Campbell. = Annales de la typographie néerlandaise au XVesiecle. Par M. F. A. G. Campbell. 1874.
Copinger. = Supplement to Hain’s Repertorium Bibliographicum. By W. A. Copinger. 1895-1902.
Hain. = Repertorium bibliographicum in quo libri omnes ab arte typographica inventa usque ad annum MD typis expressi ordine alphabetico vel simpliciter enumerantur vel adcuratius recensentur. Opera Ludovici Hain. 1826-1838.
Proctor. = An Index to the Early Printed Books in the British Museum from the invention of printing to the year MD. By Robert Proctor. 1898.
1480
COLOGNE. Conrad Winters de Homborch.
Jacobus de Voragine. Legenda Aurea. Quarto.
B.M. p. 248 (IB. 4043).
1481
NUREMBERG. Anton Koberger
Nicolaus de Lyra. Postillae super Biblia cum additionibus Pauli Burgensis. Folio.
Hain *10369. B.M. p. 419 (IC 898).
[1482, after July end]
WESTMINTSER. Wm. Caxton.
Higden, Ranulphus. Polychronicon. Folio.
Blades 46. De Ricci no. 19, copy 38. Imperfect at beginning and end.
[1483]
[ST. ALBANS. Schoolmaster printer.]
Andreae, Antonius. Scriptum super logica. Quarto.
Imperfect copies at Jesus College, Cambridge, and Wadham College, Oxford.
[About 1483-85.]
LONDON. Wilhelmus de Machlinia.
Albertus Magnus. Liber aggregationis seu De virtutibus herbarum. Quarto.
Proctor 9770.
[1485?]
LOUVAIN. Johannes de Westphalia.
[Rolewinck, Werner]. De Regimine Rusticorum. Quarto.
Campbell *1480. Proctor 9274.
1487
VENICE. Georgius de Arrivabenis.
Biblia Latina. Quarto.
Hain *3099. Proctor 4912.
1490
STRASSBURG. [Printer of Jordanus de Quedlinburg].
Modus legendi abbreuiaturas in utroque iure, etc. Folio. Hain 11485. B.M. p. 140 (IB. 2030).
1491
MAINZ. Jacobus Meydenbach.
Hortus Sanitatis. Folio.
Hain *8944. B.M. p. 44 (IB. 343).
Imperfect, wanting seven leaves at the end.
1492
PARIS. Antoine Caillaut.
Guillermus Parisiensis. Super septem sacramentis. Quarto.
?Hain 8313. Not described.
1493
NUREMBERG. Anton Koberger.
Schedel, Hartmann. Liber Cronicarum. Folio.
Hain *14508. B.M. p. 437 (1C. 7451).
1494
NUREMBERG. Anton Koberger.
Duranti, Guilelmus. Rationale diuinorum officiorum. Quarto.
Hain *6497. B.M. p. 439 (IB. 7478).
1494
NUREMBERG. Anton Koberger.
Herolt, Joannes. Sermones de tempore et de sanctis. Folio.
Hain *8504. B.M. p. 440 (IB. 7485).
1494
STRASSBURG. [Martin Flach].
Marchesinus, Joannes. Mammotrectus super Bibliam. Quarto.
Hain *10573. B.M. p. 153 (IA. 2184).
1495
PARIS. Jean Petit.
Postilles des dimenches et des festes de lanee. Quarto.
Not described.
[1495?]
VENICE. Bernardus Benalius.
Tertullianus. Apologeticus aduersus Gentes. Folio. Hain 15443. Proctor 4899.
[About 1495]
[FRANCE?]
Burley, Walter. De vita et moribus philosophorum. Quarto.
Copinger 1387. Copy in University Library, Cambridge.
1496
NUREMBERG. Anton Koberger.
GregoryIX. Decretales cum summariis. Folio.
Hain *8034. B.M. p. 442 (IB. 7519).
1496
VENICE. Baptista de Tortis.
GregoryIX. Decretales cum summariis. Folio.
Hain *8035. Proctor 4656.
1497
BOLOGNA. Benedictus Hectoris Faelli.
Pico della Mirandola(Giov. Fran.). De morte Christi, etc. Quarto.
Hain * 13002. Proctor 6634.
1497
LONDON. Richard Pynson.
Expositio Hymnorum secundum usum Sarum.
Expositio Sequentiarum secundum usum Sarum. Quarto.
Other copies known are at the Bodleian Library and St. John’s College, Oxford.
1497
NUREMBERG. Anton Koberger.
Biblia Latina cum postillis Nicolai de Lyra et additionibus Pauli Burgensis. Folio.
A complete copy has four parts. This contains only the first and about half of the second. Wrongly lettered 1481.
Hain *3171. B.M. p. 443 (IB. 7535).
1497
VENICE. Simon Bevilaqua.
Lactantius. De diuinis institutionibus, etc. Folio.
Hain *9818. Proctor 5401.
1497
VENICE. Bonetus Locatellus for Octavianus Scotus.
Guainerius, Antonius. Practica. Folio.
Hain * 8099. Proctor 5076.
1498 etc.
BASEL. Johann Froben & Johann Petri.
Biblia Latina cum glosa ordinaria et expositione Nicolai de Lyra. Folio.
Hain *3172. B.M. p. 791 (IB. 37895).
Imperfect, wanting parts 3, 5 and 6.
1499
VENICE. Simon de Luere for Andreas Torresanus.
Bartholomaeus Montagnana. Consilia medica. Folio.
Proctor 5622.
1499
STRASSBURG. Johannes Grüninger.
Sibylla, Bartholomaeus. Speculum peregrinarum quaestionum. Quarto.
Hain *14720. B.M. p. 113 (IA. 1486).
1500
VENICE. Johann Emerich for L. A. Giunta.
Joannes Franciscus Brixianus. Quattuor viuendi regulae. Quarto.
Hain *13827. Proctor 5504.
In addition to the foregoing early printed books the Library includes examples from the English presses of Wynkyn de Worde, Julian Notary, Peter Treveris, Thomas Berthelet, Richard Grafton, John Day, Richard Tottell, Christopher Barker, Robert Barker, John Norton (celebrated for his magnificent edition of St. Chrysostom’s Works in 8 vols., printed at Eton, 1610-1612—a copy of which is in the Library—which T. B. Reed described as “one of the most splendid examples of Greek printing in this country”), Thomas Roycroft, etc. Continental typography is also represented by specimens from many presses, including those of Jean du Pré, Jodocus Badius Ascensius (Josse Bade of Asch), the Estiennes, the Elzevirs, Christopher Plantin, John Koberger, H. Petrus, Peter Perna, etc.
Coming to early Norwich printed books there are unfortunately no examples of the rare works from the first Norwich press set up about 1566 by Anthony de Solemne or Solempne, whose first extant printed work is dated 1570, and whose last is dated 1579. The Library, however, possesses an example from the press established by Francis Burges, who in 1701 styled himself “the first printer in Norwich.” It is a copy of Erasmus Warren’s “A Rule for Shewing Mercy,” printed by F. Burges, and “sold by the widow Oliver, Bookseller in Norwich, 1706.” When Burges died in 1706 his business was carried on by his widow, and the 1706 catalogue of the City Library (see page 47) “Printed by Eliz. Burges, near the Red-Well,” is a specimen from her establishment. The press of Freeman Collins is represented by Dean Prideaux’s “The Original and Right of Tithes,” printed in 1710. The second catalogue of the City Library, printed in 1732, (see page 48) was printed by “William Chase, in the Cockey Lane,” who founded theNorwich Mercury.
A perusal of the 1883 catalogue will shew that the Libraryhad indeed “no inconsiderable Collection of Divinity Book[s], for that time especially,” as was said by Brett in his Catalogue of 1706, and repeated by Mackerell. There are sixteen printed Bibles and five New Testaments in the Library, including the second and fourth of the great Polyglots, the Plantin edition (1572) and Brian Walton’s (1655-57), and the following English versions: Matthew’s Bible (1549), The Great Bible (1553), and the first edition of the Geneva version (1560). It is curious that there should be no copy of any edition of the Bishops’ Bible.
Most of the principal Fathers are represented by some of their writings. Of the ante-Nicene Fathers there are writings by Justin Martyr, Irenæus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen and Cyprian, and of the post-Nicene Fathers there are writings by Eusebius of Cæsarea, Hilary of Poitiers, Athanasius, Basil, Cyril of Jerusalem, Ambrose, Epiphanius, Chrysostom, Augustine, Cyril of Alexandria, Gregory the Great, and John of Damascus.
The literature of the theological controversies which raged in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and the writings of the principal theologians of those centuries are fairly well represented in the Library.
Belonging to the period of the Revival of Learning are Hugh Latimer’s “Frutefull Sermons” (1575) Cranmer’s “Defence of the True and Catholike doctrine of the sacrament of the body and bloud of our Savior Christ” (London: R. Wolfe, 1550), Thomas Becon’s Works (London: various dates), and others. The theological literature of the Elizabethan period is represented by such works as the “Ecclesiastical Polity” (London, 1622) by Richard Hooker—that great champion of Anglicanism—and some of the published writings of the famous controversy between Bishop Jewel and the Roman Catholic Thomas Harding.
The works of Dutch scholars of the first half of the seventeenth century, when Dutch scholarship was the ripest in Europe, are represented by five works of G. J. Vossius (a German by birth), including his valuable “Historia Pelagiana” (Leyden, 1618), three works of Daniel Heinsius, and five works of Hugo Grotius, the great Dutch jurist and theologian. The latter include anedition of “De Jure Belli ac Pads” (Amsterdam, 1667), which was translated into the principal European languages, and “De veritate religionis Christiana” (Paris, 1640), a popular treatise which became for a time the classical manual of apologetics in Protestant colleges.
The “Annales Ecclesiastici” of the Italian Cardinal, Cæsar Baronius—of which the Library has an edition in twelve volumes, (Cologne, 1609)—a work characterized by great learning and research, greatly stimulated Protestant study no less than it provoked criticism. Its most important critic was Isaac Casaubon, who issued a fragment of the massive criticism which he contemplated, “Exercitationes in Baronium.” The Library has a copy of the edition printed in Frankfort, 1615.
The Jacobean period was “The Golden Age of the English Pulpit,” the period when sermons were extremely popular, and discharged, with the playhouse, some of the functions of the modern newspaper. At this time Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, who was eminent in the capacities of prelate, preacher, and writer, was generally regarded as the very “stella prædicantium.” Of his published sermons the Library now possesses “XCVI Sermons,” 3rd ed. (London, 1635), and “Nineteen Sermons concerning Prayer” (Cambridge, 1641). The most erudite of theologians in this erudite time was James Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh, described by Selden as “learned to a miracle.” Of his works the Library contains eight, including his “Annales Veteris et Novi Testamenti” (London, 1650), which is regarded as his most important production, and his “Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates” (London, 1687).
Joseph Hall, Bishop and satirist, who took an active part in the Arminian and Calvinistic controversy in the English Church, is of particular interest to Norwich, of which he became Bishop in 1641. In the Library are his “Works” (London, 1647), “Resolutions and Decisions of Cases of Divers Practicall Cases of Conscience” (London, 1649) and “Remaining Works” (London, 1660). Just before he came to Norwich he wrote “An Humble Remonstrance to the High Court of Parliament” (1640), in which he skilfully vindicated liturgies and episcopacy. This provoked an answer by “Smectymnuus,” the pseudonym of five puritan divines, the initials of whose names made upthe word. This “Answer” (2nd ed., London, 1654), a subsequent “Vindication” in reply to the Bishop’s “Defence” (London, 1641), and Milton’s “Apology for Smectymnuus” (London, 1642) are all in the Library.
An important theologian in the Caroline period was Jeremy Taylor, whose works are only represented by “The Great Exemplar of Sanctity” (London, 1667), “Ductor Dubitantium” (London, 1696), which is still the chief English treatise on casuistry, and “A Collection of Polemical and Moral Discourses” (London, 1657). The Library contains two editions of the works (1683 and 1716) of Isaac Barrow, whom Charles II. described as “the best scholar in England.” Other eminent writers of this period represented in the Library are Thomas Fuller, Richard Baxter, William Chillingworth, Henry Hammond, who has been called “the Father of English Biblical Criticism,” Robert Sanderson, Bishop of Lincoln, John Gauden, Bishop of Worcester, and Bishop Pearson, a Norfolk man, whose famous “Exposition of the Creed” (the Library has a copy of the 3rd edition, 1669), is a masterpiece of the doctrinal exposition of the time.
The theological writers of the Augustan age are also fairly represented in the Library. For example, there are three works by Gilbert Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury, including a copy of his “Exposition of the Thirty-Nine Articles” (London, 1700), which was for more than a century as famous as Pearson’s “Exposition of the Creed,” and his “History of the Reformation,” 2 vols. (London, 1681-83); the works (6 volumes, London, 1710) of Edward Stillingfleet, called because of his personal beauty and piety “the beauty of holiness”; the works (6th edition, London, 1710) and “Sermons” of John Tillotson, who rose to be Archbishop of Canterbury as much through the pulpit as through politics; the “Opera Omnia” of George Bull (London, 1703), and others.
Works of history, antiquities and travel form the class which is next in importance and extent to the theological works. In proportion to the size and character of the Library, the selection in this class is moderately good. Most of the chief or popular English historians from Matthew Paris to Strype and Dugdale are represented by some of their works. Thereare, for example, Fabyan’s Chronicle (London, 1559), Hall’s “Union of the . . . famelies of Lancastre and Yorke” (London, 1550), Grafton’s Chronicle (1569), Holinshed’s Chronicles, first and second editions (1577 and 1587), Stow’s “Annales” (1615), Speed’s “Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine” (1611), Camden’s “Remains concerning Britain” (1657), “History of Queen Elizabeth” (in “A Complete History of England,” London, 1706), “Annals of King James I.”, and “Britannia”, (1695), Sir Thomas Smith’s “Commonwealth of England” (1633), Foxe’s “Ecclesiasticall Historie” (1597), Sir Walter Raleigh’s “History of the World” (1676),[35]Rushworth’s “Historical Collections” (1659), Bacon’s “Life of Henry VII.” (in “A Complete History of England,” London, 1706), Herbert’s “King Henry VIII.” (in “A Complete History of England,” London, 1706), Heylyn’s “Cosmographie” (1669), Clarendon’s “History of the Rebellion” (odd vols. of the 1706 edition), Bulstrode Whitelocke’s “Memorials of the English affairs” (1682), Burnet’s “History of the Reformation” (1681-83), Strype’s “Annals of the Reformation” (1709), Dugdale’s “Monasticon Anglicanum” (odd vols.), and his “Antiquities of Warwickshire” (1730), and Anthony à Wood’s “Athenæ Oxonienses” (1691-92).
Other historical and geographical works are Munster’s “Cosmographiae Universalis” (Basel, 1559), the first detailed, scientific and popular description of the world; Foresti’s “Supplementum Supplementi Chronicarum” (Venice, 1506), a universal history written by an Italian monk and historian; Lonicerus’ “Chronicorum Turcicorum in quibus Turcorum origo” etc. (Frankfort, 1578); and Braun and Hogenberg’s “Civitates Orbis Terrarum” (Cologne, 1577-88), containing the earliest general collection of topographical views of the chief cities of the world, including one of Norwich.
The Rev. Joseph Brett in 1706 pointed out that the Library possessed “very few Humanity Books, few or none of Law, Physick, Mathematicks, or indeed of any science but Divinity,” and it never became strong in these subjects. It is weak inthe ancient classics, but the following are some of the authors represented: Aristotle, Cicero, Cornelius Nepos, Diogenes Laertius, Euclid, Eutropius, Juvenal, Livy, Lucan, Plato, Pliny, Plutarch, Seneca, Suetonius, and Tacitus. In English belles-lettres the chief works are Chaucer’s Works (London, 1721), Abraham Cowley’s Works (1668), Michael Drayton’s “Poly-Olbion” (1613), Gower’s “Confessio Amantis” (London, 1554), and George Herbert’s “The Temple and other Sacred Poems” (1633).
The outstanding scientific works are Sir Isaac Newton’s “Opticks” (1704), Burnet’s “Theory of the Earth” (1691), The Grete Herball (London: Peter Treveris, 1526), Walter Charleton’s “Physiologia Epicuro-Gassendo-Charltoniana” (London, 1654) and his “Œconomia Animalis” (London, 1659), J. B. Duhamel’s “Elementa astronomica” (Cambridge, 1665), Galileo’s “Systeme of the World,” transl. by T. Salusbury (London, 1661), Gassendi’s “Institutio astronomica” (London, 1653), Johannes de Sacro Bosco’s “Opus sphericum” (Cologne, 1508), Munster’s “Rudimenta mathematica” (Basel, 1551), “Hortus Sanitatis” (Mainz, 1491), vol. 3 of John Ray’s “Historia Plantarum” (London, 1704), and Thomas Willis’ “Cerebri anatome” (London, 1664).
The bias of local patriotism is declared by Mr. Havelock Ellis in his “Study of British Genius” to be “an unfailing sign of intellectual ill-breeding,” notwithstanding which no apology is herein made for drawing special attention to the fact that the Library includes some of the writings of more than a score of authors—most of whom achieved some eminence—who are connected with Norfolk or Norwich, either by birth or residence. Taking the names in alphabetical order, the first of the Norfolk men whose writings are represented is Thomas Becon or Beacon, who took orders in 1538, and preached in Norfolk and Suffolk. The edition of his “Works,” is that printed by John Day [? 1560-64], containing a tract on “The Common-places of Holy Scripture,” dedicated “To my deare countrymen and faythfull Ministers of Iesu Christ watching and attending upon the Lordes flocke in the Parishes of Norfolke and Suffolke,” dated 1562. Francis Blomefield’s “History of the Ancient City and Burgh of Thetford,” printed at the author’s residenceat Fersfield in 1739, contains a book-plate, apparently printed by the author, stating that the book was presented to the City Library. Samuel Clarke, who was born at Norwich in 1675, became chaplain to Bishop Moore of Norwich, and afterwards rector of Drayton, is represented by his “Scripture-Doctrine of the Trinity,” 1712, and his Boyle lectures of 1704 and 1705, viz., “Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God,” 1705, and “Discourse concerning the unchangeable obligations of Natural Religion,” 1706. Of the works of the great Sir Edward Coke, judge and law writer, who came of an old Norfolk family, there are the “First Part of the Institutes of the Lawes of England,” 1629, and “Les Reports de Edward Coke . . . donnes . . . per les judges, et sages de la ley,” 11 vols. The “Scholastic History of the Canon of the Holy Scripture” (London, 1684) is the only volume of the works of John Cosin, Bishop of Durham, who was born at Norwich in 1594. In the preparation of this, his most elaborate and important work, he injured his eyesight. Thornhagh Gurdon, a receiver-general for Norfolk, who is included in Mr. Walter Rye’s “Norfolk Families,” and who resided mostly at Norwich, presented a copy of the first edition of his “History of the High Court of Parliament” (London, 1731). The only work of Hamon Le Strange, a Norfolk historian and theologian, is “The Alliance of Divine Offices” (London, 1690), in the preface of which he speaks of having undergone an eight years’ sequestration, apparently between 1643-1651. John Pearson, Bishop of Chester, whose “Exposition of the Creed” has already been referred to, was born at Great Snoring on 28th Feb., 1612/3.
Again taking the names in alphabetical order, the first author who is connected with the county by residence is Edward Boys, who became rector of Mautby in 1639, where he died in 1667. Of his publications the Library contains “Sixteen Sermons preached upon several occasions” (London, 1672). William Bridge, whose “Works” (London, 1649) are in the Library, was born at Cambridge, became rector of St. Peter Hungate, Norwich, in 1636, and afterwards settled at Yarmouth. John Collinges, a Presbyterian, who came to Norwich in 1646, published controversial and devotional tracts and sermons. He is only represented by “A Short Discourse against Transubstantiation”(London, 1675), and “On the Intercourse of Divine Love” (1676), but the Local Collection of the Public Library contains many of his writings. “The Notion of Schism” (London, 1676) is the work of another parson who came to Norfolk, Robert Connould, rector of Bergh Apton. John Graile, rector of Blickling, whom Blomefield referred to as “This learned and pious pastor,” presented to the Library his “Youth’s Grand Concern” (London, 1711) and “Sacra Privata” (London, 1699). Reference has already been made to the works of Bishop Hall (see p. 33). There are two volumes, “The Open Door for Man’s approach to God” (London, 1650) and “A Consideration of Infant Baptism” (London, 1653), by John Horne, who was beneficed at All Hallows, King’s Lynn. John Jeffery, who was elected to the living of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, in 1678, and became Archdeacon of Norwich in 1694, is represented by “Select Discourses” (London, 1710), “Complete Collection of Sermons and Tracts,” 2 vols. (London, 1753), and “Forms of Prayer” (1706). Dr. Peter de Laune, a minister of the French Church in Norwich during the early years of the seventeenth century, presented to the Library a copy of his translation of the English Prayer Book into French, entitled “La Liturgie Angloise; ou, le livre des prieres publiques” (London: John Bill, 1616). His name is not printed in the book, but the copy in the Library bears on the title-page the following inscription which was probably written by him: “Liber bibliothecæ publicæ Nordouicensis ex dono doctoris Petri Launæi quo authore Anglicanæ hæc ecclesiæ liturgia facta est Gallicana.”[38]This book is the first French edition of the English Prayer Book entered in the Catalogue of the British Museum. Francis Mason’s “Vindiciæ Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ,” is the work of an Archdeacon of Norfolk, who is remembered for his vigorous defence of the authority of the church, which earned for him the title of “Vindex Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ.” Another preacher with the memorable title “Apostle of Norwich,” procured by a great reputation, was John More, minister of St. Andrew’s Church, Norwich, whose posthumous work “Tablefrom the Beginning of the World to this Day” (Cambridge, 1593) is in the Library. “An Explanation of the Epistle of St. Jude” (London, 1633) is a series of sermons preached in the parish church of North Walsham by Samuel Otes, rector of South Repps, Norfolk, who was chaplain to the Lord Chief Justice Hobart. Reference has already been made to the works of Humphrey Prideaux, Dean of Norwich. Anthony Sparrow, Bishop of Norwich, who was born in Suffolk, published “Rationale upon the Book of Common Prayer” (London, 1661), which was often reprinted and is still of some value, and a companion volume “Collection of Articles, Canons,” etc. (London, 1684). Last but not least to be mentioned is the “Increpatio Barjesu” (London, 1660) of Matthew Wren, who was successively Bishop of Hereford, Norwich and Ely. It is a volume of polemical interpretations of Scripture, in reply to the Racovian catechism—a copy of which was in the Library—written during the author’s imprisonment in the Tower, and edited by his son Matthew.
Many of the books have autographs of their former owners, and some have inscriptions and annotations. Edward Lhuyd’s “Archæologica Britannica” contains some notes made by George Borrow, who also wrote an English translation of some Arabic in Thomas Erpenius’ “Grammatica Arabica.” The second folio of the “Golden Legend” (1503) bears the signature of Thomas Kirkpatrick, and the first fly-leaf has the following inscription: “This book was given to the Publick Library of the City of Norwich, A.D. 1728, by Mr. Thomas Kirkpatrick, merchant there, and was bound at the expence of Isaac Preston, Esq., 1742, that it might the better be preserv’d being an Authentick & antient Evidence of the extravagant Foppery and Superstition of the Church of Rome, & of the necessity of the Reformation. Vide the Commandments page ye 20th in the life of Moses.”
An interesting request from Archbishop Wake for the loan of a Prayer Book, which was not returned, is recorded in the Minute Book under date February 2nd, 1718/9: “This day a Book wchhas for some years been lodged in ye Library of yeCity entituled—The Book of Common-prayer & Administration of yeSacraments & other Rights & Ceremonies of the Churchof England, printed at London by Robert Barker, 1632—Wherein are several Marginal Notes in Writing done by yeorder of King Charles yefirst was delivered to MrBrand of this city Clerke to be by Him transmitted to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He having requested the said Book might be sent to Him.” A memorandum against this entry reads: “The order of the Court dated Jan. 28, 1718, and enter’d in this book was alter’d May ye ninth 1719, and ye Common prayer book there nam’d deliver’d by Mr. Mott ynMayor to Dr. John Clark to be by Him sent to ye A: Bp: of Canterbury.” The Dean of Christ Church, Oxford (the Very Rev. Thomas B. Strong, D.D.), after receiving a copy of the foregoing quotation, examined the Prayer Books in the Wake Collection at Christ Church, and found one which answers to the description. He has kindly consented to the publication of the following quotation from his correspondence thereon: “I took the book to the Bodleian Library yesterday; and Dr. Craster (the Sub-Librarian), who is an expert in these matters, has verified the facts for me. The book is a quarto book, ‘printed by Robert Barker, Printer to the King’s Most Excellent Majesty and by the assignees of John Bull, 1632.’ There are no marks of any kind in the book except the mark K11 (I suppose a shelf-mark[40]) on the inside of the cover. It is bound in limp vellum. A blank sheet of paper has been cut out in front of the title-page. On the page opposite the beginning of the Morning Prayer, and under the Ornaments Rubric, there is the signature of Charles I. Under the signature is the following note, in a clear and formal hand, which Dr. Craster has proved to be the handwriting of Archbishop Laud’s secretary:—
‘I gave the Arcbbp. of Canterburye comand to make the Alterations expressed in this Booke, and to fitt a Liturgy for the Church of Scotland. And whersoever they shall differ from another Booke signed by Us at Hampt. Court September 28, 1634, Our pleasure is to have these followed rather than the former, unless the Archbp. of St. Andrews, and his Brethren who are upon the place, shall see apparent reason to the contrary. At Whitehall Apr. 19, 1636.’
‘I gave the Arcbbp. of Canterburye comand to make the Alterations expressed in this Booke, and to fitt a Liturgy for the Church of Scotland. And whersoever they shall differ from another Booke signed by Us at Hampt. Court September 28, 1634, Our pleasure is to have these followed rather than the former, unless the Archbp. of St. Andrews, and his Brethren who are upon the place, shall see apparent reason to the contrary. At Whitehall Apr. 19, 1636.’
The same hand has made various alterations in the book; and has written the collect for Easter Even, which appeared first in the Scottish Prayer-Book of 1637, in its place. The remainingnotes and alterations are in the hand of Archbishop Laud. The 1637 edition of the Scottish Prayer-Book follows exactly, as far as I have been able to verify them, all the notes in the book. One note is perhaps worth mentioning. In the Quicunque, the verse, ‘He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity,’ is altered as follows: ‘He therefore that would be saved, let him thus think’; and this alteration appears in the 1637 book.”
A fair number of the books are still in their original bindings or have been so rebound that their original covers have been preserved. Of these most are ornamented in “blind,” i.e., impressed with tools or panel stamps without being gilt or coloured, but a few have centre-pieces in gold. A few examples may be noted. In the early Tudor period panel stamps with heraldic or pictorial designs were frequently used by English and foreign binders practising their craft in England. A number of English binders adorned their books with a pair of large heraldic panel stamps, the different binders making slight variations in the designs. A fairly good example of a binding stamped with two such panels is that of a copy of “Anticella cum quamplurimis tractatibus superadditis,” (Venice, 1507) in the Library, which has had its original covers repaired and laid down again. The lower cover shows the arms of Henry VIII. (France and England) supported by two angels; the upper cover has a large Tudor rose surrounded by two ribbons, supported by two angels, and bearing the distich:
Hec rosa virtutis de celo missa serenoEternum Florens regia sceptra feret
Hec rosa virtutis de celo missa serenoEternum Florens regia sceptra feret
which has been rendered:
Virtue’s a rose, which born of heaven’s clear rayShall ever flourish and bear kingly sway.
Virtue’s a rose, which born of heaven’s clear rayShall ever flourish and bear kingly sway.
In the upper left-hand corner of the panel is the cross of St. George on an escutcheon, and in the right-hand corner the arms of the city of London, indicating that the binder was a citizen. Underneath the rose is the mark of the London binder, G.G., who was one of the noteworthy binders to use these panel stamps at the beginning of the sixteenth century.
Several of the bindings are adorned with rectangular panelsformed by fillets and bands, the enclosed space being divided, after the German system, into lozenge-shaped compartments. Two such examples are the following. The first is the binding of “Cathena aurea super Psalmos ex dictis sanctorum” (Paris: Jehan Petit, 1520). The rectangular frame is formed by vertical and horizontal three-line fillets, and adorned with a roll-stamp representing a hound, a falcon, and a bee, amid sprays of foliage and flowers. Above the hound is the binder’s mark composed of the letters I.R, i.e., John Reynes, a notable London binder of the earlier part of the 16th century. The enclosed panel is divided by three-line fillets, forming four lozenge-shaped and eight triangular compartments stamped with a foliated ornament. The second example is the binding of an edition in Latin of Plato’s Works, printed by Jodocus Badius Ascensius in 1518. The rectangular frame is formed by parallel vertical and horizontal fillets intersecting each other at right-angles, and adorned with a roll-stamp representing a portcullis, a pomegranate, a griffin, a Tudor rose, a hound, and a crown. The enclosed panel is divided by diagonal three-line fillets forming four lozenge-shaped and eight triangular compartments, stamped with foliated ornaments. The Library now contains about 2,000 volumes.
When the Library was organised in 1656 it was made a condition of membership that being duly chosen thereto a member should discharge the office of Library-Keeper “not above once in seaven yeares.” The Library-Keeper elected in that year was Mr., afterwards Dr., John Collinges, a well-known Presbyterian divine, who was a prolific writer and a keen controversialist. Apparently the office was to be held for a year, and the first three Library-Keepers held the office for that period, but afterwards the usual period was two years. The Minute Book records the appointment of the following thirty-six Library Keepers who held office during the years 1656 to 1731: John Collinges, 1656-57; John Whitefoote, 1658-59;—Harmar, 1660-61; George Cock, 1662;—Smith, 1664; Thomas Morley, 1667; Ben Snowden, 1669;—Norgate, 1671: [Benedict] Rively, 1673; [Jo:] Watson, 1675; Dr. JonElsworth, 1677;[Thomas] Studd, 1679; [William] Cecil, 1681; John Whitefoote, the younger, (Mr. Painter was chosen but declined to serve), 1682; [John] Jeffery, [Archdeacon of Norwich] 1683; [Jo:] Shaw, 1685-86; John Pitts, 1687-89; [W.] Adamson, (Burges was chosen but declined to serve), 1690-91; [John] Graile, 1692; [John] Richardson, 1694-96; [Joseph] Ellis, 1696-97; [Isa:] Girling, 1698; [Tho:] Clayton, 1699; [John] Barker, 1700; [Edward] Riveley, 1702; [Joseph] Brett, 1704; [John] Havett, 1706-07; [W.] Herne, 1708-09; [Sam:] Jones, 1710-11; [Francis] Fayerman, 1712; [Sam: or John] Clark, 1713-14; [John] Brand, 1715-16; [Sam.] Salter, 1719;—Morrant, (John Fox was chosen but declined to serve), 1722-23; Benjamin Mackerell, 1724-31; William Pagan, 1731. Benjamin Mackerell, who held the office from 1724 to 1731, is the best-known of the Library-Keepers. He wrote a History of King’s Lynn, which was published in the year of his death, 1738, and several works relating to Norwich, which are still in manuscript; Mr. Gordon Goodwin, the writer of his biography in the “Dictionary of National Biography,” says Mackerell was “an accurate, painstaking antiquary, and left work of permanent value.” Although he compiled the second edition of the catalogue during his extended tenure of office, his services were either not appreciated, or the members thought that the rule regarding the period of office should not be indefinitely ignored, for on December 6th, 1731, the following memorandum was made: “It was then Order’d by the psons whose Names are above written that Peter Scott wait upon Mr. Mackerell, Library Keeper, and desire him to meet them the next Library day; they intending to proceed to the Election of a new one The time for such Election being long since lapsed.”
The office of Library Keeper was an honorary one, a condition that agrees with the opinion expressed by John Dury in his “Reformed Librarie-Keeper” published in 1650, but it is doubtful whether the Library Keepers fulfilled all his other qualifications: “His work then is to bee a Factor and Trader for helps to Learning, and a Treasurer to keep them, and a dispenser to applie them to use, or to see them well used, or at least not abused.”[43]The duties of the Library Keeper appearto have included general responsibility for the Library, the cataloguing of the Library, and the recording of the donations in the Vellum Book provided for the purpose. To relieve the Library Keeper of the routine part of his charge, an Under Library Keeper was appointed from time to time. The sixth condition to which members had to subscribe from 1656 included a promise to “pay our proportions to ye under-Keeper of ye said Library quarterly.” This “proportion” was 12d. upon admission, and 12d. quarterly, and was the Under-Library-Keeper’s remuneration for services rendered. This payment was still in force when the regulations were revised in 1732, and were specifically provided for in the first “Article.” The Minute Book constantly records payments of arrears due to the Under Library Keeper, showing that many of the Members were very dilatory in their payments. Some of the Library Keepers were also dilatory in their repayments to him of incidental expenses. On April 1st, 1690, a memorandum was made “That Mr. Pitts is this day discharged from ye office of Library Keeper, and is endebted to ye under=Library=Keeper for his 2 years for fire, candle, pipes, pens, ink, & paper, nine shillings,” and on Feb. 16th, 1699, it was recorded that the Library Keeper, “Mr. Girling owe to the vnder libarey keeper for three years and A half Fourten shillings 00ll-14s-00d.”
Provision was made for relieving members from the obligation to assume the office in their turn, upon payment of a fine. On March 6th, 1682/3 “Mr. Painter being chosen Library keeper for this yeare desired upon the paymtof 20shto the use of the library according to the order in that case made to be excused and he was dismissed from his office, and Mr. John Whitefoot the younger was chosen library keeper for the same yeare in his stead.”
The Library was under the care of William Sayer, the Librarian of the “Public Library,” from 1801 to 1805, when it was committed to the custody of the Steward. The Library was again entrusted to the “Public Library” in 1815, and came under the care of its librarian Richard Langton, until 1833, when he was succeeded by Edward Langton, who retained the office until the Library was housed at the Free Library in 1862. Henceforth the books came under the charge of thefollowing Librarians to the Corporation for the periods stated: Mr. George Harper, 1862-76, Mr. George Easter, 1877-1900, Mr. J. Geo. Tennant, 1901-11, and Mr. Geo. A. Stephen, 1911-.
The first reference in the Minute Book to a catalogue is under date 8th June, 1657: “The library keeper this day brought in catalogues of the books wchwere affixed. Sixpence was ordered to bee given to a boy for pasting up the Catalogues.” It may perhaps be assumed that these catalogues were written lists which were displayed in the Library.
At the meeting on Jan. 11th, 1657, an order was given for “a book consisting of 3 qrsof thick venice paper, to be bound up to make a book to contain Catalogues of the bookes in the library,” and “Mr. Collinges was desired to keep the office of library keeper untill the aforesaid book be bought and the Catalogues made.”
On Dec. 13th, 1658 “The library keeper brought in a paper book ruled containing a Classicall and an alphabetical catalogue of all yebookes in the library” . . . “He further informed them that hee had laid out 3sfor paper and 4s. for yeruling & binding yesaid book, in all 7swchis more then he received 2s10d. That he had procured 2 catalogues to be wrote in it fairly, that for yecatalogue of Comentators it was begun & should before yenext meeting be pfected by his own hand.” This book has fortunately been preserved, and is in good state. It is a folio volume, measuring 13½ by 9½ inches, and is in three sections. The first section is a classified catalogue of the books on the east side of the Library, which were arranged in two groups of sizes, (1) Folio, divided into ten classes, and (2) Quarto and Octavo, divided into four classes. At first an attempt was made to classify the books according to subjects, the classification of the folios being I Bibles; II and III Old Commentaries, etc.; IVa Theology, IVb History; V Canon Law; VI The Fathers; VII Lexicons, Dictionaries, etc.; VIII Reformation Commentaries; IX Ecclesiastical History; X Miscellaneous. The four classes in the quarto and octavo section were not grouped according to subjects. A heading was started inthe catalogue for a classification of the books on the west side, but that part of the work was not done. The second section is an author catalogue of the books with two columns, the numbers in the first column denoting the class and those in the second the book. The third section of the catalogue, ruled in double columns, has a heading in Latin, to this effect: “Catalogue of the authors whose books are to be found in the Library of Norwich, who either illustrated the whole book of Sacred Scripture or any part of it with their most illuminating annotations or commentaries. The column towards the left indicates the authors who have written on the whole Book, the other indicates those who have written on any part of it.” Following the names of the authors are the class and book numbers.
At the meeting on July 11th, 1659, “The library keep brought in a Catalogue of the bookes & Benefactors names fairly written in a parchment booke; For the wrighting wherof hee pd to the cleark 7s; For the repaymt of wchmonye it was aggreed every minister should pay viijd: wchmonye was paid by as many as were then present.” This catalogue or “Donation Book” is a folio volume measuring 14 3/4 by 9½ inches, and is bound in rough calf, with three small brass clasps. Later, in the Minute Book it is generally referred to as the Vellum Book. In it are entered in chronological order the names of the donors, the date of each gift, brief author and title entries of the books, and frequently their date and place of publication. The entries are all very clearly written, from the date of the first donation in 1608, the year of inauguration, to 1737. Facsimiles of the title-page, with the initials “J.S.” in the lower corners, and two typical pages face this page. The lettering of these pages is characteristic of the period, and shows the decadence of the art of manuscript writing.
The Vellum Book. Title-page and two other pages of the Donation Book begun in 1659
In the “Extracts from the Court Books of the City of Norwich, 1666-1688,” edited by Mr. Walter Rye, there is one on Jan. 15, 1669, stating that “Mr. Thos. Morly, clerk, keeper of the Library of the City, brought in a catalogue of all the books there,” but there is no reference to this in the Library Minute Book. On January 12th, 1673, however, the ministers “did appoynt ytMrNorgate should agttheir next meeting bring in a Catalogue of the Bookes to be dd to the Court and ytheshall see ytthe Bookes given to the Library in his time be fayrely written in the Vellam-booke appoynted to ytpurpose.” It is evident, therefore, that reports regarding the stock of books had to be made to the Court.
The first printed catalogue was an author catalogue, with brief particulars of about 923 volumes, and was printed in 1706/7. On December 3rd, 1706, it was “Ordered then that yeAlphabeticall Catalogue of yeCity Library be printed by the Widow Burges,” and on February 4th, 1706/7, when Joseph Brett was Library Keeper he “brought in the Catalogue of Books, printed, wchcost two pdssixteen shillings & three pence & he was allow’d also a shilling for printing an advertisement.” This catalogue, which is exceedingly scarce,[47]is entitled “A Catalogue of the Books in the Library of the City of Norwich in the year 1706.” It is a crown 8vo volume, consisting of 38 pages. The catalogue proper is preceded by an alphabetical list of the benefactors to the Library, giving the dates of their donations, and abbreviations of their surnames, (e.g., Ad. for Adamson, All. for Allen). The entries in the catalogue are extremely brief, and frequently occupy only one line. Each entry is preceded by an abbreviation for the author’s name, and is followed by the class and book numbers.
In the preface it was confessed that while the catalogue would be useful to the members of the Library, the “great motive, and main end of Publishing this Catalogue was to encourage donations to the Library.” Possessors of the catalogue were recommended to interleave it with “spare paper, on which may be added such books as shall be given, it may serve for many Years, even till the number of Books here be doubled, which when, (as is greatly to be wished for) it shall be, a new Edition of the Catalogue may be expected.”
The cost of the catalogue involved the members in debt. Under the date May 2nd, 1709, in the Minute Book is the following memorandum: “It is this day Agreed by us whose Names are underwritten ytyefourteen shillings & three pence now paid by MrHerne thepresent library keeper to MrJoseph Brett to clear his disbursemtsfor catalogus &c for yeservice of yeLibrary shal be repaid yesaid MrHerne by the succeeding Library keeper upon his Election unles paid before.” A further memorandum dated May 6th, 1709, shows that a book was sold to raise the money: “Recdof the Under-library keeper Fourteen Shillings for SrWaltrRaileigh: A super-numerary book sold to Mr. Lillington by order of the Society which is towdsye discharge of the above sd 14s 3d paid to Mr. Brett by me. W. Herne.”
The second edition of the author catalogue was compiled by Benjamin Mackerell, the late Library Keeper, and published in 1732, the preface being dated April 15th, 1732. Mackerell closely followed the plan of the previous catalogue, using part of the preface for his “Dedication” “To the Right Worshipful Robert Marsh, Esqr; Mayor, The Worshipful The Sheriffs, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of Norwich.” The entries are limited to one line each, and there is a column showing the sizes. The catalogue consisting of 54 printed pages, and measuring 8½ by 6½ inches, is entitled “A New Catalogue of the Books in the Publick Library of the City of Norwich, in the year 1732, to which is added, An Account of the Orders prescribed by the Court and Common Council for the regulation of the same, together with an account of Mr. John Kirkpatrick’s Roman and Other Coins,” printed by William Chase, in the Cockey Lane. Neither of the two copies of this catalogue in the Library contains the account of Kirkpatrick’s coins, and Mr. F. Kitton, the compiler of the 1883 catalogue, had not seen a copy containing it. As all the pages of the catalogue except the last one have a catchword it is reasonable to assume that the account of the coins was not included.
The next catalogue was published in 1817 as a supplement to that of the “Public Library” where the City Library was housed. Unfortunately the present writer has been unable to trace a copy of this catalogue, which, however, is recorded in Samuel Woodward’s “Norfolk Topographer’s Manual,” 1842: “A Catalogue of Books belonging to the Norwich City Library, which, by permission of the Corporation, are now deposited in the Norwich Public-Library Room; 35 pp., 8 vo. Norwich (1817).” This catalogue, according to a paragraph in the Catalogue ofthe Public Library, 1825, had an “alphabetical arrangement, in divisions of languages and sizes.” Perhaps this catalogue served as the “copy” for the catalogue of the City Library which is printed at the end of the “Second Catalogue of the Library of the Norfolk and Norwich Literary Institution,” 1825, pp. 105-137, as its arrangement is by languages and sizes. This arrangement not being “calculated to be conveniently accessible” it was deemed advisable by the Committee of the Public Library that “it should be subjected to the same scientific arrangement as the books which are the property of the Public Library; and in order to prevent the obvious inconvenience of two references, the Committee have included both sets of works under the same arrangement, distinguishing those which are the property of the Corporation . . . by a prominent and appropriate designation,” i.e., the letters C. L. in black letter. This catalogue is a classified catalogue with the following nine classes, seven of which are subdivided, and the arrangement in each class is alphabetical by authors’ names: I. Theology; II. Ethics, Metaphysics, and Logic; III. Sciences and the Arts; IV. Jurisprudence, Government, and Politics; V. History and Biography; VI. Geography, Topography, Voyages and Travels; VII. Polite Literature and Philology; VIII. Poetry and Dramatic Works, Novels and Romances; IX. Transactions of Literary and Scientific Societies, Reviews, Magazines and Reports.
A new edition of the Public Library Catalogue was published in 1847, the arrangement being the same as in the preceding one.
The Library books having been repaired in 1879 and 1880, the City Committee decided in 1882 to issue a new catalogue, with the view of making the books accessible to the citizens. The work of compiling the catalogue was entrusted to Mr. Frederic Kitton, Hon. F.R.M.S., an eminent microscopist of his day, who resided in Norwich for many years, but who apparently had no bibliographical knowledge or library experience. This appointment was made in the days when it was the common fashion to regard the work of compiling a library catalogue as within the capacity of any intelligent person; whereas there are, in fact, many rules to be observed, and much practical experience is necessary if thethousand and one pitfalls which beset the path of the cataloguer are to be avoided. The catalogue[50a]was on much more ambitious lines than its predecessors, and the compiler claimed to “have carefully copied the title pages, retaining their abbreviations, antique spelling, inaccuracies, or other peculiarities.” An examination of it, however, shows that it abounds in inaccuracies, and exhibits most of the errors that can be made in an author catalogue. A catalogue of the City Library compiled in accordance with modern bibliographical practice is still a desideratum.
The first home of the Library, as stated on page 4, was parcel of the dwelling house of Jerrom Goodwyne, the sword-bearer of the City. This house was built over the south porch of the Church of the Black Friars, now known as St. Andrew’s Hall, which had been acquired by the City at the Dissolution. It is clearly shewn in the frontispiece, which is a reproduction of Daniel King’s engraving of Black Friars’ Hall, probably executed about 1650. The Local Collection contains two copies of the engraving which have different plate numbers: one, numbered 78, is from the edition of Dugdale’s “Monasticon” published in 1718, but the book from which the other one, numbered 50, was taken, has not been traced.
Writing in 1857 Henry Harrod remarked that “If the view engraved by King correctly represents this house, it was by no means an ornamental feature; still it was as good as the far more pretentious structure which has replaced it.”[50b]
In regard to the building of this house Kirkpatrick gives an extract from a record of 34th Henry VIII, showing that the city granted to John Kempe, the chaplain, “in consideration that he, of his benevolence hath bestowed about the buylding of a lodgyng with three chambers, over the porch of the house, late the black friars, now the common hall of the city, and on either side of the same porch, above sixty pounds;—that, therefore, the said J. Kempe shall have the same lodgyng, with the office called theChapleyn of the Chappell, belonging to the said hall called,St. John’s Chapel, with all the oblacions; also, liberty of the garden and yard called the prechyng-yard.”[51]
The first of the few entries in the Minute Book regarding the library rooms shows that the books were not too well protected from the elements, for on 10th August, 1657, “Mr. Collinges gaue an acctof 1s. laid out for coale and wood for the drying of yebookes harmed by yeraine.”
From the instructions, in Latin, to the Librarian which are set out in the classified and alphabetical catalogue of 1658 we learn that the library was arranged in two parts, East and West, and that the books were classified. “On the East part the treasury of the books is double, major and minor. The larger part is divided into ten classes folio. The smaller has only four classes of books in 4to and 8vo. The numbering of all classes must always be begun from the bottom. On the West part the treasury of books is single, arranged in five larger classes. Here the number must always be reckoned from the top.”
In 1664 the development of the Library necessitated the enlargement of the accommodation, and on 11th July “All the minrs. present agreed in a petition to yeMayrSherriffs Aldn. &c in Court of Comon Councell for yeaddition of a roome to yelibrary, and yebetter shelving of it. They further desired Mr. George Cock and Mr. Beresford to present yepetition to yeComon Councell at their next assembly. Mr. Chamberlain hauing first viewed yeroome & computed yecharge.” On the 12th January 1673 the members decided to petition the Court for removing some wainscot doors, and on March 9th it was recorded that by order of the Court of Assembly “we haue also leaue to take downe yewaynscott Doores wchnow conceale the Bookes.”
The Library was removed about 1801, when it was lent to the “Public Library” (see p. 13), to a building formerly a Roman Catholic Chapel, in what is now St. Andrew’s Street, which afterwards became a portion of the old Museum Building, now the offices of the Norwich Guardians. In 1835 the City Library, still on loan to the “Public Library,” went with it to its newbuilding in the Market Place opposite the north door of the Guildhall, on the site of its successor, the present Norfolk and Norwich Subscription Library. The City Library returned to the direct control of the Corporation in 1862, and was housed in the present Public Library building then recently erected.
DONATIONS TO THE CITY LIBRARY, 1608-1737.(Extracted from the Vellum Book.)
DATE.
DONOR.
VOLS.
1608
Pettus, Sir John, Knt., Alderman of Norwich
15
1608
Downing, Mrs. Susannah, wife of Alderman George Downing
3
1609
Corye, Mr. Thomas, Merchant
10
1609
Hirne, Sir Thomas, Knt.
12
1609/10
Corbett, Thomas, Esq.
6
1609/10
Doyly, Henry, Esq.
2
1610
Doyly, Charles, Gent.
11
1610
Sedgwick, Robert, Merchant
12
1610
Peade, Michael, Notary Public and Registrar to the Archdeacon of Norwich
2
1610
Mingay, John, Gent.
2
1610
Pettus, Augustine, Son and heir of the said [Sir] John [Pettus]
4
Howlett, Laurence, S.T.B., Minister of St. Andrew’s
1
1611
Newhowse, Thomas, A.M., & Minister of God’s Word
4
1611
Hannam, William, Gent., A.M.
3
1612/3
Garsett, Robert, Esq.
7
1613
Blowe, Joanna, widow
4
1613
Thurston, Hamond, Merchant
3
1613
Peckover, Mathew, late Sheriff of Norwich
3
1614
Launey, Peter, Minister of the Walloon Church [in Norwich]
2
Wells, William, Theologiæ Baccalaureus
5
Throkmorton, Bassingbourne
2
1614
Cropp, John, Physician and Surgeon
4
Bird, Henry
1
1615
Ross, Richard, Gent., late Sheriff of Norwich
1
1614
Barbar, Gabriel, Gent., in the name of the Society of Virginia
11
1616/7
Nutting, Edward, late Sheriff of Norwich
5
1616/7
Batho, William, B.T.
1
1617
Anguish, John, Gent., and Citizen
7
1617
Anguish, Edmund, Gent.
9
1617
Catelyn, Thomas, Esq.
7
Corbett, Anne, widow of Thomas Corbett, Esq.
1
1618
Atkins, Thomas, Merchant, Norwich
£5 and 7
1621
Scottowe, Augustine
17
Gallard, Robert, formerly minister of St. Andrew’s
1
1625/6
Page, Francis
1
1628
City of Norwich
1
Remington, Nathaniel, Alderman [of Norwich]
4
1631
Borage, John
7
1633
Chapman, Samuel, Merchant
2
1633
Barret, Thomas, Merchant
2
1634
Mingay, Antony, Gent.
11
Mingay, Mrs., Widow
7
1634
Freeman, John
Map of Canaan
1634
Blosse, Prudence, Widow, Relict of Alderman T. Blosse
8
Chappell, John, S.T.B., Minister of St. Andrew’s
4
1658
Payne, Joseph, Alderman [afterwards Sir]
£20 and 1
Thornback, John, Minister of St. Andrew’s
1
Stinett, William, S.T.B., Rector of St. John Maddermarket
7
1658/9
Collinges, John, S.T.: Dr.
£1 and 6
[1657]
Whitefoote, John, Rector of Heigham, next Norwich
4
1659
Brooke, Thomasine, Widow & Relict of Wm. Brooke, Gent.
29[53a]
[1659]
Allen, Thomas
1
[1659/60]
City of Norwich
6
1661
Payne, Sir Joseph, Knt., late Mayor of this City
16
Scottowe, Augustine, Merchant.
7[53b]
[1661]
Smyth, John, Rector of St. Michael Coslany
1
[1661]
Barret, Thomas
5[53c]
1662
Norris, Francis, Citizen and Alderman [of Norwich]
14
[1664]
Morley, Thomas, Curate of St. Peter Hungate
2
1664
Mann, John, Citizen and Alderman [of Norwich]
38
1665
Fromentell, Samuel, Citizen
1
1666
Meene, Joshua, formerly Curate of St. Peter Per Moutergate
3
1666
Browne, [Sir] Thomas, Professor of Medicine
9
1668 and 1673
Oliver, William, Bookseller
2
1673
Cock, George, Curate of St. Peter of Mancroft
18
1671-1676
Barnham, John, Citizen
5
1673
Norris, Anthony, Merchant of Norwich
3
[1674]
Ellsworth, John, Physician
2
[1674/5]
Tenison, Thomas, S.S.T.B. [afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury]
5
1674
Cock, Nathaniel, Merchant of London
33[53d]
1676
[Reynolds,] Edward, [D.D.] Bishop of Norwich
24
1678
Watson, John, Vicar of Wroxham
2
1678
Clarke, Samuel, Rector of Rainham
1
1681
Gardiner, Francis, Citizen and Alderman [of Norwich]
2
[1681]
Nurce, William, Clerk
2
[1681/2]
Prideaux, Humphrey, S.T.P., and Prebendary [afterwards Dean of Norwich]
£1[54a]and 1
1691
Adamson, William, Rector of St. John in Maddermarket
2
1678
Brigges, Augustine, Citizen and Alderman [of Norwich]
Wisse, Thomas, Citizen and Alderman [of Norwich] Church, Bernard, Citizen and Alderman [of Norwich]
[10][54b]
1696
Penning, Benjamin, A.M., and Rector of St. Clement’s, Norwich
1
1692
Ireland, Richard, formerly Rector of Beeston and sometime also of St. Edmond’s, Norwich, where he was born
His Library
1700
Adamson, William, Rector of St. John’s Maddermarket
3 shelves of books
1704
Trimnell, Dr., Archdeacon of Norfolk, and Prebendary of Norwich [afterwards Bishop of Norwich]
3
1704
Gardiner, Stephen, Esq., Recorder of this City
1
1706
Gurdon, Thornaugh, Esq., [Letton]
2
1706
Resbury, Benjamin, Rector of Cranworth cum Letton
1
1706
Adams, Archibald
1
1706
Moore, John, [D.D.], Lord Bishop of Norwich
3
1706/7
Tanner, Thomas, D.D., Chancellor of Norwich [afterwards Bishop of St. Asaph]
5
1706/7
Bacon, Waller, Esq.
1
1706/7
Beverley, Michael, Esq., Citizen and Alderman of Norwich
8
1707
Potts, Algernon, Esq. [of Norwich]
1
1707
Nelson, Thomas, Rector of Morston, in Norfolk
3
1707
Cook, Sir William, Bart.
9
1707
Eden, Henry, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge
4
1707
Laughton, John, Trinity College, Cambridge, and Library Keeper to the University
4
1707
Rudd, Edward, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge
3
Bradshaw, Samuel, A.B., Trinity College, Cambridge
1
Granger, Gilbert, A.B., Trinity College, Cambridge
1
Snow, Matthew, Trinity College, Cambridge
1
Chamberlain, William, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge
1
Bourchier, Ralph, Trinity College, Cambridge
1
Cotes, Roger, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge
3
Eusden, Lawrence, of Trinity College, Cambridge
5
Smith, Edward, of Trinity College, Cambridge
3
Fleming, David, A.B., of Trinity College, Cambridge
1
[1707/8]
Ganning, Nathaniel, Rector of Reyme[r]ston, in Norf.
1
1708
Doyly, Samuel, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge
1
Farewell, Mr. [of Trinity College, Cambridge]
1
Andrews, Mr., [of Trinity College, Cambridge]
1
Foulis, [J.] Mr. [of Trinity College, Cambridge]
1
Hill, Mr., Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge
1
[1708]
Lightwin, John, President of Caius College, Cambridge
2
1708
Gurdon, Brampton, Fellow of Caius College, Cambridge
2
Hawys, Roger, Fellow of Caius College, Cambridge
1
Crask, Dr., of Cambridge
1
Dodd, Mr., Fellow of Clare Hall
1
Worts, William, A.M., of Cambridge
1
1709/10
Bedingfield, James, als De Grey, Fellow of Gonvil and Caius College, Cambridge
1
1709/10
Prideaux, Humphrey, D.D., and Dean of Norwich
1
1712
[Trimnell], Charles, Lord Bishop of Norwich
3
1713/4
Peck, John, Esq., of Bracondale
2
1714
Nelson, Thomas, Late Rector of Morston, in Norfolk
His Library
1715
Herne, Clement, Esq., of Heverland
2
[1715/6]
Seaman, Thomas, Esq., of Heigham
2
1716
Mackerell, Benjamin, of the City of Norwich, Gent.
2
[1716]
Helwys, Nicholas, Esq., Citizen and Alderman of Norwich
1
1717 and 1718
Prideaux, Humphrey, D.D., and Dean of Norwich
2
1718
Clark, Thomas, Esq.
3
1719
Houghton, William
1
1721
Grayle, John, Rector of Blickling
9
1725
Knyvett, John, of this City, Esq.
1
1726
Tanner, Thomas, S.T.P., and Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich [afterwards Bishop of St. Asaph]
100[55a]
1727
Reveley, Edward
4
1728
Kirkpatrick, John, Merchant and Treasurer to the Great Hospital in this City
His Library
1729
Jermy, John, Esq.
[?][55b]
1730
Prideaux, Edmund, Esq.
60[55c]
1730
Wingfield, Robert, Writing master
13
1731
Pagan, William
7
1731
Gurdon, Thornaugh, [Letton]
[2?][55d]
King, Reuben, Primier [sic] English Schoolmaster in this City
1
1731
Mackerell, Benjamin, the present Library Keeper
13
1733
Whaley, John
1
Bennet, Gilbert
2
1733
Jermy, John
40
1732
Ellis, Ben-Jos[eph], Minister of St. Andrew’s in Norwich
2
1737
Jermy, John, Esq.
14
1737
Nash, Robert, Esq., Chancellor of this Diocese
4