this MS in Dyce.
Canon, C11, p. 5. First published in Dyce (1843), I, 360.
A folio volume, comprising almost entirely a parliamentary journal for 27 October to 19 December 1601, chiefly in two or more professional secretary hands, with a mixed hand on f. 131v and later tipped-in leaves as ff. 132-3, 134 leaves (plus numerous blanks), in mottled leather gilt.
Early 17th century [to c.1633].Inscribed (f. 1r) Thomas ward
, George Withers his booke Anno Dni 1633
, and Robert Daye
, and (f. 134v) Hugh Parsons / i633
.
Copy of Version I, introduced (f. 72v) In the afternoone the Comons attended the Queene att Whitehall about three of the clocke, to the nomber of seavenscrore
.
This MS partly collated in Hartley.
First published (Version III), as Her maiesties most princelie answere, deliuered by her selfe at White-hall, on the last day of November 1601 (London, 1601: STC 7578).
Version I. Beginning Mr. Speaker, we have heard your declaration and perceive your care of our estate...
. Hartley, III, 412-14. Hartley, III, 495-6. Collected Works, Speech 23, pp. 337-40 (Version 1). Selected Works, Speech 11, pp. 84-92.
Version II. Beginning Mr. Speaker, we perceive your coming is to present thanks unto me...
. Hartley, III, 294-7 (third version). Collected Works, Speech 23, pp. 340-2 (Version 2).
Version III. Beginning Mr. Speaker, we perceive by you, whom we did constitute the mouth of our Lower House, how with even consent...
. Hartley, III, 292-3 (second version). Collected Works, Speech 23, pp. 342-4 (Version 3). STC 7578.
Version IV. Beginning Mr Speaker, I well understand by that you have delivered, that you with these gentlemen of the Lower House come to give us thankes for benefitts receyved...
. Hartley, III, 289-91 (first version).
Copy, in a mixed hand, headed A speach deliuered in parliment by Sr Beniamin Ruddard
, on two tipped-in folio leaves.
Speech (variously dated 4, 7, 9 and 10 November 1640) beginning We are here assembled to do God's business and the King's...
. First published in The Speeches of Sr. Benjamin Rudyer in the high Court of Parliament (London, 1641), pp. 1-10. Manning, pp. 159-65.
Copy, in a probably professional cursive secretary hand, with two other secretary hands at the very end (f. 49r-v), 49 folio leaves, lacking a title-page, in modern half crushed morocco gilt.
Late 16th-early 17th century.Inscribed (f. 1r) by Wanley 3 May 1721
, the date of accession into the Harley Library.
This MS recorded in Peck, p. 225.
First published as The Copie of a Leter, Wryten by a Master of Arte of Cambrige, to his Friend in London, Concerning some talke past of late betwen two worshipful and graue men, about the present state, and some procedinges of the Erle of Leycester and his friendes in England ([? Rouen], 1584). Soon banned. Reprinted as Leycesters common-wealth (London, 1641). Edited, as Leicester's Commonwealth, by D.C. Peck (Athens, OH, & London, 1985). Although various attributions have been suggested by Peck and others, the most likely author remains Robert Persons (1546-1610), Jesuit conspirator.
A folio composite volume of miscellaneous verse, drama and other papers, in English, French and Latin, in various professional hands, 168 leaves, in modern brown leather gilt.
Copy of a fifteen-stanza version, in double columns, in a professional secretary hand, untitled.
This MS recorded in Latham, pp. 131, 134-5.
First published in Francis Davison, A Poetical Rapsodie (London, 1611). Latham, pp. 45-7. Rudick, Nos 20A, 20B and 20C (three versions), with answers, pp. 30-45.
This poem is attributed to Richard Latworth (or Latewar) in Lefranc (1968), pp. 85-94, but see Stephen J. Greenblatt, Sir Walter Ralegh (New Haven & London, 1973), pp. 171-6. See also Karl Josef Höltgen, Richard Latewar Elizabethan Poet and Divine, Anglia, 89 (1971), 417-38 (p. 430). Latewar's answer
to this poem is printed in Höltgen, pp. 435-8. Some texts are accompanied by other answers.
Copy, in a secretary hand, headed The songe of mesia
.
First published in Greenes Farewell to Folly (London, 1591).
A folio volume comprising chiefly a parliamentary journal, 1627-8, in a single professional secretary hand but for a tipped-in calendar (f. [305 bis]), 401 leaves, in mottled leather gilt.
c.1630.Copy, as by Sr Robert Cotton Knight, Ano: Dni: 1627
.
Tract beginning As soon as the house of Austria had incorporated it self into the house of Spaine...
. First published London, 1628. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. 308-20.
Copy, headed Sr Beniamine Riddiards speech at the same tyme
.
Speech. Yale 1628, II, 58-60, two parallel versions: (1) beginning This is the crisis of parliaments...
; (2) beginning It is the goodness of God and the favour of the King...
; II, 68, third version, beginning If we be thankful, all is well. By this we shall know whether parliaments will live or die...
; II, 73, fourth, brief reported version, beginning We are not now upon the bene esse of our kingdom but the esse...
.
Copy, headed Sr Beniamyn Rudyard his Speech vpon the receipt of his Matis: Answere to the Petition against Recusants 9th: of Aprill: 1628
.
Speech beginning The best thanks we can return his Matie for his gracious and religious answer...
.
Copy, headed A Letter sent by the Bishop of Exeter to the House of Comons the same day, subscribed Exeter
.
Letter, beginning Gentlemen, For God's sake be wise in your well-meant zeal...
. First published in Cabala (London, 1663), p. 113. Wynter, VIII, 272.
Copy, headed Sr Beniamine Ruddyers speech concerning Ministers the 22th of May: 1628
.
Speech beginning I did not think to have spoken...
. First published, as Sir Benjamin Rudierd His speech in Behalfe of the Clergie and of Parishes destitute of Instruction through want of Maintenance, Oxford, 1628. Manning, pp. 135-8. Yale 1628, III, 17-19, where it is dated probably 21 April 1628.
A quarto volume comprising two independent bmanuscripts bound together, 117 leaves, in modern half crushed morocco on cloth boards gilt.
c.1620s.Both MSS inscribed by Humfrey Wanley (ff. 1r, 45r) with the date 13 August 1724
for accession into the Harley Library.
Copy of a possibly early version, here in 352-stanzas, headed Edward the Second
and beginning Whie should a wasted spirit spent in woe
, in probably four secretary hands, imperfect, lacking the last stanzas.
This MS collated in Mellor.
First published, in an unauthorized edition as The Deplorable Life and Death of Edward the Second. Together with the Downefall of the two Unfortunate Favorits, Gavestone and Spencer. Storied in an Excellent Pöem, London, 1628. First authorized edition, as The Historie of Edward the Second, Surnamed Carnarvan, one of our English Kings. Together with the Fatall down-fall of his two vnfortunate Favorites Gaveston and Spencer, London, 1629. An edition of a 576-stanza version in three cantos, entitled The Life of Edward II, was printed in London 1721 from an unidentified MS.
Mellor, pp. 4-169 (664-stanza version, headed The Life and Death of Edward the Second, including The Authors Preface beginning Rebellious thoughts why doe you tumult so
?).
Copy of the 581-stanza version, in a single professional secretary hand, untitled and here beginning I singe thy sad disaster (fatall King
, subscribed Finis by Infortunio
.
This MS collated in Mellor.
First published, in an unauthorized edition as The Deplorable Life and Death of Edward the Second. Together with the Downefall of the two Unfortunate Favorits, Gavestone and Spencer. Storied in an Excellent Pöem, London, 1628. First authorized edition, as The Historie of Edward the Second, Surnamed Carnarvan, one of our English Kings. Together with the Fatall down-fall of his two vnfortunate Favorites Gaveston and Spencer, London, 1629. An edition of a 576-stanza version in three cantos, entitled The Life of Edward II, was printed in London 1721 from an unidentified MS.
Mellor, pp. 4-169 (664-stanza version, headed The Life and Death of Edward the Second, including The Authors Preface beginning Rebellious thoughts why doe you tumult so
?).
A quarto volume of state tracts, 131 leaves.
Extracts from Bale's dedication to Bucer, Bullinger, Calvin, and Melanchthon of his Acta Romanorum pontificum (1558).
First published in 1558.
